Chapter 1 Introduction; Organization Of This Manual - Dawn CONTROL-1500A Manual

CONTROL-1500A Single Axis Antenna Controller
The CONTROL-1500A antenna controller controls a single axis satellite antenna. The CONTROL-1500A
interfaces to 36 volt actuators with single phase, pulse type position sense feedback. Two basic models
are available, the CONTROL-1500A and CONTROL-1500B. The CONTROL-1500B can track inclined
orbit satelliteswith either a single axis tracking mount or a single axis feed translation system.
The CONTROL-1500B is described in an addendum to this manual.
Here is a summary of the capabilities of the CONTROL-1500A ...
1. The controller utilizes a solid state drive system capable of providing 8 amps to the antenna
actuator. The drive system has built-in over-current sensing with mechanical relay backup
to disconnect the drive from the actuator in the event of a fault.
2. The controller can control polarization via a polarotor (or servo) type interface. The
AUTO_POL feature allows the polarization to be controlled via a digital input or contact
closure supplied by a receiver to the controller. An RC2KPOL option is available to provide
control for a Seavey type two or four port feed with potentiometer feedback. If no
polarization control device will be present in a given installation configure the controller for
the servo option by setting the 24 vdc Rot Feed CONFIG mode item to '0'.
3. Position sensing feedback is supplied by a single phase, pulse based sensor - reed switch,
Hall effect, or electro-optical. Single phase reed switch and Hall effect type sensors are
found in 36 volt DC linear actuators. The CONTROL-1500 keeps track of both rising and falling
pulse edges from the pulse sensor for increased accuracy. The pulse sensors used with
the CONTROL-1500 should not be coupled directly to the antenna axis of rotation.
4. The CONTROL-1500's non-volatile memory can 'remember' the positions of a number of
geostationary satellites.
5. The Adapti-Drive variable speed control system allows the user to specify the desired slow
speed for the fundamental axis. The Adapti-Drive system will then adjust the actuator
voltage (via a pulse width modulation scheme) to maintain the speed selected by the user.
This alleviates the problem of poor speed regulation with varying direction along a given
axis associated with constant voltage slow speed systems.
6. The CONTROL-1500 is equipped with an RS-422 communications port. This allows the controller
to interface with a PC. The communication protocol used is compatible with the popular
SA-Bus protocol. An optional RS-232 to RS-422 interface converter, designated
RC1KADP, is available to convert the RS-232 interface (which is standard on PC's) over to
the RS-422 interface required for the SA-Bus protocol used on the CONTROL-1500.
1.1

Organization of this Manual

This manual is divided into two broad parts, Installation and Reference. The Installation part of
this manual is designed to familiarize the user with the controller and guide him or her through
the installation and configuration of the controller. The Reference portion of the manual gives
a detailed description of all of the features and capabilities of the controller.
DAWNco • 3340 S. Lapeer Rd • Orion, MI 48359-1320 • Ph (248) 391-9200 • Fax (248) 391-9207 • sales@DAWNco.com
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1