TT-3020B STD C TechMan
TT-3020B STD C TechMan
TT-3020B STD C TechMan
Maritime
Capsat Transceiver
for the
Inmarsat-C Network
© 1995 Thrane & Thrane A/S. All right reserved. Printed in Denmark.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1
3. System Generation 4
3.1 The system generation menu 4
3.2 Entering your mobile number 5
3.3 Initialising system parameters 5
3.3.1 Write protection 6
4. Built-in GPS 8
4.1 Introduction to the GPS System 8
4.1.1 The basic idea - Satellite ranging 8
4.2 The GPS module 10
4.2.1 Feature list 10
4.3 Satellite Navigation 12
4.3.1 Four Satellite Navigation (3D) 12
4.3.2 Three Satellite Navigation (2D) 12
4.3.2.1 Constant Altitude with Unknown Value 13
4.3.2.2 Constant Altitude with Known Value 13
4.3.2.3 Variable Altitude with Known Values 13
4.3.3 Basic Modes of Three SV Navigation 13
4.3.3.1 Auto Hold Mode 13
4.3.3.2 Amended Hold Mode 14
4.3.4 Almanac 14
4.3.5 Error Outputs 14
5. Antenna switch 17
5.1 Introduction 17
5.2 Commands 18
5.2.1 Timer 1 18
5.2.2 Timer 2 18
5.2.3 Nominal Threshold 19
5.2.4 Minimum Threshold 19
5.2.5 Scanning 19
5.2.6 Fixed antenna 20
5.2.7 Remote unit list 20
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1. Introduction
This manual explains some of the details of a model TT-3020B Maritime Capsat Transceiver and provides
instructions for using non-standard equipment together with the Transceiver and servicing and testing the
Transceiver.
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The Maritime version scans the preferred ocean (or all oceans) every 24 hours to keep the Transceiver tuned to the
strongest NCS signal as your Transceiver position is changed.
The bulletin board error rate BBER is an indication of the satellite link quality. The Maritime version starts a scan
when this value exceeds 80 (after 80*8.64 seconds = 11.5 minutes).
When turning on the power of an uncommissioned Transceiver the Maritime version will start a scan and then start a
login, if the unit is not logged in.
2.2 Distress
When in the Maritime mode the user can send a distress alert to an LES by means of the Message Handling Program
distress menu, by pressing the TT-3020B Set and Alarm front panel buttons or when using the TT-3042B Remote
Alarm, by pressing the Alarm button here.
The Maritime Transceiver will ask the user during a Link Test (Performance Verification Test) to manually send a
test distress alert.
If the request is ignored the Transceiver will automatically send the Distress Test after 2 minutes.
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3. System Generation
1. Turn on your Transceiver while you press the Set button. You must depress the button for at least 10 seconds or
at least until you can hear the connected printer being initialised.
2. Now hit the ENTER key and watch the System Generation menu appear on your screen. If this does not happen,
repeat steps 1 and 2.
To perform an action on the list you just type in the appropriate number. If you want to see the menu again just type
CTRL+C (Hold the CTRL key down while typing a C).
The CTRL+C combination also acts as a Cancel facility. It will always bring you back to the menu without
changing any parameters.
Note:
Do not hit the ESC key if you use the Thrane & Thrane Message Handling Program. If you hit the ESC
key you will go back to the menu of the Message Handling Program and an error will occur as the
Transceiver will not respond to the normal commands while in the System Generation.
If you do hit ESC, then turn off both units and proceed as in section 3 on page 4.
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Just type in the Inmarsat-C 9 digit number that you have received from your PTT authorities.
400000000 to 499999999
If you type a number outside this range the Transceiver will ignore it.
You should not attempt to use your equipment before you have received a mobile number.
The Transceiver only uses the mobile number when sending Message Position Reports (see the Message Handling
Software Operators Guide), to indicate which Transceiver originated the position message.
It should only be used in case the contents of the non-volatile memory has been destroyed, or a new Transceiver is to
be used for the very first time.
Select option 1: Init system parameters, to perform the EEPROM initialisation. A new menu appears.
If the equipment has never been used before you should select option 1: All parameters. If you have used the
equipment previously with Data Reporting or EGC FleetNet you should select option 2: Basic system parameters, to
avoid erasing the information these services uses. You will receive a warning reminder on the screen when select an
option that erases these data.
A Yes/No prompt now appears. Hit the 'Y' key to start the process, or 'N' to abort.
Below you will find a summary of what this will mean to your equipment:
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Table 1: The Capsat Transceiver EEPROM initialisation. Æ parameters have been transferred.. þ parameters are
only initialised if you select them.
this will indicate to you the parameters marked with a Æ have been transferred from a previous EEPROM layout to
the new when installing a new Capsat Transceiver software.
This facility will be enabled as soon as you start using the Transceiver with software version 2.01. This even works
when you remove the EEPROM from the equipment, so that it will not be possible to change the contents of this chip
by means of a commercial available EPROM/EEPROM burner.
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In the unlikely event that you need to manually change the contents of the EEPROM, then you need to remove the
protection before remove the EEPROM from the Transceiver.
