Graphic Display; Peaking The Antenna; Table 6. Pwm Voltage Ranges And Signal Status - iDirect evolution x1 Installation Manual

Peaking the Antenna

known as Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Pulses of differing duration are detected as
different voltages by a DC voltmeter.
Table 6 depicts the range of the PWM voltage output and the associated signal status. When
peaking, the antenna is adjusted for maximum DC voltage as indicated by a DC voltmeter.
Volts DC
0 - 2
2 - 10
12 - 20
A reading of less than 2 Volts indicates that the signal level is below the detection threshold
of the Satellite Router. When a signal at the correct frequency is detected, the PWM voltage
increases sharply to between 2 and 10 Volts. After downstream carrier lock is achieved, the
PWM voltage switches into the 12 to 20 Volt range. PWM voltages in this range increase
linearly with increasing signal strength.
Note: A reading of 12 Volts or greater cannot be obtained unless the Satellite Router
is locked to the correct spacecraft and network.
When power is applied to the Satellite Router, BUC power is available on the TX Out port
immediately after power-on self-test (POST) has completed. To disable the BUC supply and
enable the PWM output, follow the steps in

11.3.2 Graphic Display

The Web iSite Antenna Pointing screen provides a graphic representation of received signal
strength over time. It provides a voltage amplitude display similar to an oscilloscope,
displaying a color-coded bar graph corresponding to the three voltage ranges shown in
6. The display is enabled when Antenna Pointing is selected on the Commissioning screen.
Both the PWM voltage and the graphic display are used to peak the antenna.
11.4 Peaking the Antenna
Execute the procedures in the following sections to achieve peak received signal strength of
the downstream link.
To Peak The Antenna
1. Be certain that the antenna is pointed off the marked heading by at least 20 degrees in
azimuth.
2. In the navigation bar at the top of the Web iSite window, click the Commissioning button.
3. Click Antenna Pointing (at left) to view the Antenna Pointing page. The graphic display
appears and begins to scroll across the screen.
4. For dual-receiver models such as the X7, select Rx1 or Rx2 at upper-right. See
62

Table 6. PWM Voltage Ranges and Signal Status

Signal Status
Not in pointing mode, hardware problem, or off satellite
Detecting RF energy, but not locked on the downstream carrier
Locked on the downstream carrier
"Peaking the Antenna"
iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide
below.
Table
Figure
iDX Release 3.3
40.