CODAN
Satellite Communication Equipment
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
000
INSTALLATION HANDBOOK
Table of contents
CO DAN
Introduction
1
Installing the transceiver
Unpacking the equipment .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . ... . ... . ... . ... . .. 4
Safety issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Equipment covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Electrical safety ................................... . .. . .. . . 5
Radiation safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Earth synibol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Site considerations ................................. . .. . .. . .. . . 7
Heat ................................... .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . .. 7
Moisture .................. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . ... . ... . .. 7
Hazardous areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mounting equipment on an offset antenna . ....... . .. . .. . .......... 9
Installing the equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Block up converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Low noise block conve1ter and transmit reject filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Interface unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Cables ...... . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . ... . ... . . . . . . .. . . 12
Cable installation ..................................... . .. . 12
Sealing connections .......................... . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . 14
How to seal connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Sealing waveguide connections .............................. 18
Grounding ................................................. 23
Lightning precautions ...................................... 23
Welding precautions ....................... . .. .. . . . . . . . .. . . 24
Aligning the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Setting the transmit attenuator . . . . .............................. 27
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Table of contents
Troubleshooting the installation
Appendix ADefinitions
Standards and icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Acronyms and abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Unit multipliers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
About this issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Index
ii
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
List of figures
CO DAN
Figme 1:
Unsealed connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figme 2:
Sealed connector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
iii
List of figures
This page has been left blank intentionally.
iv
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
List of tables
CO DAN
Table 1:
Warning label for non-ionising radiation . . . . . . . .. . .. 5
Table 2:
Table 3:
Earth syinbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Flange kits available for C-Band receive path . ... . . . 20
Table 4:
Flange kits available for C-Band transmit path . . . .. . . 21
Table 5:
Flange kits available for Ku-Band receive and
transmit paths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
List of tables
This page has been left blank intentionally.
vi
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Introduction
CO DAN
This installation handbook describes the general procedures to
be followed in the installation of outdoor satellite
conununication equipment.
This handbook assumes you have limited knowledge of the
satellite commtmication medium or how to use or install a
satellite station.
This guide contains the following sections :
Chapter 1
Installing the transceiver- provides general
guidelines you should follow when installing
your transceiver
Chapter 2
Troubleshooting the installation---describes the
diagnostic sequence that you should follow
when fault finding your transceiver
Appendix A Definitions---explains the tenns and
abbreviations used in this handbook
There is an index at the end of this handbook.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Introduction
This page has been left blank intentionally.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
CO DAN
This section contains the following topics:
Unpacking the equipment ( 4)
Safety issues (5)
Site considerations (7)
Mounting equipment on an offset antenna (9)
Installing the equipment (10)
Cables (12)
Sealing connections (14)
Grom1ding (23)
Aligning the antenna (25)
Setting the transmit attenuator (27)
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Unpacking the equipment
Ensure that the packing boxes containing the equipment are
upright, as indicated by the printing on the boxes. Open each
box and examine the contents for signs of damage. If damage
is detected, contact Codan immediately to obtain an RMA
before returning the equipment. Failure to do so may result in
any warranty being void.
If all units are in a satisfactory condition, follow the safety and
installation procedures in this section.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Safety issues
Equipment covers
The covers for the equipment must be correctly fitted.
CAUTION
If it is necessary to remove the covers at any
stage, they must be refitted correctly before
using the equipment.
Electrical safety
All circuits within the BUC are TNV circuits provided that the
protective earth terminal on the BUC is connected to earth. All
circuits within the LNB are SELV circuits provided that the
LNB is connected to earth.
Radiation safety
A radiation hazard exists if the BUC is operated
WARNING unterminated. Do not operate the BUC without
a load or termination attached to the RF output.
The symbol shown in Table 1 is used to identify the potential
for non-ionising radiation to be emitted.
Table 1:
Symbol
Warning label for non-ionising radiation
Meaning
Non-ionising radiation may be emitted
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Suitable fencing or a barrier should be provided around the
satellite station to prevent people standing too close to the
antenna. The safe distance for the particular equipment will be
specified in the documentation for the equipment.
