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RC3000 Antenna Controller Chapter 1 Introduction
1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The RC3000 antenna controller is designed for use with elevation over azimuth antennas on mobile
satellite uplink vehicles. The RC3000 assists both the technically-oriented and the non-technical operator
of a mobile satellite antenna system by automating the process of locating and locking on to a particular
satellite. This process can be time-consuming due to several factors. For each shoot, the antenna may
be located in a different location, with its own local magnetic variation, and oriented in a different
direction. Since the beamwidth of the antenna is extremely narrow, the elevation and azimuth pointing
angles require a significant degree of accuracy to even be in the neighborhood of the satellite.
The design and function of the RC3000 is derived from two other proven antenna controllers from
Research Concepts Inc.: the RC8097 satellite locator and the RC2000C tracking antenna controller.
This pedigree allows the RC3000 to automate all operational steps within one piece of equipment. First,
a microcontroller based calculator function provides an accurate pointing solution through a collection of
sensor data. The RC3000 then uses the data from the sensors to accurately steer the antenna to the
calculated azimuth and elevation angles. The RC3000 also optionally automates the function of tracking
inclined orbit satellites.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE MANUAL. Due to the complexity of the functions performed
by the RC3000, time invested in understanding its installation and operation will be well spent.
1.1 Manual Organization
This manual contains five chapters and multiple appendices. Each chapter is divided into multiple
sections.
This section (1.1) summarizes the contents of the remainder of the manual and the conventions and
notations used throughout the manual. Section 1.2 highlights the functionality and features of the
RC3000. Section 1.3 reviews the theory of the RC3000’s operation and should be understood before
installation and initial use of the RC3000.
Chapter 2 describes the installation and configuration procedures for the RC3000. The rest of the
manual should be reviewed prior to installation in order to provide context for the installation procedures.
Chapter 3 provides detailed instructions on the operation of the RC3000. This chapter will describe the
data presented and user action required for every operational display screen.
Chapter 4 covers RC3000 error conditions and provides help for system troubleshooting.
Chapter 5 provides RC3000 schematics and drawings.
The appendices provide additional support for working with the RC3000:
Appendix A supplies the expert access codes on a single page, which at management’s discretion, may
be removed to eliminate the possibility of inexperienced users inadvertently corrupting configuration data.
Appendix B provides unique information for a specific mount or family of mounts. Please refer to
appendix B now to note what paragraphs in the base manual are different for your mount.
Appendix C provides information on the applicable motor controller for your mount.
A test data sheet is included with the manual that accompanies a new RC3000 controller. The mount
configuration of a particular controller is noted on the test data sheet.