CHAPTER THREE SATELLITE DISH POSITIONING USING IR

3.1 Introduction An artificial satellite is an object that relays and amplifies radio telecommunication
signals via a transponder; it creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and
receiver at different location on earth. Satellites are used for television, radio, internet, navigational
purpose and military. A satellite dish is just a special kind of antenna designed to focus on a specific
broadcast source. The standard dish consists of a parabolic (bowl-shaped) surface and a central feed
horn. To transmit a signal, a controller sends it through the horn and the dish focuses the signal into a
relatively narrow beam. When a beam hits the curved dish, the parabola shape reflects the radio signal
inward onto a particular point, just like a concave mirror focuses light onto a particular point. To receive
a clear satellite picture, the dish must not only have a clear line of sight to the satellite but also the
correct vertical and horizontal alignment. The vertical alignment refers to moving the dish up and down.
The horizontal alignment refers to moving the dish left and right.

3.2 Problem Statement In fana broadcasting corporate the satellite dish position is adjusted manually, it
becomes difficult to align it at the best possible position. The most common issue anyone will come
across when aligning the dish is aiming at the correct satellite for the broadcasts and receiving they
require. Satellite receivers do have details on them regarding the satellites to which they are
communicating. The alignment of satellite dish is currently performed manually wasting many hours to
perform this process and which is time consuming and less accurate. Basically for the manual, we use a
spectrum analyzer to monitor the signal during movement of the antenna until the desired satellite is
found. Also, to look for the location of a satellite in order to achieve the best reception is an exhaustive
process. The manual system has the problem of manual installation which takes more time. Due to
manual alignment of the system there is possibility of human errors i.e. misalignment of the dish
antenna. So, it is necessary for an automated system in order to achieve the optimum positioning for the
reception of the signal.

3.3 Objective of the Project

3.3.1 General Objective

The main aim of this project is to design an automatic dish antenna position control using TV remote.
3.3.2 Specific Objective

The specific objective of this project is:- To simulate automatic dish positioning system which can be
operated by using a conventional TV remote. To develop an arduino code for controlling motors
movement. To design hardware for automatic dish positioning system.

3.4 Limitation of the project it is restricted within distance; it is only applicable with in line of sight
communication.

3.5 Significance of the project Automatically dish positioning is very important for getting the standard
broadcast signals from the satellite. The dish must be pointed at a correct angle to get the strongest
signal possible. If the dish position is adjusted manually, one cannot direct the dish towards the best
possible position. This proposed system is intended to adjust the dish position through a simple TV
remote by pressing the buttons corresponding to the direction of the dish position.

3.6 Literature Review In FBC satellite dish positioning system is manually alignment. This manual dish
positioning system receive signal from the satellite by adjusting the antenna reflector. This process
starts slowly moving the reflector (dish) by unscrewing the rivets we can adjust the dish in azimuth and
elevation direction by using man power. They move the satellite dish by using the man power to get the
value of Azimuth and elevation angle to match with the satellite. This adjustment is first from east to
west movement (side to side) of the reflector and gives azimuth degree. Secondly, they adjust the
elevation angle (up and down) and this adjustment gives elevation degree above the vertical plane. Then
adjust until it reaches maximum peak frequency by using spectrum analyzer in order to monitor the
value. Generally this manual system is very time consuming and less accurate.

Figure 13 Dish antenna found in fana

3.7 Methodology In this project, related secondary sources of data such as different books in satellite
technology, documents, previous researcher's studies, different Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) articles, and journals will be used to explore the latest development in Arduino
technology.

Data collection and description For developing this project, I will collect data by using different methods:
interview, Document Analysis, questioner and Internet from the data collection methods, I will be going
to interpret it by making explanation about those problems which are going to be implemented in
addition I will try to implement those methods in order to achieve a good system design.

System design Picking the best model of Arduino, LCD, Servo motor perfect pin connection for the best
output prepare a program for monitoring the Arduino, identify the input and output of the system.
Simulation Simulate the circuit board using proteus 8.6 professional software.
 System architecture The paper describes to develop a dish positioning system which can be operated by
using a conventional TV remote. The system is made up of three servo motors that enable the dish to
rotate both in horizontal and vertical direction, remotely controlled by infrared means.

