Preparing the Antenna for Pointing and Peaking Configure the Surf Beam 2 Modem and VS1100 TRIA Point Elevation Set the Skew Point Azimuth Peak Azimuth Peak Elevation Push/Pull Test RX SNR in the Modem Browser Interface
This Job Aid supports all Installer audiences.
This Job Aid also supports the VS1101 mid-pole mount ODU (available in some areas) with the Surf Beam 2 modem.
Preparing the Antenna for Pointing and Peaking The following information reviews the steps necessary to prepare the satellite modem and the Ka-band antenna to support the WildBlue Point and Peak process. The installer is required to complete this process during every WildBlue Service installation.
Warning: Confirm that the modem is unplugged from the wall before beginning any preparation steps.
Setting 'Zero'
Before aligning an antenna, confirm that these items are present. These three settings represent the 'zero' settings.
• The Elevation gauge is set to the work order elevation
• The Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is centered in its ‘zero’ position.
o If not, loosen the Azimuth base plate bolts, and rotate the bolt’s hex head until the right-rear base plate bolt is in the center of its arched slot.
• The Skew is set for 90 degrees
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
To point and peak a VS1100 using the Surf Beam 2 (SB2) modem, an installer needs these tools:
• A computer with a Ethernet port and Ethernet cable
Note: This may be either the customer’s computer or the installer’s laptop.
• The WildBlue Inclinometer bracket • An inclinometer • ½-inch open wrench • ½-inch ratchet and socket
Configure the Surf Beam 2 Modem and VS1100 TRIA Recall that the VS1100 TRIA receives its polarity setting from the Surf Beam 2 (SB2) modem, which in turn receives its satellite and beam assignments, and frequency set information from the Modem Key found on the work order.
These steps assume that the VS1100 ODU is sitting on its mount, and that cabling and grounding are complete.
Follow these steps to configure the Surf Beam 2 modem and VS1100 TRIA prior to beginning the Point and Peak process.
Step Action
1. Connect the computer to the SB2 modem using the Ethernet cable between the LAN ports on both devices
2. Connect the COAX cable between the Transmit (TX) port on the TRIA, and the TX port on the SB2 modem.
Note: If the SB2 modem has a single IFL port, use this port.
3. Plug the modem AC power cord into the power outlet. Wait approximately two minutes for the SB2 to power on.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
Point Elevation The following information reviews the steps to complete the point (coarse) antenna Azimuth adjustment.
Step Action
1. Slightly loosen the Lockdown Nuts in the Arched Slots on sides of the Elevation Bracket. Next, turn the top ½-inch nut on the Elevation Rod away from the top of the Pivot Casting.
2. Set the marker on the Inclinometer to the Arm Angle shown on the work order.
Lay the WildBlue Inclinometer bracket over the Boom Arms. Place the Inclinometer on top of the Inclinometer bracket.
3. Use the open wrench to turn the bottom nut in the direction necessary to align the Inclinometer floating arrow to the marker.
4. Hand-tighten the top nut on the Elevation Rod down to the Pivot Casting. Finally, tighten the Lockdown Nuts in the arched slots on each side of the Elevation Bracket.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
Point Azimuth The following information reviews the steps to complete the point (coarse) Azimuth adjustment.
Satellite Locations
The VS1100 ODU and Surf Beam 2 (SB2) modem uses the WiMax protocol. This means that they require satellites that support WiMax gateways. Currently, this is ViaSat-1 and WildBlue-1. As WildBlue brings more satellites and WiMax gateways online, the installer will need to listen closely to the tone sequence during this step. The single beep tone immediately follows Ring ring after locating the correct satellite. It is possible that an installer will hear Ring ring more than once during a sweep of the Azimuth.
VS1100 TRIA tone sequence
Recall that the SB2 modem must learn about its frequency set. This happens when the installer sweeps the antenna from each side of the Azimuth and the Elevation.
Inside the Frequency Set the TRIA emits …
Outside the Frequency Set the TRIA emits …
During Point Azimuth Ring ring, low/slow, high/fast, high/steady
Single beep – after Ring ring when the correct satellite is located
Heartbeat
During Peak Azimuth/Elevation
Low/slow, high/fast, high/steady None – always inside the frequency set
Follow these steps to point the Azimuth of the VS1100 ODU.
Step Action
1. Sweep the antenna from side to side, checking the tightness of the three flange nuts on the mount canister. The antenna should move, but not too easily. Tighten or loosen the flange nuts as needed.
Note: After placing the on the mount tube, the Installer aligned it to the desired compass setting.
2. Sweep the antenna to the right, about 10 degrees away from the line-of-sight selected during the Site Survey.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
3. Sweep the antenna toward the left, listening for the TRIA to emit the ring ring tone. Confirm that the single beep tone followed immediately, which means that the antenna has found its assigned satellite and frequency set. Continue sweeping the antenna toward the left until the TRIA emits the heartbeat tone. Stop, as this is the end of the first learning pass.
Note: Disregard any beep bop tones. The TRIA does not recognize these satellites.
4. Reverse the direction of the sweep, now sweeping to the right, and listen for the TRIA to progress through the tone sequence. Stop the sweep when the TRIA emits the heartbeat tone. This is the end of the second learning pass.
Note: Use a slow, consistent tension on the antenna during this sweep. Not all of the tones may be heard.