Menu entry 7: Remove software write protection, makes this possible. The protection will be enabled automatically
again when you turn on the Transceiver after re-installing the EEPROM.
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4. Built-in GPS
2 To triangulate, GPS measures distance using the travel time of a radio message.
4 Once you know distance to a satellite, you then need to know where the satellite is in space.
5 As the GPS signal travels through the ionosphere and the earth's atmosphere, it gets delayed.
The basic concept behind GPS is then: Let us say we are lost and we are trying to locate ourselves. If we know that
we are a certain distance from satellite A, say 11,000 miles, that really narrows down where in the whole universe we
can be. It tells us we must be somewhere on an imaginary sphere that is centred on the satellite and that has a radius
of 11,000 miles.
Figure 1: Possible positions shown as surface of a sphere when one satellite is used.
Now if at the same time we also know that we're 12,000 miles from another satellite, satellite B, that narrows down
where we can be even more. Because the only place in the universe where we can be 11,000 miles from satellite A
and 12,000 miles from satellite B is on the circle where those spheres intersect.
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Figure 2: Possible positions shown as circle when two satellites are used.
Then if we make a measurement from a third satellite we can really pinpoint ourselves. Because if we know that at
the same time we're 13,000 miles from satellite C, there are only two points in space where that can be true. Those
two points are where the 13,000 mile sphere cuts through the circle that is the intersection of the 11,000 mile sphere
and the 12,000 mile sphere.
Figure 3: Possible positions shown two points on a circle when three satellites are used.
By ranging from three satellites we can narrow down where we are to just two points in space.
How do we decide which one of those two points is our true location? Well, we could make a fourth measurement
from another satellite. Or we can make an assumption. Usually, one of the two points is a ridiculous answer. The
incorrect point may not be close to the earth, or it may have an impossibly high velocity. The computers in GPS
receivers have various techniques for distinguishing the correct point from the incorrect one.
Incidentally, if you know your altitude, (e.g. sea level), you can eliminate one of the satellite measurements. One of
the spheres in the last drawing can be replaced by a sphere that's centred at the earth's centre and has a radius equal
to the earth's plus your altitude.
Some receivers can be switched to 2-D operation like this - which can make calculating a position faster and more
accurate.
Anyway, trigonometry says we need four satellite ranges to unambiguously locate ourselves. But in practice, we can
get by with just three if we reject the ridiculous solutions.
And that is it. The basic principle behind GPS: using satellites as reference points for triangulating your position
somewhere on earth.
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The Rockwell GPS Module is a single-board, five-channel, parallel Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver
suitable for integration. The GPS Module uses spread-spectrum receiver technology for reception of L1 GPS,
1575.42-MHz Standard Positioning Service (SPS) signals. This highly integrated digital receiver incorporates four
custom Rockwell devices, including a fully integrated Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) RF Front-end. This minimises the
receiver's size, reducing it to approximately 70 square centimetres and, at the same time, maximises the reliability of
the product.
Rapid Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) is achieved utilising efficient search algorithms that make use of the five parallel
channels of the receiver. A typical TTFF is 30 seconds with a current almanac loaded in Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) and ephemeris data stored in Static Random Access Memory
(SRAM). Initialisation parameters provide position within 100 km, velocity within 75 m/s, and time within one
minute. This performance can be achieved with vehicle dynamics as high as 1 000 m/s in velocity and 1 0 m/s/s/s in
acceleration. Typical reacquisition times caused by obscuration with duration's greater than 15 seconds can be
reacquired as rapidly as 10 seconds once the obscuration is cleared. Navigation solutions can be maintained with
vehicle dynamics as high as 1000 m/s in velocity and 40 m/s2 in acceleration. The GPS Module can maintain this
performance in applications where the surrounding environment exhibits temperature extremes between -40 to +85
degrees Celsius and vibrations of 40 mm peak-to-peak on a 2-G curve.
Ease of acquisition is realised upon power-up by providing the receiver its Position, Velocity and Time data from a
completely powered down state.
Navigation solutions can be achieved and maintained in several different modes. The GPS Module utilises one of the
five channels to track all remaining satellites that are in view. The unit accomplishes this task by designating one
channel as a utility channel. Therefore, it one channel experiences an outage, the utility channel will supply an
alternate satellite.
A Four Satellite Navigation solution (3-D solution) will be generated automatically from the acquisition state.
A commanded three satellite (2-D) solution can be approached from an acquisition state with a user supplied altitude
via a command.
A three satellite (2-D) solution, Altitude Hold, can also be approached from a Four Satellite Navigation state
automatically if only three satellites become visible due to obscuration.
The user can command an altitude to be used in the navigation solution via an 'Altitude' command. In all cases, the
user can command a Satellite Viewing Mask Angle from -1 5 to +35 degrees with respect to the horizon.
Full accuracy C/A code performance realised when Selective Availability (SA) is not imposed
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Rapid adaptation to obscuration via ephemeris collection for all visible satellites via a designated utility channel
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Automatic Three Satellite Navigation utilising the last known altitude is implemented from a Four Satellite
Navigation state when only three satellites are unobscured. Three Satellite Navigation utilising a user provided
altitude can be achieved from an acquisition state when commanded by the user via the Capsat Transceiver ru -a
command.