Two potentiometer sensors are used to receive the remote commands which are fed to Arduino Uno
that decodes the data to rotate the motor in desired direction. The TV remote acts as a transmitter
whose data is received by potentiometer sensor which is interfaced to the Arduino Uno.

TV
LCD
Remote

Arduino Uno

Three servo
POWER Dish
Motor
SUPPLY

Figure 14 Block diagram of automatic dish positioning using tv remote.

Arduino Uno Three servo Motor LCD TV remote Power supply Dish

3.7.1 System components and operation Power supply There are many types of power supply; some are
designed to convert high voltage AC mains electricity to a suitable low voltage supply for electronic
circuits, micro controller and other devices. A power supply can be broken down into a series of blocks,
each of them perform a particular function. The power supply section which provide +5V for the
transmitter section to work. The power supply section which provide +5V for the receiver section to
work.TV remote is an electronic device used to operate another device from a distance, usually
wirelessly. The TV remote acts as a transmitter whose data is received by an IR receiver which is
interfaced to arduino uno. The TV remote sends coded data to the receiver whose output is then sent to
the arduino. Arduino Uno is a micro-controller board based on the ATmega328 (data sheet). It has 14
digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal
oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything
needed to support the micro-controller, simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it
with AC to DC adapter or battery to get started. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) A liquid crystal display or
LCD draws its definition from its name itself. It is combination of two states of matter, the solid and the
liquid. LCD uses a liquid crystal to produce a visible image. Liquid crystal displays are super-thin
technology display screen that are generally used in laptop computer screen, TVs, cell phones and
portable video games. LCD technologies allow displays to be much thinner when compared to cathode
ray tube (CRT) technology. Liquid crystal display is composed of several layers which include two
polarized panel filters and electrodes. LCD technology is used for displaying the image in notebook or
some other electronic devices like mini computers. Servo motor is an electrical device which can push or
rotate an object with great precision. If you want to rotate and object at some specific angels or
distance, then you use servo motor.it is just made up of simple motor which run through servo
mechanism. If motor is used is DC servo powered then it is called DC servo motor, and if it AC powered
motor then it is called AC servo motor. We can get a very high torque servo motor in a small and light
weight packages.

Detail design works

Automatic dish antenna positioning is very important for getting broadcast signals from a satellite. The
dish antenna should always point to satellite in space to receive maximum signal. A slight deviation may
also reduce the signal strength. The antenna position is fixed by setting two angles azimuth angle and
elevation angle. These are set by entering their values. Once these values are entered the dish antenna
moves in horizontal and vertical direction using three servo motors, one for elevation angle and two for
azimuth angle. And potentiometer or variable resistor is used as TV remote to send command to the
arduino. Then the arduino act as receiver and receive this command that is send from the
potentiometer. By changing the value of the potentiometer the motor will be move in azimuth and
elevation direction.

3.8 Result and discussion

3.8.1 Result
Figure 15 Circuit diagram of dish antenna positioning using TV remote

3.8.2 Discussion

This project designed to develop automatic dish positioning system which can be operated by using TV
remote or potentiometer. Potentiometer has a range from 0- 1023 by varying this value we can adjust
the elevation and azimuth angle. To adjust the elevation angle we divide (1023/180) by this difference
the motor will rotate in vertical direction. To adjust the azimuth angle we divide (1023/360) by this
difference the motor will rotate in horizontal direction.

3.9 Conclusion The proposed project of remote controlled dish positioning system can adjust the
position of dish remotely by using IR remote. It will reduce the difficulty of adjusting the position of dish
manually. If the dish position is adjusted manually, one cannot get the maximum signal direct from the
satellite toward the dish antenna. This proposed project is intended to adjust the dish position through a
simple TV remote by pressing the buttons corresponding to the direction of the satellite. The advantages
of the proposed system are less complexity, easy to implement and low cost. Also, an automated system
helps to reduce the human intervention and saves time. This system will help to improve the quality of
dish TV by taking the maximum signal strength.