Summary This Job Aid covers: 75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid Preparing the Antenna for Pointing and Peaking Configure the SurfBeam 2 Modem and 75cm 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 supports all 75cm SurfBeam 2 User Terminals: VS1100, VS1101, and VS1200. Note: Images for the VS1100 appear on the left; images for the VS1200 appear on the right. 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 ViaSat Point and Peak process. The installer is required to complete this process during every ViaSat 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 Elevation listed on the work order The Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is centered in its zero position. o VS1100: 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. o VS1200/ VS1300: If not, loosen the Azimuth base plate bolts, turn the Fine Azimuth adjustment nut until the indicators on the base of the AZ/EL are at Zero (0). The Skew is set for 90 degrees 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 1 of 12
Required Tools 75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid To point and peak a 75cm ODU using the SurfBeam 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 13mm open wrench 13mm ratchet and socket Configure the SurfBeam 2 Modem and 75cm TRIA Recall that the 75cm TRIA receives its polarity setting from the SurfBeam 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 75cm ODU is sitting on its mount, and that cabling and grounding are complete. Follow these steps to configure the SurfBeam 2 modem and 75cm TRIA prior to beginning the Point and Peak process. 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. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 2 of 12
(continued) 4. Open the computer s Internet Explorer browser and type this URL into the Address bar: http://192.168.100.1./install Click the forward arrow in the Address bar. The modem enters the Installation Mode. Note 1: Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox are the preferred browsers for this step. Other browsers may have different results. Note 2: If a website not found error appears, click the browser s refresh button until the page appears 5. Find the 16-digit Modem Key on the work order, and type it into the fields. Click the large forward arrow in the lower right corner of the screen. Important: Do not press Enter, as this makes the modem leave the Installation mode. 6. The Installation Configuration page changes. Confirm that these two events are happening: The SB2 modem s RX and LAN lights are flashing. The TRIA is emitting the 'heartbeat' tone The SB2 and TRIA are ready for the Point and Peak process. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 3 of 12
Point Elevation 75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid The following information reviews the steps to complete the point (coarse) antenna Elevation adjustment. 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. Follow the steps for the appropriate antenna: VS1100 1. Set the marker on the Inclinometer to the Arm angle shown on the work order. 2. Lay the WildBlue Inclinometer bracket over the Boom Arms. Place the Inclinometer on top of the Inclinometer bracket. VS1200 1. Using the Elevation setting found on the work order, set the marker on the Inclinometer using this formula: 90 Elevation = Boom Arm Angle 2. Lay the Inclinometer on the outside edge of the Back Bracket, near the Skew ring. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 4 of 12
(continued) 3. Use the open wrench to turn the Bottom Nut in the direction necessary to align the Inclinometer floating arrow to the marker. 4. Handtighten the top nut on the Elevation rod to the Pivot Casting. Finally, tighten the Lockdown Nuts in the Arched Slots on each side of the Elevation Bracket with the open wrench or ratchet. Set the Skew After pointing the Elevation, the antenna is skewed using the setting found on the work order. Follow these steps to set the Skew. VS1100 images are on the left; VS1200 images are on the right. 1. Locate the skew setting on the work order. 2. Loosen the four bolts that hold the Antenna Back Bracket to the Skew plate. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 5 of 12
(continued) 3. Rotate the reflector dish so that the Skew pointer aligns with the Skew setting on the scale. 4. Tighten the four bolts. Point Azimuth Point the antenna to the course azimuth. SB2 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 or 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 Heartbeat During Peak Azimuth/Elevation Tone Frequencies Low/slow, high/fast, high/steady None always inside the frequency set For those who use hearing aids, or other audio augmenting devices, the frequencies for the tones are as follows: Heartbeat Pointing Tones Tone Frequencies 3KHz 2.5 3.1KHz Peaking Tones 2.5, 2.95,3.1 and 3.3KHz 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 6 of 12
Follow these steps to point the Azimuth of the 75cm ODU. 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 antenna 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. 3. Sweep the antenna toward the left, listening for the TRIA to emit the ring ring tone. 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, 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. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 7 of 12
(continued) 6. Finish this step by tightening the Flange bolts, starting with the top to maintain an even pressure on the Tube 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. Peak Azimuth The following information reviews the steps to complete the peak (fine) antenna Azimuth adjustment. VS1100 images are on the left; VS1200 images are on the right. 1. Loosen the Azimuth base plate bolts using a 13mm ratchet. 2. Using an open wrench, rotate the hex head of the Azimuth fine-adjust bolt. Important: Do not pass the low/slow tone when peaking the 75cm ODU. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 8 of 12
(continued) 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. 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 finetune 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. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 9 of 12
VS1100: Damaging the Azimuth Fine-adjust Bolt If the Azimuth Fine-adjust bolt is not centered prior to beginning the Point and Peak process with the VS1100 ODU, 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: Avoid this problem 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. Peak Elevation The following information reviews the steps to complete the peak (fine) antenna Azimuth adjustment. 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 when peaking the 75cm ODU. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 10 of 12
(continued) 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. 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. Start with the top nut on the Elevation rod, and then the Elevation Lock Down 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. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 11 of 12
Push/Pull Test 75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid 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. 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 drips 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 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. These two levels will match when an antenna is aligned correctly. 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. 2006-2014 ViaSat, Inc. Page 12 of 12