The RC3000 Satellite Locator is an antenna controller designed for use with mobile satellite uplink vehicles and flyaway systems. The RC3000 is able to calculate the azimuth and elevation angles required to align the antenna with a satellite. To determine the antenna pointing solution the controller has to know the magnetic heading of the uplink vehicle (or platform), the latitude and longitude of the uplink site, and the longitude of the satellite. Heading data can be provided by the optional flux gate compass. The latitude and longitude of the uplink site can be determined with the optional GPS receiver.

Once an antenna pointing solution has been determined, the controller is able to automatically drive the antenna to the calculated position and perform a search in azimuth to locate the satellite. When the uplink has been completed the RC3000 can automatically stow the antenna. Other options available on the controller include an RS-422 serial communications capability and the ability to track inclined orbit satellites.

Here is a summary of the RC3000’s features ...

· Intuitive user interface based on a 4 by 40 liquid crystal display and a 16 key keypad. The RC3000               enclosure is designed for rack mounting (2 rack units high).

·  Support for an optional flux gate compass. The flux gate compass can be calibrated to compensate for the distortion of the earth’s magnetic field due to the vehicle itself by driving the vehicle in a circle. Given the vehicle’s latitude and longitude and the current date the controller can calculate the magnetic variation (the difference between true and magnetic north). This allows the controller to determine the vehicle’s true heading.

·  Support for an optional GPS receiver. The GPS receiver incorporates a battery backup for fast position fixes.

·  Support for inclined orbit satellite tracking via Step Track and Memory Track algorithms. Tracking parameters such as the azimuth/elevation step sizes and peakup intervals are automatically determined by the controller based on the vehicle’s lat/lon, the satellite longitude, and the following configuration constants: antenna size, frequency of operation (C, X, Ku, or Ka band), and the maximum allowable tracking error (in dB - specified by the user). Inclined orbit tracking requires that the antenna’s azimuth and elevation axis be fitted with pulse type position sensors.

Available in two basic versions. The RC3000A supports low voltage, high current DC motors on the azimuth, elevation, and polarization axis. The RC3000B supports 90/180 VDC azimuth and elevation motors and a low voltage, low current DC motor for the polarization control.

The RC3000 supports an optional hand held jog controller. The hand held jog controller attaches to the RC3000 via a 20 foot cable and allows the operator to jog the antenna about all axis and view limit switch indications.

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