EPAK DSi6 Manual
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Table of Contents
1 The digital satellite tracking system...................................................................................................4
1.1 EPAK®-SatCom system overview................................................................................................5
1.2 Safety recommendations................................................................................................................6
2 Installation............................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Standard delivery............................................................................................................................7
2.2 Installation overview......................................................................................................................7
2.3 Selecting location...........................................................................................................................8
2.4 Mounting surface............................................................................................................................9
2.5 Planning the cable paths.................................................................................................................9
2.6 Power supply..................................................................................................................................9
2.7 Drillings..........................................................................................................................................9
2.8 Mounting the antenna unit............................................................................................................12
2.9 System cable connections.............................................................................................................12
3 Control elements.................................................................................................................................14
3.1 ACU..............................................................................................................................................14
3.2 Preparing the network behind the ACU.......................................................................................14
4 Operation............................................................................................................................................15
4.1 Menu tree......................................................................................................................................15
4.2 Preset............................................................................................................................................16
APPENDICES.......................................................................................................................................17
A Maintenance.......................................................................................................................................17
B Troubleshooting.................................................................................................................................18
C Technical specifications....................................................................................................................20
3
1.1 EPAK®-SatCom system overview
5
Antenna
Cable types:
RX,TX:
double shielded coax cable
(RG6 type) with F-plugs
Ant:
2 x 2,5 mm²
AC:
Power cords (included)
LAN:
Twisted Pair with RJ45 plugs
230V AC
ACU
Ant RX TX
Modem
230V AC
LAN
RX TX
LAN
UPS
230V AC
GPS Input via NMEA
provided by ship
LAN
LAN
WAN
1.2 Safety recommendations
➔When mounting the antenna, the distance from the antenna unit to other radiation sources e.g.
radar equipment or other antennas (mobile communication antennas) should be minimum 3 m
(11 ft).
➔Simultaneous operation of radar and satellite antenna may damage the satellite antenna if not
installed directly above the radar antenna.
➔Do not use the ACU unit outdoors.
➔During a thunderstorm, we recommend that the connection cables are disconnected.
➔If the negative side of the antenna unit’s supply voltage has no connection to ship’s ground
(earth), then the antenna unit’s ground point should be connected directly to ship’s ground
(earth).
➔After the installation is completed, all other electronic systems i.e. GPS, Radar, VHF, FM, AM
etc. should be tested for full functionality, while the antenna is turned on.
➔Do not test or turn on the antenna before the radome is fitted correctly. If the sun reflects into
the dish, the electronics can be damaged.
➔Do not touch the rotary joint.
➔Do not attempt to open the sealed electronics, as this will void the warranty.
➔Do not stay closer than 5m to the antenna during operation
➔It is not allowed to use modem configurations with less than 153,6 kHz Tx Bandwidth
(@ - 3 dB)
6
2.3 Selecting location
This illustration shows the importance of a proper location for the antenna unit.
Note that criteria such as an unobstructed view to the satellite and a strong mounting surface are met.
Furthermore, no sources of interference, e.g. radar equipment or other antennas, such as mobile
communication antennas, should be installed nearby the antenna unit.
Although the radome is sealed, it is recommended to avoid direct waves and bilge water!
The antenna unit has to be installed so that no superstructures will obstruct the sight to the satellite!
Please note, that the elevation angle depends on the geographical location of the boat and on the
selected satellite!
► Equally important for a good installation are the conditions of the mounting surface and the
lengths of the different cables. See section 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6.
8
Antenna
Antenna
Good view
Bad view
Satellite
2.4 Mounting surface
A horizontal, solid and steady surface is very important. Make sure that the surface does not have any
irregularities! Furthermore, please take into consideration that the weight of the antenna unit is 56 kg
or more. Therefore, the surface has to be strong enough to carry the antenna unit, even during the most
challenging maritime conditions.
2.5 Planning the cable paths
Before starting the installation, you should check which walls are suitable and if existing openings can
be used for the cables.
► All openings have to be sealed in order to avoid any water penetrating.
2.6 Power supply
The antenna unit is powered by the ACU using 24 V DC. The ACU is powered by a built in power
supply, which is working on 230V AC. Max. power consumption is 150W. The circuit has to be fused
properly.
► The power distributor must be idle while working on the ship’s supply net or you may short
circuit the system.
If the chassis of the antenna unit has no connection to the boat's ground, make sure a potential
compensation between boat ground and the ground point of the antenna unit is made.
2.7 Drillings
To avoid any damage to the mounting surface it is recommended that you start out with drilling a
smaller hole, using a 3.5-4 mm bit before drilling the correct hole size. Use an 8.5-9 mm bit to drill 4
mounting holes for the M8 screws included. To drill the holes in the correct positions, please refer to
the included template.
