RC3000 Antenna Controller

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.3.3 Operational Overview

The RC3000 allows easy antenna operation via its menu based user interface. The screen displayed to the user is based on the current controller mode. Controller modes are divided into two major groups: operational and programming (see mode map in section 3.1.1). The operational modes provide for the normal operation of the antenna. The programming group provides for initial configuration of the controller and will typically not be used on a day by day basis. The following example highlights the basic modes of operation provided by the RC3000.

Operational Group Functions

MANUAL. In MANUAL mode the user may jog the antenna in azimuth, elevation and polarization. Upon power up, the fluxgate compass and GPS receiver initialize and begin providing data.

AZIM:

0.0

STOW

SIG: 50

MANUAL

ELEV: -67.5

STOW

SAT:TELSTAR 402

POL:

0.0

 

SPD:FAST

CST

<0-9>JOG ANTENNA

<MODE>MENU

14:25:47

AUTOMATIC LOCATION OF A SATELLITE. In LOCATE mode, azimuth and elevation pointing angles are automatically calculated based on position (lat/lon), heading and the selected satellite. Position may be obtained automatically from the optional GPS, selected from a preset list of user defined positions or entered manually. Heading may be automatically obtained from the optional fluxgate compass or entered manually. The user selects which satellite to locate from either a preset user defined list of commonly used satellites, a provided extensive list of satellites or by manually entering satellite data. The RC3000 checks that the calculated pointing solution is within the mount’s range of movement and prompts the user to automatically position the antenna.

POS:

38°56N

94°44W

180.0

LOCATE

SAT:GALAXY 6

74.0W

 

AZ:-31.1

 

 

 

 

EL: 40.0

<1>SELECT NEW SAT

READY TO LOCATE

STORING SATELLITE LOCATION. After verifying the antenna is precisely on the satellite, the user may STORE the satellite’s azimuth and elevation angles along with horizontal and vertical polarization data. If the satellite has been identified as having an inclined orbit, the TRACK mode will be automatically entered as described below.

SAT

LON INCLIN BAND

STORE

BRASIL A1

79.0 2

C

VERIFY SATELLITE DATA OK FOR STORING 1-CORRECT, 2-INCORRECT

RECALLING STORED SATELLITES. The user may quickly and precisely move between previously STOREd satellites via RECALL mode.

RECALL

STORED SATELLITE: BRASIL A1

SELECT SAT(SCROLL UP/DOWN) <ENTER>

AUTOMATIC ANTENNA STOWING. From STOW mode, the user may ask for the antenna to be automatically moved to the stow position.

AZIM:

-42.5

( 0.0)

STOW

ELEV:

23.4

(-67.5)

 

MOVING TO (TARGET),<STOP> TO HALT MOTION

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