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iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide 

i

iDX Release 3.3

 

Installation and Commissioning Guide

iDirect Satellite Routers

 

 

iDX Release 3.3

July 31, 2014

Summary of Contents for Evolution X1

Page 1: ...iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide i iDX Release 3 3 Installation and Commissioning Guide iDirect Satellite Routers iDX Release 3 3 July 31 2014...

Page 2: ...ements information and recommendations in this document are believed to be accurate but are presented without warranty of any kind express or implied Users must take full responsibility for their appl...

Page 3: ...History The following table shows all revisions for this document To determine if this is the latest revision for your release check the TAC Web site at http tac idirect net Revision Date Released Re...

Page 4: ...ted 1 1 1 When to Use This Guide 1 1 2 How to Use This Guide 1 1 3 Required Equipment 2 1 4 Required Software 2 1 5 Extracting Files 3 1 6 Software Package Components 3 1 7 PC Firewall 4 2 Site Consid...

Page 5: ...eving the IP Address 20 4 Loading Packages with iSite 21 4 1 Logging In to iSite 21 4 2 Loading BSP and Remote Images 23 5 Loading Options Files with iSite 27 5 1 Options File 27 6 Configuring TRANSEC...

Page 6: ...1 Logging In to Web iSite 47 9 2 Loading the Package File 49 10 Loading Options Files with Web iSite 53 10 1 Options File 53 10 2 Downstream Template 56 11 Pointing the Antenna with Web iSite 59 11 1...

Page 7: ...e Antenna 83 15 1 dB Compression Point and Maximum Power 85 15 1 Preparation 85 15 2 Determining the 1 dB Compression Point 87 15 3 Optional Procedure to Determine PN Max Power 88 16 Acquiring the Net...

Page 8: ...05 18 1 Network Operator Duties 105 18 2 Remote Installer Duties 105 18 2 1 Recording Remote Status Using a Console Connection 106 18 2 2 Recording Remote Status Using Web iSite 107 18 3 Initiating Tr...

Page 9: ...Options File 27 Figure 18 Open Dialog Box with Remote Options File Selected 28 Figure 19 Resetting the Satellite Router After Download 28 Figure 20 ACC Key Example 30 Figure 21 iSite Antenna Pointing...

Page 10: ...48 iSite Specify Modulated Carrier Dialog Box 83 Figure 49 Sample Transfer Characteristic 86 Figure 50 Adjusting Transmit Power using iSite and Web iSite 87 Figure 51 iSite Transmitting a Modulated Ca...

Page 11: ...Type 23 Table 3 PWM Voltage Ranges and Signal Status 34 Table 4 Evolution X1 Outdoor Warm Up Periods 45 Table 5 iDX Release 3 3 Remote Software Packages 49 Table 6 PWM Voltage Ranges and Signal Status...

Page 12: ...xii iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3...

Page 13: ...NITI Satellite Routers are not supported in iDX Release 3 2 and later Intended Audience This guide is written for satellite earth station engineers network operators and field technicians tasked with...

Page 14: ...om a command that was entered at a command line or on a console crc report all 3100 3235 DATA CRC 1 3100 3502 DATA CRC 5818 3100 4382 DATA CRC 20 Bold Trebuchet font Used when referring to text that a...

Page 15: ...that supports our products are available on the TAC Web site Access the TAC Web site at http tac idirect net Additional ways to reach the TAC are Telephone 703 648 8151 E mail tac idirect net To purch...

Page 16: ...xvi iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3...

Page 17: ...lite Router from one fixed location to another 1 2 How to Use This Guide This guide documents the step by step procedures required to configure and commission the Satellite Router The procedures appea...

Page 18: ...and commissioning of Evolution X3 X5 and e8000 series satellite routers is performed using the iSite client which must be installed on a local laptop or PC Installation and commissioning of the Evolut...

Page 19: ...e client software is distributed in a zip file Remote Packages and iSite iDX release zip which includes the remote image packages and board support packages for all Satellite Routers To extract the fi...

Page 20: ...iDirect recommends that the Firewall remain enabled but that the iSite application be granted access as an allowed application Refer to Figure 1 for the following procedure To Configure Windows 7 Fir...

Page 21: ...iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide 5 iDX Release 3 3 PC Firewall Figure 1 Allowing iSite in Windows Firewall...

Page 22: ...6 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 PC Firewall...

Page 23: ...elect a level surface that is approximately 10 feet by 10 feet Avoid proximity to other transmitters Avoid exposing others to incident radiation Verify a clear line of sight to the satellite Consider...