Either method will provide you with a position. However. the 4SV-(3D) solution will be the most accurate of all the
solutions when satellites with good geometry are available.
In general, accurate three-dimensional (3D) position determinations are based on the measurement of the transit time
of RF signals from four satellites. Three of the four satellites provide the horizontal X and Y co-ordinates. However,
with errors of different atmospheric delays and imperfections in clocks standards, the horizontal position can be
located in two places along the Z-axis which is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The fourth satellite essentially
removes the error on the Z-axis; thus an accurate altitude is given.
There are three distinct scenarios that the Three Satellite Navigation Mode of the GPS Module is designed to
accommodate. They are:
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² Auto Hold
² Amended Hold
3) The number of satellites drops to three or the GDOP (satellite geometry qualify measure) becomes too poor to
continue to navigate reliably even though four or more satellites are being tracked.
4) The modified GDOP obtained using the altitude as a measurement value from a fictitious overhead satellite is
adequate for reliable navigation.
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Note that both alternatives in criterion (3) essentially mean that there are not enough 'independent" measurements to
continue to reliably calculate a solution. For example, using measurements from four satellites, two of which have
nearly the same azimuth and elevation as seen from the antenna location, is worse than using measurements from
three satellites.
4.3.4 Almanac
The Almanac used by the GPS Module is a set of Keplerian orbital parameters which approximate the entire orbits of
the GPS satellites. This information is used by the GPS Module to determine where to best search for the satellites'
signals. Once a satellite is being tracked by the GPS Module, the Ephemeris parameters, which are more accurate
but only span a four-hour portion of the orbit, are used to continue tracking the satellite or reacquire a satellite it it's
signal is best. Note that the almanac parameters for all GPS satellites are broadcast by each GPS satellite, but each
GPS satellite broadcasts ephemeris only for itself.
The almanac parameters are uploaded to the GPS satellites once per week. The almanac parameters are also
continually broadcast from the GPS satellites so that GPS User sets, such as the GPS Module, have access to the
most current almanac. Although updated weekly, the almanac parameters are still acceptable for use for longer
periods of time, up to several months, except for the rare cases in which satellites have been repositioned or new
satellites have been launched. Even in these circumstances, the almanac data for the unaltered satellites is still
acceptable for use.
When the GPS Module is tracking any GPS satellite, it is constantly reading the almanac parameters for all GPS
satellites, comparing them against the almanac parameters currently being used and updating them when they
change.
When not operating, two sets of almanac data are typically resident within GPS Module memory: a static almanac
periodically stored in EEPROM and a dynamic almanac stored in SRAM which will, if power is continuously
applied, remain non-volatile.
The accuracy of these sets of almanac data will degrade with time, and eventually cause longer acquisition times if
the set remains without power for a period of several months.
As mentioned above, please note that the GPS Module updates the almanac data for all satellites if it is tracking at
least one satellite.
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An expected error value output by the GPS Module is based on the estimation error used to update the associated
quantity being estimated by the GPS Module navigational computations. There are 3 expected error quantities
displayed by the Capsat Transceiver's ru -g command.:
horizontal position
vertical position
velocity
Each expected error value is the standard deviation of the associated estimation error. It is not an expected value as
defined by probability theory, e.g. an average value of error.
Estimation errors are derived from errors in satellite range measurements used in the calculations to update the
navigation solution. Thus, estimation errors depend primarily on the number of satellite range measurements
processed each second. This means that the error in the solution is reduced as more range measurements are
processed and used to update the navigation solution.
Note that these error values reflect estimation errors which are in turn used to update the navigation solution.
Therefore, they are not to be viewed as computations of actual error, but as indications of how well the navigation
solution has converged. In Acquisition Mode, expected error outputs initially reflect default error estimates assumed
by the GPS Module. The error outputs increase in value during Acquisition until maximum values are reached, since
no measurements are being input into the navigation filter.
The Figure of Merit is simply a quantization of the position error. It is set to the maximum value during Acquisition.
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8: 1001-5000m
9: > 5000m
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5. Antenna switch
5.1 Introduction
The Capsat Transceiver Software has now been enhanced with a possibility of directly controlling two antennas via a
T-Bus device.
The two antenna system has the property of being able to select one of two available antennas for use of Inmarsat-C
(and GPS) signals.
The Transceiver will automatically select the antenna with the best signal; and will be able to switch to the other
antenna if the measured signal level drops below a user-selectable threshold. If the signal from the new antenna is
still below this threshold, the Transceiver will reduce the nominal threshold and see if this helps.
The signal level of both antennas will be analysed again, and if both antenna's levels are below the current threshold,
the threshold will be further reduced. This will be attempted three times in all, until a minimum threshold is reached.
If signal drops below the minimum threshold the Transceiver will start an ocean region scanning.
If the signal stays above the threshold for a user-defined period of time, the Transceiver will set threshold back to the
nominal value.
If a transmission fails because of an error on the link (not LES originated error information, e.g. terrestrial line
problems), the Transceiver will automatically try to retransmit the message once. The entry in the transmit log will
display "waiting" status with the transmission scheduled to take place again after 5 minutes. The Transceiver will
command the antenna switch so that the new transmission attempt will occur on a different antenna.