9
2.8 Mounting the antenna unit
The antenna unit has to be mounted on a solid and steady base parallel to the water surface. Take care
that the cable lengths are sufficient, the antenna unit must have an unobstructed view to the satellite
and there must be no interference fields (especially mobile communication antennas) nearby.
Place the antenna unit on the pre-drilled holes and fasten it with the included screws and washers. The
screws have to be screwed in from below through the mounting surface into the radome.
► Close all drillings with waterproof sealing material to avoid any water penetrating!
2.9 System cable connections
► Break the contact of the circuit on which you are working to avoid short circuit the system.
●
The antenna cables (Power, RX and TX) must be connected to the ACU and the antenna unit.
●
The ACU has to be connected to 230VAC 50/60Hz
●
The users network is connected to the frontside or backside LAN connector of the ACU
See system overview and illustration details.
Lead the cable through the drilled holes and seal it with waterproof sealing material. Furthermore, drip
loops should precede the entry point from the exterior to avoid any water penetrating, see below
illustration:
Find a suitable location for all units within cable lengths. Take care that the display of the ACU can be
easily read and the push-buttons are accessible. And also, allow room for the cables behind the ACU!
The antenna unit is separated from the power supply net by the ACU. Therefore, the antenna unit has
electric power when the ACU is turned on!
12
sealing
Cable
Boat
sealing
Cable
Boat
Wrong
Correct
Drip loop
Preparing the Power connector:
Housing
Insert
Chuck Bushing
1. Put bushing and chuck onto the cable.
2. Prepare cable as shown above.
3. Insert the wire into the terminals and fasten the clamping device by a flat screw
driver.
4. Push insert and chuck into housing (pay attention to the guiding keyway!).
5. Fasten bushing by means of a fork wrench 3/4”, min. Torque 2.5 Nm (1.8 lb-ft).
13
+
—
L
N
power cable
to antenna
3 Control elements
3.1 ACU
The operation of the EPAK-SatCom system is controlled from the ACU (19'', 2 HU). It is a good idea
if you make yourself familiar with the key functions and the indicators:
Keys:
POWER
: Switches on and off the power for the whole unit
BROWSE
: Short press will browse through all available menus, step by step or cancel an
operation.
ENTER
: Short press will select/confirm what is written in the display.
Indicators:
CPU : CPU is running
ODU : Status of power connection to antenna
Green – ODU is powered,
Red – Short or other error,
White – ODU is not connected
BUC : Status of transmit unit (Block Up Converter)
Green - BUC is working
Red - Short or other error,
Blue - BUC is not connected
LOCK: Antenna has locked on correct satellite
LAN : a PC or router is connected to the ACU
WAN : Modem is online
Connectors:
WAN : Connection to the modem
LAN : Connects a PC or router to the ACU
3.2 Preparing the network behind the ACU
On the LAN interface it is possible to configure a DHCP server or static IP addresses. To connect
more then one PC, you can use a simple Switch (a Router is included in the ACU).
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Power
Service
ENTER
BROWSE
LAN 1
LAN 2
ODU BUC
CPU LOCK LAN
WAN
Modem
Antenna
RX TX
LAN 3 WAN
ANT
AC POWER
230V 50 Hz
4.1 Menu tree
*
Check for any obstacles in the free sight line to the satellite.
**
needed for adaption on local circumstances
***
Can be skipped by pressing ENTER, last saved GPS position will be used.
15
Preset
serial no.
counter
operation time
software version
antenna unit
software version
control unit
Init
complete
Wait GPS
scanning
Satellite
Enter
XXXXXXX
T XXXX
VA X-XX
VC X-XX
Browse
Browse
Browse
Browse
Preset?
Enter
Browse
complete
Using old data set
Choice of satellite
Compass calibration
Search for satellite
Success?
(LOCK on)
NO
YES
Keep
pressing
ON/OFF
scanning
complete
Enter
Satellite
*
**
Preset
checking
***
updating
calibrat
checking
complete
scanning
Compass is calibrating
Search?
Satellite 1
Satellite 2
Satellite 3
...
Enter
Browse
Enter
Keep pressing
Compass
Off
Enter
Browse
scanning
Compass is used
Compass is not used
The antenna is in initialization phase and checks the limit switches and motors
Wait GPS
The antenna waits for valid GPS data from the built in GPS receiver. If no GPS is
received or the GPS module is defective, the antenna will hang in this state
forever!
calibrate
Antenna is calibrating the internal compass.
scanning
Satellite
Antenna searches for satellite.
