4.2.2 Pin descriptions

CON1 LAN Connector

CON1 is the Ethernet 10Base-T / RJ45 connector. Use a standard network cable to connect the ACU to an Ethernet hub. If you want to connect your computer and the ACU directly without using a hub, you need a crossover cable for this with swapped RX/TX lines.

pin signal description type
1 TX+ default Ethernet cabling (10Base-T) OUT
2 TX- OUT
3 RX+ IN
4
5
6 RX- IN
7
8

CON2 Spare Inputs

CON2 provides four opto-isolated spare inputs for the ACU. These inputs are reserved for customized versions of the ACU software, they normally are not used. There is no cabling required.

pin signal description type
1 AUX1 IN A optional linear/circular switch position indication (linear pos.) IN+
2 AUX1 IN K optional linear/circular switch position indication (linear pos.) IN-
3 AUX2 IN A optional linear/circular switch position indication (circular pos.) IN+
4 AUX2 IN K optional linear/circular switch position indication (circular pos.) IN-
5 AUX3 IN A IN+
6 AUX3 IN K IN-
7 AUX4 IN A IN+
8 AUX4 IN K IN-

If the ACU is configured to control a linear / circular switch, the AUX1 / AUX2 inputs are reserved for this function and may not be used as general purpose signals.

CON3 24V-EXT Distribution

CON3 provides eight clamps to the 24V-EXT rail. It has been included to simplify the external cabling.

pin signal description type
1 24V_EXT
2 24V_EXT
3 24V_EXT
4 24V_EXT
5 24V_EXT
6 24V_EXT
7 24V_EXT
8 24V_EXT

CON4 Spare Outputs 5..8

CON4 provides four opto-isolated spare outputs for the ACU. These inputs are reserved for customized versions of the ACU software, they normally are not used. There is no cabling required.

pin signal description type
1 AUX 5 OUT C OUT+
2 AUX 5 OUT E OUT-
3 AUX 6 OUT C OUT+
4 AUX 6 OUT E OUT-
5 AUX 7 OUT C OUT+
6 AUX 7 OUT E OUT-
7 AUX 8 OUT C optional heartbeat signal OUT+
8 AUX 8 OUT E optional heartbeat signal OUT-

The AUX 8 output may be configured to act as a heartbeat output. If enabled, the output switches every 1000 ms between on/off. If using this signal for an external watchdog circuit, be aware the in adaptive tracking mode delays of some seconds are possible while the acu calculates the orbital model.

CON5 Spare Outputs 1..4

CON5 provides another four opto-isolated spare outputs for the ACU. These inputs are reserved for customized versions of the ACU software, they normally are not used. There is no cabling required.

pin signal description type
1 AUX 1 OUT C optional linear/circular switch drive output (linear pos.) OUT+
2 AUX 1 OUT E optional linear/circular switch drive output (linear pos.) OUT-
3 AUX 2 OUT C optional linear/circular switch drive output (circular pos.) OUT+
4 AUX 2 OUT E optional linear/circular switch drive output (circular pos.) OUT-
5 AUX 3 OUT C OUT+
6 AUX 3 OUT E OUT-
7 AUX 4 OUT C OUT+
8 AUX 4 OUT E OUT-

If the ACU is configured to control a linear / circular switch, the AUX1 / AUX2 outputs are reserved for this function and may not be used as general purpose signals.

CON6 Beacon Receiver

The ACU preferably is used together with the sat-nms LBRX beacon receiver. With the sat-nms LBRX the ACU talks though TCP/IP, no additional cabling is required in this case. At CON6 the ACU provides an analog interface to third party beacon receivers.

pin signal description type
1 Beacon Level beacon level signal 0..10V IN
2 GND
3 PRESET 1 C beacon receiver preset activation OUT+
4 PRESET 1 E OUT-
5 PRESET 2 C beacon receiver preset activation OUT+
6 PRESET 2 E OUT-
7 PRESET 3 C beacon receiver preset activation OUT+
8 PRESET 3 E OUT-
9 PRESET 4 C beacon receiver preset activation OUT+
10 PRESET 4 E OUT-

CON7 Inclinometer

The ACU provides two ADC inputs to read the angle information from ratiometric inclinometers like the Schaevitz AccuStar. The standard ACU software reads this information and displays it at the 'Test' page of the software, but it does not include the nick/roll angles into the displayed antenna pointing.

pin signal description type
1 +9V roll reference output (9VDC) OUT
2 VRAT X roll measurement input IN
3 GND roll ground
4 +9V nick reference output (9VDC) OUT
5 VRAT Y nick measurement input IN
6 GND nick ground

CON8 Serial Interfaces

The ACU owns two serial interfaces. The first is reserved to poll a GPS receiver in order to get the antenna geodetic location automatically. Any NMEA standard GPS receiver providing a RS232 interface may be connected here.