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5.2 Commands
The Transceiver allows the use of environment variable, stored the non-volatile EEPROM, to control the switch
parameters. The command to use is the set command with option -z.
set -z ASTHRNOM=35
The following sections lists the parameters that affect the operation of the Antenna Switch device.
5.2.1 Timer 1
AST1=<seconds>
This parameter controls the interval between antennas are switched or threshold is lowered.
An example is:
set -z AST1=50
5.2.2 Timer 2
AST2=<seconds>
This parameter controls the interval that the signal must exceed the threshold, before the threshold will be set back to
its nominal value.
The Transceiver represents this value a an integer number of Timer 1 periods internally.
The default value is 120 seconds (if the setting is not present).
An example is:
set -z AST2=300
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This parameter controls the signal threshold that will trigger the Transceiver to switch antennas and eventually
reduce the threshold.
The measured signal is averaged by the Transceiver over the Timer 1 period. The signal level value is then in the
range from 0 to 50 where 50 is the best signal.
An example is:
set -z ASTHRNOM=42
This parameter controls the signal threshold that will trigger the Transceiver to start a scanning, if one has not
already been started.
The measured signal is averaged by the Transceiver over the Timer 1 period. The signal level value is then in the
range from 0 to 50 where 50 is the best signal.
An example is:
set -z ASTHRMIN=30
5.2.5 Scanning
ASSCAN=<setting>
This parameter controls how the Transceiver will perform the ocean region scan.
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Setting ASSCAN=PREF will let the Transceiver only scan the preferred ocean region (if any, otherwise all ocean
regions will be scanned).
Any other setting will cause the Transceiver to perform an all ocean scan. From then on all scan you may issue
manually, will also be all-ocean scans.
An example is:
set -z ASSCAN=PREF
This parameter controls which antenna will be selected at the next change.
The default value is 0, which means that the program will alternate between the two antennas.
The two other settings are 1 or 2 that selects either antenna permanently.
An example is:
set -z ASANTNO=1
The list could look like the one below, if a Remote Alarm and a built-in GPS was also connected:
: ru -l
For the Antenna Switch device, called ASWI in the above listing, the PrnStat parameter indicates the number of the
active antenna. Antenna number 2 is active in the example above.
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You should then check the ru -l status and the cable and power to the device. You should also check that the T-Bus
enable switch (number 1) inside the Transceiver is set to the ON position and that the T-Bus TX Jumper (number 1)
has been inserted.
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6.1 Introduction
To be able to use cryptographic equipment working with paper reader/punchers, a special version of the TT-3000
Capsat system is available.
It uses the TT-10202A/B PC Message Handling Software in a special 1200 baud version, with serial parameters
1200 baud, no parity, 8 databit, 1 stopbit, the TT-1610A reader/puncher, and the TT-3020B Capsat transceiver.
The procedure described in this document, is intended for use until an automatic procedure will be available.
Reader
Transceiver PC
Puncher
Socket Label
U16 4601S31
01 C5
U13 Z36-42512
152 CF1F
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With these EPROMS the reader/puncher switches at the bottom of the unit, should be set like this:
SW1 ON
SW2 ON
SW3 ON
SW4 ON
SW5 ON
SW6 OFF
SW7 OFF
SW8 OFF
FDX
DC Codes OFF
CR Delay OFF
High Speed
When starting up the PC program, the transceiver may not have the same transmission parameters as the PC
program. To establish connection, use the following procedure:
You are now in direct contact with the TT-3020B transceiver. Try hitting the ENTER key a couple of times. If
nothing happens, the communications parameters are incorrect, and you must follow the steps below. Otherwise you
can skip to section 3.
1. Turn on the power of your TT-3020B Transceiver while pressing the SET button on the front panel.
If you have a printer connected to the TT-3020B you will hear it being initialised after approximately 3
seconds.
The ENTER character (ASCII value 13) is supposed the be the very first character send to the TT-3020B
when System Generation is entered.
The TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver is designed to automatically adjust the communication speed to match
the incoming ENTER character.
If the communication cable running from the terminal to the TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver is not shielded,
or is exposed to severe RF noise, faulty detection of the ENTER character could be expected, causing the
TT-3020B to accept a wrong setting.
If the System Generation Menu does not appear on your display, or is incorrectly displayed, you are
recommended to check the cabling, and repeat the procedure.
4. Having altered the System Generation parameters you may wish to leave the System Generation.
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The TT-3020B will confirm the command by asking you to push the Set button on the TT-3020B and hit
the ENTER key at the appropriate prompts.
All changed parameters will be stored in non-volatile memory when this button is pushed, including the
baudrate and protocol settings detected upon entering the System Generation.
Your TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver is now brought to the stand-by mode, indicated by the software copyright notice:
Inmarsat-C Software
(C) Copyright 1993 Thrane & Thrane A/S
Released version
Version 2.10, 94-02-21
The TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver is now using 1200 Baud, 8 databits, no parity and 1 stopbit to communicate with
the Message Handling software.
The switch 2 on the CPU board of the Transceiver must be set ON for the file communication to work correctly.
