Getting the Most out of your Super Buddy Satellite Meter. Rev 02/26/2010 Copyright Applied Instruments, Inc.

Transcription

1 Getting the Most out of your Super Buddy Satellite Meter Rev 02/26/2010 Copyright Applied Instruments, Inc.

2 RF Spectrum Source:

3 Sources of Interference Microwave oven Radar Source: Other sources of interference: Garage door openers, AC condensing units

4 Satellite Signal Path Downlink Signal travels down from satellite RF energy hits antenna reflector and energy is focused at LNB (focal point) LNB amplifies and down-converts signal into the L-Band, where it can travel inside inexpensive coax cable to IRD Dish Network Downlink Sat Signal -C-Band ( GHz) -FSS Ku Band ( GHz) -DBS Ku Band ( GHz) -Ka Band ( GHz) L-Band ( MHz) IRD

5 Super Buddy Standard Accessories Operation Manual DVD Training video AC line cord DC vehicle charge cord USB download cable Cordura Protective Flap Shoulder Strap

6 Wearing Super Buddy Satellite Meter Attach clip on shoulder strap to cordura flap to build a triangle against your body This allows hands-free operation while on a ladder or using wrenches

7 Super Buddy Layout Connections and Ports 1) SIGNAL IN - connects directly to LNB or to output (receiver) side of a multi-switch 2) IRD - connects to the IRD (receiver) NOT REQUIRED 3) A/C - mini A/C cord to 50/60 Hz 120 to 240 VAC power for battery charging 4) DC - 12 VDC at least 1 amp for battery charging (cigarette adapter) 5) PC - Serial connection to PC (if you have hardware revision 1.3 or earlier) or USB connection to PC (if you have hardware revision 2.0 or later) for updating software 1 TOP BOTTOM

8 Super Buddy Layout Main Run Screen Fields 1) Satellite name and orbital position 2) Transponder information (Transponder number, L-Band or downlink transponder frequency, polarization) 3) Output voltage (voltage being provided by meter to LNB) 4) Lock status (SEARCH or LOCK) 5) Signal Level (dbm, dbmv, or dbuv) 6) Signal Quality (IRD, C/N, Eb/No, or Es/No) 7) System Setup chosen by user (or Frequency Deviation if activated by user)

9 Super Buddy Layout Front Panel Soft-Keys 1) System Setup shortcut soft-key 2) ID Verification soft-key 3) Zip Code lookup shortcut soft-key 4) Polarity soft-key (only active on single polarity LNB selections) 5) LNB power soft-key (used to turn LNB power on and to toggle to various ports on multi-lnb head and external multiswitches) 6) Main Menu shortcut soft-key Sacred Six soft-keys

10 Super Buddy Layout Front Panel Buttons & LEDs 1) Audible Tone 2) Backlight 3) ON/OFF Power 4) Numeric Keypad 5) CHG displays battery charge status When meter is powered off, yellow indicates fast charge mode and green indicates trickle charge mode. If not illuminated at all, meter is not charging. 6) IRD illuminates when incoming voltage is detected in bottom IRD port of meter 7) Enter button 8) Arrow keys Up/Down arrow keys are used to scroll through various transponders and Left/Right arrow keys are used to scroll from satellite to satellite when using single LNBFs only (systems receiving signal from only one satellite). You should use LNB power soft-key to toggle to different satellites on a multi-lnbf system

11 System Setup menu System Setup Menu Used to tell the meter what type of system you re going to be installing. This system includes your geographic region, your LNB type, multi-switch type, Etc.) Press SYST system setup soft-key or Press MENU soft-key and then select System Setup from the Main Menu

12 System Setup menu System Setup Menu You tell meter 1) your geographic Region, 2) Service, 3) System, 4) LNB Model, and 5) Switch Type that you ll be connecting the meter to and using it for

13 Signal Level vs. Signal Quality 1) What are signal level and signal quality and why are each important? 2) Where can I see signal level displayed on the Super Buddy satellite meter? 3) Where can I see signal quality displayed on the Super Buddy satellite meter? Signal Level (dbm) Signal Quality (IRD or C/N)

14 What is Signal Level? Signal level is the raw RF energy detected from the input to the satellite meter. Note: The noise floor of the amplifier in the LNB is also interpreted as RF energy by the meter. This means that if I power the LNB with the meter, even if I aim the dish at the ground or just hook up to a LNB that s setting alone on a table, I will see the signal level (noise floor) of the LNB s amplifier. If I then aim the satellite dish at any satellite (even one that I don t intend to aim at), the signal level will rise considerably. Signal Level (dbm)