Page 24: ...netic compass The magnitude and direction of magnetic variation differs depending upon the geographic location Magnetic variation changes slowly with time Figure 2 illustrates magnetic variation in th...

Page 25: ...This is the true heading of the antenna When aligning the antenna to the value determined by the Look Angle Calculator mark the position with a line drawn across the lower section of the azimuth mount...

Page 26: ...10 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Orientation Figure 3 Antenna Elevation Offset...

Page 27: ...S iSite client The iSite software is used when commissioning the Evolution X3 X5 e8350 and e8xx Satellite Routers See Part Two Web iSite on page 39 when commissioning the Evolution X1 X7 and e150 Sate...

Page 28: ...12 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3...

Page 29: ...is known and DHCP is disabled on the Satellite Router See Connecting with Web iSite on page 41 for details 3 1 IP Address The IP address and subnet mask of the Satellite Router are needed to configur...

Page 30: ...the Satellite Router This is done by modifying the TCP properties of the Local Area Connection on the local PC The following section uses the Windows 7 operating system to illustrate the procedure To...

Page 31: ...Connection 3 Click Properties to display the Properties dialog box Figure 5 Local Area Connection Properties Dialog Box 4 Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 TCP IPv4 as shown in Figure 5 and click...

Page 32: ...Click OK to save the changes The local connection is now configured to connect to the Satellite Router using iSite To confirm connectivity 1 Confirm that power is applied to the Satellite Router 2 Con...

Page 33: ...ters do not have console ports One end of the console cable terminates in a DB 9 female connector An appropriate adapter must be used e g DB 9 male to USB DB 9 male to RJ 45 to interface with the loca...

Page 34: ...ndows Control Panel Figure 8 PuTTY Configuration Serial Parameters 9 To start the serial connection session without saving it by name click Open 10 To save the session parameters for future use return...

Page 35: ...ct in some cases the default password may be P 55w0rd Successful login to the root level Linux OS is indicated by the prompt Figure 9 3 3 2 Logging In to the iDirect Application To retrieve IP and sub...

Page 36: ...ubnet mask To display the IP address and Subnet Mask 1 At the command line prompt enter laninfo Figure 11 Figure 11 Entering the laninfo Command laninfo displays the current IP Address and net mask of...

Page 37: ...ected to the LAN port of the Satellite Router with a crossover LAN cable and that power is applied to the Satellite Router 2 Launch iSite with the shortcut created earlier or by clicking iSite exe in...

Page 38: ...22 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Loading Packages with iSite Figure 12 Welcome Screen and New Element Creation Figure 13 Logging In to New Element...

Page 39: ...ages To Load the BSP File 1 Right click the Remote element in the iSite Tree View and select Download Package to open the Download Package dialog box 2 Click the Open button to display the Open dialog...

Page 40: ...tion and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Loading Packages with iSite Figure 14 Selecting the BSP File 6 In the Download Package dialog box Figure 15 select the following options Don t check versio...

Page 41: ...dditional optional confirmation of successful package loading is available by monitoring execution in a Console session See Connecting to the Console Port on page 17 7 Click Start The Download Package...

Page 42: ...plicable remote image package in the Open dialog box The file has a pkg file extension Note In folders containing files for more than one model be sure to select the remote package applicable to the c...

Page 43: ...rs See Connecting with Web iSite on page 41 5 1 Options File The remote options file contains specific site and network information such as operating frequencies geo location and other important param...

Page 44: ...ure 19 Resetting the Satellite Router After Download 5 Click Reset Now Reset of the Satellite Router causes a forced logout from iSite After the reset the IP address of the Satellite Router changes to...

Page 45: ...b and in the remote options file The current Network Acquisition Keys ACC Keys must be resident on the Satellite Router 6 1 1 Commissioning without an X 509 Certificate If the Satellite Router is not...

Page 46: ...minal session to the Satellite Router and log in to the root account See Connecting to the Console Port on page 17 for details 2 Enter the command telnet localhost 3 At the Username prompt log in to t...

Page 47: ...all on page 4 2 If the Satellite Router is on disconnect power 3 Ensure that the Receive IF cable is connected from the LNB to the Satellite Router 4 Ensure that the Transmit IF cable is connected to...

Page 48: ...1 iSite Antenna Pointing Dialog Box Look Angle Calculator Note If commissioning a mobile remote some data entry fields will be blank Enter the correct information for the site location 2 In the Antenn...

Page 49: ...performed later To Perform Coarse Alignment 1 Determine the site magnetic variation available on the Web See Magnetic Variation on page 8 2 Refer to the Notes area of the Look Angle Calculator Using...