Earth symbol
A protective earth connection point is provided on the BUC.
The symbol shown in Table 2 is used to identify the
connection.
Table 2:
Symbol
Earth symbol
Meaning
Protective earth
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Site considerations
Heat
Keep heatsink fins clean and free from
obstructions such as spider webs.
WARNING Where fans are fitted, ensure intake vents and
outlets on equipment are unobstructed. Keep the
vents clean at all times.
Moisture
Codan transceivers are protected against harsh environments,
particularly moisture and salt ingress. Each module is fully
sealed and protected against full immersion, however it is
recommended that you provide as much protection from the
environment as possible.
CAUTION
Be aware that in areas of high humidity,
condensation may occur on the connections. All
connections should be sealed (see page 14,
Sealing connections).
All components of the installation should be provided with the
following protection from moisture ingress:
Wherever practical, mount modules under the cover of
the dish. Avoid any areas where water runoff may be
channelled into concentrated streams across the
connectors, e.g. some dishes have a central hole in the
reflector, and when heavy rain falls, water flows through
this.
All waveguide joints must be correctly gasketed (see
page 18, Sealing waveguide connections).
All connections must be fully taped from the plug/socket
junction to the cable itself (see page 14, Sealing
connections).
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Hazardous areas
Codan transceivers are fully sealed, but they are not rated for
hazardous area operation, e.g. on an oil rig. Equipment such as
motors and stabilised platforms may form part of a satellite
station and may create sparks that can present a safety hazard
in dangerous areas. Therefore it is recommended that you
select a mounting site that does not have special requirements.
For more information, contact your Codan representative.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Mounting equipment on an offset antenna
When installing equipment on an offset antenna, the main
consideration is its structural limits. You should avoid
mounting too much heavy equipment directly onto the boom.
Excessive weight on the antenna may cause
distortion of the reflector (especially if it is
WARNING
made of fibreglass), possibly affecting the
electrical performance of the antenna.
To decide upon the most effective equipment configuration,
you should acquire all the weights of the equipment and the
manufacturers recommendations on weight limits for the
boom and the antenna feed.
A load greater than 20 kg mounted directly at the antenna feed
can cause a measurable gain reduction and slight pattern
distortion. A load of up to approximately 35 kg can be
tolerated on most dishes, provided the majority of the load is
located near the lower end of the boom. For example, a typical
fibreglass 1.8 m or 2.4 m antenna can be loaded with up to
14 kg at the antenna feed (including the feed itself) and a
further 23 kg added on the boom, preferably low down.
With some antenna designs, the feed systems are actually
supported by the composite reflector material itself instead of
the steel structure of the reflector mount. The composite
materials have an inherent creep property, which means that
under prolonged stress the reflector may deform progressively
after installation.
CAUTION
While it may be possible to attach even greater
loads than mentioned above, it is not
recommended as the long-term effect may be a
gradual, constant gain reduction.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Installing the equipment
A satellite station typically consists of the following
equipment:
a BUC
an LNB
a TRF
a modem
an interface unit (if required)
NOTE
Once you have installed the equipment, ensure
that you seal all the connections thoroughly (see
page 14, Sealing connections).
Block up converter
Mount the BUC on the antenna feed support boom with the
transmit output as close as possible to the feed.
Install the BUC in a position that meets the recommendations
listed on page 7, Site considerations.
NOTE
It is preferable to mount the BUC so that you
have a clear view of the LED indicators. Also,
ensure that interconnecting cables can be run
neatly.
A boom-mounting kit is available for mounting the BUC onto
circular or rectangular structures. Fitting instructions are
provided in the documentation for the equipment.
BUCs with a waveguide output can be connected to the
antenna feed transmit flange with a length of flexible
waveguide and waveguide bends as required. Alternatively, if
suitable brackets are available, the BUC can be mounted
directly on to the feed. Ensure all waveguide joints are
correctly gasketed (see page 18, Sealing waveguide
connections).
