sea-tel onboard personnel training dac-2202 legacy rev1.1

MARITIME TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

Onboard Personnel Training Training Manual

Richard Pimentel

This document is intended for MTN customers only. This document will provide the user with a basic knowledge of MTNs VSAT system and functionality. This document is to be provided only

after training on the VSAT system has been provided by an MTN representative.

On-Board Personnel Training - Sea-Tel DAC-2202 / Legacy

2 Maritime Telecommunications Network 16 November 2010

Training Manual Legacy rev. 1.1

Table of Contents

Abbreviations & Terminology 4

Satellite Principles/ Theory . 5

iDirect Hub Remote Basics .. 11

All BDE Component Identification & Functions:

Sea-Tel Digital Antenna Controller(s) (DAC) . 13

Terminal Mounting Strip . 13~14

MUX plate (RF Modems) 15

iDirect Netmodem .. 15

Spectrum Analyzer/ RSA . 16

Cisco Router ... 16~17

Cisco Switch .... 17

Laptop .... 18

Uninterruptable Power Supply .... 18~19

NMEA Buffer .. 19

DAC Menu Navigation and Functionality .... 21~29

Setting and Identifying Blockage Zones (as seen from DAC, and in ADE) ... 26

Targeting a Satellite . 30

Performing a Satellite Cutover . 32

Setting Threshold 36




Setting Satellite Elevation & Azimuth Trims ... 37

Up/ Downloading of Options File

Saving Current options file to Laptop .. 39

Loading options file to iDirect Netmodem 40

All ADE Components Identification & Functions:

a. PCU ... 41

b. GPS ... 41

c. Level Cage ... 41

d. Level cage motor ... 41

e. Axes Motors ..... 41

f. Servo Amplifiers .. 41

g. Home flag switch . 41

h. Azimuth Encoder . 41

i. Circuit breaker... 41

j. Power ring ..... 41

k. Rotary Joint ....... 41

l. LNB ...... 41

m. Feed Assembly ..... 42

n. Pol Motor ..... 42

o. Pol Potentiometer ..... 42

p. BUC ...... 42




q. BUC Power Supply (if applicable) ...... 42

r. Antenna Power supply ... 42

s. Waveguide ..... 42

t. ADE RF Modems .. 42

u. Polang Relay Assy. .. 42

2.4m & 1~1.5m Antenna Components Photos .... 42~47

Antenna Initialization & 3 Axes Movement ... 47

Tx/ Rx Signal Flow .... 49




Abbreviations/ Terminology

The objective of this document is to provide vessel personnel with the basic knowledge and

understanding of how the MTN VSAT system operates and how to accomplish common everyday tasks.

This document is to be left with vessel personnel for reference purposes only. Any issues, questions,

and concerns about the MTN VSAT system, please call the MTN NOC at 1-954-538-4074.

AC- Alternating Current ACU- Antenna Control Unit BUC- Block Up-Converter CCW- Counter Clock Wise CONUS- Continental United

States Co-Pol Co Polarization Cross-Pol Cross Polarization CW- Clock Wise DAC- Digital Antenna

Controller DC- Direct Current Directnet- Nomenclature for

MTN network configuration using iDirect application

DRAM- Dynamic Random Access Memory

EPS- External Power Supply ES- Earth Station Freq- Frequency FSD- Frame Start Delay GPS- Global Positioning

System

GEO- Geosynchronous Orbit

GUI- Graphical User Interface

H- Horizontal Polarization

IDU- Indoor Unit

IF- Intermediate Frequency

IFL- Interconnect Facility Link

IOR- Indian Ocean Region

LAN- Local Area Network

Lat- Latitude

LED- Light Emitting Diode

LEO- Low Earth Orbit

LES- Land Earth Station

LHCP- Left-hand Circular

Polarization

LO- Local Oscillator

Long- Longitude

LNA- Low Noise Amplifier

LNB- Low Noise Block (down-

converter)

MEO- Medium Earth Orbit

MES- Mobile Earth Station

NetModem- iDirect satellite

modem

NMS- Network Management

Server

NOC- Network Operations

Center

OMT- Orthomode Transducer

PCU- Pedestal Control Unit

PLL- Phase Lock Looped

POL- Polarization

POR- Pacific Ocean Region

QOS- Quality Of Service

Radome- Protects antenna

from environment

RF- Radio Frequency

RHCP- Right-hand Circular

Polarization

RX- Receive chain or signal

Remote- shipside netmodem/

distant-end netmodem

SATCOM- Satellite

Communications

SCPC- Single Channel Per

Carrier

SNR- Signal to Noise Ratio

SSPA- Solid State Power

Amplifier

TCP/IP- Transmission Control

Protocol/ Internet Protocol

TDM- Time Division

Multiplexing

TDMA- Time Division Multiple

Access

TWTA- Traveling Wave Tube

Amplifier

TX- Transmit chain or signal

V- Vertical Polarization

VLAN- Virtual Local Area

Network

V-Sat Very Small Aperture

Terminal




Satellite Principles/ Theory-

Satellite Orbits

There are several types of satellite orbits; Polar, Low-earth, Medium-earth and

geosynchronous to name a few

MTN uses Geosynchronous/ Geostationary Satellites

An orbit that has the same orbital period as the Earth's rotation (23h 56m 4sec)

Orbit does not have an orbital inclination and eccentricity of zero

Orbit directly over equator

Orbital position measured by Longitude

Satellite positions are determined & referenced by its Longitude (e.g. 83 West)

East & West satellite positions are determined from 00 Longitude




In V-Sat communications, the most commonly used frequency bands are C and Ku.

Radars operate at S and X bands, these bands and on either side of C and can cause

interference.

