Table of Contents

Section Title Page

1 1.0 General description of antenna 2

(Installation of software in PC)

2 2.0 PC menus 3
2.1 Main menu 3
2.2 Service menu 4
2.3 Conical scan menu 5
2.4 Show log menu 6
2.5 Satellite menu 6
2.6 Satellite identification 7

3 3.0 Operation 8
3.1 Start and satellite selection 8
3.2 New satellite 8

4 4.0 Reference section 8

4.1 Description of operation 8
4.2 Search 8
4.3 Tracking 8
4.4 Gyrocorrection 9
4.5 Detailed description of functions in the service menu 9
4.6 Conical scan special functions 13

5 5.0 Technical specification NS90 15

5.1 Physical dimensions 15
5.2 Required input 15
5.3 Performance data 15
5.4 Ship’s motions 15
5.5 Electrical 15
5.6 Environmental 16
5.7 EMC 16
5.8 Control computer – requirements 16

6 6.0 Technical specification NS120SL 17

6.1 Physical dimensions 17
6.2 Required input 17
6.3 Performance data 17
6.4 Ship’s motions 17
6.5 Electrical 18
6.6 Environmental 18
6.7 EMC 18
6.8 Control computer – requirements 18

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 1.0 General description
Navsat is an antenna for reception of Ku-band TV-satellite transmissions aboard ships.It uses
the ship’s gyro and GPS to locate the correct satellite and thereafter locks on to it with an
internal tracking system.

Special features in this system are:

· Simultaneous reception of both vertically and horizontally polarised signals in the high as
well as the low band.

· Easy installation and setup

· Plug-in electronics modules.

· Built-in tracking receiver

· Built-in radar filter

· Polarotor

· Built-in inclinometer

· Any satellite in view can be selected via PC-interface.

PC software installation

Windows 98 or higher must already be installed on the PC.

For installation from floppy disc or CD-rom please follow the steps described below.

Installation from CD-rom: Insert CD-rom in CD-drive and run file “Setup.exe”

The intallation program will install your NavSat application

in folder C:\Program\NavSat\.

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2.0 PC-menus, general
2.1 Main menu

The main menu displays general information about the system such as signal strength, antenna
elevation and heading. It also and includes buttons for manual control.

1. Antenna elevation with reference to the horizon.

2. Status window
3. Ship’s pitch and roll measured by the antenna’s inclinometer.
4. Tracking error indicator.
5. Signal strength.
6. Tracking threshold.
7. Satellite identification status.
8. Satellite identification settings.
9. Ship’s heading indicator.
10. Antenna heading indicator.
11. Satellite heading indicator.

1 2 3

11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4

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2.2 Service menu

The service menu contains password protected settings for calibration and setup. A system
reset can be executed by the operator by pressing the “Total”-button. This function is not
protected by password.

1. Load/save antenna settings from/to PC.

2. Set the antenna’s 0° azimuth datum.
3. Move azimuth datum 0.1/0.5° counter clockwise.
4. Move azimuth datum 0.1/0.5° clockwise.
5. Tracking error indicator.
6. Ship’s pitch and roll measured by the antenna’s inclinometer.
7. Inclinometer oven temperature.
8. Inclinometer calibration settings.
9. Settings for interfacing with gyro and GPS.
10. Tracking threshold – percentage points above noise level.
11. Maximum horizontal search angle.
12. Regulator settings.

1 2 3 4 5 6

12 11 10 9 8 7

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2.3 Conical scan menu

The main display in the conical scan menu is a tracking error indicator. This is the same as in
the main menu but traces are not erased automatically.

1. Dynamic gyro correction indicator.

2. Conical scan offset.
3. Set subreflector frequency.
4. Measured subreflector frequency.

1 2 3 4

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2.4 Show log menu

The log records the activities of the antenna, such as tracking, unwinding and calibrating.
Each month, a new log is created and the old data placed in a back up file.

2.5 Satellite menu

This is where a list of satellites is kept and current satellite selected.

To change satellite, select one from the list and press “Set satellite”. To enter a new satellite,
click on an unused position, enter name and longitude and press “Update”.

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2.6 Satellite identification

The SatID function can be used to ensure that the antenna doesn’t lock on the wrong satellite.
To activate, press the “SatID” button.