10
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
If the BUC has an N-type connector output, use a length of
low-loss coaxial cable to connect it to the antenna feed
transmit connector.
The BUC is powered via the Tx IF cable from the modem or
L-Band IF interface unit.
Ensure that you use the connector covers supplied with the
BUC to weatherproof any unused connectors.
Low noise block converter and transmit reject filter
To maintain a good station G/T performance, the LNB should
be mounted directly on the feed receive port.
If a TRF is required, you can bolt the LNB and TRF together
before connecting them directly to the feed receive port.
Ensure all waveguide joints are correctly gasketed (see
page 18, Sealing waveguide connections).
DC power through the Rx IF O/P connector of the LNB
enables the LNB to be connected by a single coaxial cable.
Interface unit
The interface unit is required when the modem used does not
produce the required DC power and 10 MHz reference
signals. It is installed in a 19" rack.
When installing the interface unit:
ensure you mount the unit in a position that receives
adequate ventilation
ensure the vents are unobstructed
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
11
Installing the transceiver
Cables
Where required, you must use standard shielded Codan cables
for the power and control cabling to ensure safety and EMI/
EMC standards are met.
In installations where the cables are not supplied by Codan, all
power and control cables must be assembled in accordance
with drawings supplied by Codan.
For details of the installation requirements see below Cable
installation.
Cable installation
General guidelines
Use the most direct route possible for the cable runs. Secure
the cable runs with cable ties or other suitable clamps.
You may install the indoor/outdoor interconnecting cables
underground (e.g. in 75 mm PVC pipe), or supported by an
overhead catenary wire. If the transmit and receive IF coaxial
cables are identical, mark the cables at each end before you
install them. Also, ensure that there is enough slack left to
make antenna adjustments without straining the cables.
12
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Securing cables
Once connections have been made, it is important to secure
cables so they do not hang loosely or flap in the wind.
CAUTION
Loose hanging cables tend to elongate over
time, causing the conductors to stretch and the
performance of the cables to degrade.
CAUTION
The cables should be secured in such a way that
water falling on the cables does not run directly
onto the connections.
To ensure water drains off the cables and not onto the
connections, create a loop in each cable that hangs lower than
the cable connectors.
Digisat Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
13
Installing the transceiver
Sealing connections
Poor sealing of connections is the most common cause of
transceiver faults.
Ensure you follow all the sealing precautions in
this section during installation. If the modules or
WARNING cable connections are not sealed correctly, the
equipment may be damaged or the performance
of the transceiver may deteriorate over time.
Without correct sealing the following can occur:
In most cases, water causes an attenuated signal with
intermittent LNB faults or intermittent powering down of
the BUC. This progresses until complete failure of the
connection occurs.
Water within a connection may be drawn into the cable
by capillary action.
Water (and sometimes dust) within a connection or cable
attenuates the signal.
In extreme cases, water causes a short circuit and
corrosion within the connection or cable.
If water has entered a connection, remove the cable and
thoroughly dry out the bulkhead connector before attaching a
new cable and sealing the connection. Ensure there is no
corrosion on the connector. If corrosion is present, replace the
connector.
For effective sealing you must use self-amalgamating tape
made of PIB or EPR. Manufacturers include 3M (Type 23
Scotch Self-Amalgamating, Black) and Rotunda (2517 SelfAmalgamating, Black).
14
Digisat Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Do not use the following for sealing:
electrical PVC tape
mastic tapes
duct tapes
plain rubber tape
WARNING cellotape
plumbing sealants
silicone gel
other construction sealants
paint
glue
All cable connection points require sealing, particularly the
N-type connections. The slightest amount of water in a
microwave coaxial connection will almost completely
attenuate the signal.
There are three main areas where N-type connectors leak:
around the connector junction, where the plug is screwed
onto the socket
the plug itself, between the turning and fixed parts of the
plug
the cable jacket connection to the back of the plug
CAUTION
To seal the connections, follow the instructions
on page 16, How to seal connectors.