C-Band Frequencies Operate at:

Uplink 5925 to 6425 MHz

Downlink 3700 to 4200 MHz

Satellite translation frequencies will vary from satellite to satellite, but typically

work at 2225MHz for domestic C-band in MTNs network of satellites.

Ku-Band Frequencies

Uplink 14000 to 14500

Downlink (Mhz)

Band 1- 10950 to 11700

Band 2- 11700 to 12200

Band 3- 12200 to 12700

Satellite translation frequencies will vary from satellite to satellite, but typically work at

2300MHz for domestic Ku-band and 3300MHz for some international Ku-band (ABS-1) in

MTNs network of satellites.

FootPrints/ Beams-

Global: Covers 1/3 of the Earth at one time.

Hemi: Covers a hemisphere, i.e. all of North and South America.

Regional: Covers a Continent or Countries and is smaller than a Hemi footprint

Area/ Spot: Covers very small areas in comparison to the other footprints, and are

usually located over small isolated land mass.




Satellite Interference-

Interference - Interference can come from electrical or physical sources. These sources

can introduce noise into the signal or impede the path or reception of the signal.

Microwave Communications The frequency spectrum of satellite communications is

shared among other industries. Microwave and some Radar are particularly intrusive

either in primary or harmonic frequencies.

Sun Outages The sun generates a level of RF noise all of the time and a significant level

at predictable times that are announced by most satellite providers. Storms on the sun

generate waves of energy that degrade most RF signals including satellite frequencies.

Rain Fade Significant levels of water moisture in the air will have a negative effect on

satellite communications because the water molecules in the air attenuate the signal.

The attenuation reduces the signal power level at the receiving end and the Signal to

Noise (S/N) ratio is reduced. The higher the frequency, the lower resulting S/N as a

result of rain fade.

Physical Blockage Other than the Radome, any additional physical mass blocking the

Line of Sight between the antenna and the satellite will decrease the power level and




performance of the satellite signal being received. Trees, buildings and towers are

typical sources of physical blockage that need to be mitigated to provide the best

performance.

Polarization-

Polarization is a way to give transmission signals a specific direction.

Signals transmitted by a satellite can be polarized in four different ways:

linear (horizontal or vertical) or circular (left-hand or right-hand).

The purpose is to maximize the channels that are available for satellite

broadcasts, efficiently, both linear polarization and circular polarization which

can be applied concurrently for each transponder or frequency assignment.

Linear Polarized signals are transmitted by a satellite and sent as microwave energy in

either, a vertical (up and down) or horizontal (flat) polarization.

Circular Polarization (C-Band) uses a varying polarization.

Instead of transmitting and receiving the RF signal along a linear plane (H or V),

circular polarization is transmitted and received in a helical rotating pattern

(LHCP = CCW direction and RHCP = CW direction as seen from the satellite)

Earth

Geostationary

Arc

Linear Polarized Satellites

Ver

tical P

olar

izat

ion

Hor

izon

tal P

olar

izat

ion




Feed Assembly-

Orthomode Transducer is part of the feed assembly and is used to combine or

separate the Transmit and Receive signal paths. The Transmit and Receive

signals over the same waveguide section are 90 degrees to each other.

Isolation between the TX and RX signals is generally between 40 dB and 60 dB

(orthogonal shift) minimizing any possibility of interference.

This isolation protects the sensitive receiver front-end elements (LNB)

from burning out by the power output of the BUC.

Co-Polarization- is when both TX and RX signals are on the same polarity, i.e.

TX/RX - H/H or TX/RX - V/V. This is used on satellites specifically designed to

operate Co-Pol and requires a Co-Pol kit to be retro-fitted onto the antenna.

Applies to Ku-band antenna systems only.

Earth

Geostationary

Arc

Circular Polarized

Satellites

Left

Han

d C

ircul

ar P

olar

izat

ion

RIg

ht H

and

Circ

ular

Pol

arizat

ion

Clo

ckw

ise

Rot

atio

n Cou

nter

Clo

ckw

ise

Rot

atio

n




Satellite Links

Uplink

Transmission path from Earth station to Satellite

Downlink

Transmission path from Satellite to Earth Station

DirectNet Outbound Channel (Out-Route/Down-stream)

Signal from the Hub to the Remote

Outbound Uplink (Hub to Satellite)

Outbound Downlink (Satellite to Remote)

DirectNet Inbound Channel (In-Route/Up-Stream)

Signal from the Remote to the Hub

Inbound Uplink (Remote to Satellite)

Inbound Downlink (Satellite to Hub)

Outbound and Inbound signals use the same satellite and typically use the same

transponder.

Transponder

A Transponder is a satellite repeater, which accepts the weak incoming signals

from the Earth stations, boosts them, translates them from the uplink to the

downlink frequency, and re-transmits them to the Earth stations

Satellite Systems Equipment

Antenna- Receive

Reflector and Band-pass Filter

Band-pass Filter allows only desired signals to pass through

Amplifier- Receive

The Low Noise Blocker (LNB) amplifies signal and provides conversion to L-Band

The Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) increases the power level of the signal

Amplifier- Transmit

The TWTA or SSPA amplifies the power level of the signal to a level that the

Earth stations can receive

Antenna- Transmit

Block Up Converter (BUC) converts L-Band to RF and amplifies the signal

Mixer Local Oscillator (LO)

Converts any frequency to create a new frequency

Utilizes a local oscillator to mix and translate the received Uplink frequencies to

Downlink frequencies at the Satellite (and vice versa).

