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RC3050 Antenna Controller
Chapter 2
Installation
2.3 Calibration
Calibration may be done in any area (possibly a shop environment) where the antenna may be moved
throughout its entire range of travel.
At this point, the installer will have to start operating the RC3050 from the front panel. Section 3 will
need to be reviewed to perform the steps described below.
2.3.1 Version Verification
Input Power
Before powering the unit on for the first time, please confirm that the input voltage the unit is configured
for matches the intended input supply voltage. See 2.2.1.
Software Version Verification
When the RC3050 is turned on, a power up banner appears for 3 seconds. This banner indicates the
software options enabled in the RC3050's EPROM and PLD. The software option data shown should be
checked to confirm that all desired options are available. See 1.2 (Controller Features) for a description
of the various software options.
2.3.2 Drive and Sensor Polarity Confirmation
In this step the polarity of the motor drive signals and the polarity of position feedback sensors are
confirmed. The RC3050 interfaces with position sensors mounted on the antenna. The RC3050 is
designed for use with antennas which use potentiometers for azimuth and polarization position sensing
and a Lucas AccuStar Clinometer (with analog output) for elevation sensing.
Place the RC3050 in MANUAL mode. Values for the azimuth, elevation and polarization axes should be
displayed though they may not be reasonable since calibration has not yet been performed.
NOTE: be careful when initially moving a mount since limit switches may not yet be configured
correctly. In MANUAL mode movement will stop whenever a particular jog key is released. The
RC3050 may also always be turned off to stop movement.
The first action is to raise the antenna in elevation. Push the UP key from MANUAL mode. The antenna
should raise. If not check the polarity of the motor drive lines (section 2.2.2).
The elevation sensor should be mounted on the antenna so that the sense voltage produced at the
sensor increases as the antenna is jogged upward. In MANUAL mode, when the EL UP key of the
RC3050 is depressed (and if the antenna moves up) the elevation position should increase (see section
2.2.3).
Movement in the azimuth axis will not be allowed until the elevation axis clears the "down" region.
Clockwise and counterclockwise are defined as seen by an observer located above the antenna looking
down on the antenna. In MANUAL mode, when the AZ CW key of the RC3050 is depressed the
antenna motors must be configured so that the antenna moves clockwise. Clockwise is defined from the
viewpoint of looking at the antenna from above.
The azimuth potentiometer should be wired so that clockwise movement results in a higher azimuth
position sense voltage. When moving clockwise the displayed azimuth position should increase.
The polarization potentiometer must be wired so that the sensed polarization position increases as the
Pol CW key is depressed.
The following diagram shows the suggested polarization axis sign convention. This sign convention is
used by the RC3000 for automatic polarization calculation/movement. The diagram depicts looking at
the arc of satellites from behind the antenna.
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Research Concepts, Inc.; 5420 Martindale Road; Shawnee, Kansas 66218-9680 USA
www.researchconcepts.com
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