Research Concepts RC2000A - Manual (Page 98)

98 RC2000A Dual Axis Antenna Controller Appendix I 2.6x Addendum
‘1’ - Optional Peakup function not supported, also includes support for the optional high
power polarization drive daughter board which is designated RC2KHPP,
‘5’ – Optional Peakup function supported, also includes support for the standard
polarization control daughter board which is designated RC2KPOL,
‘6’ - Optional Peakup function supported, also includes support for the optional high
power polarization drive daughter board which is designated RC2KHPP,
Note: If a version of the software supports either the RC2KPOL or RC2KHPP
polarization control daughter-boards this does not mean that the daughterboard is
actually installed in the controller. If either of these devices are present a five position
J4 connector will protrude from the back of the controller.
d specifies the satellite list stored in the controller’s EPROM memory:
‘w’ specifies the satellites that can be seen from easterly longitudes (North and South
America)
‘e’ specifies the satellites that can be seen from easterly longitudes (Europe, Africa,
Asia, Australia)
1.2 Organization of this Addendum
Section 2 – Signal Strength – An analog voltage that varies with received signal strength is required to
implement the peakup function. That maximum range of this analog voltage is 0 to 10 volts DC. The
controller can accept two channels of analog voltages. These channels are referred to as AGC1 and
AGC2. AGC is an abbreviation for Automatic Gain Control. These analog voltages are often generated
by receiver or modem AGC circuits. Section 2 describes the adjustments and controller CONFIG mode
items related to the Signal Strength inputs.
Section 3 – Peakup Function – This section documents the operation of the Peakup system and
describes the controller CONFIG mode items associated with the Peakup System.
Section 4 – This section describes the polarization control device options and the operation of the Sticky
Key Jog system. Section 4.6 describes concerns of particular importance to customers upgrading from
a previous version of the software.
2.0 Signal Strength
To implement the peaking algorithm, the controller requires an analog input which indicates the strength
of the received signal. Such a voltage is generated within a satellite receiver, and is referred to as an
AGC signal (Automatic Gain Control). On many receivers this signal is available at a terminal on the
back of the receiver. On satellite receivers this signal may also be referred to as a 'Signal Strength' or
'Tuning Meter' output. An AGC output typically varies in proportion to the received power of the
transponder which the receiver is currently tuned to.
The controller has the provision to process two channels of AGC information. This means that two
receivers can be connected to the controller (at least one receiver is required to implement peakup
function). The two channels are referred to as AGC1 and AGC2. The controller uses the stronger of
the two as its AGC input. Each channel has separate gain and offset potentiometer adjustments. The
installer uses the pots to transform the receiver's AGC signal swing into a range of values which is
easily measured by the controller.
In addition to the potentiometers, there are three CONFIG mode items which are related to the AGC
system. The three items are ...
1. AGC Polarity Flag - This flag indicates to the controller whether a stronger satellite signal
corresponds to a higher AGC voltage (positive polarity) or a lower AGC voltage (negative polarity).
Both AGC channels must have the same polarity. Each AGC channel contains an internal pull
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