Utilizes a known stabilized frequency source (10MHz)




Simple Satellite Conversion:

C-Band

Modem TX L-Band 1200MHz Modem to BUC

BUC LO 4900MHz BUC LO

TX Up Link Freq 6100MHz BUC to Satellite

Satellite LO 2225MHz Satellite LO

RX Down Link Freq 3875MHz Satellite to LNB

LNB LO 5150MHz LNB LO

HUB RX L-Band 1275MHz LNB to Line card

Ku-Band

Modem TX L-Band 1200MHz Modem to BUC

BUC LO 13050MHz BUC LO

TX Up Link Freq 14250MHz BUC to Satellite

Satellite LO 2300MHz Satellite LO

RX Down Link Freq 11950MHz Satellite to LNB

LNB LO 10750MHz LNB LO

HUB RX L-Band 1200MHz LNB to Line card

iDirect Hub Remote Basics

Signal to Noise Ratio

SNR is the measure of signal to noise for a digital communications system. It is

measured at the input to a receiver and is used as the basic measure of how

strong the signal is.




Hub - Remote in-route path

Is a simple TDMA in-route over a single transponder from several remote sites.

Remote Equipment Configuration:

LNB and BUC are on the antenna above decks and iDirect netmodem (remote)

is mounted in the rack below decks.

In-Route

Rem

ote

4

Rem

ote

3

Rem

ote 2Rem

ote 1

ES Up

Converter

ES Down

Converter

L-Band

RX

(to demodulator)

AMP

LNA

L-Band

TX

(from Modulator)

BUC (C or Ku)

Low Noise Block Down

Converter (LNB)

RX

Radio

Frequency

TX

Radio

Frequency

Inroute- Multiple remotes transmitting back to Hub at Earth Station




Below Decks Equipment (BDE) Components-

Sea-Tel DAC

Is the man-machine user interface. Allows the user to command and control the

above decks antenna system and provides for visual display of antenna status

and diagnostics.

Terminal Mounting Strip (TMS)

Allows for interface of Synchro, SBS, or NMEA Gyro, input/ output of NMEA GPS,

external AGC input to Sea-Tel DAC

DAC-2200/2202

Older style TMS




BDE RF Modem Plate (Mux Plate)

Allows for BDE to ADE communications to have command and control of the

antenna, and allows for laptop to BUC communications. Typical set-up is 2 sets

below decks and 2 above decks.

iDirect Netmodem (Remote)

Is where data/IP information is modulated onto a frequency/ carrier and sent up

to the antenna for transmission to the satellite.

5000 series iDirect Netmodem




Spectrum Analyzer/ Remote Spectrum Analyzer (RSA)

Displays the RX spectrum of bandwidth from the satellite

Cisco Router

Interfaces ship network to MTN network at the IP level

PSA-37XP

RSA-2150A

Cisco 3600 series Router




Cisco Switch

Interfaces MTN IP addressable devices to iDirect netmodem via VLANs

Cisco 2600 series Router

Cisco 2811 Router

Cisco 2950 Switch




Laptop

MTN rack laptop for MTN/ vessel use. For professional purposes only.

Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS)

MTN provided to support MTN rack and above decks antenna system during

ship power outages.

2kVA Powerware UPS or 6kVA UPS includes Controller (not shown)




NMEA Buffer

Passes NMEA GPS/ Gyro to ACU, NMEA GPS to Netmodem, & Router for

Shiptracker, and is also a pass-thru for ext AGC and is used to program Garmin

GPS antenna, above decks.

5kVA powerware UPS (older style)

Rev. 2 NMEA Buffer




SEA-TEL Digital Antenna Controller (DAC) Unit Menu Navigation & Functionality-

Stabilized Antenna System Terminology-

DAC 2200 series Front Panel Functions:

The DAC-2200 and 2202 have Next, Select, and Enter buttons to navigate the display

menus.

The DAC-2200 and 2202 also has an Up, Down, Left, and Right arrows for further

selection and control. The new DAC has a tracking button to toggle tracking on and off.




DAC Menus

Ship menu has three entries

Latitude The latitude of the vessel location

Longitude The longitude of the vessel location

Heading The current heading of the vessel.

The heading has two entries. The right entry is the heading that the DAC is

receiving. The left entry is the echo from the heading that the PCU is receiving.

The Satellite menu has four displays with a sub menu under the receiver.

The top left is the current satellite that has been entered

The top right is the threshold entered

The bottom right is the AGC

The bottom left is the receiver menu and the sub menus under it. To enter into

the sub menu keep pressing the enter key (some versions of software you will

need to use the N/S/E/W key).

The receiver first has the tracking freq in L-band i.e. MHZ 1015

The next display will be KHZ or Baud rate.

Next will be tone, this is not used in MTN systems

Next will be volt horz/vert, this is not used in MTN systems.

Next is FEC, this is changeable to many settings. The MTN systems

use only the SCPC mode or the AUTO.

Next is NID, MTN does not use this function and it MUST be set to 0000

The Antenna menu has five displays:

The top left is Azimuth display. The AZ display is a calculation of Rel + Heading

+/- AZ trim.

The top right is Elevation display from the elevation angle sent back by the PCU




The bottom left is Relative display. The REL display is a position feedback from

the PCU of the encoder reading.

The bottom right is AGC display. This is the signal strength from the satellite.

The NEXT bottom left display is Polang display. The POL display is a direct

readout of the pole pot on the feed of the antenna and is sent to the DAC from

the PCU.

With the DAC-2200 and 2202 use the arrow keys to select the desired

axis position and change the numbers using the up / down arrow keys.

To slew the antenna, select the main antenna window with all four

displays present and use the arrow keys to move the antenna.

The Mode menu has active tracking and searching selections. Under the Mode menu is a

list of parameters. After the these parameters is the remote commands.

