VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Summary
This Job Aid covers:
Preparing the Antenna for Pointing and Peaking
Configure the Surf Beam 2 Modem and VS1100 TRIA
Point Elevation
Set the Skew
Point Azimuth
Peak Azimuth
Peak Elevation
Push/Pull Test
RX SNR in the Modem Browser Interface
This Job Aid supports all Installer audiences.
This Job Aid also supports the VS1101 mid-pole mount ODU (available in some areas) with the Surf Beam 2
modem.
Preparing the Antenna for Pointing and Peaking
The following information reviews the steps necessary to prepare the satellite modem and the Ka-band
antenna to support the WildBlue Point and Peak process. The installer is required to complete this process
during every WildBlue Service installation.
Warning: Confirm that the modem is unplugged from the wall before beginning any preparation steps.
Setting 'Zero'
Before aligning an antenna, confirm that these items are present. These three settings represent the 'zero'
settings.
•
•
•
The Elevation gauge is set to the work order
elevation
The Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is centered in its ‘zero’
position.
o If not, loosen the Azimuth base plate bolts,
and rotate the bolt’s hex head until the rightrear base plate bolt is in the center of its
arched slot.
The Skew is set for 90 degrees
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 1 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Required Tools
To point and peak a VS1100 using the Surf Beam 2 (SB2) modem, an installer needs these tools:
•
A computer with a Ethernet port and Ethernet cable
Note: This may be either the customer’s computer or the installer’s laptop.
•
•
•
•
The WildBlue Inclinometer bracket
An inclinometer
½-inch open wrench
½-inch ratchet and socket
Configure the Surf Beam 2 Modem and VS1100 TRIA
Recall that the VS1100 TRIA receives its polarity setting from the Surf Beam 2 (SB2) modem, which in turn
receives its satellite and beam assignments, and frequency set information from the Modem Key found on the
work order.
These steps assume that the VS1100 ODU is sitting on its mount, and that cabling and grounding are
complete.
Follow these steps to configure the Surf Beam 2 modem and VS1100 TRIA prior to beginning the Point and
Peak process.
Step
Action
1.
Connect the computer to the SB2
modem using the Ethernet cable
between the LAN ports on both
devices
2.
Connect the COAX cable between
the Transmit (TX) port on the TRIA,
and the TX port on the SB2 modem.
Note: If the SB2 modem has a single
IFL port, use this port.
3.
Plug the modem AC power cord into the power outlet. Wait approximately two minutes for the SB2
to power on.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 2 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Step
4.
Action (continued)
Open the computer’s Internet
Explorer browser and type this URL
into the Address bar.
Click the forward arrow in the
Address bar. The modem enters the
Installation Mode.
Note 1: Internet Explorer or Mozilla
Firefox are the preferred browsers for
this step. Other browsers may have
different results.
Note 2: If a ‘website not found’ error
appears, click the browser’s refresh
button until the page appears
5.
Find the 16-digit Modem key on the
work order, and type it into the fields.
Click the large forward arrow in the
lower right corner of the screen.
Caution: Do not press Enter, as this
makes the modem leave the
Installation mode.
6.
The Installation Configuration page
changes.
Confirm that these two events are
happening:
•
•
The SB2 modem’s RX and
LAN lights are flashing.
The TRIA is emitting the
heartbeat tone
The SB2 and TRIA are ready for the
Point and Peak process.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 3 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Point Elevation
The following information reviews the steps to complete the point (coarse) antenna Azimuth adjustment.
Step
Action
1.
Slightly loosen the Lockdown Nuts in the
Arched Slots on sides of the Elevation
Bracket. Next, turn the top ½-inch nut on
the Elevation Rod away from the top of the
Pivot Casting.
2.
Set the marker on the Inclinometer to the
Arm Angle shown on the work order.
Lay the WildBlue Inclinometer bracket over
the Boom Arms. Place the Inclinometer on
top of the Inclinometer bracket.
3.
Use the open wrench to turn the bottom nut
in the direction necessary to align the
Inclinometer floating arrow to the marker.
4.
Hand-tighten the top nut on the Elevation Rod down to the Pivot Casting. Finally, tighten the
Lockdown Nuts in the arched slots on each side of the Elevation Bracket.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 4 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Set the Skew
After pointing the Elevation, the antenna is skewed using the setting found on the work order.