Satellite
Antenna has found the satellite and tracks it.
When the satellite has been found and identified correctly, the indicator LOCK will be lit. The
indicator LAN is on, when a PC or router is connected on the LAN port of the. When the modem has
connected to the internet, the WAN indicator is on.
4.2 Preset
In the first time installation a preset has to be done. This means, after power on and after the message
complete, press BROWSE (display Preset?) and then ENTER. Then a list of preprogrammed
satellites is shown, which can be browsed by pressing the BROWSE button. By pressing ENTER the
actual shown satellite will be selected. By pressing ENTER the compass will be calibrated
(calibrat is shown in the display). In order to deactivate the compass (which is likely needed on
steel ships and/or a steel made mounting platform), press the ENTER button for a long time as soon as
the display shows scanning. After 4 seconds Compass / Off is shown and by pressing
ENTER the compass will be switched off. By pressing BROWSE the compass will be used. Now the
satellite will be searched (scanning/Satellite in the display) and stored if found.
This step can take a few minutes.
16
The satellite tracking system EPAK-SatCom does not require a lot of maintenance. The following
instructions are sufficient to sustain the optimal capacity of the antenna unit:
• Clean the radome once a month, using fresh water and a mild detergent to remove dirt and salt
deposits.
• Do not detach the radome!
• Do not spray directly on the radome with high pressure water from a hose!
• Check cable connections to be tight and free of corrosion. Clean the cables regularly.
The radome has a protective layer of UV-stabilized and maritime climate-proof lacquer. Do not apply
any additional paint, wax, preservative, solvent, chemicals or adhesive labels. Any kind of coating will
void warranty claims!
In case any solvent comes in contact with the radome by accident, rinse the area immediately with
water and, if necessary, with a mild detergent!
17
No connection to the antenna unit
- Check cable connection to antenna unit (power and
antenna cable)
- Check antenna unit’s power supply
ErrorCom
Communication error with antenna
unit
Turn unit off and on again
Low Vsup
Power supply for antenna too low
- Check power supply connection for antenna unit (loose
cables/connectors or wrong cable type)
Err HR
Read error of horizontal unit
Err HW
Write error of horizontal unit
Err VR
Read error of vertical unit
Err VW
Write error of vertical unit
Err SR
Read error of signal processing unit
Err SW
Write error of signal processing unit
Err PR
Read error of polarisation unit
Err PW
Write error of polarisation unit
Err VCO
Error during satellite inspection
Err EEP
Error during storage
Err IIC
Error in internal communication
Err Trck
Error in tracking module
Err ULS
Error in upper limit switch
Err LLS
Error in lower limit switch
Err ELS
Error in eastern limit switch
Err WLS
Error in western limit switch
Turn the unit off and on again. In case the error reoccurs,
call for technical assistance.
In case of errors regarding limit switches:
Check all moving parts for nonblocking functionality
Err Comp
Compass error
Compass will automatically reset and recallibrate. After
that, please do a preset. In case the error reoccurs several
times, call for technical assistance.
Err Save
Error while saving satellite
Repeat search and storing procedure. Make sure the boat
is not moving and no superstructures obstruct the sight to
the satellite
complete
The search for a stored satellite was
successful, but no picture is shown
- Delete satellite storage positions and memorize again
Wait GPS
Antenne is waiting for valid GPS
data.
- GPS signal is jammed by another signal source
- GPS receiver is defective
Sat X
interchanging with
no Sig
No reception of the stored satellite
- Check if superstructures (e.g. steeple cab or masts of
proximate boats) obstruct the sight to the satellite − if so,
move the boat
- Reception can be briefly interrupted by passing boats
scanning
interchanging with
complete
No receptable satellite in the entire
search range
- Check, if any superstructures are obstructing the sight to
the satellite
- Check, by using footprint cards (e.g. www.satcodx.com),
that the boat is inside the coverage area (footprint)
>Short!<
There is a short in the connection
between and antenna
Check cable connection to antenna and rotary joint inside
of antenna
18
Cannot find a satellite
- Check, if superstructures obstruct the view to the
satellite
Search for stored satellite takes
longer, even though there are no
obstructions in the view to the
satellite
If the location of the vessel changes, the angles of the
satellite may have changed. Modify angles of the satellite
at the new location with the function Preset, see
section 4.
Preset?
Antenna asks for confirmation to
update the satellite data
Standby
–
Antenna could not find a satellite
for 15 minutes.
–
There was the error message no
dish before.
Press ON/OFF, if you have free sight to the satellite, the
antenna should find it again.
upd reco
saved satellite data is not completely
similar to the real data measured by
the antenna
Do a preset, like described on page 15.
19