The first display is CONTROL TRACKING. The tracking function can be turned

on/off using the up arrow. The band selection can be changed using the down

arrow. The band select does not change the function of the tracking. Band

select is KuLo, KuHi, C, or X. (typically used for LNB Band selection)

Next is CONTROL SEARCH, use the up arrow to toggle this function on/off.

Search can only be enabled when the AGC is lower than threshold.

Next is the STATUS ERROR display. This display reflects the errors that the system has

accrued. The ERROR window has two sets of numbers.

The first set is the communication errors between the PCU and the DAC. The

number will increment for each missing data bit.

The second set of numbers is the specific errors that the DAC or the PCU has

detected.

The sum of the numbers will represent what error has occurred.




The next display is the REMOTE AUX. This is not activated and has no relevance.

The Set-Up menus should only be modified by qualified technicians. The Set-Up menu

will change the tracking, searching and function parameters. To access the menus press

and hold the left & right arrow keys simultaneously for 3 seconds or until auto trim or

EL trim is displayed.

AUTO TRIM: applicable in ACU sw ver. 6.06 >. Auto calculates & applies EL/AZ

trim (see below).

EL TRIM: This changes the EL display without changing the look angle. This is to

compensate for the differences in the machining of each antenna. The trims are

used to adjust the display value to the calculated value of the satellite.

AZ TRIM: This changes the AZ display without changing the AZ position. The AZ

TRIM is used to correct for the imperfections on the installation of the antenna.

The trims are used to adjust the display value to the calculated value of the

satellite.

AUTO THRES: This has the DAC calculate the threshold automatically. MTN does

not use this function and should be set to 0000.

EL STEP SIZE: This changes the size of the steps when in step-track. A value of

0001-0004 is for active step track. A value of 0000 is used for dish-scan tracking.

AZ STEP SIZE: This changes the size of the steps when in step-track. A value of

0001-0004 is for active step track. A value of 0000 is used for dish-scan tracking.

MTN uses a default of 0003 for step-track. NOTE: All Ku systems should be

running dish-scan.

STEP INTEGRAL: Controls the integration of steps, i.e.... the time the antenna

takes before the next step is initiated. MTN uses a default of 0060. A setting of

0000 activates dish-scan tracking. NOTE: All Ku systems should be running dish-

scan.

SEARCH INC: The search pattern is a spiral box pattern, the SEARCH INC

represents the incremental size the next pattern will be.

SEARCH LIMIT: Represents the overall size of the search box

SEARCH DELAY: Represents the amount of time the AGC can be below the

threshold before the search will begin.

SWEEP INC: This function is not used at MTN.

SYSTEM TYPE: This number represents the different features that are initiated

in the system.

Add the numbers together to activate the corresponding configuration

MTN uses 134 for C-Band and 198 for Ku-Band antennas

For the External AGC to be activated, the system type 2 and 128 must

always be combined.




For the older Ku-Band systems (i.e. 4003), the LNB voltage must be

enabled and the correct voltage selected from the receiver menu.

GYRO TYPE: This number indicates the type of compass interface that is

connected.

The most common gyro type at MTN is 2 or 360

POLANG TYPE: This number represents the polang type the system is in. MTN

only uses a POLANG TYPE of 0009 (Manual mode) or 0072 (auto pol mode)

0 Circular Feed (No polang function)

1 Manual mode

8 Pol pot readout

64 Auto Pol

A 9 is a 1+8 (Manual mode and Pol Pot readout) this mod is

used to read the pol pot and to manually rotate the polang. The

72 is an 8+64 (Pol pot read and Auto Pol) is set after a

calibration and cross-pol has been performed. The polarizer will

automatically adjust while the vessel changes location.

When using a circular feed, the Polang Type must not be set to

Auto.

POL OFFSET: This is the offset to trim out the polang when using the auto pol

mode.




POL SCALE: This represents the scale factor for the specific type of antenna

feed.

AZ LIMIT and EL Limit: AZ 1, 2, EL12/ AZ 3, 4, EL 34/ AZ 5, 6, EL56: This feature

disables tracking and searching within the specified azimuth and the EL blockage

areas.

The blockage zones will define an area of blockage relative to the

antenna on the vessel. All of the entries are X10. This is because there

are no decimals that can be entered. Example: An AZ limit of 1000

would represent a REL position of 100. An AZ limit of 1005 would

represent a REL position of 100.5. This is the same for the EL limit, an EL

limit of 450 = EL of 45. An EL of 455= EL position of 45.5.

AZ 1 will define the starting position of the blockage zone and AZ 2 will

define the end of that blockage zone. EL 12 will represent the height of

the EL position for the blockage zone.

There are typically three different blockage zones in the software.

AZ 1,2 and EL12 = Blockage zone one

AZ 3,4 and EL34 = Blockage zone two

AZ 5,6 and EL56 = Blockage zone three

(Drawings next page)




Using Azimuth & Elevation Blockage Zones

Using Azimuth Blockage Zones




5v OFFSET: This function is used for TVRO with HCDC feeds

5v SCALE: This function is used for TVRO with HCDC feeds

The 5V pol motor is mounted on the end of the single C single Ku feed

that has Vertical, Horizontal, RHCP and LHCP capabilities with the

alignment of a dipole mounted in the OMT

TX POLARITY: The TX POL selects the polarity that the system will be

transmitting in. There are two setting for this display, 2 and 4. 2 represents

vertical TX and 4 represents horizontal. (Some 40xx systems the pol assy. has

been mounted 90 degrees out and this will reverse the logic).

TRACK DISP: The track display will change the function of the tracking window.