5. Reverse the direction of the sweep again, now sweeping to the center, and listen for the TRIA to emit the high/steady tone. The antenna is now in the center of the beam.
6. Finish this step by tightening the flange nuts, starting with the top to maintain an even pressure on the mount canister.
Note: The high/steady tone may dip while tightening the flange bolts. If the tone does not return to the high/steady, then repeat the step. Remember to reset the modem's learning by sweeping the antenna away from the satellite, and holding the Inclinometer bracket over the feed horn.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
Peak Azimuth The following information reviews the steps to complete the peak (fine) Azimuth adjustment.
Step Action
1. Loosen the three Azimuth base plate bolts using a ½-inch ratchet.
2. Using an open wrench, rotate the hex head of the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt.
Caution: Do not pass the low/slow tone during the peaking step.
3. Sweep the antenna toward the left, listening for the TRIA to emit the low/slow tone, which means that the antenna has found the far edge of its frequency set. Stop, as this is the end of the first fine-tune learning pass.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
4. Reverse the direction of the sweep, now sweeping to the right, and listen for the TRIA to progress through the tone sequence. Stop the sweep when the TRIA emits the low/slow tone. This is the end of the second fine-tune learning pass.
Note: Because this is a fine-tune pass, all tones should be present. Periodically pause and wait for the modem to evaluate the information coming from the antenna.
5. Reverse the direction of the sweep again, now sweeping to the center, and listen for the TRIA to emit the high/steady tone. The antenna is now in the center of the beam.
6. Finish this step by tightening the Azimuth base plate bolts.
Note: The high/steady tone may dip while tightening the base plate bolts. If the tone does not return to the high/steady, then restart the Point and Peak process. Remember to reset the modem's learning by sweeping the antenna away from the satellite, holding the Inclinometer bracket over the feed horn, and then re-centering the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt.
Damaging the Azimuth Fine-adjust Bolt
If the Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is not centered prior to beginning the Point and Peak process, the peaking procedure may cause unwelcome stress where the Fine-adjust bolt attaches to the Azimuth base plates.
The motion of the Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is limited to 3 degrees from one side of its slotted arch to the other. Rotating the hex head beyond the low/slow tone during the peaking procedure exceeds this 3-degree limit and begins to compress the bolt’s attachments.
When the attachments come under this compression, they will buckle and may fail, as shown in the image. This leads to a poor quality installation.
Important: This problem is avoided by following these two instructions:
1. Always center the Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt prior to pointing and peaking.
2. Do not pass the low/slow tone during the peaking sequence.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
Peak Elevation The following information reviews the steps to complete the peak (fine) Azimuth adjustment.
Step Action
1. Slightly loosen the Lockdown Nuts in the arched slots on sides of the Elevation Bracket. Next, turn the top ½-inch nut on the Elevation Rod away from the top of the Pivot Casting.
2. Use the open wrench on the lower Elevation Rod nut.
Caution: Do not pass the low/slow tone during the peaking step.
3. Sweep the nut on the Elevation Rod such that the TRIA drops ,and listen for the TRIA to emit the low/slow tone, which means that the antenna has found the far edge of its frequency set. Stop, as this is the end of the first fine-tune learning pass.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
4. Reverse the direction of the sweep, now sweeping to raise the TRIA, and listen for the TRIA to progress through the tone sequence. Stop the sweep when the TRIA emits the low/slow tone. This is the end of the second fine-tune learning pass.
Note: Because this is a fine-tune pass, all tones should be present. Periodically pause and wait for the modem to evaluate the information coming from the antenna.
5. Reverse the direction of the sweep again, now sweeping to the center, and listen for the TRIA to emit the high/steady tone. The antenna is now in the center of the beam.
6. Finish this step by tightening the same bolts and nuts.
Note: The high/steady tone may dip while tightening the base plate bolts. If the tone does not return to the high/steady, then restart the Point and Peak process.
VS1100 ODU/Surf Beam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Release Date: June 2011
Push/Pull Test Important: An installer always completes two tests before obtaining Modem Lock: a Push/Pull test and a review of the RX SNR in the Signal Strength section of the Modem Browser Interface. Passing these tests prevents delays in Modem Lock and Provisioning because they confirm that the antenna has aligned correctly during Point and Peak.
Step Action
1. From behind the antenna, gently push and pull each side of the antenna.
2. Gently push and pull the top and the bottom of the antenna
3. The test passes when the TRIA’s high/steady tone dips every time pressure is added to the antenna. The tone returns to its high/steady state when the pressure is removed.
If the tone rises, the alignment is not correct and the installer must repeat the Point and Peak process. Remember to reset the modem's learning by sweeping the antenna away from the satellite, holding the Inclinometer bracket over the feed horn, and then re-centering the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt.
RX SNR in the Modem Browser Interface During the Point and Peak process, the Modem Browser Interface records the current and the peak RX SNR levels in the Signal Strength section. When the antenna is correctly aligned, these two levels will match.
If these two levels do not match, repeat the Point and Peak process. Remember to reset the modem's learning by sweeping the antenna away from the satellite, holding the Inclinometer bracket over the feed horn, and then re-centering the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt.
Note: These levels rise and fall in real time, so differences +/- 0.5dB are acceptable. Differences greater than 0.5dB should be seen as a failed Point and Peak.