Enter the angle between the current satellite and its closest neighbour.

Enter the maximum signal variation allowed. Note that this value has to be lower than the
difference between the signal strength of the current satellite and its neighbours.

Highlight the “SatID enabled” button and press “Set”.

Note that satellite identification can only be switched on in tracking mode and it will switch off
automatically when changing satellites.

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3.0 Operation
3.1 Start and satellite selection

If a satellite is chosen: press “auto”. If no satellite has been selected (the field “Satellite Name” is
empty), click on “Satellites” and choose a satellite from the menu. Press “Set Satellite”; return to
the main menu and click “auto”. This initiates a search and a satellite should be located within a
minute. If no satellite is found the search pattern is automatically enlarged and if no satellite is
found after 10 minutes an automatic calibration is initiated.

3.2 New satellite

To enter a new satellite, fill in the two data fields:

“Satellitename” Name of the satellite

“Latitude” The satellite’s latitude in the form “E19:20”, E for east or W for west.

Click “Update”, “Set Satellite” and “Close”.

Click “Auto” in the main menu.

Satellites with higher elevation then recommended are indicated in red.

4.0 Reference section

4.1 Description of operation

The antenna has two basic modes of operation: search mode and tracking mode.
In search mode, the antenna relies on information from the inclinometer and vessel’s gyro and
GPS to search for a satellite. When a satellite is found it enters the tracking mode and uses only
conical scan, disregarding other information.

4.2 Search

When performing a search the antenna initially points to the calculated position of the chosen
satellite. If no signal is detected by the tracking system, the antenna starts to move in a
gradually expanding rectangular search pattern. The maximum search angle is set in the service
menu.

4.3 Tracking

Tracking a satellite is performed by means of the conical scan principle. In this system, the
microwave signals are first reflected off the parabolic dish and again off a rotating secondary
reflector.
This reflector is set at an angle causing the focus to describe a circular motion.
When the antenna points slightly off the satellite a portion of the signal by-pass the waveguide
feeding the LNB. This loss of signal is detected and together with information on the position of
the subreflector, the direction to the satellite is calculated.

When initialising, the antenna samples the ambient noise level. In order to start tracking, the
detected signal has to reach a signal strength equal to this level plus the number of percentage
points set in the service menu. This minimum tracking level is displayed as a line in the signal
strength indicator in the conical scan menu.

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5.4 Gyrocorrection

The control circuitry of Navsat utilises two different kinds of gyrocorrection in this manual they are
designated as static- and dynamic gyrocorrection.

4.4.1 Static gyrocorrection

As a ship moves closer to the poles, its gyro compass deviates from the correct heading due to the
laws of physics (coriolis forces). This deviation becomes noticeable at about 55° latitude and is
proportional to the ship’s speed over ground. In northern Norway for example the deviation would
amount to about 4° on a vessel travelling at 20 knots on a northerly or southerly course. Since TV-
satellites are positioned at 3° intervals this would pose a major problem. In some gyros position
and speed information from outer sources are used to correct the course. In others a default speed
is entered and is used as basis for correction. However, when the ship is moving at another speed
a deviation occurs.
The static gyrocorrection in the Navsat system uses information from GPS to calculate speed over
ground and performs a correction automatically.
This function can be activated/deactivated in the service menu.

4.4.2 Dynamic gyrocorrection

Knowing the ship’s position and the longitude of the satellite, the ship’s heading is easily and
accurately calculated. The computed heading is compared to the heading derived from the gyro.
Any discrepancy is corrected on a time-scale of a few 1/10 of a degree/minute. Note that the
accuracy of the corrected heading is dependent on how well the bow calibration has been
performed.
A “total” calibration resets the dynamic gyrocorrection.
This function can be switched off for testing purposes in the conical main menu.

4.5 Detailed description of functions in the service menu.

4.5.1 Tracking
4.5.1.1 Regulator settings:

Values in the “P” column control how the antenna responds to a tracking error detected by the
conical scan. A higher value causes a faster response for a given error and vice versa.
Values in the “D” or derivative column control how the antenna reacts to the error rate of change.
A good starting point is to set the D value to 2/3 that of P.
If the P and D values are set too low, the antenna will react too slowly to compensate for
movements. If they are set too high it will overcompensate and tracking will be poor or non-existent.
The “Incl” settings are linked to the
inclinometer located at the antennas bottom
plate and are active only during search.