Depending on the setting for the TRACK DISP the front panel display will change

and the corresponding function will be active.

Tracking Display Index Table

Tracking Display

Tdisp Index

cNNN' cmd ADE Band select outputs BDE sw1 Usage/Details

C 0 c0040 Tone 0, Volt 13, Aux 0 Off Legacy C/X, KuLo/KuHi X 0 c0041 Tone 0, Volt 18, Aux 0 On Band Relay driven by AUX KuLo 0 c0042 Tone 0, Volt 13, Aux 1 Off Uses standard PCU SW KuHi 0 C0043 Tone 0, Volt 18, Aux 1 On Xp 13 40 c0040 Tone 0, Volt 13, Aux 0 Off Xp/Cp, Dual Band LNB Xp 18 40 c0041 Tone 0, Volt 18, Aux 0 On Pol relay driven by AUX Cp 13 40 c0042 Tone 0, Volt 13, Aux 1 Off Uses standard PCU SW

Cp 18 40 c0043 Tone 0, Volt 18, Aux 1 On Xp B1 130 c0040 Tone 0, Volt 13, Aux 0 Off Xp/Cp, Quad Band LNB Xp B2 130 c0044 Tone 1, Volt 13, Aux 0 Off Tone switch driven by PWM- Xp B3 130 c0041 Tone 0, Volt 18, Aux 0 On PWM- controlled by Tone Select Xp B4 130 c0045 Tone 1, Volt 18, Aux 0 On Requires TVA enabled PCU SW 6.42c Co B1 130 c0042 Tone 0, Volt 13, Aux 1 Off Co B2 130 c0046 Tone 1, Volt 13, Aux 1 Off Co B3 130 c0043 Tone 0, Volt 18, Aux 1 On Co B4 130 c0047 Tone 1, Volt 18, Aux 1 On

Tracking Display Chart for Multi-LNB use




SAVE NEW PARAMETERS: To save any changes in the SETUP menu, you must be

in the save new parameters display

DAC-2200/2202

To save changes in a DAC-2202, press the left arrow key and

then enter. A verification of SAVED will appear.

REMOTE COMMAND: allows access to the PCU. With this function, the PCU

can be programmed, monitored, and controlled.

REMOTE MONITOR: allows the command to be viewed.

DISHSCAN: allows for easy toggling of the Dish-Scan function of the antenna.

This function needs to be in conjunction with other settings.

This function is present with version software 4.20 and higher.

SAT REF: allows for easy toggling of the Satellite Reference mode.

This mode must be used with ALL types of satellite compass input.

(Vector lite and Furuno).

This function can also be used if the vessel looses the gyro input or has a

defective gyro.

REMOTE TILT: is used for the level cage offset and is a trim to level out the level

cage.

REMOTE PARAMETERS: is used to save any changes made to the PCU. To save

press the up arrow and enter, the display will flash if the PCU accepted the

changes. If the changes are not saved, the last saved parameters will be

reloaded into the PCU.

REMOTE BALANCE: applicable in ACU sw ver. 6.06>. Removes voltage from

axes motors to balance antennas with motor brakes.

REMOTE UPLOAD: is used to program the PCU. This mode locks the ACU and

allows the data to pass to the PCU. To program the PCU the REMOTE UPLOAD

must be present in the display. To program the ACU this mode must NOT be

used.




Targeting a Satellite-

Using a DAC-2200/2202

Before beginning it is necessary to know some Information pertaining to the desired

satellite.

Position of the desired satellite_________________________________

Example: 325E, 64E, 40W

L-band tracking frequency ____________________________________ (Mhz)

Step:

1. Press NEXT key until SATELLITE display is found.

2. Press ENTER key to isolate satellite position. 3. Press Left or Right arrow key to select appropriate digit then use Up or Down arrow key to change value to the desired satellite, . Turn tracking off by pressing the tracking button (tracking/search light will go out). This will prevent the ACU from going into search once the Satellite calculated Azimuth and Elevation are reached.

1. Press NEXT and record the calculated AZ/ EL values.

a. AZ ________ EL __________

5. If antenna did not lock on targeted satellite, begin a manual grid pattern search. This will be done from the AZ & EL display under the ANTENNA menu,

a. Using calculated AZ/ EL values, begin sweeping AZ +/-20 degrees from the satellite calculated position, then move EL 2 degrees up or down, then sweep Azetc. continue sweep pattern by toggling back and forth between AZ & EL display values by pressing the ENTER key. Once the pattern has been completed in one direction, continue search in the other half of the grid keeping the satellite calculated position in the center. Search using this grid pattern until the desired satellite signal is found.




b. For e.g. (Beginning Elevation is the starting point of the grid search)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> +40 deg AZ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

>>

>>

>>




- To ensure that the antenna is pointing in the correct area as it searches for the satellite, below is a

figure showing the antennas Azimuth pointing angle to the satellite and its RELATIVE position in

reference to the BOW of the ship.

Ship Lat= 30.37N

Ship Long= 28.5W

Ship HDG= 240.3 deg.

Satellite Longitude= 40.0 E

Azimuth Look Angle= 101.3 deg. (calculated value)

Elevation Look Angle= 9.9 deg. (calculated value)

Antenna RELATIVE Position= 221 deg.

N

S

W E

HDG 240.3 REL 221.0

AM1 (40E)




Performing a Satellite Cutover -


Step 1-

Call the NOC on an alternate system and notify them that you are requesting a satellite cutover.

