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IntelliTrack Module  

Operations Guide

 

 
 

 

AvL Technologies

 | Proprietary – Content is Subject to Change without Notice                 

 

 

pg. 5 

 

IntelliTrack Model Clear

 – 

Whether or not to clear all IntelliTrack tracking memory when not 

tracking.

 

For typical IntelliTrack tracking operation, the IntelliTrack Model information is maintained 

until replaced by new data. Set

 IntelliTrack Model Clear

 to “No”. This will take effect whenever the 

module enters or exits tracking. 

 

Note - This configuration item will clear the model data for all targets.

 

 

IntelliTrack Reflector Size

 – The size of the reflector currently mounted on the antenna system, 

defined in meters. This is used to calculate the antenna’s half power beam width for scanning and 
tracking. 

 

Figure 3 - Core configuration, search "avl compass" 

 

Long Name 

Level 

Type 

Value Range 

Documentation 

AvL Compass Com Port 

String 

The computer device filename for the 
communications port used. 

AvL Compass Com Port 
Settings 

String 

The communications parameters for the comm 
port in the form of BaudRate DataBits StopBits 
Parity (ie 9600 8 1 0) where parity values are 0 
for none and 1 for even. 

 

 

AvL Compass Com Port

  – This should be set to “192.168.0.63” if the NAV RIOM GPS is being used as 

a Time Source or left blank otherwise. If this configuration item is changed, the antenna must be 
power cycled before the change will take effect. 

 

AvL Compass Com Port Settings

 – This should be set to “9760” if the NAV RIOM GPS is being used as 

a Time Source or left blank otherwise. If this configuration item is changed, the antenna must be 
power cycled before the change will take effect. 

 

The settings below can be used to provide manual overrides in the case of NAV RIOM GPS 
or Vector Compass failure. 

Summary of Contents for AAQ IntelliTrack Module

Page 1: ...odule Setup Operation Guide Revision R11 9 0 Documentation of the IntelliTrack tracking method module configuration and behavior when used with the AvL Technologies antenna system Appendix S AvL Technologies 900 159 018 ...

Page 2: ...R11 9 0 and new template Contents Revision History 1 Figures 2 1 Introduction 2 2 Setup Guide 3 2 1 Hardware 3 2 2 Software 3 2 3 Hardware Connection 3 2 3 1 Serial Communication Connection 3 2 3 2 Ethernet Communication Connection 3 3 Configuration 4 3 1 Core Configuration Items 4 3 2 Target Configuration Items 9 3 3 Signal Configuration Items 12 3 4 Feed Configuration Items 14 4 Operation 14 4 1...

Page 3: ...entative Inclined Geostationary Geodetic Path 17 Figure 12 AAQ GUI Commands 18 Figure 13 Sensor Output Search IntelliTrack 19 1 Introduction The IntelliTrack Module is tracking software that performs regular step tracking while measuring signal power With this information the module is able to produce a model with a custom mathematical algorithm that provides accurate tracking after the model is b...

Page 4: ...2 2 Software Be sure that AAQRemote AAQ rom IntelliTrack ver mod line items are at or above the versions shown below Figure 1 Version Information 2 3 Hardware Connection 2 3 1 Serial Communication Connection Serial connection is not an option for the hardware associated with this module 2 3 2 Ethernet Communication Connection An Ethernet connection is not an option for the hardware associated with...

Page 5: ...peration and its interaction with the AAQ controller These configuration items are located in the Core Target and Signal tabs of the Configuration Window based on their scope Figure 2 Core Configuration Keyword IntelliTrack Long Name Level Type Value Range Documentation IntelliTrack Model Clear 4 Choice Yes No Whether or not to clear all IntelliTrack tracking memory when not tracking IntelliTrack ...

Page 6: ...ch avl compass Long Name Level Type Value Range Documentation AvL Compass Com Port 4 String The computer device filename for the communications port used AvL Compass Com Port Settings 4 String The communications parameters for the comm port in the form of BaudRate DataBits StopBits Parity ie 9600 8 1 0 where parity values are 0 for none and 1 for even AvL Compass Com Port This should be set to 192...

Page 7: ...IntelliTrack Module Operations Guide AvL Technologies Proprietary Content is Subject to Change without Notice pg 6 Figure 4 Core configuration search source Figure 5 Core configuration search manual ...

Page 8: ...GPS Set to NAV RIOM GPS Vector Compass GPS or Manual GPS Manual Latitude 4 String The latitude in decimal degrees and direction to use when the GPS Source is Manual Manual Longitude 4 String The longitude in decimal degrees and hemisphere to use when the GPS Source is Manual Primary Heading Source The heading source desired for acquisition An accurate heading is desired Set to Vector Compass Compa...

Page 9: ...actly including the for correct operation This offset must be entered every time the antenna is powered on and the antenna must be power cycled any time a change is made to this configuration item IntelliTrack requires an accurate Time GPS Source The GPS source desired for acquisition Set to Vector Compass NAV RIOM GPS or Manual Manual Longitude The longitude in decimal degrees and direction to us...

Page 10: ...emory for the current target profile when not tracking IntelliTrack Signal Gradient Threshold 4 Float 0 to 10000 Default 0 IntelliTrack Signal Noise Threshold 4 Float 0 to 10000 Default 0 Reference Profile 1 4 Choice Target Selection List First reference profile used to perform a SatTant Note A Reference Profile must always be used with the IntelliTrack Module Reference Profile 2 4 Choice Target S...