4.5.1.2 Search angle

Sets the maximum horizontal search angle.

4.5.1.3 Threshold

Sets the number of percentage points above noise level needed to initiate tracking.
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4.5.2 Calibration

4.5.2.1 Set bow

Sets the antenna’s 0o azimuth datum.

4.5.2.2 Bow CCW and Bow CW

With the auto correction disabled (conical scan menu) and tracking a satellite, these buttons can
be used to correct the bow calibration. The bow calibration is correct when satellite heading and
antenna heading are the same as displayed in the main menu.

4.5.2.3 Inclinometer

The inclinometer is calibrated in six steps by placing it in –30°, 0°

and 30° in roll and pitch respectively and pressing the correspond-
ing buttons.

The calibration values can be viewed and modified in the ”Settings”

menu.

NOTE that the settings should only be changed when replacing the inclinometer. Calibration
values are printed on the lid of each unit.

4.5.2.4 Total

Initiates a total calibration. The antenna is turned fully CCW and to its lowest elevation and the
stepper motor counters are reset.

4.5.3 Set pos/course

Displays position and heading. If no gyro or GPS is connected, course and position can be
entered manually. The antenna will not operate if these fields are empty.

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4.5.4 GPS/Gyro string

4.5.4.1

The antenna needs data from GPS and gyro in NMEA 0183 format to function properly. To
interpret the data, control sentences need to be set according to procedure as follows:

Open the NMEA0183-section in the service menu.

Highlight the GPS-button and verify that received text is readable. Standard baudrate is 4800
bps.

The computer then suggests a sentence (string) and displays a result value. If this is correct
press “Set” and continue with settings for gyro and speed over ground.

If no text or random symbols are displayed, check CPU jumper settings and wiring.

4.5.4.2 Dynamic static correction

Enables or disables static gyro correction.
4.5.4.3 Default speed
If the static gyro correction is enabled this is the speed in knots used as default on the ship.

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4.5.5 GPS/Gyro baudrate 4.5.6 Manual control buttons 4.5.7 Load/save
Sets the baudrates from Buttons to the left and right control Saves or loads all
GPS and gyro. movements in azimuth. The up- and parameters and
down buttons control elevation motor calibration settings
NS90 (-11° to +80°) on/from the control
NS120SL (-15° to +80°) computer.
Note that when turning the antenna
in azimuth in the service menu there
are no software safeguards to keep
the antenna from reaching its
mechanical stops.

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4.6 Special functions in the conical scan menu

4.6.1 Conical scan offset

The conical scan offset provides a means to electronically compensate for minor deviations in
the line-up of the subreflector magnet and sensor.
The offset is factory set but should be verified during installation.

1. Select a satellite and change to manual mode.

2. Elevate the antenna slightly.
3. If necessary, change offset to move error indicator to the 12 o’clock position.

Note: Offset should not exceed ±50 as this will cause erratic behaviour.

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4.6.2 Polarotor option

Antennas equipped with polarotor has an extra set of controls “LNB scew” in the conical scan
menu.
The slider is adjusted for best picture in manual mode. When set to “min”, “normal” or “max” the
antenna automatically compensates for ship´s movements. Optimum compensation is achieved for
low frequencies when set to “max” and for high frequencies when set to min.

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5.0 Technical specifications Navsat 90
5.1 Physical dimensions

Antenna diameter: ......................... 900 mm

Focal length: .................................. 375 mm
Weight: .......................................... 40 kg
Radome height: ............................. 1150 mm
Radome diameter: ......................... 1110 mm

5.2 Required input

GPS: .............................................. NMEA 0183

Gyro:.............................................. NMEA 0183
Baudrate: ....................................... 1200, 2400 4800, 9600
Data interface PC: ......................... RS232/422
Data interface GPS, gyro: ............. RS232/422/485