If you call using the V-Sat system, the connection will be terminated when the modem is reset.

a. When calling into the NOC you will need to identify who you are, your position, the

vessel that you are on, the type of antenna that you have. You will also need to

verify your location.

b. The NOC will look up the vessel and the location, with this information the best

satellite and settings will be determined. The NOC will then inform the user of the

new satellite, the new tracking frequency and to tune the Spectrum Analyzer to the

new frequency.

c. The user will be asked if the options file for the current satellite is saved to the

desktop, if not the user will need to retrieve the options file from iSite and save the

options file before the satellite change proceeds.

d. The NOC will PUSH the new options file to the modem if the system is in the

network. If the system is not in the network, a different procedure will need to take

place. The modem will reset and the lights on the front of the modem will

extinguish and go through a start up and self check sequence.

Step 2- DAC

Enter the new satellite and tracking frequency into the DAC

a. Press next key until SAT menu is displayed

b. Press until FREQ xxxx or MHz xxxx and AGC xxxx appears. (This will

depend on the type of tuner card in the DAC).

c. Using the arrow keys, enter in new frequency and then press

d. Tune the spectrum analyzer to the tracking frequency.

e. Enter the new satellite position by pressing until SAT xxx.x E/W is

displayed in the window alone. Utilize the arrow keys to change satellite longitude.

f. Press once satellite position is changed.

g. The antenna will now move and target the new satellite entered




Normal indication the netmodem will acquire a green RX LED and then a green TX LED and next

the network LED will go green. This will indicate that you are now in the network and have

acquired the new satellite.

The NOC will have the operator perform three tests: A Cross- Pol test if the system is linear (all of the Ku

band systems are linear), a Compression test, and a Threshold settings test.

The three steps that need to be performed are:

Cross-Pol or Compression Test (similar setup)

Step 1- laptop

To perform a cross pol test and a compression test the user will need to start a telnet session

with the modem.

a. Click on the Start icon then click Run and enter telnet with the IP address in the

command prompt. telnet xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

b. Once in telnet session, enter username admin and password iDirect for the

password.

c. The NOC will give you a new TX frequency, write the frequency down so you can

reference back to it if need be.

Tx frequency ___________

STEP 2- DAC

Turn the tracking off on the DAC if the vessel is in port.

a. Press Tracking to toggle tracking off. Green tracking light should be extinguished

b. Press & hold; Left & right arrow keys simultaneously until Auto Trim or EL Trim is

displayed.

a. Press key until SYSTEM TYPE appears

b. Note SYSTEM TYPE and change to 4 if not already. This will ensure EXT AGC is

disabled.

Record the original setting before changing any settings in the DAC.




Step 3- Laptop netmodem telnet session

To set up the modem:

a. Enter rx enable off . This will disable RX Lock on netmodem

b. Enter tx freq xxxx.xx , given by the NOC

c. Enter tx power -25 , at NOC direction

d. Enter tx cw on , at NOC direction

The NOC will instruct you to adjust the power level of the modem to the needed level for the test. To

continue Cross-Pol test go to step 4, if Compression test go to step 5.

Cross-Pol Test

Step 4- DAC

a. Press next key until Antenna menu (AZ/EL look angles) is displayed in window.

b. Press until POL xxx appears in window & record POL value.

Initial POL value _________

c. Press & hold ; Left & Right arrow keys simultaneously until Auto Trim or EL Trim is

displayed.

c. Press key until POL TYPE is displayed

d. Change display from 72 to 9 for manual skew of feed assembly.

e. Go back to the POL screen under ANTENNA menu NOC will instruct the user to

adjust the pol in a specific direction. The user might need to move the pol back and

forth by using the Up and Down keys to achieve the needed value at the earth

station.

Once the test is completed, record the value of the pol

f. New POL Value __________

Calculate the difference of the original POL display value and new POL value; this number will be

negative or positive.

g. POL Difference __________




Go to the POL OFFSET menu and adjust the number up or down accordingly.

a. Press and hold; Left & Right arrow keys simultaneously until Auto Trim or EL Trim

is displayed.

b. Press enter key until POL OFFSET appears

c. Enter POL difference value +/- the value currently displayed

Go to the auto-pol setting and enter 72 back into the system

d. Press Up arrow once until POL TYPE appears and enter 72,

The POL value should now read the new POL value that was recorded during the test

After the cross pol test is performed a compression test will be needed.

Compression Test

Step 5- Laptop netmodem telnet session

To perform Compression test all needed applications are already open.

Follow the instructions from the NOC and adjust the TX power accordingly in telnet session.

After the test is performed the NOC will have the user disable the TX and bring the system back into the

network

With the use of the telnet session the following commands will normalize the system

a. tx cw off , this will disable carrier

b. rx enable on . This will enable green RX lock

Never enter RX enable on before the TX CW is turned off.

The modem will acquire the network and the NOC will PUSH a new options file with the new settings

achieved with the tests that were just preformed, once the options file is PUSHED the modem will reset.

Allow the modem to acquire the network again and then:




Step 6- DAC

Turn tracking back on if the tracking was disabled.

a. At DAC, press Tracking key, which will toggle tracking on

If the system type was changed, change the system type back to the original settings.

b. Press & hold; Left & right arrows simultaneously until Auto Trim / EL Trim appears.

c. Press key until SYSTEM TYPE appears

d. Enter in original SYSTEM TYPE; default is 134 C-band & 134 for newer Ku-band (198

for older Ku-band antennas (+64 for LNB voltage)),

The next test that will be needed is to properly set the threshold of the system.

Threshold Test

Step 7- DAC

Let the system peak onto the signal and achieve the highest AGC level. The NOC will then ask the user

to disable tracking and move the system up in elevation very slowly. The user will need to watch the

AGC setting and note the value when the system loses the network.

a. Press Tracking key to turn tracking off

b. Press the Up arrow moving the antenna elevation up

c. Record AGC value when netmodem loses network.