The second interface is used to control the ACU from remote where the TCP/IP remote control is not usable. This interface may be configured to work as a RS232 or RS422 interface by jumpers inside the ACU.

pin signal description type
1 RS232 0 TX RS232 for GPS receiver OUT
2 RS232 0 RX IN
3 GND
4 RS232 1 TX RS232 for remote control OUT
5 RS232 1 RX IN
6 GND
7 RS422 TX+ RS422 for remote control OUT+
8 RS422 TX- OUT-
9 RS422 RX+ IN+
10 RS422 RX- IN-

The ACU is factory preset to use the RS422 interface in 4-wire configuration. To change the interface configuration, set the jumpers on the ACU main board above CON8 according to the illustration below

rsjump.jpg

CON9 Power Supply

At CON9 the power supply for the ACU itself (pins 1, 2) and for the external switches must be connected. Also see chapter 4.2.3 Power Supply Cabling for the concept of separate intern / extern power supplies the ACU uses.

pin signal description type
1 +24V ACU power supply for the ACU and the
2 GND ACU positional encoders
3 +24V EXT power supply for motor drivers and
4 GND EXT external switches

CON10 Azimuth Motor Driver

All signals for motor control are provided as free floating opto coupler inputs / outputs. This gives a maximum of flexibility to adapt the cabling to the motor driver units. They probably will combine one end of the control inputs to a common potential. The ACU is capable to control motor drivers with different polarity concepts.

The ACU knows two different configuration modes to control a motor driver. They are called 'DIR-START' and 'DUAL-START'. In 'DIR-START' mode, the 'FWD' signal switches the motor on/off, the 'REV' signal controls the motor direction. This is the configuration many frequency inverters use. In 'DUAL-START' mode, the 'FWD' signal switches the motor on in forward direction, 'REV' activates the motor in reverse direction. This configuration mode is convenient to control a motor with relays.

The movement direction for the azimuth drive must be cabled as follows: FWD moves the antenna to the west (to the right on the northern hemisphere). The evaluation routines in the software which compute the antenna pointing for a given satellite location require the movement direction in this way.

The AZ RESERV reflects the "motor stopped" state of the axis. ON signals the OK state, the signal turns off in case of a motor fault, timeout, or if the emergency stop signal is received. Depending on the reason of the motor stop a motor reset command may be neccessary to release the axis from this state.

pin signal DUAL-START DIR-START type
1 AZ FWD E ON = motor on / right ON = motor on OUT-
2 AZ FWD C OFF = motor off OUT+
3 AZ REV E ON = motor on / left ON = direction left OUT-
4 AZ REV C OFF = direction right OUT+
5 AZ SPD1 E ON = slow ON = slow OUT-
6 AZ SPD1 C OUT+
7 AZ SPD2 E ON = fast ON = fast OUT-
8 AZ SPD2 C OUT+
9 AZ RES E reset driver reset driver OUT-
10 AZ RES C OUT+
11 AZ RESERV E axis stopped axis stopped OUT-
12 AZ RESERV C OUT+
13 AZ FAULT K driver fault driver fault IN-
14 AZ FAULT A IN+

CON11 24V-EXT Distribution

CON11 provides four clamps to the 24V-EXT rail. It has been included to simplify the external cabling.

pin signal description type
1 +24V EXT
2 +24V EXT
3 +24V EXT
4 +24V EXT

CON12 GND-EXT Distribution

CON12 provides four clamps to the GND-EXT rail. It has been included to simplify the external cabling.

pin signal description type
1 GND EXT
2 GND EXT
3 GND EXT
4 GND EXT

CON13 Elevation Motor Driver

All signals for motor control are provided as free floating opto coupler inputs / outputs. This gives a maximum of flexibility to adapt the cabling to the motor driver units. They probably will combine one end of the control inputs to a common potential. The ACU is capable to control motor drivers with different polarity concepts.