Page 50: ...to the Satellite Router BUC power is available on the TX Out port immediately after power on self test POST has completed To disable the BUC power supply and enable the PWM output follow the steps in...

Page 51: ...input is disconnected and that the antenna is pointed off the proposed angle If both are true observe the voltmeter and click OK 6 Verify that the BUC voltage is disabled by observing the voltage dro...

Page 52: ...ellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Peaking the Antenna Figure 23 Antenna Pointing Histogram and Current Signal Strength No Signal Signal Detected Carrier Lock Achieved...

Page 53: ...in place d Fine adjust the feed polarization angle for maximum 11 Record the final antenna pointing voltage reading and report the reading to the Network Operator 12 In the Antenna Pointing window cl...

Page 54: ...38 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Peaking the Antenna...

Page 55: ...Web iSite user interface Web iSite is used when commissioning the Evolution X1 X7 and e150 Satellite Routers Refer to Part One iSite when commissioning the X3 X5 e8350 and e8xx Satellite Routers Part...

Page 56: ...40 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3...

Page 57: ...or on page 45 for details 8 1 Web iSite Web iSite is hosted by the X1 X7 and e150 Satellite Routers each of which serve Web pages to a LAN connection With Web iSite a standard Web browser is used to a...

Page 58: ...the factory default mode include Connecting to a Satellite Router with an unknown IP address Reloading the factory software image for troubleshooting purposes Restart the Satellite Router in the facto...

Page 59: ...restart Press the reset button for eight seconds or longer to restart the Satellite Router in the factory default mode When in the factory default mode the Satellite Router executes the factory firmw...

Page 60: ...ual reset button similar to the X1 Indoor The reset button of the X7 is located midway between the TX Out port and the RX1 In port See Figure 26 Figure 26 Evolution X7 Reset Button Location To Restart...

Page 61: ...r Satellite Router can be established using a Web browser Although the X1 Outdoor has only one physical LED indicating power four LED like indicators on the X1 Web iSite pages show the current state o...

Page 62: ...46 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Connecting with Web iSite...

Page 63: ...cation with the Satellite Router using Web iSite To log in 1 Connect a crossover or straight through Ethernet cable between the LAN port of the local PC and the LAN port of the Satellite Router For an...

Page 64: ...ct However after an options file has been loaded and the Satellite Router has been reset the password changes to match the password in the options file After login the Web iSite Dashboard appears with...

Page 65: ...software and options file skip to Downstream Template on page 56 Table 5 identifies the folder names containing the package files and the contents of each folder The Images folder is in the location o...

Page 66: ...e Images folder created during the unzip operation See Figure 31 Figure 31 Selecting Package File Note There are two Evolution X1 package files one for Evolution X1 Indoor Satellite Routers and one fo...

Page 67: ...e If one partition fails the Satellite Router will switch to the other partition After performing the procedure Loading Options Files with Web iSite on page 53 for an Evolution X7 Satellite Router iDi...

Page 68: ...52 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Loading Packages with Web iSite...

Page 69: ...tion such as operating frequencies geographic location and other network parameters Options files are generated in iBuilder and provided to the installer by the Network Operator An options file must b...

Page 70: ...ons File 5 Click Load The Load Options File status box Figure 34 appears upon completion Figure 34 Load Options File Status Box 6 Close the Load Options File status box 7 In the Restart Device section...

Page 71: ...ding the X7 software package a second time This allows the Satellite Router to operate using the software in the second partition in the unlikely event of an unrecoverable error in the operational par...

Page 72: ...n all the Satellite Routers in that network Once the Downstream Template is loaded and the Satellite Router locks to the downstream carrier the Network Operator can use iBuilder to download the remote...

Page 73: ...ns Files with Web iSite 1 In Web iSite click the Commissioning button 2 Click the Downstream Config link on the left to view the Downstream Configuration page Figure 37 shows the Downstream Configurat...

Page 74: ...firm that the displayed data is correct 9 In the top navigation bar in Web iSite click the Admin button 10 In the Restart Device section of the File Management page click Restart 11 In the Restart con...

Page 75: ...75 F female voltmeter input adapter To Prepare for Peaking 1 If the Satellite Router is on disconnect power 2 Ensure that the Receive IF cable is connected from the LNB to the Satellite Router 3 Ensur...

Page 76: ...iSite Commissioning Dialog Box Angle Calculator 2 Verify that the Remote Location and Spacecraft Position information is correct The data entry fields are automatically populated with data extracted f...

Page 77: ...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 comp...

