Andrew ATC200-Lite - Manual (Page 11)

Bulletin 639510 May 2005 1-1
Section 1
Controller Setup
1.1 System Description
The ATC200-Lite series control system consists of an antenna system controller, actuators
attached to the antennas (one for each variable tilt adjuster on an antenna), junction boxes/
splitters to daisy chain up to 32 actuators to a controller, and control cable assemblies. See
Section 10 for details on component part numbers and ordering information. Follow the pro-
cedures described in the installation bulletins included with each component for successful
installation for each device.
It is recommended that each actuator be connected to the controller while on the ground and
tested for proper function. The serial number for each actuator, the antenna type the actuator
will be installed on, and the location the antenna will be positioned at on the tower site should
be recorded prior to installation on the tower. This will assist in configuring the controller to
manage tilt operations successfully for each actuator. A site configuration worksheet is provided
with this manual to record the antenna/actuator information (see Appendix A).
1.2 ATC200-Lite Series Controller Communication
The ATC200-Lite controller serves as an interface between a local PC/laptop and the ATM200
RET actuator/antenna system. This controller provides signal level conversion from RS-232
(used on a PC) to RS-485 (used in ATM200-001 actuators), as well as power to the ATM200-
001 actuators that are attached to the antennas. LEDs, on the front panel of the controller,
indicate power and data communication. The power LEDs, located nearest to the dc IN port,
display green lights when power is supplied to the RET system. The data LED, located nearest
to the RS-232 serial port, displays a green light when sending data to the RET system usually
followed by an immediate red light when receiving data from the RET system.
1.3 ATC200-Lite Series Controller Setup
1. Connect the supplied 9-Pin RS-232 cable between the controller’s RS-232 serial port and
an available RS-232 serial port on the PC or laptop. See Figures 1-1.
Note that the software program used to operate this controller is set at serial port 1 (COM1)
as its default. If serial port 1 is unavailable, any functional serial port in the range of
1-8, not currently in use on the PC, is acceptable. A USB to RS-232 serial adapter cable
can be used to connect the ATC200-Lite controller to a PC/laptop. Note that after installing
the driver for the adapter, it may be necessary to change the ‘Port Mapping’ setting from
‘Geographic’ to ‘Dynamic’ to clear a certain conflict that may occur with the COM port.