The ACU knows two different configuration modes to control a motor driver. They are called 'DIR-START' and 'DUAL-START'. In 'DIR-START' mode, the 'FWD' signal switches the motor on/off, the 'REV' signal controls the motor direction. This is the configuration many frequency inverters use. In 'DUAL-START' mode, the 'FWD' signal switches the motor on in forward direction, 'REV' activates the motor in reverse direction. This configuration mode is convenient to control a motor with relays.

The movement direction for the azimuth drive must be cabled as follows: FWD moves the antenna to the west to the right on the northern hemisphere. The evaluation routines in the software which compute the antenna pointing for a given satellite location require the movement direction in this way.

The EL RESERV reflects the "motor stopped" state of the axis. ON signals the OK state, the signal turns off in case of a motor fault, timeout, or if the emergency stop signal is received. Depending on the reason of the motor stop a motor reset command may be neccessary to release the axis from this state.

pin signal DUAL-START DIR-START type
1 EL FWD E ON = motor on / right ON = motor on OUT-
2 EL FWD C OFF = motor off OUT+
3 EL REV E ON = motor on / left ON = direction left OUT-
4 EL REV C OFF = direction right OUT+
5 EL SPD1 E ON = slow ON = slow OUT-
6 EL SPD1 C OUT+
7 EL SPD2 E ON = fast ON = fast OUT-
8 EL SPD2 C OUT+
9 EL RES E reset driver reset driver OUT-
10 EL RES C OUT+
11 EL RESERV E axis stopped axis stopped OUT-
12 EL RESERV C OUT+
13 EL FAULT K driver fault driver fault IN-
14 EL FAULT A IN+

CON14 GND-EXT Distribution

CON12 provides eight clamps to the GND-EXT rail. It has been included to simplify the external cabling.

pin signal description type
1 GND EXT
2 GND EXT
3 GND EXT
4 GND EXT
5 GND EXT
6 GND EXT
7 GND EXT
8 GND EXT

CON15 Polarization Motor Driver

All signals for motor control are provided as free floating opto coupler inputs / outputs. This gives a maximum of flexibility to adapt the cabling to the motor driver units. They probably will combine one end of the control inputs to a common potential. The ACU is capable to control motor drivers with different polarity concepts.

The ACU knows two different configuration modes to control a motor driver. They are called 'DIR-START' and 'DUAL-START'. In 'DIR-START' mode, the 'FWD' signal switches the motor on/off, the 'REV' signal controls the motor direction. This is the configuration many frequency inverters use. In 'DUAL-START' mode, the 'FWD' signal switches the motor on in forward direction, 'REV' activates the motor in reverse direction. This configuration mode is convenient to control a motor with relays.

The movement direction for the polarization drive must be cabled as follows: FWD moves the feed clockwise when looking 'through the antenna' to the satellite. This is valid for the northern hemisphere, when operated on the southern hemisphere, the motor must be cabled for the opposite direction. The evaluation routines in the software which compute the antenna pointing for a given satellite location require the movement direction in this way.

The PL RESERV reflects the "motor stopped" state of the axis. ON signals the OK state, the signal turns off in case of a motor fault, timeout, or if the emergency stop signal is received. Depending on the reason of the motor stop a motor reset command may be necessary to release the axis from this state.

pin signal DUAL-START DIR-START type
1 PL FWD E ON = motor on / right ON = motor on OUT-
2 PL FWD C OFF = motor off OUT+
3 PL REV E ON = motor on / left ON = direction left OUT-
4 PL REV C OFF = direction right OUT+
5 PL SPD1 E ON = slow ON = slow OUT-
6 PL SPD1 C OUT+
7 PL SPD2 E ON = fast ON = fast OUT-
8 PL SPD2 C OUT+
9 PL RES E reset driver reset driver OUT-
10 PL RES C OUT+
11 PL RESERV E axis stopped axis stopped OUT-
12 PL RESERV C OUT+
13 PL FAULT K driver fault driver fault IN-
14 PL FAULT A IN+

CON16 Limit Switches

The limit switch inputs internally are connected to the external 24V / GND rails. The switches are connected directly to the input pairs without any external ground or supply cabling. The ACU treats a closed contact as OK, contacts have to be opened to indicate the 'limit reached' condition.

