Research Concepts RC2000A - Manual (Page 11)

RC2000A Dual Axis Antenna Controller Chapter 1 Introduction 11
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION
The RC2000A antenna controller is designed to control a dual axis antenna with 36 volt actuators and
pulse type position sense feedback. The RC2000A was designed with the requirements of the
commercial user of satellite downlink services in mind. Here is a brief listing of the capabilities of the
RC2000A.
1. The controller utilizes a solid state drive system capable of providing 8 amps to the antenna
actuators. The drive system has built in over current sensing with mechanical relay backup to
disconnect the drive from the actuators in the event of a fault.
2. The controller can provide polarization control via a Chaparral type polarotor. The AutoPol feature
allows the controller's polarization output to be slaved to a digital input or contact closure obtained
from a satellite receiver.
3. The controller also has an internal expansion port that can accept optional daughter boards. Two
daughter boards are available which can provide polarization control, designated RC2KPOL and
RC2KHPP. The RC2KPOL is designed for use with the Seavey model ESR-124D motorized feed
with potentiometer feedback. The Seavey feed requires 24 volts at 500 milliamps. The RC2KHPP
option is designed for motorized feeds with potentiometer feedback which require 5 to 40 volts DC
at currents up to 3 amps. Version 1.50 of the software supports the RC2KPOL option. Version
1.51 supports the RC2KHPP option.
4. Position sensing feedback can be supplied by any pulse-based sensor - reed switch, Hall effect, or
electro-optical. There is no need for special sensors or actuators. The RC2000A keeps track of
both rising and falling pulse edges from the pulse sensor for increased accuracy.
5. The non-volatile memory can hold position and polarization data for 50 geostationary satellites.
6. The Adapti-Drive variable speed control system allows the user to specify the desired slow speed
for each axis. The Adapti-Drive system will then adjust the actuator voltage (via a pulse width
modulation scheme) to maintain the speed selected by the user. This alleviates the problems of
poor speed regulation with varying direction along a given axis and environmental conditions
associated with constant voltage slow speed systems.
7. The RC2000A is equipped with an RS-422 communications port. This allows the controller to
interface with a PC. The communication protocol used is compatible with the popular SA-Bus
protocol. Two IBM PC compatible programs are included with the controller. The optional
AUTOPILOT software package allows a single PC to control multiple antenna positioners and
satellite receivers. An optional RS-232 to RS-422 interface converter, designated RC1KADP, is
available to convert the RS-232 interface (which is standard on PC's) over to the RS-422 interface
required for the SA-Bus protocol.
1.1 Organization of this Manual
This manual is divided into two broad parts, Installation and Reference. The Installation part of this
manual is designed to familiarize the user with the controller and guide him or her through the
installation and configuration of the controller. The Reference portion of the manual gives a detailed
description of all of the features and capabilities of the controller.
The Installation portion of the manual is comprised of Chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 2 explains the user
interface and the basic operation of the unit. Chapter 3 guides the user through the physical installation
and wiring of the unit as well as the initial software configuration.
The Reference portion of this manual is comprised of chapters 4, 5, and 6 as well as the appendices
which follow. These chapters of the manual describe every field on every screen which the user will
ever encounter as well the data which can be entered at any prompt. After the initial installation, when
the user has become familiar with the operation of the controller, Chapters 4 and 6 will probably be the
only ones consulted by the user to handle the routine chores of adding new satellites and deleting old
ones.
Research Concepts, Inc. • 5420 Martindale Road • Shawnee, Kansas • 66218-9680 • USA www.researchconcepts.com