The tape must cover the connector junction so that no water
can creep into the thread between the plug and socket. To
prevent water entering the plug, cover between the turning and
fixed parts of the plug with self-amalgamating tape.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
15
Installing the transceiver
It is not sufficient to rely on heatshrink tubing over the
connector body to seal the cable jacket connection to the back
of the plug. Even the best heatshrink glues do not adhere
reliably to the cable outer sheath or to the shiny metal
connector body. It is essential to tape this area with selfamalgamating tape to prevent water getting into the back of
the N-type plug.
The N-type connections should be carefully taped from the
plug/socket junction right to the cable itself.
All other connectors must also be taped. Although many
control and power connections are made with MS connectors,
it is still recommended that these junctions are fully taped in
the same way as the N-type connections outlined above. Tape
from the fixed equipment socket (or plug body), right over the
cable connector, to the cable sheath.
How to seal connectors
You will require approximately 25 cm of self-amalgamating
tape.
CAUTION
When using self-amalgamating tape, do not
stretch it too much, especially over the
protruding parts of MS connectors. If the tape is
over-stretched, it tends to break away after a
few weeks or months.
To seal connectors:
Ensure that the two connectors are tightly joined.
CAUTION
16
Do not use tools to tighten the connection.
Tightening by hand is sufficient.
Unpeel the backing from the tape, taking care not to get
dirt on the tape or tangle it, then begin to stretch it around
the circular base of the bulkhead connector attached to
the unit (see Figure 1). Wrap the tape around the entire
connection making sure it overlaps and no gaps exist.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Avoid applying the tape around the outside
(rectangular) part of the bulkhead
connector as sealing in this area is not
effective.
NOTE
Figure 1:
BUC
Unsealed connector
cable
connector
bulkhead
connector
Figure 2:
heatshrink
cable
Sealed connector
25 mm
sealed section
Wrap the tape until it reaches approximately 25 mm
beyond the heatshrink on the cable (see Figure 1 and
Figure 2).
If the tape finishes, apply another piece from where the
first tape ended.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
17
Installing the transceiver
Once you have completed the initial seal, wrap back over
the connection until you return to the starting point. This
creates the recommended double layer of selfamalgamating tape.
Check that the tape is tightly wrapped with no gaps. If
any gaps exist, cut off the tape and re-apply the tape as
described above.
If the tape is applied correctly, the layers polymerise to
each other after a few days preventing the tape from
peeling off. To remove the tape, it must be cut off.
Sealing waveguide connections
It is pointless to use tape around waveguide joints because no
pressure will exist between the tape and the straight edges of
the waveguide. O-ring gaskets must be used to seal the
waveguide joints.
CAUTION
Ensure the appropriate o-ring is used, otherwise
sealing is compromised or correct mating of the
waveguide flange is not possible.
The gasket is always supplied as a standard part of the
waveguide connection kit and must be used. For details on the
types of gaskets used for C-Band and Ku-Band transceivers
see page 18, C-Band transceivers or Ku-Band transceivers.
C-Band transceivers
Generally the waveguide used is either:
WR137 (transmit)
WR229 (receive)
The flanges are either:
CPRF type (flatno provision for a gasket)
CPRG type (groovedwith provision for a gasket)
The grooves in the CPRG type are always the same depth.
18
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
If a flat flange is mated with a grooved flange, a half-thickness
gasket should be used. These are commonly called WR137 or
WR229 half gasket. For example, LNBs (grooved) are always
supplied with a half gasket for mating the LNB directly to the
antenna feed (flat). If a waveguide switch is used, a full gasket
is supplied to join the LNB to the switch because both parts
are grooved.
Ku-Band transceivers
The waveguide used is always WR75.
The flanges are either:
UBR120WR75 cover flange (flat)
PBR120WR75 flange with a groove for a gasket
CBR120WR75 flange with a choke groove and a
groove for a gasket
There are two commonly used depths for the gasket grooves:
1.25 mm/0.050" (shallow)
2 mm/0.080" (deep)
Codan supplies different types of o-ring gaskets for different
parts.
