RESEARCH CONCEPTS RC3000 Specifications download pdf

RC3000/RC3050 INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONS

Research Concepts, Inc.

Shawnee, KS 66218-9680 USA

phone: (913) 422-0210 fax: (913) 422-0211

www.researchconcepts.com email: [email protected]

Overview

The RC3000 Satellite Locator and RC3050 3-Axis Jog Controller are antenna controllers designed for use with elevation over

azimuth antennas on mobile satellite uplink vehicles (also referred to as satellite news vehicles - SNV's). The product has

also been adapted for use on flyaway systems. These microprocessor based controllers are housed in 2U rack enclosures

and interface directly with the antenna’s position sensors, limit switches and motors. The predecessor of these controllers

was the popular RC8097 Satellite Locator. This document describes the interface of the RC3000 and RC3050 controllers to

an antenna mount.

The RC3050 features a 2x16 liquid crystal display (LCD) and an 8 key keypad. The RC3050 can be supplied with an optional

hand-held remote control, (option RC3000HRC). The other option available for the RC3050 is auto-deploy and auto-stow

(option RC3050ASD). The auto deploy feature of the RC3050 allows the user to initiate an auto move that will raise the

antenna from the stow position to the vertical position. The auto stow feature automatically places the antenna in the stow

configuration.

The RC3000 calculates the antenna pointing solution given the vehicle latitude/longitude, vehicle heading, and satellite

longitude. (The pointing solution is the azimuth and elevation angles required to align the antenna with the desired satellite).

Once a pointing solution is available the controller can automatically position the antenna at the calculated azimuth and

elevation position. If the received signal (L band) or an analog voltage proportional to received signal strength is available the

controller will perform a search for the satellite. The RC3000 can obtain the vehicle heading from an optional flux gate

compass (designated RC3000FG) and the vehicle latitude and longitude from an optional GPS navigation receiver

(designated RC3000GPS). If the system does not include the optional flux gate and/or GPS sensors the user can manually

enter this data into the controller. The controller also allows the user to store a number of preset vehicle locations and

satellite longitude values. The RC3000CRC option adds support for RS-232 or RS-422 based serial communications using

the SA Bus protocol. The RC3000TRK option allows the RC3000 antenna controller to track inclined orbit satellites via step

track and memory track algorithms (the antenna must be fitted with azimuth and elevation type pulse position encoders for

inclined oribt tracking). The RC3000 also supports the RC3000HRC hand-held remote control.

Controller Types

The RC3000/RC3050 are currently available in two versions. Models with the ‘A’ suffix are designed for use with antennas

powered by low voltage (12 to 36 volts), high current (up to 12 amps) azimuth, elevation, and polarization DC motors. Models

with the ‘B’ suffix are designed for use with 90 volt (3/4 horsepower max) or 180 volt (1 ½ horsepower max) DC azimuth and

elevation motors (1 horsepower max) and 12 volt DC polarization control motors (400 ma max).

Schematics

Schematics that describe the controller’s motor, limit switch, position sensor, and accessory connections are included in the

appendix of this document.

Physical Characteristics

The RC3000 is designed for rack mounting. The dimensions are 19" x 3.5" x 17.5" (width x height x depth). The weight of

the RC3000A is 19 lbs. The RC3000B weighs 13lbs. The liquid crystal display (LCD) used with the unit is designed for

viewing from a 6 o'clock position. This means that the controller should be mounted above the operator’s eye level. An LCD

module optimized for a 12 o'clock viewing is also available.

The RC3000 enclosure is a standard rack mount chassis that occupies two rack units (2U). The controller is attached to the

panel via four (4) 10-32 screws. The distribution of weight within the controller requires that additional supports be provided

on either the back or sides of the controller enclosure. There are mounting points on the back and sides of the unit that can

accept 10-32 screws for securing the controller to these support structures. Note that the mounting points on the back of

the unit can also be used to attach cable strain relief straps. Locations of the additional enclosure mounting points is

detailed in the appendices of this document. The RC3000 must be supported from the rear.

