Research Concepts RC2000A - Manual (Page 97)

RC2000A Dual Axis Antenna Controller Appendix I 2.6x Addendum 97
Appendix I RC2000A version 2.6x Addendum
1.0 Introduction
This addendum documents the RC2000A version 2.6x modifications. The major changes introduced
with this revision of the software are …
1) Support for an optional Signal Strength Peakup function that can be initiated either by the user from
the front panel or via reception of a remote command on the controller’s serial port. An analog voltage
that varies with received signal strength is required to implement the Peakup Function (0 to 10 volts DC
max input range).
2) Enhanced remote commands that allow the controller’s memory to be read and restored via the
controller’s serial ports, and
3) Support for remote commands that allow the controller to be remotely controlled with commands
received on the device’s serial port.
Minor changes to the software include …
1) Explicit support for the following types of polarization control equipment: …
a) None – no polarization control device,
b) Chaparral type Polarotor servo polarization control device,
c) a two port motorized feed with potentiometer position feedback (two port refers to the feed’s
ability to receive both horizontal and vertical polarizations simultaneously – one example of this
type of feed is the Seavey Engineering Associates model ESA 124D), and
d) a single port motorized feed with potentiometer position feedback.
Earlier versions of the software supported a Polarotor servo and a single port motorized feed.
2) Support for a Sticky Key Jog function. This feature is sometimes useful during antenna setup and
while cutting antenna patterns. With Sticky Key Jog, in MANUAL mode an az/el jog is initiated by hitting
the Az CCW, Az CW, El Down, or El Up keys. Once a sticky key jog is initiated it will continue until the
user hits the Stop key or leaves MANUAL mode.
Users upgrading to this version of the software from a previous version should refer to section 4.6 of
this addendum for a checklist of issues that need to be addressed.
1.1 Version Identification
On power up the controller displays the version number of the software running in the controller along
with an alphabetic suffix that identifies the SETUP mode satellite list stored in the controller’s EPROM
memory.
The version number displayed on power up will have the following form:
v 2.6xd
where x and d are interpretted as follows …
x is referred to as the software minor version number:
‘0’ – Optional Peakup function not supported, also includes support for the standard
polarization control daughter board which is designated RC2KPOL,
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