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RC2000 Dual Axis Controllers
The RC2000 family consists of the RC2000A and the RC2000C Satellite Antenna
Controllers. The RC2000C supports inclined orbit satellite tracking. The RC2000A and
RC2000C are based on the same platform. An RC2000A can be converted into an RC2000C by
upgrading the controller’s software (stored in EPROM memory) and inserting/replacing
a couple of IC’s on the controller’s digital board.
The following features are common to both the RC2000A and RC2000C ...
An intuitive user
interface based on a 2 by 40 liquid crystal display with a 16 key
keypad.
Dual Speed, Solid
State Adapti-DriveTM can deliver 8 amps (at 30 volts DC) to the antenna
actuator. The drive features electronic over current protection and dynamic braking. An
application note is available which describes a method to interface with motors that
operate at different voltages - see the Application Information section.
Precise slow speed
control is implemented by a software servo based system that measures the rate at
which position pulses are accumulated by the controller and adjusts the voltage applied to
the drive to maintain a constant rate of movement.
Interfaces with pulse
based position sensors - reed switch, Hall effect, or optical.
Servo based
polarization control. An optional daughter board, designated RC2KPOL, can interface with a
5 to 24 volt DC powered rotating feed equipped with a potentiometer for position feedback.
Serial communications
via an RS-422 port. The RC2000 uses the industry standard SA Bus protocol.
Rack Mounting (2 rack
units high), 115/230 VAC Switch Selectable Power Input
Non-Volatile Memory
retains satellite position data. The RC2000A can store location data for 50 geostationary
satellites. The RC2000C stores location data for 35 satellites, 5 of which may be
inclined.
RC2000C
The RC2000C provides tracking for inclined orbit satellites via Step Track, Search, and
Memory Track algorithms. Three versions of the RC2000C are available: the RC2000C AZ/EL
for use with elevation over azimuth type antenna mounts, the RC2000C POLAR for use with
polar mounts which employ either a motorized declination or latitude angle adjustment, and
the RC2000C EL/AZ for use with azimuth over elevation type antenna mounts. An analog
voltage (in the range of 0 to 10 volts) proportional to signal strength is required for
peaking the satellite. This voltage is usually provided by a receiver or modem AGC output
but can also be generated by a beacon receiver.
Setup of the tracking system is straight forward. From the controller’s CONFIG
mode the user enters the following information ...
Antenna Size,
Antenna Latitude and Longitude,
Maximum Tracking Error in tenths of dB,
Elevation Constant (the number of elevation position counts per degree of antenna
elevation movement),
AGC
Polarity (positive polarity implies that a stronger satellite signal produces a greater
AGC voltage),
AGC
Threshold (an AGC level above the threshold implies that a satellite signal is present).
When a track is initiated on a satellite the user is prompted for: the satellite’s
longitude, the satellite’s current inclination, and the satellite’s frequency
band(s) - C, Ku, C/Ku, L, X, Ka.
From this information the controller is able to automatically determine the optimum
tracking parameters ...
Step Track azimuth and elevation step sizes.
Interval between Step Track peaking operations.
Frequency of Memory Track antenna alignment operations.
The shape of the Search Mode search region.
Pricing:
| Description |
Price |
| RC2000A |
$2125 |
| RC2000C |
$3025 |
| RC1KADP RS-422 to RS-232 Protocol Converter |
$220 |
| RC2KPOL Daughter board to Interface the RC2000 to a Rotating
Feed. |
$350 |
For More Information
The following application notes can be downloaded from the RCI
Applications Information
page ...
Computer Control of Satellite Antennas discusses the RC2000’s serial
communications interface.
Control of Antennas Powered by AC or Large DC Motors with the RC1000 or RC2000 Antenna
Controllers describes a method for interfacing the RC2000 to antennas which are not
powered by 36 volt DC motors.
Research Concepts Inclined Orbit Tracking Satellite Antenna Controllers describes the
tracking algorithms employed by the RC2000.
The RC2000 Antenna Controller family
describes the various models of the RC2000
Satellite Antenna Controller.
RC2000C Cut sheet is a 2 page ‘slick’ on the RC2000C Satellite Antenna
Controller.
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