AGC value_________

The value of the AGC when the modem loses the network will be the new threshold value.

Enter the new value into the threshold setting.

d. Press next until the SAT menu displays

e. Press key until THRS xxxx appears alone

f. Enter in new threshold, and press

Turn the tracking back on.

g. Press Tracking key, toggling tracking on

Unless the NOC needs to perform any other tests the satellite cutover is now complete.




Setting Azimuth & Elevation Trims-


Before beginning it is necessary to know some Information pertaining to the desired satellite.

Position of the desired satellite_________________________________ Example: 325E, 64E, 40W

Step: 1. Record calculated AZ and EL values from Targeting a Satellite

a. AZ value ___________ EL ___________

2. Record on-sat AZ and EL values from Targeting a Satellite

a. AZ value ___________ EL ___________

3. Find the difference between on-sat AZ value and calculated AZ value

a. AZ Trim____________ ex. Calculated AZ 100.0, On-sat AZ 96.5 (100.0 96.5) *10=

AZ Trim of 0035

4. Find the difference between on-sat EL value and calculated EL value

a. EL Trim____________ ex. Calculated EL 55.0, On-sat EL 57.3 (55.0 57.3) *10= EL

Trim of -0023

5. On DAC go to SET UP parameters and enter in new EL & AZ TRIM

a. Simultaneously press the left and right arrow keys until EL TRIM xxxx appears

b. Record existing EL TRIM

i. EL Trim ____________

c. Press key until AZ TRIM xxxx appears

d. Record existing AZ TRIM

i. AZ Trim ____________

6. AZ Trim value _______________ + __________________ = ________________

(Value from 5di) (Value from 3a) (new AZ TRIM value)

7. EL Trim value _______________ + __________________ = ________________

(Value from 5bi) (Value from 4a) (new EL TRIM value)




8. Once new AZ/ EL TRIM values have been calculated

a. Go back to EL TRIM value by pressing the Up arrow key

b. Press the left or right arrow keys to select appropriate digits.

c. Use the up and down arrow keys to change value to new EL TRIM value and

press.

d. Press Enter and go to AZ TRIM value and follow the same procedure for new value

as above.

Verify new trim values:

9. Turn tracking off by toggling the Tracking key.

10. Press the NEXT key until the ANTENNA menu is displayed.

11. Drive antenna off satellite by changing azimuth & elevation, and verify that antenna

consistently targets desired satellite within .5 degrees. Refer to Targeting a Satellite if

needed. If antenna immediately finds satellite go to step 12, if not go to step 13.

12. To save new trim values

a. Simultaneously bumping the left and right arrow keys SAVE NEW

PARAMETERS should appear.

b. Press the left or right arrow key and then . PARAMETERS SAVED will

appear in the window if information was correctly saved.

13. If antenna for whatever reason does not target to calculated AZ and EL re-accomplish this

procedure.

14. If satellite cannot be found at all, refer to the Targeting Satellite section of this manual.

End of Page




Up & Downloading of Options File-

Using iSite- iSite is the local GUI used to access the iDirect Netmodem to view & monitor parameters

and can be used to diagnose some netmodem problems. iSite also allows you to up and download

options file if needed. Note that when up and downloading options file that the netmodem refers to

saving the options file onto the laptop as uploading and sending the netmodem an options file from

the laptop as downloading. iSite should only be accessed by authorized personnel or under the

direction from an MTN representative.

Before loading a new Options file to the netmodem, the current options file should be saved.

To save (upload) options file to disk:

1. From the Component Tree menu,

right click on REMOTE; Select

Upload option to Disk

2. Alternatively, Select Option File

from the iSite Menu bar; Select

Upload to Disk

3. A previously created Options

Folder from the desktop will

open or you can select a drive or

location where the options file is

located and save to disk

4. It is recommended that prior to

servicing ANY remote the service

tech save the current

configuration for possible use

later if difficulties occur and the

unit needs to return to the

previous configuration)




To send (download) and options file to the netmodem:

End of Page

1. From the Component Tree menu,

right click on REMOTE; Select

Download option from Disk

2. Alternatively, Select Option File

from the iSite Menu bar; Select

Download from Disk

3. A previously created Options

Folder from the desktop will open

or you can select a drive where

the options disk is located

4. Select the correct Options file

from the list (Note, loading the

wrong options file locally or

remotely can lock up the unit to

the point where it is inaccessible)

5. A prompt will ask Are You Sure

etc)

6. Select Yes

7. Another window will open and

state that the Options file was

successfully downloaded




Above Decks Equipment (ADE) Components Identification & Functions- 2.4m & 1~1.5m Antennas

Pedestal Control Unit (PCU) - PCU provides antenna control and voltage feedback for

stabilization. The PCU also provides communications to the ACU and distributes voltage to the

sensors and the motors. PCU will be labeled as PCU.

GPS- GPS antenna provides the system with Latitude and Longitude for antenna targeting.

Level Cage- Houses four sensors for stabilization. Five sensors for the new xx09 antenna

systems. (two separate tilt sensors) Level Cage will be labeled as Level cage.

Level Cage Motor- Provides the position of the elevation for elevation look angle. Level Cage

Motor will be labeled as Level cage Motor.

Axes Motors- All Sea-Tel antennas are 3 axes antennas. This means that the antenna moves in

Cross-level, Elevation, & Azimuth axes. All axes are controlled by an axes motor for those

respective axes.

The Cross level motor provides stabilization across the cross beam.

The Elevation axis motor provides stabilization in elevation axis without changing the

elevation look angle.

The Azimuth axis motor provides the yaw adjustment for stabilization and

compensation for ships heading change.

