iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide 61
iDX Release 3.3
Peak Indicators
Note: Write down the pointing values, or leave the screen open. The data are needed
in the following sections to perform antenna pointing.
11.2.2 Coarse Alignment
Use the data provided in the previous section to perform a coarse alignment of the antenna
towards the satellite. The following items are required:
• Compass or GPS receiver
• Site magnetic variation data
• Inclinometer
•Indelible marker
• Hand tools as required
For the procedure that follows, it is not necessary to com
p
letely re-tighten the antenna axis
fixing hardware. Satellite acquisition and fine pointing are performed later.
To Perform Coarse Alignment:
1. Determine the site
magnetic variation, available on the Web.
2. Refer to the Gross Antenna P
ointing area of the Angle Calculator. Using an inclinometer
or protractor, adjust the feed horn assembly to the approximate angle indicated in the
Polarization Offset field. See Figure 39.
3. Using an inclinometer
, set antenna elevation to the value provided in the Elevation
Actual field. Remember that this value is the true elevation minus the antenna offset
angle.
4. Using a compass or GPS
unit, set antenna azimuth to the approximate angle indicated in
the Azimuth True field. Be sure to apply the local magnetic variation to the compass
reading. West variation must be added, and East variation must be subtracted from the
value indicated by the compass. The result is the true azimuth.
5. Mark the coarse azimuth with a line drawn across the lower
section of the azimuth mount
and the pole, using an indelible marker.
After completion of coarse alignment, execute the proced
ures in the sections that follow to
peak the antenna.
11.3 Peak Indicators
For the procedures that follow, two operator feedback methods are employed:
• A DC voltage on the TX Out p
ort that varies with received signal strength (PWM)
• A graphic display depicting received signal strength in a histogram
11.3.1 PWM
When peaking the antenna, the Satellite Router generates a pulse train on the TX Out port.
The duration of each pulse is proportional to the received signal strength. The method is
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