LNBs usually have a deep groove so a thick gasket is supplied
for the LNB. It should be joined directly to a WR75 cover
flange, such as that used by the TRF or the OMT.
Other waveguide sections have shallow grooves, so they
should be joined to WR75 cover flanges using thin gaskets.
CAUTION
If two o-ring flanges need to be mated, select
two gaskets that ensure the joint is sealed
adequately (e.g. do not use two circular crosssection o-rings as they tend to slide off each
other).
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
19
Installing the transceiver
Flange kits for C-Band transceivers
Table 3:
Flange kits available for C-Band receive path
Part number
Contains...
Used for...
15-40093
WR229 half gasket
(with M6 25 screws, nuts
and washers)
Attaches the LNB or TRF to
the antenna feed
15-40094
WR229 full gasket
(with M6 25 screws, nuts
and washers)
Attaches two grooved flanges
together
15-40106
WR229 full gasket
(with M6 16 screws and
washers)
Attaches the TRF or LNB to a
waveguide switch
15-40108
WR229 half gasket
(with M6 8 screws and
washers)
Attaches the blanking plate to
a waveguide switch
20
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Table 4:
Flange kits available for C-Band transmit path
Part number
Contains...
Used for...
15-40095
WR137 half gasket
(with M5 25 screws, nuts
and washers)
Attaches the BUC or the
flexible waveguide to the
antenna feed
15-40096
WR137 full gasket
(with M5 25 screws, nuts
and washers)
Either:
attaches the BUC to a
section of grooved
waveguide
joins two pieces of grooved
waveguide together
15-40123
WR137 full gasket
(with M5 12 screws and
washers)
Attaches waveguide sections
to a waveguide
15-40197
WR137 half gasket
(with M5 16 screws and
washers)
Optionally available where
thicker flanges are used
15-40198
WR137 full gasket
(with M5 16 screws and
washers)
Optionally available where
thicker flanges are used
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
21
Installing the transceiver
Flange kits for Ku-Band transceivers
NOTE
Rigid and flexible waveguide sections generally
have one cover flange (flat) and a cover gasket
flange (shallow groove) at the other end.
LNBs and Sector Microwave relays have deep
groove (0.080") cover gasket flanges.
Table 5: Flange kits available for Ku-Band receive and
transmit paths
Part number
Contains...
15-40172
Either:
Thick gasket kit
(with M4 10, M4 12 and joins a cover flange to a
M4 16 screws, nuts and
Sector Microwave relay
washers)
replaces lost LNB kits
(includes a variety of
different length screws)
15-40173
Joins any shallow grooved
Thin gasket kit
(with M4 10, M4 12 and cover gasket flange with a flat
cover flange
M4 16 screws, nuts and
washers)
15-40174
Universal gasket kit (includes Seals almost any flange-tothin and thick, round and flat flange joint
gaskets, and M4 10,
M4 12 and M4 16 screws,
nuts and washers)
22
Used for...
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Grounding
Precautions must be taken to ensure the
installation is adequately protected against
WARNING
voltage potential differences that may occur
between the outdoor and indoor equipment.
These potential differences may occur:
if there is a fault in the AC mains reticulation system
when high power electrical machinery located nearby is
switched on or off
if a lightning strike occurs in the area
It is highly recommended that the antenna metal structures and
the cases of the outdoor equipment be connected together and
grounded. The protective earth screws on the transceiver
modules are provided specifically to provide this protection.
This practice will also reduce the likelihood of the mains
supply or RF interfering with the serial interface signals.
Lightning precautions
NOTE
For critical installations in lightning prone
areas, it is strongly advised that you seek expert
advice on lightning protection.
At installations where there is a potential for lightning
discharges, precautions must be taken to prevent dangerous
voltage potentials between the outdoor equipment and the
indoor equipment. As a minimum precaution, it is
recommended that the metal structures of the outdoor
equipment are well grounded with earth stakes, or in the case
of rooftop sites, grounded to the lightning grid and earth
system of the building.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
23
Installing the transceiver
One of the main causes for equipment failure is large voltage
potentials created between separate earth points when a strike
in the area (perhaps even several hundred metres away) causes
huge ground currents. For this reason, some lightning
engineers recommend the use of large copper earth straps (or
braid) to connect the indoor and outdoor equipment earth
systems, thus minimising the potential differences that can be
created between the two.
