ViaSat SurfBeam 2 User manual

Brand: ViaSat

Model: SurfBeam 2

Type: User manual

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 1 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Summary

This Job Aid covers:

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, VS1200, and VS1300.

Note: Images for the VS1100 appear on the left; images for the VS1200/VS1300 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

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 2 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Required Tools

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.

Step

Action

Connect the computer to the SB2

modem using the Ethernet cable

between the LAN ports on both

devices

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.

Plug the modem AC power cord into the power outlet. Wait approximately two minutes for the SB2

to power on.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 3 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Step

Action (continued)

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

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.

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.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 4 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Point Elevation

The following information reviews the steps to complete the point (coarse) antenna Elevation adjustment.

Step

Action

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.

Follow the steps for the appropriate antenna:

VS1100

Step

Action

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.

VS1200/VS1300

Step

Action

Using the Elevation setting found

on the work order, set the marker

on the Inclinometer using this

formula:

90 – Elevation = Boom Arm Angle

Lay the Inclinometer on the outside edge of

the Back Bracket, near the Skew ring.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 5 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Step

Action (continued)

Use the open wrench to turn the Bottom Nut in the

direction necessary to align the Inclinometer floating

arrow to the marker.

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.

Step

Action

Locate the skew setting on the work order.

Loosen the four bolts that

hold the Antenna Back

Bracket to the Skew plate.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 6 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Step

Action (continued)

Rotate the reflector dish so that the Skew pointer aligns with the Skew setting on the scale.

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

Low/slow, high/fast, high/steady

None – always inside the

frequency set

Tone Frequencies

For those who use hearing

aids, or other audio

augmenting devices, the

frequencies for the tones

are as follows:

Tone

Frequencies

Heartbeat

3KHz

Pointing Tones

2.5 – 3.1KHz

Peaking Tones

2.5, 2.95,3.1 and 3.3KHz

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 7 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Follow these steps to point the Azimuth of the 75cm ODU.

Step

Action

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.

Sweep the antenna to the right, about 10 degrees away from the line-of-sight selected during the Site

Survey.

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.

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.

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.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 8 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Step

Action (continued)

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.

Step

Action

Loosen the Azimuth base plate

bolts using a 13mm ratchet.

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.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 9 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Step

Action (continued)

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.

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.

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.

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.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 10 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

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.

Step

Action

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.

Use the open wrench on the lower

Elevation rod nut.

Caution: Do not pass the

low/slow tone when

peaking the 75cm ODU.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 11 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

Step

Action (continued)

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.

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.

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.

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.

75cm ODU/SurfBeam 2 Point and Peak Job Aid

Release Date: November 2014

Page 12 of 12

Proprietary – For use only pursuant to

company approval and instructions

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

From behind the antenna, gently push and

pull each side of the antenna.

Gently push and pull the top and the bottom of the antenna

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.

ViaSat SurfBeam 2 User manual

Brand: ViaSat

Model: SurfBeam 2

Type: User manual

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ViaSat SurfBeam 2 User manual

ViaSat SurfBeam 2 User manual

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