iDirect Evolution X1 - 16 Acquiring the Network; 16.1 Initial Acquisition: Overview

iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide 91
iDX Release 3.3
16 Acquiring the Network
This chapter describes initial acquisition of the Satellite Router into the satellite network.
The chapter also provides tables that correlate Satellite Router LED indications with the
associated operational states.
This chapter includes the following sections:
• “Initial Acquisition: Overview” on page91
• “Initial Acquisition” on page92
• “Front-Panel LEDs” on page94
16.1 Initial Acquisition: Overview
After executing a restart, the Satellite Router performs a power-on self-test (POST) and
acquires the network. Restarting causes the Satellite Router to conform to the operational
state defined in the options file, including transmit frequency and initial power settings.
Upon completion of POST, the Satellite Router tunes to and locks on the downstream carrier
,
which contains an invitation to join the network in the form of acquisition slot assignments on
the upstream carriers. The Satellite Router transmits one or more acquisition bursts to
facilitate synchronization and allow the Satellite Router to join the network and begin
transmitting traffic bursts.
The first acquisition bursts from a newly-commissioned site are transmitted at the power
level specified in the options file. This “first burst” po
wer level
is determined by the Network
Operator when configuring the site in iBuilder.
The initial acquisition or “first burst” power may or may not be sufficient for reliable
ac
quisition. iDirect recommends that the initial power in the commissioning options file be
set at a low value (for example, -30 dBm for an X1 or -35 dBm for all other model types) to
ensure that the satellite router does not cause interference on the transponder when
transmitting its first acquisition bursts. The procedure for bringing the Satellite Router into
the network for the first time is described in “Initial Acquisition” on page92.
After the Satellite Router has been acquired into
the network for the first tim
e, the Network
Operator must set two power parameters in iBuilder: the maximum site power, and the power
to be used for future acquisition bursts, referred to as the initial transmit power. The
procedures for setting these parameters are contained in “Setting Power” on page99.
Note: The initial transmit power must be d
etermined under clear sky cond
itions.