Please note, that the left/right azimuth and polarization limit switches have to be swapped when the antenna is operated at the southern hemisphere.

pin signal description type
1 AZ High azimuth right limit (view from behind antenna) IN
2 GND EXT IN
3 AZ Low azimuth left limit (view from behind antenna) IN
4 GND EXT IN
5 El High upper limit Elevation IN
6 GND EXT IN
7 El Low lower limit Elevation IN
8 GND EXT IN
9 Pol High polarization right limit (view from behind antenna) IN
10 GND EXT IN
11 Pol Low polarization left limit (view from behind antenna) IN
12 GND EXT IN

CON17 Alarm Circuits

The alarm/stop switch inputs internally are connected to the external 24V / GND rails. The switches are connected directly to the input pairs without any external ground or supply cabling. The ACU treats a closed contact as OK, contacts have to be opened to activate the function noted in the table below.

The fault output are mechanical relays which connect '_C' (common) circuit to the '_NC' (normally closed) circuit while the ACU is powered and OK. In case of a fault or a lack of power supply the relays connect the '_NO' circuit to the '_C' circuit.

pin signal description type
1 EMER_STOP emergency stop (OK if closed) IN
2 GND_EXT IN
3 ANT_HUB_FAULT alarm: hub fault (OK if closed) IN
4 GND_EXT IN
5 SW_CAB_OPEN alarm: cabinet open (OK if closed) IN
6 GND_EXT IN
7 ACU_FLT_NC acu alarm (connected to 9 if OK) RELAY
8 ACU_FLT_NO (connected to 9 if there is a FAULT) RELAY
9 ACU_FLT_C RELAY
10 TRK_FLT_NC tracking alarm (connected to 12 if OK) RELAY
11 TRK_FLT_NO (connected to 12 if there is a FAULT) RELAY
12 TRK_FLT_C RELAY

CON18, CON19, CON20 Resolver Interface

Below the pinout of a resolver type interface board is shown. The ACU is available with resolver, SSI or analog position sensor interfaces. You have to select type of interface when you order the ACU.

pin signal description type
1 GND
2 SIN resolver SIN IN
3 GND resolver SIN IN
4 COS resolver COS IN
5 GND resolver COS IN
6 REF drive signal to resolver OUT
7 GND drive signal to resolver OUT
8 GND

The ACU resolver interface is designed for resolvers with an impedance of 100 Ohms or more and transfer factor 0.5. The interface applies 4Veff / 2000Hz to the resolver drive coil. It expects 2Veff at the sine / cosine inputs at the maximum positions.

resolv.gif

When connecting a resolver to the ACU, please consider the following:

CON18, CON19, CON20 SSI Positional Encoder Interface

Below the pinout of a SSI type positional encoder interface board is shown. The ACU is available with resolver, SSI or analog position sensor interfaces. You have to select type of interface when you order the ACU.

The SSI positional encoder may be powered from the ACU internal power supply. +5V and +24V clamps are provided at the connector. To avoid ground loops, the cable shield should be connected either to pin 1 at the ACU or to the ground at the encoder housing, never at both ends.

pin signal description type
1 GND
2 SSI-Data+ SSI data IN
3 SSI-Data- SSI data IN
4 SSI CLK+ SSI clock OUT
5 SSI CLK- SSI clock OUT
6
7 +5V encoder power supply
8 +24V encoder power supply

CON18, CON19, CON20 Analog Angle Sensor Interface

Below the pinout of an analog type positional sensor interface board is shown. The ACU is available with resolver, SSI or analog position sensor interfaces. You have to select type of interface when you order the ACU.

pin signal description type
1 AGND analog ground OUT
2 INPUT A/D converter input IN
3 REF reference voltage OUT
4 AGND analog ground OUT
5 +15V (opt) optional DC out OUT
6 -15V (opt) optional DC out OUT
7 +9V (opt) optional DC out OUT
8 GND digital ground OUT