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Chapter 5 • Pointing the antenna
38
1035567-0001 Revision A
Antenna pointing
overview
This chapter describes a general procedure for pointing the
antenna. The objectives for antenna pointing are to:
• Locate and detect the satellite signal
• Peak the signal to achieve the greatest possible signal
strength
Using the installation
software
The exact pointing procedure depends on the installation software
used, SBC or WebSetup. (For a description of SBC and
WebSetup, see
Determining the pointing values on page 12.)
The installation software guides you through a step-by-step
process for installing the IDU and pointing the antenna. It
calculates your exact location and the values you use to set
polarization, elevation, and azimuth.
Use the information in this chapter as a guide for the overall
pointing process and for instructions on how to make mechanical
adjustments to the antenna. For specific steps, follow the
instructions in the IDU manual and on the installation software
screens.
In general you will alternate between these two activities:
• Following the software prompts and instructions
• Adjusting the antenna (azimuth, elevation, and polarization)
as necessary to acquire and then peak the satellite signal. The
required adjustments are different for each installation
location.
Peaking the signal
Correct antenna alignment is critical to the operation of the
system. When the antenna is pointed directly at the satellite, it
receives a strong signal. If it is not pointed properly, the signal
may be weak, and errors may result during data transfers.
Antenna pointing is accomplished by first receive pointing the
antenna and then isolating the transmit signal. Receive pointing
adjusts the antenna to obtain the best receive signal. Isolating the
transmit signal fine tunes the antenna alignment for the strongest
possible signal received by the DIRECWAY Network Operations
Center (NOC). Both processes are explained later in this chapter.
To point the antenna, you go through cycles of making small
adjustments to the antenna until you are satisfied you cannot get a
stronger satellite signal. When you have achieved the strongest
possible signal, you have peaked the signal.
You may achieve the strongest signal strength after just a few
adjustments, or you may find that several adjustments are needed.