Page 11: ...the module enters or exits tracking IntelliTrack Signal Gradient Threshold This parameter controls the maximum signal change that will not cause a peaking decision error during step peaking If this value is exceeded by the Current Signal Gradient then the peaking delay time will be reset Setting this parameter to 0 will disable its functionality IntelliTrack Noise Noise Threshold This parameter co...

Page 12: ...ack module Run Track on Startup This flag indicates that the Tracking Module should be run after the antenna is powered on This should be set to No when using the IntelliTrack module Skip Acquire Sat State This flag indicates whether the acquire state should be set and performed before entering the IntelliTrack tracking mode Must be set to Yes for IntelliTrack acquire to be successful and must be ...

Page 13: ...guration search intellitrack Long Name Level Type Value Range Documentation IntelliTrack Fine Scan Velocity Degrees Second 4 Float 0 01 3 The maximum axis velocity to use during the fine scan defined in degrees per second IntelliTrack Scan Velocity Degrees Second 4 Float 0 01 3 The maximum axis velocity to use during the acquisition scan defined in degrees per second ...

Page 14: ...urrent signal source device but should only be adjusted by the experienced operator IntelliTrack Scan Velocity This is the maximum axis velocity to use during the acquisition scan The parameter is defined in degrees per second This is set to accommodate for the physical speed of the antenna and for any time delay in signal sampling caused by the current signal source device but should only be adju...

Page 15: ...o build a mathematical model to accurately predict the location of the target satellite After step track pointing data has been gathered for approximately 18 hours sufficient data is available to engage the IntelliTrack mathematical model Once the IntelliTrack model is operating the antenna will maintain beam pointing at the satellite location predicted by the model The unit will continue to perfo...

Page 16: ...ection vector in the Topocentric frame In order to more generally describe the satellite position this Topocentric direction vector is rotated into the Earth Centered Inertial ECI Frame The ECI frame is depicted as the Cartesian x y z frame in figures 9 10 and where the x direction is aligned with the Vernal Equinox and the z direction is oriented north Figure 9 Earth Centered Internal Coordinate ...

Page 17: ... the ECI frame as noted in Figure 10 Scaled Direction Vector TopoCentric Origin Look Angle Direction Vector Target Position Required Radius 42 146 km Figure 10 Earth Centered Inertial Vector Solution In order to simplify the mathematical model the target position is then converted from ECI coordinates into Geodetic coordinates The Geodetic coordinate frame describes the position of an object in te...

Page 18: ...elliTrack mathematical modeling provides a more consistent and continuous function during tracking 4 1 3 IntelliTrack Operation The IntelliTrack tracking module can be imbedded in the standard AAQ acquisition process It can also be manually activated through the AAQ GUI if a full acquisition process is not needed when the AAQ has already initialized all sensors and has a SatTant heading Once the m...

Page 19: ... successfully built a full mathematical model for the current target satellite If the IntelliTrack tracking module has not collected enough data points to build a model for the current satellite it will first move to the nominal geosynchronous position for the target The antenna will perform an appropriate scan for the target based on the terminal latitude and longitude the target longitude and th...

Page 20: ...ered before the sensors have been initialized or with an inaccurate terminal heading Note Any time a step track failure occurs a spiral scan will be performed in an attempt to find the target If three successive step track failures occur tracking will stop 4 2 Sensor outputs To view the IntelliTrack Module Sensor Output variables login as a valid user go to View Sensor Output and type IntelliTrack...

Page 21: ... 4 This indicates whether or not the Module is currently running a scan IntelliTrack Scan Az Offset 4 The current azimuth offset of the scan from the model position with any previous offsets added IntelliTrack Scan El Offset 4 The current elevation offset of the scan from the model position with any previous offsets added IntelliTrack Scan Peak Power Az Offset 4 The azimuth offset position of the ...

Page 22: ...indows 4 3 1 Device Window A Device Window is not needed for monitoring operation and is not included in the software 4 3 2 Device Control Window A Device Control Window is not needed for monitoring operation and is not included in the software 5 Issues and troubleshooting Issue Description Corrective Action Target profile not set to run IntelliTrack IntelliTrack State sensor output shows Idle aft...

Page 23: ... tracking If the problem persists check system calibration and wiring for problems System does not have a valid heading IntelliTrack State sensor output shows Waiting For Acquisition Or Heading and the system does not perform tracking Perform an Acquire command to read the Compass or Vector Compass Check Primary Heading Source configuration If using Compass as a heading source set Reference Satell...

Page 24: ...can Source target configuration item is set for the desired signal source Check that the current signal source is configured correctly for the target attenuation frequency etc Check that the desired signal device feed and all cables are connected and operational Check that the Current Satellite Inclination target configuration is correct Check that the system s latitude longitude and heading are c...

Page 25: ...ck that the desired signal device feed and all cables are connected and operational Check that the IntelliTrack Reflector Size is configured correctly Check that all IntelliTrack StepTrack signal configuration items are correct for the current signal device System starts pointing to the wrong target signal during tracking Current Signal Level is within acceptable bounds and the IntelliTrack contin...

Page 26: ...Failures Exceeded and the Current Signal Level is below expected levels Check that the current signal source is configured correctly for the target attenuation frequency etc Check that the desired signal device feed and all cables are connected and operational Check that the IntelliTrack Reflector Size is configured correctly Check that all IntelliTrack StepTrack signal configuration items are cor...

Page 27: ...g 26 The system stops tracking and is no longer in Track mode The system stops moving The Track command in the main window is no longer illuminated Was a target configuration item changed This will stop tracking Was another command sent This will stop tracking Was a system alarm triggered This will stop tracking ...

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