Normally the Transceiver delete a transferred file if the resulting file length is different from the file length specified
in the tr command, but this facility is disabled when switch 2 is set ON.
and select
Disk
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F9
type (filename)
but do not hit the ENTER key, until you have started the paper puncher.
Press the
LEADER
button on the TT-1610A front panel for a second, to put a leader pattern on the tape, and then push the
PUNCH
button.
Now you can hit the ENTER key on your keyboard, to start punching the message.
Press the
PUNCH
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The ordinary typing facility adds an LF character to all CR characters and discards all LF characters read from the
file.
The binary typing facility does not process the characters in any way.
To binary type a file called TEST.TXT you use the following command:
type -b test.txt
On the first line of the typed message (and thus on the tape) you will see the number of characters in the file. This
number can be ignored.
The paper tape message can be read into any file, with a name that has not been used as a filename already.
dir
To get the message from the paper tape to the transceiver memory, type the command line
transfer (filename)
READER
button on the TT-1610A front panel for a second, to read the message from the tape. After waiting for data for five
seconds, the transceiver stops the transfer, and returns with the colon prompt (:).
F10
key, type the filename you chose before and hit ENTER twice.
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The ordinary transfer facility adds an LF character to all CR characters and discards all LF characters read from the
tape.
The binary transfer does not process the characters in any way.
To transfer binary you must specify the number of characters that you want to read. If you specify a very large
number the transfer facility will store all of you message but give you an error warning that your message was shorter
than you specified.
To transfer a tape of approximately 5000 characters to a file called TEST.TXT you use the following command:
After waiting 5 seconds the transceiver will end the transfer, and the file will be store in the Transceivers file system
if switch 2 was set ON.
The file can now be moved to the connected PC with the F10 key.
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"<CR><LF>LES <number> - MSG <number> - <text> <text> Call to Area: <text> - <text>
<CR><LF><CR><LF>"
An example is:
zczc
navarea one 303
satnav gps
satellite prn 21 unusable 272350z to 281150z july.
2. cancel this message 281250z jul 92
nnnn
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The different service types have different addressing in the message. There are the following possibilities (see next
page):
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7.2.1 Introduction
To save space in the Capsat Transceiver EEPROM memory the 25 character provider name string that is downloaded
via the NCS TDM channel, is not stored in it's full length in the Transceiver.
Rather the Transceiver only stores 15 bytes for each provider name which gives a 500 bytes EEPROM memory saved
in all for the two ID types.
The following section will describe how the characters received are mapped so they can fit in the EEPROM memory.
The Transceiver uses two rows of characters: some common characters and letters and figures.
Common characters:
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As the Transceiver can store only 24 compressed characters (15 * 8 / 5) where some of them will be CT_LETTER or
CT_FIGURE, so the more you mix letters and figures, the fewer characters can be stored in the Transceiver provider
name.
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The table also lists the perforation pattern that corresponds to each letter on a paper tape.
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For the hardware and timing requirements of the T-Bus see T-Bus Internal Time Division Command/Response
Multiplex Data Bus Reference Manual.
7.5.1.1 Introduction
The following data is exchanged between the Capsat Transceiver and the Remote Alarm unit using the T-Bus:
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TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver
Technical Reference Manual
Send NMEA
Allow Remote Alarm to send
NMEA 0183 data
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 0001 Status marker (1)
1 0XXX XXXX Attention and Device
2 0000 XXXX Message acknowledgement
3 0000 0NAB N = Accepts navigational data for NMEA port.
A = User switch 1 B = User switch 0.
The Attention and device field is bit structured so that the bits corresponds:
00H No acknowledgement
01H EGC normal
02H EGC safety
04H EGC urgent or EGC distress
08H Normal mail
The User Switches field is the current status of the two user defined inputs of the TT-3042A.
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Technical Reference Manual
00H No input
01H Switch 0 activated
02H Switch 1 activated
03H Both switches activated
04H Remote Alarm accepts navigational data for NMEA output.
In this byte is also contains the bit that indicates if the Remote Alarm will accept navigational data for NMEA
0183/RS-232 output.
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 0010 Print marker (2)
1 0XXX XXXX Up to 15 bytes ASCII data
NULL bytes will be ignored by the Remote Alarm printer driver and signals message end.
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 0XXX Msg_status marker (3,4)
1 0000 0XXX Message type
2 XXXX XXXX TT-3020A front panel LED's
3 Message begins: A message of the specified type has just been received.
4 Message ends: A remote Alarm has acknowledged reception of the specified message type.
Msg_status = 3 Msg_status = 4
00H No change 00H No change
01H EGC normal 01H EGC normal
02H EGC safety 02H EGC safety
04H EGC distress 04H EGC urgent or EGC distress
08H Normal mail 08H Normal mail
14H EGC urgent
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Technical Reference Manual
When the ON bit is set the corresponding TT-3020A LED is lit, and when the BLINK set the TT-3020A LED is
blinking.
