Autopol; Simultaneous Azimuth And Elevation Movement; 3.10 Installation And Setup Checklist - RESEARCH CONCEPTS RC2000C Manual

RC2000C Polar Tracking Antenna Controller
satellite make sure that the position sensors are properly wired. After the operation of the system has
been verified by testing with two geostationary satellites, the rest of the satellites may be programmed in.
3.8

AutoPol

This section covers the installation and software configuration required to use the AutoPol feature. The
AutoPol function allows the antenna polarization to be controlled via a digital input to the controller.
When enabled, AutoPol is active whenever the controller is in MANUAL mode. Note that the H, V, and
SKEW keys do not work when AutoPol is enabled. The AutoPol input of the RC2000C is driven by a
digital output from a satellite receiver. The AutoPol input responds to a digital level, with a high level
being one polarity and a low level the other polarity. The mapping of a high level on the digital input to
either H or V polarization is referred to as the AutoPol polarity, and is controlled via a CONFIG mode
item.
The AutoPol input on the controller has an internal pull-up resistor which means that the input will float
high when it is not driven by the receiver. This allows the receiver to use a relay contact closure to drive
the AutoPol input. One side of the relay can be connected to ground and the other side connected to the
AutoPol input. When the relay is active the AutoPol input is connected to ground - a low level input, and
when the relay is open the AutoPol input floats high due to the pull-up in the RC2000C.
Here is the procedure for installing and configuring the AutoPol feature:
1. Identify an output on the receiver which can be used to drive the AutoPol input on the RC2000C.
Note if a high level output corresponds to V polarization or H polarization.
2. Connect the AutoPol input as shown in figures 3.2 or 3.3.
3. Go to CONFIG mode, use the SCROLL keys to bring up the AutoPol Enable prompt, and key in 1
followed by the ENTER key.
4. Use the SCROLL keys to bring up the AutoPol Vpol Level item. If a high level corresponds to vertical
polarization, key in 1 followed by the ENTER key. If a high level corresponds to horizontal
polarization, key in 0 followed by the ENTER key.
5. Go to MANUAL mode and verify that the AutoPol feature works properly. In MANUAL mode, when
the AutoPol feature is active the polarization display banner reads 'AP:' rather than 'PL:'.
3.9

Simultaneous Azimuth and Elevation Movement

The RC2000C has the capability to move the azimuth and elevation axis actuators simultaneously during
AUTO mode moves. The use of this feature is subject to a limitation in that the total current draw for both
36 volt actuators combined cannot exceed 8 amps. If this requirement is satisfied over all operating
conditions, simultaneous azimuth and elevation movement can be enabled by going to the CONFIG
mode Simultaneous Az/El Enable item and keying in 1, followed by the ENTER key.

3.10 Installation and Setup Checklist

This section gives a summary of the installation and configuration procedure outlined in this chapter. The
summary is presented in the form of a checklist.
1. Before power is applied verify that the line voltage is correct. Check the sticker over the power entry
module.
2. Make sure that the memory has been cleared. The controller should come up in LIMITS mode.
3. Make the required electrical connections. Shielded cable must be used for the position sensors and
the shields must be connected at the back of the controller and NOT at the antenna. Refer to figures
3.1, 3.2, and 3.3.
4. If the RC2KPOL option (which allows the RC2000C to interface to a 24 volt DC polarization control
motor) is installed, make the required electrical connections for the motor and sensor, verify the
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Chapter 3 Installation/Setup 21
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