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The RC2500 Dual Axis Antenna Controller controls antennas which are fitted with resolver type position sensors and are powered via an Antenna Interface Unit (AIU) located on the antenna pad. Both tracking (RC2500B) and non-tracking (RC2500A) versions are available.

RC2500 antenna movement commands are communicated to the AIU via low voltage control circuits. The AIU contains the motor drive modules and is often equipped with a local jog control panel. The antenna limit switches are processed by the AIU and limit switch indications are relayed back to the RC2500. 

Various versions of the RC2500 are available for retrofit to existing antenna systems or use with new installations. The existing synchros and cabling for position sensing would need to be replaced on most antennas with synchroresolvers compatible with the RC2500. These RC2500 versions include support for the following types of system applications.

• Vertex 7134/7150: Plug compatible with AIU
• Harris 9135: Plug compatible with AIU
• Andrew APC 100/300: Plug compatible with AIU
• Scientific Atlanta 8840: Wiring modifications required to AIU
• Scientific Atlanta 8151: Wiring modifications required to AIU
• Harris 7022: Wiring modifications required to AIU
• NPL 9000: Wiring modifications required to AIU
• Electrospace 93C-23: Wiring modifications required to AIU

The RC2500 offers the following features ...

   Intuitive user interface based on a 2 x 40 liquid crystal display with a 16 key keypad.

   Serial communications via an RS-422 port. 

The RC2500 uses the industry standard SA Bus protocol.

   Rack Mounting (2 rack units high), 115/230 VAC Switch Selectable Power Input

RC2500B

The RC2500B provides tracking for inclined orbit satellites via Step Track, Search, and Memory Track algorithms. For transmit applications the automatic search feature can be disabled. An analog voltage (in the range of -10 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

For More Information

The following application notes can be downloaded from the RCI Applications Information page ...

Computer Control of Satellite Antennas discusses the RC2500’s serial communications interface.

Research Concepts Inclined Orbit Tracking Satellite Antenna Controllers found in the Application Information section describes the tracking algorithms employed by the RC2000.

RC2500 Cut sheet is a 2 page ‘slick’ on the RC2500 Satellite Antenna Controller.

RC2500 Cut sheet (Harris 9135 Retrofit) is a 2 page ‘slick’ on Harris 9135 Retrofit version of the RC2500.

RC2500-AIU2 Cut sheet is a 1 page "slick" on the 36VDC Antenna Interface Unit for use with the RC2500 ACU.

RC2500-AIU3 Cut sheet is a 1 page "slick" on the Antenna Interface Unit for use with the RC2500 ACU.

RC2500-AIU4 Cut sheet is a 1 page "slick" on the Antenna Interface Unit for use with the RC2500 ACU.

RC2500 Comm Protocol describes the RC2500’s serial communications protocol.

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Webmaster: mfoster228@sbcglobal.net ,  Last modified: December 30, 2005