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 0101 NMEA marker (5)
1 XXXX XXXX Latitude degrees 0-90 in BCD
2 XXXX XXXX Latitude minutes 0-59 in BCD
3 XXXX XXXX Latitude hundreds 0-99 in BCD
4 XXXX XXXX Longitude degrees 0-180 in BCD, LSD
5 0000 XXXX Longitude degrees in BCD, MSD
6 XXXX XXXX Longitude minutes 0-59 in BCD
7 XXXX XXXX Longitude hundreds 0-99 in BCD
8 XXXX 00SW N/S(S=1) E/W (W=1), Altitude in feet, BCD, LSD
9 XXXX XXXX Altitude in meters, BCD
10 XXXX XXXX Altitude in meters, BCD, MSD
11 XXXX XXXX Course 0-360 in BCD, LSD
12 0000 XXXX Course in BCD, MSD
13 0000 CSAP Quality of Course, Speed, Position and altitude (1=OK)
14 XXXX XXXX Speed in knots 0-999 in BCD, LSD
15 0000 XXXX Speed in BCD, MSD
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 0111 Position marker (7)
1 XXXX XXXX Latitude degrees 0-90 in BCD
2 XXXX XXXX Latitude minutes 0-59 in BCD
3 XXXX XXXX Latitude hundreds 0-99 in BCD
4 XXXX XXXX Longitude degrees 0-180 in BCD, LSD
5 0000 XXXX Longitude degrees in BCD, MSD
6 XXXX XXXX Longitude minutes 0-59 in BCD
7 XXXX XXXX Longitude hundreds 0-99 in BCD
8 XXXX 00SW N/S (S=1) E/W (W=1), Altitude in m, BCD, LSD
9 XXXX XXXX Altitude in m, BCD
10 XXXX XXXX Altitude in m, BCD, MSD
11 XXXX XXXX Vup in m/s, BCD, LSD
12 0000 XXXX Vup in m/s, BCD, MSD
13 00UD 0VAP Altitude: Over/Under zero (U=1)
Vup: Up/Down (D=1)
Quality of:
Vup, Altitude and Position (1=OK)
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Technical Reference Manual
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 1000 Time marker (8)
1 XXXX XXXX Course 0-360 in BCD, LSD
2 0000 XXXX Course in BCD, MSD
3 XXXX XXXX Speed in knots 0-999 in BCD, LSD
4 0000 XXXX Speed in BCD, MSD
5 0000 0000 Year 91-99,00- in BCD UTC TIME
6 0000 0000 Month 1-12 in BCD
7 000X 0000 Day 1-31 in BCD
8 XXXX XXXX Hour 0-24 in BCD
9 XXXX XXXX Minute 0-59 in BCD
10 XXXX XXXX Seconds 0-59 in BCD
11 0000 0UCS Valid data: UTC, Course, Speed (OK=1)
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TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver
Technical Reference Manual
7.5.2.1 Introduction
The following data is exchanged between the Capsat Transceiver and the Antenna Switch device using the T-Bus:
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 1110 Command Identifier (14)
1 0000 00XX Active antenna number (1 or 2). 0 if error.
No ----.---- Info
0 0000 1111 Command Identifier (15)
1 0000 00XX Set antenna number 1 or 2 active. 0 if the device should
just select the other antenna.
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Technical Reference Manual
8.1 Service
At power-on the CPU board will run through a self test procedure. The steps of the self test can be seen on the front
panel LED's of the TT-3020B.
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Technical Reference Manual
U12 EPROM
CPU
Power
Figure 5: TT-3020B CPU Board, No. TT 37-102819, showing the DIP Switch
array.
All other switches must be set off to ensure proper operation. In addition you should not operate the TT-3020B
Capsat Transceiver with switch 6 ON unless you are in the System Generation.
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Technical Reference Manual
Input
Connector
E1 Power Switch
J2 E2 Power Switch
Connector E3 -12V
for Demodulator E4 Ground
E5 + 12V
E6 + 5V
E7 E1 E7 TX Ke y i n p u t s i g n a l
Connector
for CPU Board
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Technical Reference Manual
Antenna
Connector
TP11
TP37
DS2
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Technical Reference Manual
Look at the first line at Test Summary and see the status information readout. Normally you should see OK, but in
case of error you will see an error code.
The error code is a 16 bit error word and is described in the following section.
In case you want to test the module manually you can also start the test from the Terminal mode. Type:
Then hit the ENTER key and see the colon prompt appear. Now type the command:
ru -t<ENTER>
And hit the ESC key to get back to the main menu. After approximately 10 seconds the test results are available in
the GPS Status window.
Bit 0 is the least significant bit (displayed as 0001H) and bit 12 is the most significant used bit (displayed as 1000H).
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Technical Reference Manual
8.2 Replacements
To ensure proper operation you should also relocate the U12 and U18 EPROM's.
If the FGU board is to be replaced, the EEPROM values must updated to match the new board.
TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver into System Generation and Service Mode, see section 3 on page 4.
Having entered the System Generation with the Service Switch set On, you will now see a menu entry called Tracker
Setup.
If you select this you will see a small menu on the screen. To initialise the CPU Board to use the new FGU Board,
you should select menu item 2 Set Frequency correction, and type in the value 128as explained on the screen. You
should not attempt to use the other menu entries unless you have a very thorough understanding of the operation of
the Transceiver.
