1 Introduction

The sat-nms LBRX-1MT L-band beacon receiver manufactured by SatService GmbH is a measurement tool which measures the RF input level and provides this information as output signal for control systems. The LBRX-1MT is a special version of the standard sat-nms L-band beacon receiver which is optimised for a high measurement rate and fast data read out. The main application of this receiver is in antenna tracking systems where the receiver provides the tracking signal level to the antenna step-track controller. Other applications can be pilot measurement and control loops like uplink power control.

The beacon RX receives a satellite beacon signal which is down-converted to L-Band by a PLL stabilised Low Noise Converter (LNC) at its L-band interface input. The beacon RX does not demodulate any satellite because the satellite signals are sometimes CW signals but also very often modulated in FM or BPSK form. Due to this fact the best implementation is a non-coherent receiver which measures the input level in a user selectable defined bandwidth and provides this as a dB-linear and calibrated analogue output voltage and digital information.

The level output is provided by three different and parallel available interface types: The RS232 interface providing a bi-directional monitor and control protocol, the measurement data streaming output (RS422) or the analog voltage output. The sat-nms beacon receiver is controlled remotely by a monitoring and control application through the RS232 port. The RS422 streaming output sends the measured level at the full measurement rate of the receiver with a minimal protocol overhead.

This document is the user manual provided with the sat-nms LBRX-1MT beacon receiver. It contains all necessary information how to install, setup and operate the receiver. The user manual is available as a printed document and for on-line reading on the beacon receiver itself as well.

The paragraphs below give a short overview to the contents of this manual.

• Installation : The installation chapter guides through the installation and setup of the LBRX beacon receiver. It describes the mechanical concept of the receiver box and the assignment of the receiver's connectors. This section is available in the printed version only.
• Operation / Remote Control : The sat-nms LBRX-1MT does not provide any local user interface. It is designed to be controlled solely through the RS232 remote interface. This chapter describes the commonly used remote control commands and parameters.
• Theory of Operation : This chapter gives a short overview how the receiver works. This includes a description of the receiver's electronic concept and the methods of temperature or frequency response compensation implemented in it. Knowing about the theory regarding this functions helps to find the best parameter settings for a given application.
• Specifications : At the end of the document, the specifications applicable to the sat-nms LBRX beacon receiver are summarised in this chapter.

Support and Assistance

If you need any assistance regarding our LBRX beacon receiver, don't hesitate to contact us. We would be pleased to help you by answering your questions.

  SatService GmbH
  Hardstrasse 9
  78256 Steisslingen
  Germany
  phone +49 7738 99791-10
  www.satnms.com