5.3 Performance data

Elevation range: ............................. -11° to +80°

Azimuth range: .............................. 630°
Azimuth speed: .............................. 30°/s
Azimuth acceleration: .................... 40°/s²
Elevation speed: ............................ 40°/s
Elevation acceleration: .................. 25°/s²
LNB freq: ....................................... 10.70-12.75 GHz
LNB noise figure: ........................... 0.8 dB
Minimum EIRP level: ..................... 47 dBW
Polarisation: ................................... Simultaneous vertical/horizontal
Range of optional polarotor: .......... ±30°@11 GHz, ±60°@12.7 GHz

5.4 Ship’s motions

Roll/pitch range: ............................ ±30° (minimum antenna elevation limited to -11o)

Roll/pitch angular velocity: ............ 25°/s
Roll/pitch angular acceleration: ..... 16°/s² (±20° in 3.5 s)
Yaw/turn angular velocity: .............. 25°/s
Yaw/turn angular acceleration: ...... 12°/s²
Maximum satellite elevation: ......... 65°
Minimum satellite elevation: .......... 2°

5.5 Electrical

Voltage: ......................................... 24 V DC –10/+15%

Current: ......................................... 3A RMS, 10 A peak
LNB osc. frequency, low bands …. 9750 MHz
LNB osc. frequency, high bands: …10600 MHz
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5.6 Environmental

Temperature - start: ....................... -20 to 60°C

Temperature – operation ............... -40 to 60°C
Humidity: ....................................... 0-100 %
Wind speed: .................................. 50 m/s

5.7 EMC

EN 60945, EN 50083-2

5.8 Control computer - requirements

Processor: ..................................... Pentium II or higher

Operating system: ......................... Windows 98 or higher
Internal memory: ........................... 64 Mb
Hard disk: ...................................... Free space 20 Mb
Video&graphic card: ...................... 16M colors

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6.0 Technical specifications Navsat 120SL
6.1 Physical dimensions

Antenna diameter: ......................... 1160 mm

Focal length: .................................. 500 mm
Weight: .......................................... 80 kg
Radome height: ............................. 1500 mm
Radome diameter: ......................... 1430 mm

6.2 Required input

GPS: .............................................. NMEA 0183

Gyro: ............................................. NMEA 0183
Baudrate: ....................................... 1200, 2400 4800, 9600
Data interface PC: ......................... RS232/422
Data interface GPS, gyro: ............. RS232/422/485

6.3 Performance data

Elevation range: ............................. -15° to +80°

Azimuth range: .............................. 630°
Azimuth speed:.............................. 30°/s
Azimuth acceleration: .................... 40°/s²
Elevation speed: ............................ 40°/s
Elevation acceleration: .................. 25°/s²
LNB freq: ....................................... 10.70-12.75 GHz
LNB noise figure: ........................... 0.8 dB
Minimum EIRP level: ..................... 45 dBW
Polarisation: ................................... Simultaneous vertical/horizontal
Range of optional polarotor: .......... ±30°@11 GHz, ±60°@12.7 GHz

6.4 Ship’s motions

Roll/pitch range: ............................ ±30° (min. antenna elevation limited to -15°)

Roll/pitch angular velocity: ............ 25°/s
Roll/pitch angular acceleration: ..... 16°/s² (±20° in 4.4 s)
Yaw/turn angular velocity: .............. 25°/s
Yaw/turn angular acceleration: ...... 12°/s²
Maximum satellite elevation: ......... 65°
Minimum satellite elevation: .......... 2°

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6.5 Electrical

Voltage: ......................................... 24 V DC –10/+15 %

Current: ......................................... 3A RMS, 10 A peak
LNB osc. frequency, low bands …. 9750 MHz
LNB osc. frequency, high bands: …10600 MHz

6.6 Environmental

Temperature - start: ....................... -20 to 60°C

Temperature – operation ............... -40 to 60°C
Humidity: ....................................... 100 %
Wind speed: .................................. 50 m/s

6.7 EMC

EN 60945, EN 50083-2

6.8 Control computer - requirements

Processor: ..................................... Pentium II or higher

Operating system: ......................... Windows 98 or higher
Internal memory: ........................... 64 Mb
Video&graphic card: ...................... 16M colors
Hard disk: ...................................... Free space 20 Mb

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