Page 78: ...he PWM output follow the steps in Peaking the Antenna below 11 3 2 Graphic Display The Web iSite Antenna Pointing screen provides a graphic representation of received signal strength over time It prov...

Page 79: ...click Start Tx PWM 7 Verify that the BUC voltage is disabled by observing the voltage drop on the voltmeter With no received signal DC voltage drops to zero for about ten seconds until the PWM starts...

Page 80: ...ock the azimuth and elevation axes in place d Fine adjust the feed polarization angle for maximum 12 Record the final antenna pointing voltage reading and report the reading to the Network Operator 13...

Page 81: ...secure mobile proceed to Cross Polarization on page 79 If both the software package and options file have already been loaded on the Satellite Router and the remote site is being configured as a secu...

Page 82: ...66 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Peaking the Antenna...

Page 83: ...Operator to push both the software package and remote side options file to an Evolution X1 X7 or e150 Satellite Router To push only the options file follow the procedure in Options File Only Push on p...

Page 84: ...e Satellite Router restarts and the new software package and options file become active 7 Obtain the new admin password from the Network Operator 8 Log in to Web iSite with the new password 9 Check th...

Page 85: ...output of the Satellite Router is not connected to the voltmeter or the BUC 2 Confirm that the Satellite Router was restarted after antenna peaking 3 Confirm that the Satellite Router is locked to th...

Page 86: ...s especially important when the software package was multicast to the Satellite Router See Figure 42 Figure 42 Web iSite Confirming the Software Version Confirm that the LNB and BUC frequency informat...

Page 87: ...ed by viewing the options file directly Navigate to File Management on the Admin page of Web iSite View the new options file by clicking View under Retrieve Options File Frequency translation data app...

Page 88: ...and spacecraft location can be viewed under the MODEM_INSTALLATION heading and the rx_freq and tx_freq values are located under the MODEM_PARAMETERS heading If the remote site is being configured as...

Page 89: ...aft and commissioning the return link The procedures in Part Three are generally applicable when commissioning all remote sites whether using iSite or Web iSite Part Three contains the following chapt...

Page 90: ...74 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3...

Page 91: ...eographic location has not been recorded by the Network Operator and is not displayed either by the NMS clients or by the remote commissioning and monitoring software Secure mobile remotes are configu...

Page 92: ...nnecting to the Console Port on page 17 2 Log in as root and telnet localhost to the admin account 3 At the prompt enter the following latlong latitude N or S longitude E or W Where latitude is the cu...

Page 93: ...be typed into the fields or modified by clicking the arrow buttons 6 Select degrees of North or South latitude and East or West longitude 7 After entering the correct information click Set Location C...

Page 94: ...78 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Setting Geographic Location of an X7...

Page 95: ...e opposite polarity of linearly polarized satellite transponders Typically the spacecraft operator requires a minimum of 30 dB of isolation To measure this the terminal must transmit at a power level...

Page 96: ...enna Cross Polarization to open the Cross Polarization dialog box Figure 46 Alternately click the icon in the tool bar Figure 46 iSite Cross Polarization Dialog Box 8 If using Web iSite a In the navig...

Page 97: ...CW signal to the satellite While still connected to the Satellite Router call the Network Operator The Network Operator will establish a conference call with the satellite access control center The ac...

Page 98: ...to compare levels The controller will ask for power to be increased until sufficient energy is available to detect the cross pol signal At that time a polarity adjustment is made The controller may as...

Page 99: ...isolation have been optimized 14 4 After Securing the Antenna Wait for the access controller to verify that cross pol isolation and peaking did not change due to tightening of the antenna axis fixing...

Page 100: ...84 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 After Securing the Antenna...

Page 101: ...ave CW signal to the satellite and the respective Cross Polarization windows are open on the local PC user interface Under direction of the satellite access control center the Satellite Router transmi...

Page 102: ...s consult manufacturer data sheets to determine the operating point and headroom requirements of individual amplifiers The considerations are incorporated into the link budget and site provisioning ca...

Page 103: ...ess controller observing the transmitted CW signal increase the Transmit Power in iSite or Web iSite by 1 dBm WARNING If no power increase is observed the BUC may already be saturated Although this is...

Page 104: ...exhibit this characteristic making the EIRP difference for those BUCs less significant Adaptive TDMA reduces the need to provision VSAT terminals with large rain fade margins This improves throughput...

Page 105: ...ecify Modulated Carrier dialog box Figure 51 accept the default Symbol Rate of 128 kilosymbols per second Figure 51 iSite Transmitting a Modulated Carrier c Click OK to transmit the modulated carrier...