Caution: RCI’s warranty does not cover damage to the controller due to inadequate support of the controller’s enclosure.

Cabling and Connectors

The only cables supplied with the unit are the AC line cord and the cables for the optional electronic compass and the GPS

receiver. All other cables must be supplied by the customer. A kit is available that contains all mating connectors. The kit

part number is FP-RC3K-CN-SET.

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Summary of Contents

Page 1 - Research Concepts, Inc

RC3000/RC3050 INTERFACE SPECIFICATIONSResearch Concepts, Inc.Shawnee, KS 66218-9680 USAphone: (913) 422-0210 fax: (913) 422-0211www.researchconc

Page 2 - Power Entry

211094311781415561312AZ Pulse InAZ Pulse ReturnAZ Pulse Power *AZ Pulse ShieldAZ Quad PulseAZ Quad ReturnAZ Quad Power *EL Pulse InEL Pulse ReturnEL P

Page 3 - Analog Position Sensors

OS2GN2OS1GN1J1 - Sensors J3 - Limits J5 - Comms. J10 - HandheldJ9 - NavigationJ4 - PulsesJ2 - AGCJ8 - Acc.Motors - J7FRF Auto PeakDB-15 FDB-15 MSignal

Page 4 - Limit Switches

• This sensor will operate through tilt (pitch & roll) ranges of +16o. • Cable 25’, 1/4” diameter, terminated with a D9 male connector • A 1.25” x

Page 5 - Analog Signal Strength Input

What you need to know to order. Analog Output Features √ Internally regulated √ Bipolar input/output The Analog clinometer is a signal cond

Page 6 - Accessory Connector

Research Concepts, Inc. 5420 Martindale, Shawnee, KS 66218-9680 Phone

Page 7 - Hand Held Remote

VERTICAL REFERENCEANTENNA OFFSETXX = 35 DEGREES - ANTENNA OFFSETHORIZONTAL REFERENCEBACKSTRUCTUREINCLINOMETERREFLECTORFEEDINCLINOMETER REFERENCEELECTR

Page 8 - Addendum

RESEARCH CONCEPTS, INC. 5420 Martindale, Shawnee, KS 66218-9680 Phone: (913) 422-0210 www.researchconcepts.comDIGITAL TACHOMETER SENSOR KI

Page 9 - Amphenol 22-20P

The RC3000 is housed in a standard 2 RU enclosure 17 inches long and 17 inches wide. Handles extend approximately 1.5" in front and connectors w

Page 10

Note that the cable service loop at the back of the controller should be long enough to allow the unit to be pulled out of itsmounting rack with the c

Page 11 - J12 - Waveguide

4. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the card (the end of the card is labeled either ‘115’ or ‘230’) from the powerentry module. Rotate the

Page 12 - RC3000 FLUXGATE COMPASS

Quantity Units Example ValueTotal range of antenna movement aboutthe axis.Degrees +/- 155 degrees of azimuth movementTotal number of potentiometer tur

Page 13 - Analog Output

Limit Switch Limit Switch Contact Configuration When Antenna Is AT The LimitElevation Up OpenElevation Down OpenFlux Gate PlacementThe RC3000 antenna

Page 14 - RC3000 GPS RECEIVER MOUNTING

The range of analog voltages accepted by the RC3000 is –15 VDC to + 15 VDC. The analog voltages can be generatedeither by a beacon receiver or by an

Page 15

I 1PPS output, TTL compatibleHand Held RemoteConnector J10 (DB-25 female) provides an interface to the optional hand-held remote control (designated R

Page 16 - POWER/MATION

RS232/RS422 Serial CommunicationsJ5 allows for PC remote control of the RC3000. The RC3000 may be internally configured to communicate using either R

Page 17

1091231141276148AZ DrainAZ +AZ WiperAZ -El DrainPOL DrainPOL +POL WiperPOL -El +15El ComEl -15El Signal15Azimuth Position Pot.Polarization Position Po