Follow these steps to set the Skew.
Step
Action
1.
Locate the Skew setting on the work order.
2.
Loosen the four bolts that hold the
Antenna Back Bracket to the Skew
plate.
3.
Rotate the reflector so that the Skew
pointer aligns with the Skew setting on
the scale.
4.
Tighten the four bolts.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 5 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Point Azimuth
The following information reviews the steps to complete the point
(coarse) Azimuth adjustment.
Satellite Locations
The VS1100 ODU and Surf Beam 2 (SB2) modem uses the
WiMax protocol. This means that they require satellites that
support WiMax gateways. Currently, this is ViaSat-1 and
WildBlue-1. As WildBlue brings more satellites and WiMax
gateways online, the installer will need to listen closely to the tone
sequence during this step. The single beep tone immediately
follows Ring ring after locating the correct satellite. It is possible
that an installer will hear Ring ring more than once during a sweep
of the Azimuth.
VS1100 TRIA tone sequence
Recall that the SB2 modem must learn about its frequency set. This happens when the installer sweeps the
antenna from each side of the Azimuth and the Elevation.
Inside the Frequency Set
the TRIA emits …
Ring ring, low/slow, high/fast, high/steady
During Point Azimuth
Single beep – after Ring ring when the
correct satellite is located
During Peak
Azimuth/Elevation
Low/slow, high/fast, high/steady
Outside the Frequency Set
the TRIA emits …
Heartbeat
None – always inside the
frequency set
Follow these steps to point the Azimuth of the VS1100 ODU.
Step
1.
Action
Sweep the antenna from side to side, checking the tightness of the three flange nuts on the
mount canister. The antenna should move, but not too easily. Tighten or loosen the flange nuts
as needed.
Note: After placing the on the mount tube, the Installer aligned it to the desired compass setting.
2.
Sweep the antenna to the right, about 10 degrees away from the line-of-sight selected during the
Site Survey.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 6 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Step
3.
Action (continued)
Sweep the antenna toward the
left, listening for the TRIA to emit
the ring ring tone. Confirm that
the single beep tone followed
immediately, which means that
the antenna has found its
assigned satellite and frequency
set. Continue sweeping the
antenna toward the left until the
TRIA emits the heartbeat tone.
Stop, as this is the end of the first
learning pass.
Note: Disregard any beep bop
tones. The TRIA does not
recognize these satellites.
4.
Reverse the direction of the
sweep, now sweeping to the right,
and listen for the TRIA to
progress through the tone
sequence. Stop the sweep when
the TRIA emits the heartbeat
tone. This is the end of the
second learning pass.
Note: Use a slow, consistent
tension on the antenna during this
sweep. Not all of the tones may
be heard.
5.
Reverse the direction of the
sweep again, now sweeping to
the center, and listen for the TRIA
to emit the high/steady tone. The
antenna is now in the center of
the beam.
6.
Finish this step by tightening the flange nuts, starting with the top to maintain an even pressure on
the mount canister.
Note: The high/steady tone may dip while tightening the flange bolts. If the tone does not return to
the high/steady, then repeat the step. Remember to reset the modem's learning by sweeping the
antenna away from the satellite, and holding the Inclinometer bracket over the feed horn.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 7 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Peak Azimuth
The following information reviews the steps to complete the peak (fine) Azimuth adjustment.
Step
Action
1.
Loosen the three Azimuth base plate bolts
using a ½-inch ratchet.
2.
Using an open wrench, rotate the hex head
of the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt.
Caution: Do not pass the low/slow tone
during the peaking step.
3.
Sweep the antenna toward the left,
listening for the TRIA to emit the low/slow
tone, which means that the antenna has
found the far edge of its frequency set.
Stop, as this is the end of the first fine-tune
learning pass.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 8 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Step
4.
Action (continued)
Reverse the direction of the sweep, now
sweeping to the right, and listen for the
TRIA to progress through the tone
sequence. Stop the sweep when the TRIA
emits the low/slow tone. This is the end of
the second fine-tune learning pass.
Note: Because this is a fine-tune pass, all
tones should be present. Periodically
pause and wait for the modem to evaluate
the information coming from the antenna.
5.