WARNING
Do not attempt to tune the TT-3020B Master
oscillator. This operation must only be performed by
T&T approved service personnel.
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Technical Reference Manual
Please take care when you remove or insert the cable into the connectors. The connectors can be opened by gently
pulling the slider.
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Thrane & Thrane
TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver
Technical Reference Manual
If your Transceiver is in terminal mode you can use the TT-3020B command st -w to display the status screen. If you
use a Thrane & Thrane Message Handling Software you can display the same information by selecting the menu:
The headline gives you the readout from the built-in clock circuit. This has a resolution of one minute.
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Technical Reference Manual
8.3.1.1 Synth's
The synthesisers: The synthesiser part tells you if the frequency generating units are in lock, that is, if they operate
correctly.
8.3.1.2 LO 1/2
The local oscillators: The LO levels are the voltage levels that the Local Oscillators, the receiver detector circuits,
outputs at the moment.
Your reading may show "unused" in place of the LO.2 level value, in case you have a new hardware option. This
option does not need a second local oscillator.
8.3.1.3 Corr.A/C/R
The frequency tracker: The tracker part give you the status of how the software compensate for short term
environmental, and long term crystal ageing frequency variation.
The frequency correction voltage gives the actual value (A) that the software uses to control the frequency generating
hardware.
The correction range gives you a window centre (C) and window range (R): the window in which the control voltage
can vary. The window centre value compensate for the long term variations, and is therefore stored in the EEPROM
memory. This is done every 4 hours. The range is a fixed value.
8.3.1.4 Dif/Temp
The VXO data: This part shows the Frequency difference in Hz from the currently used channel (DIF), and the
current temperature (Temp) measured with an NTC thermistor near the master control oscillator.
If the transceiver is tuned to a channel you will have a frequency difference from this channel. If the transceiver is
not tuned, this value will be invalid. Check the software section for synchronisation.
To operate properly and smoothly the DIF value should be below 250 Hz to either side.
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Technical Reference Manual
8.3.1.5 RX/TX/AGC/FIFO
The antenna: This part gives you the information:
The receiving current (RX) is the current that the transceiver will measure on the antenna connector, in the idle
receive state.
The value will be 105mA with the antenna connected, 0mA when disconnected, and "Too high" when the antenna
connector or the cable is shorted.
The transmit power consumption (TX) is the value that was measured at the last transmission on the antenna
connector.
This value will be around 3000mA. The resolution of the measurement is 500mA, so due to noise on the
measurement it may vary from 2000 to 3000mA. If you have not used the TT-3020B for transmissions yet, the value
will be 0mA.
The Automatic Gain Control level (AGC) is the voltage that controls the receiver amplifiers in the transceiver.
The AGC voltage will be around 3000mV with a good antenna signal, and approx. 2000mV with the antenna
disconnected. This also checks the Low Noise Amplifier gain (in the antenna) and the antenna cable.
The transmit First In First Out queue (FIFO) is the circuit in which the databits are stored just before transmission.
8.3.1.6 R/C-B/B/S
Viterbi decoder: The Viterbi decoder is a separate microprocessor that decodes the received data.
R
The processor will give the number of Viterbi Renormalisations (R), which is the number of times it had to guess
data from previous information, as a hexadecimal number.
The larger the number, the weaker, or more distorted, is the received signal.
C-B
The processor also gives the number of Viterbi Cycleslips (C), which is a number that increases with signal
distortion, and the number of bitslips (B) on the same line. These are shown as hexadecimal numbers. The
numbers should be zero.
B
The bulletin board check (B) is done by the main processor on the basis of the received data for each 8.64 seconds
of data.
This 8.64 seconds of data is called a frame. The frame will contain packets, and the first and most important is
the bulletin board packet, which contains a frame number and the identification and possible services of the
emitting station and this particular channel.
The bulletin board check will normally read 1, which signifies a valid bulletin board, but when tuning or
transmitting it may read 0.
S
The Signal Strength (S) can vary from 0 to 5 where 5 is the best signal. You should have a reading above 2 to
ensure a proper communications link.
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Technical Reference Manual
The signal strength is measured directly on the received signal (after demodulating), where the renormalization
count (R) is calculated after the decoding, so (R) has a 8.64 seconds delay in respect to (S).
The resulting number is on a scale from 0 to 5 that has the following correspondence with the signal-to-noise
ratio:
Signal strength 0 1 2 3 4 5
SNR in dBHz <29 29-31 31-33 33-35 35-37 >37
The first 3 readouts mentioned above are only last-received values, so in case the transceiver looses signal for a
longer period, the data shown here will be from the last received frame.
The Signal Strength (S) will always be correct even when the Transceiver looses the synchronisation.
The headline gives you the version number of the TT-3020B software, and the corresponding release date, and the
date and time of last service together with the initials of the service engineer.
8.3.2.1 Synchronisation
This corresponds to the status of the front panel LED "login". The readout will be "Yes" of the transceiver can
receive and decode the satellite signal properly.