Page 106: ...m the CW P1dB exceeds 6 dB and neither of the above conditions is observed Note If the total increase from the CW P1dB is greater than 3 dB ensure that the CW P1dB was determined correctly in Determin...

Page 107: ...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 op...

Page 108: ...ress and confirm that the Satellite Router s receiver has locked to the outbound carrier See the LED tables in Front Panel LEDs on page 94 Depending on the initial power setting in the options file th...

Page 109: ...smit power for the Satellite Router or enter a value several dBm below the value specified in the network link budget for this Satellite Router Note The minimum transmit power of most Satellite Router...

Page 110: ...are or configuration NET Off Satellite Router off or in sleep mode if TX is yellow Yellow Demodulator not locked to the downstream carrier Flashing Yellow Demodulator locked NCR not locked Flashing Gr...

Page 111: ...tter off If STATUS is green transmitter configured off Yellow Transmitter enabled and muted Green Transmitter enabled and not muted NET Off Satellite Router off or in sleep mode if TX is yellow Yellow...

Page 112: ...lashing Red All LEDs flashing red software exception or bad options file TX Off Transmitter off Yellow Transmitter enabled and muted Green Transmitter enabled and not muted Flashing Green 1 sec DRAM t...

Page 113: ...TEMP Off Satellite Router off or initializing if STATUS is not green Green Normal operating temperature Yellow Operating temperature near high or low threshold Red Operating temperature exceeds high...

Page 114: ...98 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Front Panel LEDs...

Page 115: ...t overpowering the transponder or the receiver iDirect defines initial power as the acquisition burst power Initial power varies from site to site A separate quantity referred to as maximum power is t...

Page 116: ...llite Router sends acquisition bursts at 20 dBm when trying to acquire on a carrier that matches the reference carrier When acquiring on a carrier with a different configuration the Satellite Router a...

Page 117: ...rfere with network operation To Set Initial and Maximum Power TDMA 1 Log in to iBuilder 2 Right click the remote in the iBuilder Tree and select Modify Item to open the Remote Information tab 3 Scroll...

Page 118: ...ing Modulated Maximum Power Custom Key 8 Click OK to save the changes 9 Right click the remote in the iBuilder Tree and select Apply Configuration Reliable Both TCP If commissioning a remote in a TRAN...

Page 119: ...nt field enter the value for CW P1dB point determined in Step 7 on page 87 This is for information only 4 Click Edit SCPC Initial Power to open the SCPC Initial Power dialog box Figure 58 Figure 58 iB...

Page 120: ...red for multiple SCPC upstream carriers per remote to facilitate switching the remote from one SCPC return channel to another If the remote will be transmitting more than one SCPC return channel repea...

Page 121: ...er during these procedures 1 Follow the procedures in Setting Power on page 99 to set initial and maximum transmit power 2 If the installation is for an uncertified Satellite Router in a TRANSEC netwo...

Page 122: ...107 on page 107 18 2 1 Recording Remote Status Using a Console Connection Follow the steps in this section if commissioning an Evolution X3 X5 e8350 or e8xx Satellite Router To Display Remote Status M...

Page 123: ...s for Evolution X1 X7 and e150 Satellite Routers To Display Status 1 Open a Web browser and log in to the Satellite Router as either user or admin See IP Address on page 41 for details 2 In the naviga...

Page 124: ...he Network Operator and save locally for future reference 18 3 Initiating Traffic Flow Following completion of the procedures in this and previous chapters the Satellite Router is ready to carry user...

Page 125: ...cal folder in the pop up window Browse and select the folder in which the remote package resides 3 Telnet to the Satellite Router or open a console session using the procedure Connecting to the Consol...

Page 126: ...110 iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Loading Images with TFTP Server...

Page 127: ...ge normally present on the TX Out port during antenna pointing may be disabled from within iBuilder To Disable the PWM Voltage 1 Apply power to the Satellite Router and allow it to initialize 2 In iBu...

Page 128: ...tallation and Commissioning Guide iDX Release 3 3 Disabling the PWM Voltage in iBuilder 3 On the Remote Information tab select Disable Tx PWM if it is not already selected 4 Apply the new configuratio...

Page 129: ...iDirect Satellite Router Installation and Commissioning Guide 113 iDX Release 3 3 Disabling the PWM Voltage in iBuilder...

Page 130: ...iDirect 13861 Sunrise Valley Drive Suite 300 Herndon VA 20171 6126 1 703 648 8000 1 866 345 0983 www idirect net Advancing a Connected World...

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