Reverse the direction of the sweep again,
now sweeping to the center, and listen for
the TRIA to emit the high/steady tone. The
antenna is now in the center of the beam.
6.
Finish this step by tightening the Azimuth base plate bolts.
Note: The high/steady tone may dip while tightening the base plate bolts. If the tone does not
return to the high/steady, then restart the Point and Peak process. Remember to reset the
modem's learning by sweeping the antenna away from the satellite, holding the Inclinometer
bracket over the feed horn, and then re-centering the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt.
Damaging the Azimuth Fine-adjust Bolt
If the Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is not centered prior to beginning the Point and Peak
process, the peaking procedure may cause unwelcome stress where the Fineadjust bolt attaches to the Azimuth base plates.
The motion of the Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is limited to 3 degrees from one side of
its slotted arch to the other. Rotating the hex head beyond the low/slow tone during
the peaking procedure exceeds this 3-degree limit and begins to
compress the bolt’s attachments.
When the attachments come under this compression, they will buckle and
may fail, as shown in the image. This leads to a poor quality installation.
Important: This problem is avoided by following these two
instructions:
1. Always center the Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt prior to pointing and
peaking.
2. Do not pass the low/slow tone during the peaking sequence.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 9 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Peak Elevation
The following information reviews the steps to complete the peak (fine) Azimuth adjustment.
Step
Action
1.
Slightly loosen the Lockdown Nuts in the
arched slots on sides of the Elevation
Bracket. Next, turn the top ½-inch nut on
the Elevation Rod away from the top of the
Pivot Casting.
2.
Use the open wrench on the lower
Elevation Rod nut.
Caution: Do not pass the low/slow tone
during the peaking step.
3.
Sweep the nut on the Elevation Rod such
that the TRIA drops ,and listen for the
TRIA to emit the low/slow tone, which
means that the antenna has found the far
edge of its frequency set. Stop, as this is
the end of the first fine-tune learning pass.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 10 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Step
4.
Action (continued)
Reverse the direction of the sweep, now
sweeping to raise the TRIA, and listen for
the TRIA to progress through the tone
sequence. Stop the sweep when the TRIA
emits the low/slow tone. This is the end of
the second fine-tune learning pass.
Note: Because this is a fine-tune pass, all
tones should be present. Periodically
pause and wait for the modem to evaluate
the information coming from the antenna.
5.
Reverse the direction of the sweep again,
now sweeping to the center, and listen for
the TRIA to emit the high/steady tone. The
antenna is now in the center of the beam.
6.
Finish this step by tightening the same bolts and nuts.
Note: The high/steady tone may dip while tightening the base plate bolts. If the tone does not
return to the high/steady, then restart the Point and Peak process.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 11 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid
Release Date: June 2011
Push/Pull Test
Important: An installer always completes two tests before obtaining Modem Lock: a Push/Pull test and a
review of the RX SNR in the Signal Strength section of the Modem Browser Interface. Passing these tests
prevents delays in Modem Lock and Provisioning because they confirm that the antenna has aligned correctly
during Point and Peak.
Step
Action
1.
From behind the antenna, gently push and
pull each side of the antenna.
2.
Gently push and pull the top and the bottom of the antenna
3.
The test passes when the TRIA’s high/steady tone dips every time pressure is added to the
antenna. The tone returns to its high/steady state when the pressure is removed.
If the tone rises, the alignment is not correct and the installer must repeat the Point and Peak
process. Remember to reset the modem's learning by sweeping the antenna away from the
satellite, holding the Inclinometer bracket over the feed horn, and then re-centering the Azimuth
fine-adjust bolt.
RX SNR in the Modem Browser Interface
During the Point and Peak process, the Modem Browser
Interface records the current and the peak RX SNR
levels in the Signal Strength section. When the antenna
is correctly aligned, these two levels will match.
If these two levels do not match, repeat the Point and
Peak process. Remember to reset the modem's learning
by sweeping the antenna away from the satellite,
holding the Inclinometer bracket over the feed horn, and
then re-centering the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt.
Note: These levels rise and fall in real time, so
differences +/- 0.5dB are acceptable. Differences
greater than 0.5dB should be seen as a failed Point and
Peak.
© 2011 WildBlue Communications
All Rights Reserved.
Page 12 of 12
Reproduction without permission is prohibited.