Servo Amplifiers- Supply the voltage and current to the motors. The amplifiers also control the

direction of the motors to compensate for vessel movement. Integrated into the PCU on all

1~1.5m & 97xx antennas. Servo Amplifiers will be labeled as Servo Amplifiers.

Home Flag Switch- Provides the initial reference for the Azimuth encoder during initialization.

Azimuth Encoder- Provides the relative position of the antenna, which is used in the calculation

of the satellites azimuth position.

Circuit Breaker- Provides ships AC voltage to the antenna system. Usually 220vac.

Power Ring- Consists of two sets of sealed ball bearings. The inner side of the bearing race is

where the AC power is applied from the circuit breaker. The outer race of the bearings is where

the AC is picked off and sent to the antenna power supply. This allows for continuous azimuth

rotation.

Rotary Joint- Is a two channel coax joint with an outer race and an inner race that the IF signal

passes through, allowing for continuous azimuth rotation while passing IF signals.

LNB- Resides on the Receive path and converts C-band or Ku-band signals to L-band.




Feed Assembly- Is where the Transmit and Receive signals are focused, and sent to the satellite

(TX) or to the LNB (RX).

Pol Motor- Moves the Linear feed assembly to compensate for change in satellite angle.

Pol Potentiometer- Provides feed assembly position to the DAC via the Polang Relay Assembly.

Block Up-Converter (BUC)- Resides on the Transmit path and converts L-band signals to C-band

or Ku-band.

Antenna Power Supply- receives AC voltage via the power ring, and converts it to 24vdc for the

PCU. Power Supply will be labeled as Power Supply.

Waveguide- Resides on the Transmit path and is the medium in which the transmit signal is sent

from the BUC to the Feed Assembly. Can be Rigid or Flexible.

ADE RF Modems- Allow for communications between below decks DAC and above decks PCU,

and also allows for below decks laptop and BUC communications (if applicable). Typically 2 sets

below decks and 2 above decks, and runs over the RX cabling. RF Modems will be labeled as RF

Modem.

Polang Relay Assembly- Provides drive to the Polang motor to move the feed assembly and

provides polang potentiometer feedback to the DAC below decks. Polang Relay Assembly will be

labeled as Polang Relay Assembly.

PCU

GPS

2.4m

BUC

Waveguide Level Cage

Circuit Breaker

Elevation

Motor




AC Power Supply

CL Motor

RF Modems

Servo Amp

Integrated Azimuth

Motor/ Encoder

Level Cage

Motor

2.4m

2.4m




Pol Motor

Pol Pot.

Feed Assembly

LNB

Flexible

Waveguide

Rotary

Joint

Power Ring

2.4m

2.4m

Some Components may be located in a different location on other

2.4m models.




PCU

GPS

antenna

1~1.5m

1~1.5m

Antenna

Power Supply

BUC Power Supply

RF Modems

Pol Aux Relay Assy.

Level

Cage

Level Cage

Motor LNB

Circuit

Breaker




1~1.5m

BUC

1~1.5m

EL Motor CL Motor




Antenna Initialization & 3 Axes Movement-

All Sea-Tel antennas move in 3 axes; Elevation/ Cross-Level/ Azimuth

Elevation is the Up & Down movement of the equipment frame where the

reflector is attached too.

Cross-Level is the side to side movement of the equipment frame where the

reflector is attached too.

Azimuth is the left to right movement of the antenna as the ship makes heading

adjustments.

Initialization- Is a sequence of startup steps that the antenna performs. The steps in the

initialization process are key to defining the sensor positions for operation. Some

sensors on the antenna are not direct feedback and need to have a starting position

defined.

Step 1

Level cage will turn CCW 90 degrees (depending on the view (angle) to the level

cage) and hit the level cage stop. The level cage will then turn opposite 45

degrees.

This operation is performed as the level cage motor will define the

elevation look angle. The motor does not have positive feedback and

Some Components may be located in a different location on

other 1m & 1.5m antenna models.

Feed Assembly

LNB

Pol Pot

Pol Motor TX cable

from BUC

RX cable to

RF Modem

1~1.5m




needs to have a predetermined starting position. The reason for the

back and forth motion is related to the mechanical stop positions for

the level cage, the system compensates by rotating the motor 90 steps

CCW to the stop (the reference point) and then moves back 45degrees.

The motor will pol slip against the stop until it has counted 90 steps; this

is the reason for the clicking. This will define the elevation starting

position when the antenna comes out of initialization. The elevation

look angle will be 45 degrees +/- the elevation trim.

Step 2

EL motor will activate and bring the level cage level.

When the level cage has stopped the elevation axis will drive the level

cage to level in the elevation axis. The system will use the tilt trim to

define were level is.

(The reflector will be positioned at 45 degrees.)

Step 3

CL motor will activate and bring the cross level beam to a level position.

When the elevation axis has found its position the cross level axis is

initiated and the antenna will move to find the tilt trim on the cross

level axis. The level cage will be level across the top. The cross level

beam will be perpendicular to the AZ post.

Step 4

AZ motor will activate and turn the antenna CW until it trips the home flag.

After the cross level has finished the Azimuth will start to rotate Clock

wise. On all systems, the azimuth will rotate clock wise. The antenna

will keep turning until it trips the home flag. The home flag is a sensor

either mechanical or electronic (depending on the system) the home

flag will define the starting position for the azimuth. The Azimuth does

not have direct feedback and needs to obtain a starting position. When

the antenna finalizes the initialization process, the relative position will

start at 0, unless a Home Flag Offset is configured in the PCU.




Tx/ RX Signal Flow-

sea-tel onboard personnel training dac-2202 legacy rev1.1

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