It is recommended that external earth straps are
used to bond equipment together (including
antenna hardware) to minimise the possibility of
mains or RF interference with the
communications signals.
NOTE
Welding precautions
WARNING
Large welding currents may damage the
communication equipment.
When arc welding on or near the antenna structure, you should
minimise the welding currents flowing through the
communication cables.
To minimise the welding currents:
24
Disconnect all cables from the indoor equipment,
including power, control and IF cables.
Disconnect all cables between each piece of equipment.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Aligning the antenna
If an antenna tracking system is available, use this to align the
antenna on the peak of the signal received. Take care that you
do not select side lobe peaks.
If an antenna tracking system is not available, use a spectrum
analyser to monitor the received IF output signal and manually
adjust the antenna to receive the maximum signal level.
Alternatively, use a received signal strength meter within the
demodulator and manually adjust the antenna to receive the
maximum signal level.
If you're unsure of the satellite look angle, use Digisat's
satellite look angle calculator located at www.digisat.org
Adjusting the polarisation
NOTE
You are only required to adjust the polarisation
when the antenna uses linear polarisation. When
the antenna uses circular polarisation,
adjustment is not required.
CAUTION
When required, it is important that the
polarisation of the antenna is set correctly. If
you transmit without correctly adjusting the
polarisation, it may cause signal interference to
other satellite users.
The polarisation is adjusted by rotating the OMT, which is
installed between the feed subassembly and the LNB
subassembly. Depending upon the design of the feed system, it
may be necessary to rotate the whole LNB, BUC, OMT and
feed assembly.
NOTE
It is necessary to know the polarisation offset
angle for the assigned transponder at the
installation site. The polarisation offset angle is
usually provided by the satellite operator.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
25
Installing the transceiver
Using a spectrum analyser to view a broad spectrum of
carriers being transmitted from the satellite allows you to see
other carriers being transmitted at the assigned and opposing
polarities. If no receive carriers are visible, the polarisation
will have to be adjusted with the assistance of the satellite
operator.
NOTE
To provide voice communication between your
station and the satellite operator, an orderwire
circuit or other communication channel is
required.
The polarisation setting is initially adjusted in receive-only
mode by nulling out reception of the opposite polarity rather
than peaking the reception of carriers of the required polarity.
Nulling out reception of the opposite polarity is the preferred
method as the opposing null is sharper than the required peak
and therefore, a null is a more accurate measure of the
polarisation.
Once the carriers have been nulled out as best as possible, the
final alignment is made with the assistance of the satellite
operator. The operator will measure your transmit signal as
you adjust the polarisation setting and advise you when the
correct setting is achieved.
26
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Installing the transceiver
Setting the transmit attenuator
To set the transmit attenuator, the transceiver must be
connected to a terminal. To establish communications between
a PC and the transceiver, and to set the transmit attenuator see
the documentation for the L-Band IF transceiver. The transmit
attenuator should be set to a value of 0, 4, 8 or 12 dB using the
STA command.
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
27
Installing the transceiver
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28
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
[4
Troubleshooting the
installation
CO DAN
You should troubleshoot your installation in the following
order:
check for ingress of water
check unsecured cables
check individual units
NOTE
Ingress of water is indicated by a fall in the
transmit/receive level.
To troubleshoot your installation:
Check the following cables for ingress of water.
Cable
From
TxIF
indoor equipment BUC
TxRF
BUC
antenna
RxIF
LNB
indoor equipment
If water, dampness or discolouration is present, remove
the cable and dry the bulkhead connector using a clean,
soft cloth, or allow to chy naturally. If there is coffosion
present on the connector, return the BUC to Codan for
repair.
NOTE
To
To seal connections correctly see page 14,
Sealing connections.