8.3.2.2 Logged in
This corresponds to the status of the front panel LED "login". The readout will be "Yes" if the user has issued a login
command and received a login acknowledgement from the Network Coordinating Station (NCS) in the current ocean
region. The readout will be "No" the first time the equipment is turned on, and if the user issues a logout command
and receives a logout acknowledgement from the NCS in the current ocean region.
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Technical Reference Manual
Free
Pending
Sending Distress
Sending Distress Test
Login
Logout
Changing NCS
Scanning
Link Test
Transmission
Receiving message
Confirmation request
Message delivery
Position report
Data report
Link Test request
The "Pending" status will appear if the Land Earth Station has postponed a transmission or a link test. In this case
the LES will automatically inform the transceiver when to try the protocol again.
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Technical Reference Manual
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TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver
Technical Reference Manual
Using the TT-3020B interface this operation can be accomplished by giving the command:
st -w p
Using the message terminal window program, this information can easily be stored. Just select the following menus:
You can now view the file, load it into the editor and add your own comments, and perhaps transmit the file later.
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Technical Reference Manual
9. Handling of communication-error
situations
9.1 No synchronisation
If you turn on your TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver and the LOGIN Indicator does not start to either flash or to light
steady after 5 minutes, you should check the following:
Check the reading of the status screen's AGC level with the antenna connected and without the antenna connected.
Check the reading of the NCS origin ID. Does this match your ocean region?
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TT-3020B Capsat Transceiver
Technical Reference Manual
Only in case of non-delivery you will still find message codes like:
These codes can not completely be eliminated as they can vary from station to station. In case you want a full
explanation you should contact the Station Operator.
The current list of Inmarsat-C telex service three-letter errors codes is:
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Technical Reference Manual
NP No party
NTC Network congestion
OAB Operator aborted
OCC Telex occupied
OOO Out of order
PRC Premature clearing
PRF Protocol failure
RCA Reverse charging acceptance not subscribed
REF There was a failure in the remote equipment
RLE Ressource limit exceeded
RPE Remote protocol error
RPO RPOA (Recognized Private Operating Agency) out of order
SCC Call completed successfully
SHE Mobile unit hardware error
SNF The satellite network has failed
SPE Mobile unit protocol error
SUC Test results being delivered
TBY Trunks busy
TGR TDM group reset
TIM Timeout
WFA Wrong final answerback
WIA Wrong initial answerback
followed by:
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Technical Reference Manual
followed by:
followed by:
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Technical Reference Manual
"Land Station did receive request, but did not respond to it."
The Transceiver timed-out waiting for a response packet from the LES.
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Technical Reference Manual
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Technical Reference Manual
If you have just sent the commissioning forms to your PTT authorities, your Transceiver may not yet be registered
with Inmarsat.
In any circumstance you should not use the equipment if you do not know the mobile number of your Capsat System.
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Technical Reference Manual
If this happens the Transceiver will automatically check if the LES Network Table version number stored in memory
is different from the version that the Inmarsat-C system currently uses.
If this is the case, the Transceiver will automatically start a login, to get a new LES Network Table.
If the tuning still fails you should printout and inspect the status screen. Please refer to section 8.3 on page 48.
You should note the values of A and C correction. They should be nearly equal. If this is not the case you
Transceiver may need recalibration.
If you only have a problem with one specific LES, you should take note of the Signal Strength value in the Status
Screen, when the Transceiver is tuned to the particular channel.
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Technical Reference Manual
—H—
—I—
Init system parameters, 5
Initializing system parameters, 6
—A—
aborted call, 63 —L—
activities in queue, 58
landmobile facilities, 2
AGC voltage, 54
local oscillators, 53
Almanac, 15
logged in, 56
Altitude Hold, 15
login impossible, 66
Amended Altitude Hold, 15
—M—
—B—
mobile number, 5; 58
BB error rate, 57
bulletin board check, 55
—N—
bulletin board error rate, 2
no synchonization, 60
—C—
—P—
CPU board TT 37-100524, 44
current channel, 56 pending call, 62
current protocol, 56 Power supply TT 37-102120, 46
preferred ocean, 2; 58
—D— protocol errors, 61
Demodulator/down converter TT 37-102019, 47
—R—
DIP switch array, 45
DIP switch Settings, 45 receiving current, 54
distress alert test, 2 rejected call, 62
—E— —S—
EGC System and SafetyNet calls, 3 Satellite Navigation, 13
Ephemeris parameters, 15 satellite ranging, 8
error codes, 62 serial number, 58
signal strength, 55
—F— software information, 55
Status Screen, 52
FIFO queue, 54
synchronization, 56
Figure of Merit, 17
system generation menu, 4
Four Satellite Navigation, 13
frequency correction voltage, 53
—T—
frequency difference, 53
frequency tracker, 53 TDM channel number, 56
TDM frame, 55
—G— TDM frame number, 57
TDM origin, 57
Global Positioning System, 11
TDM type, 56
GPS, 8
telex three-letter errors codes, 62
GPS built-in self-test, 48
temperature, 53
GPS Test Summary, 48
Three Satellite Navigation, 13
three-dimensional, 13
Time-To-First-Fix, 11
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Technical Reference Manual
—U—
uncommissioned, 2
—V—
Viterbi decoder, 54
VXO, 53
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