Description
MCS MTN500 Mercator Control Systems RF Controller 101-0301-004 Phase Load
The MCS MTN500 is a benchtop RF phase and load controller made by Mercator Control Systems Inc. of Santa Ana, California. It provides manual adjustment of phase and load parameters via two front-panel rotary controls, with RF signal routing through dedicated RF IN and RF OUT coaxial connectors and a GND terminal on the rear panel. The unit is housed in a compact blue steel enclosure with a black anodized front panel bearing the distinctive yellow TCO logo.
Specifications & What's Included
- Manufacturer: Mercator Control Systems Inc. (MCS), Santa Ana, CA 90701
- Model No.: MTN500
- Part No.: 101-0301-004
- Made in USA
- Form factor: Benchtop enclosure, blue/black
- Front panel controls: Phase (rotary), Load (rotary)
- RF OUT: coaxial connector (rear panel, left side)
- RF IN: coaxial connector (rear panel, right side)
- GND: terminal on rear panel
- Power/signal connection: multi-pin circular connector on chassis
- Internal construction: large copper coil inductor (center), dual finned variable capacitor/reactive element assemblies (left and right)
- Perforated ventilation in internal chassis lid
- Sold as unit only; no accessories or cables included
Applications
The MTN500 is a manual RF matching network or impedance controller of the type used to tune the phase and load characteristics of an RF power delivery path — most commonly in plasma-based industrial processes such as reactive ion etching (RIE), physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or semiconductor etch systems. In these systems, an RF generator drives a plasma load whose impedance shifts during processing; a matching network like this one is placed between the generator and the process chamber to maximize power transfer by adjusting the reactive elements (inductor and variable capacitors) until the system is tuned. The two front-panel controls — Phase and Load — correspond to the two variable reactive elements visible inside the unit: the rotary knobs allow an operator to manually tune the network for a given process condition. Mercator Control Systems (MCS) produced RF matching and control products primarily for the semiconductor capital equipment and plasma processing industries during the 1980s and 1990s, and units like the MTN500 are still sought by operators of legacy plasma systems that require compatible matching hardware.
This MCS MTN500 Mercator Control Systems RF Controller (part no. 101-0301-004) has been inspected and appears to be in good used condition. The blue/black front panel and enclosure show minor surface wear consistent with normal bench use. Both the Phase and Load rotary controls turn freely. The RF IN and RF OUT coax connectors and GND terminal on the rear panel appear intact with no visible damage. Internal components — including the large copper coil inductor and dual variable capacitor assemblies — are present and appear undisturbed. Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
Mercator Control Systems (MCS) |
Model: |
MTN500 |
MPN: |
101-0301-004 |
SKU: |
45077 |
Type: |
RF Phase/Load Controller |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
United States |
Form Factor: |
Benchtop |
Interface Type: |
RF IN, RF OUT (coax BNC/SMA), GND |
Controls: |
Phase (rotary), Load (rotary) |
RF Connectors: |
RF IN coax, RF OUT coax, GND terminal |
Power Connector: |
Multi-pin circular connector |
Internal Construction: |
Large copper coil inductor, dual variable capacitor banks |
Enclosure Color: |
Blue/black front panel with gold interior chassis |
Seller Notes: |
Unit only; no accessories or cables included |
Condition Notes: |
MCS MTN500 Mercator Control Systems RF Controller (101-0301-004) inspected and in good used condition. Phase and Load controls turn freely. RF IN/OUT coax connectors intact. Internal coil and capacitor assemblies present and undisturbed. |