Check if there are any unsecured cables.
Over time, unsecured cables will stretch and cause
attenuation of the signal
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
29
Troubleshooting the installation
NOTE
To secure connections correctly see
page 13, Securing cables.
If there are no problems with the connections or cables,
check the individual units of your transceiver.
To fault find the units in your transceiver see the
documentation for the transceiver.
30
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Appendix A-Definitions
CO DAN
This section contains the following topics:
Standards and icons (32)
Acronyms and abbreviations (33)
Glossa1y (34)
Units (34)
Unit multipliers (34)
About this issue (35)
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
31
Definitions
Standards and icons
The following standards and icons are used in this handbook:
32
This typeface
Means...
BOLD/Bold
A button, switch, connector or LED
Italic
A cross-reference or text requiring
emphasis
This icon
Means...
A step within a task
NOTE
Note: the text provided next to this icon
may be of interest to you
CAUTION
Caution: your actions may lead to loss of
data, privacy or signal quality
WARNING
Warning: your actions may cause harm to
yourself or the equipment
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Definitions
Acronyms and abbreviations
Acronym
Means...
BUC
block up converter
EMC
electromagnetic compatibility
EMI
electromagnetic immunity
EPR
ethylene propylene rubber
G/T
gain/temperature
IF
intermediate frequency
LNB
low noise block converter
MS
military style
O/P
output
OMT
ortho-mode transducer
PIB
polyisobutylene
PVC
polyvinyl chloride
RF
radio frequency
RMA
return material authorisation
Rx
receive
SELV
safety extra low voltage
TNV
telecom network voltage
TRF
transmit reject filter
Tx
transmit
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
33
Definitions
Glossary
This term
Means...
C-Band
Frequency band nominally covering the
range 3 to 7 GHz.
Ku-Band
Frequency band nominally covering the
range 10 to 15 GHz.
Transceiver
Equipment comprising a BUC, LNB, power
supply and appropriate connecting cables.
Units
Measurement
Unit
Abbreviation
Attenuation
decibel
dB
Distance
metre
Frequency
hertz
Hz
Mass
gram
Unit
Name
Multiplier
milli
103
centi
102
kilo
103
mega
106
giga
109
Unit multipliers
34
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Definitions
About this issue
This is the first issue of the Satellite Communication
Equipment Installation Handbook. Although the information
presented is generic in its content, this handbook is intended
for use with the L-Band IF transceiver range of equipment.
Associated documents
The other publications associated with the Low Power L-Band
IF Transceiver 6700/6900 series are:
Low Power L-Band IF Transceiver 6700/6900 series
User Guide (Codan part number 15-44017-EN)
L-Band IF Interface Unit 6550 User Guide (Codan part
number 15-44020-EN)
Download the Codan BUC pdf datasheet here:
http://www.satcomsource.com/Codan-Ku-Band-6900-BUC.pdf
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
35
Definitions
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36
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
Index
CO DAN
BUC
installing I 0
lightning protection
grounding 23
LNB
installing 11
c
cables 12
installation guidelines 12
connections
sealing 14
M
moisture considerations 7
mounting equipment on an offset antenna 9
earth symbol 6
electrical safety 5
equipment
installing I 0
unpacking4
polarisation
adjusting 25
equipment covers
safety 5
F
flange kits 20, 21
C-Band transceiver 20, 21
Ku-Band transceiver 22
G
grounding
lightning protection 23
welding precautions 24
H
hazardous areas 8
heat precautions 7
R
radiation safety 5
s
safety
electrical 5
equipment covers 5
issues 5
radiation 5
sealing
connections 14
waveguide 18
site con5iderations 7
hazardous areas 8
heat 7
moisture 7
T
TRF
installing 11
installing
BUCIO
cables 12
LNB II
TRF 11
u
unpacking equipment 4
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
lndex-1
Index
W
waveguide connections
sealing 18
for C-Band transceivers 18
for Ku-Band transceivers 19
welding precautions
grounding 24
Index-2
Satellite Communication Equipment Installation Handbook