15 Calculating Signal Level Loss You can calculate the loss of signal by checking the signal level at the dish (while connected with just a short jumper cable) and then checking the signal level at the end of your cable run (where IRD/receiver would normally be connected). From this, you can calculate the difference between the two values and determine your signal level loss caused by the attenuation (resistance) of the coax cable. For every 100 ft of RG6 cable, there will be approximately 8 db loss. For every 100 feet of RG11 cable, there will be approximately 5.5 db loss. Each multi-switch will provide either a gain or loss. Refer to product data sheets for exact specifications. Figure 1 Figure 2 Example shown to left: -Figure 1 displays snapshot of signal level and quality while standing next to dish with short jumper cable. -Figure 2 displays level & quality at end of 150 ft cable run.

16 Why is signal level important? An IRD/receiver has an operating range from -25 to -55 dbm (each IRD varies, so check spec sheets of IRD manufacturer and consult service provider). This means at the end of your cable run, you don t want to see a signal level less than -55 dbm (e.g. -59 dbm). If signal level is less than acceptable, then you would need to add an amplifier to the line. You can also have a signal that is too hot (too strong, i.e. greater than -25 dbm at IRD location)

17 In-line Amplifiers Q: Why wouldn t I always want to add an in-line amplifier? Isn t it best to have higher signal level? A: You should only add an amplifier to the system if your signal level is less than the minimum required. When I add an amplifier to the system, I input noise and then my signal quality (C/N carrier to noise suffers). In the crazy extreme example where I insert 15 amplifiers to the line, I would have very high signal level, but horrible signal quality. BAD what NOT to do At dish with short jumper cable At end of 150 ft cable run without amplifiers At end of 150 ft cable run with several in-line amps

18 Signal Level Values Various signal level values can be displayed on the Super Buddy meter: Choices include dbm, dbmv, or dbµv The most common signal level value used in the USA by the satellite industry is dbm. dbm signal level values are expressed as negative numbers. This can be confusing. Keep in mind that the number closest to zero is strongest (i.e. -25 dbm is stronger than -35 dbm).

19 Signal Level Overview Visible on left bar graph of Super Buddy main run screen Think of signal level as analog behavior Displays noise floor of amplifier in LNB when LNB is being powered and dish is not aiming at a satellite Displays RF signal level of incoming satellite signal Allows you to check for proper IRD operating range Allows you to calculate loss caused by attenuation of coax cable Visible in spectrum screen

20 Signal Quality Demodulated signal quality can be displayed in different values (i.e. IRD, C/N, Eb/No, Es/No). 1) Most residential installers in the USA like to use the IRD signal quality value that corresponds to the number visible on the TV when the sat receiver/ird is connected. -IRD value ranges: Dish Network new 0-90 IRD (approximate) old IRD All other services 0 to 100 IRD The IRD signal quality value is an arbitrary value tied to a carrier to noise level on the back-end. I believe the arbitrary IRD scale was created to make communication easier for guys in the field (talking in terms of 0 to 100 instead of tenths of a db). 2) If you re using big dishes (1.2m or bigger), we recommend using the C/N signal quality value that provides a little more ceiling and shows the quality down to a tenth of a db. A minimum acceptable carrier to noise (C/N) level is 8.0dB. A good signal quality level is 12.0dB and anything higher than 12.0dB is excellent. You want to see as high of signal quality as possible. Unlike signal level, no signal quality is too high. Signal Quality (IRD or C/N)

21 Recommended Signal Quality Settings for MDU & Commercial Installs We recommend you use C/N instead of IRD for your signal quality. If you choose to display IRD signal quality, when using a larger than average dish for example, the IRD number may max out and you can move the dish quite a bit without seeing the number fluctuate from the maximum. Whereas, if you have C/N displayed, a small movement is reflected accordingly and I haven t seen any ceiling issues there. IRD Signal Quality C/N Signal Quality

22 Spectrum Analyzers -Frequency on X-Axis -Amplitude on Y-Axis Good: -Fast refresh rate for real-time viewing of frequency and amplitude -Viewing sources of interference -Viewing narrow data carriers Bad: -Expensive -Heavy -Not very durable -Does NOT identify satellite -Most do NOT power LNB Source:

23 Signal Quality (cont.) Signal Quality is displayed on right bar graph of the Super Buddy s main Run screen. The Signal Quality should only be displayed if you re aimed at the satellite that you re searching for (the desired satellite you indicated on the meter) Use the ID Verification feature to be sure of satellite Signal Quality also displayed on constellation screen

24 ID Verification The ID Verification feature of the Super Buddy satellite meter takes signal quality and satellite identification a step further and may check additional transponders to confirm identity. We had to create this feature to prevent false positives caused by service providers using the same transponder parameters on multiple satellites. Press ID soft-key To verify Satellite ID 1) Press ID soft-key 2) Meter will display either VERIFIED or ID FAILED 3) If meter displays ID FAILED, press SCAN to find out which satellite you are aimed at.

25 Zip Code (Postal Code) Lookup Provides DBS technician with approximate azimuth & magnetic compass heading, elevation, and tilt/skew antenna settings for each satellite. Provides polarization offset value for linear LNBs for VSAT or Free to Air Dish Network Dish Pro 119 set-up (Single LNB, ignore skew) Dish Network Dish Pro Plus Twin LNB set-up (multi-lnb, observe skew) Universal LNB set-up (linear LNBF, Polar off displayed)

26 Proof of Performance Scan After properly aligning satellite dish, PoP Scan allows technician to save parameters in the meter s flash memory for later PC upload, viewing and file storage. The technician records signal level and signal quality of all transponders related to his selected satellites. The Proof of Performance Scan also records LNB current draw, LNB LO Drift / Frequency Deviation, and Output voltage of meter.

27 Proof of Performance Scan (cont.) Some service offices have made it mandatory for a technician to perform a PoP Scan at every install and submit results to the manager for file storage to prove that the install was done satisfactorily. However, for a multi-lnb dish install, it can take 3 to 4 minutes to complete the scan and since time is money, it may be preferred to just do a PoP Scan on trouble calls (i.e. at locations where several visits have already been required for troubleshooting).

28 Proof of Performance Scan (cont.) For single LNB dishes (dishes receiving signals from only one satellite), choose PoP Scan from MENU. For multi LNB dishes (dishes receiving signals from more than one satellite simultaneously), choose Full PoP Scan from MENU. PoP Scan for single LNB systems (dishes receiving signal from only one satellite) Full PoP Scan for multi LNB systems (dishes receiving signal from more than one satellite)

29 Proof of Performance Scan Easy upload transfer process via PC using SatTransfer program SatTransfer shortcut icon SatTransfer.lnk Screenshot of SatTransfer program

30 Proof of Performance Scan Clean proprietary report format with all relevant measurements user can trim down displayed number of fields if desired.txt format files also exist for easy exporting into Microsoft Excel, etc.

31 Limit Scan Designed for use on every installation at each site as a quick 1 minute PASS / FAIL test Checks up to 5 key transponders per satellite User can save Limit Scan results. Just as with the Proof of Performance Scan, SatTransfer program is used to transfer stored results to PC

32 Limit Scan (cont.) Technician can choose which transponders to perform Limit Scan on for each satellite. Technician can set the limits for both signal level and signal quality Technician must enter the Limit Scan setup screen and press USE ZIP softkey every time after he types a different zip code in the zip code lookup screen so the appropriate limits for the new zip code will auto-populate To be a useful feature, technician should set limits that are challenging to obtain. Set high standards! Don t settle for less!

33 LNB Testing Three tests related to LNB can be done with Super Buddy: 1) Check current draw of LNB 2) Check frequency deviation / LO Drift of LNB 3) Check noise floor when LNB power is applied

34 Check Current Draw of LNB Connect coax cable from top (Signal In) port of Super Buddy to LNB Press LNB power soft-key to power LNB Press MENU, then choose Volt / Amp Refer to mamps field. Look for any value that looks too high or too low that draws a red flag. Use the current value of a LNB at a known good install as your baseline for that LNB model. You must use Super Buddy meter to power LNB for the current draw feature to function Current Draw of LNB (displayed in mamps)

35 Check Frequency Deviation / LO Drift of LNB 1) Connect coax cable from top (Signal In) port of Super Buddy to LNB 2) Press LNB power soft-key to power LNB 3) Align dish properly to peak out signal level and signal quality, obtain LOCK and ID verification for desired satellite 4) Press MENU soft-key 5) Select Options 6) Change Freq Dev field to YES and then press EXIT soft-key twice to return to main Run screen 7) Look at the very bottom of the main Run screen while powering the LNB and locked on the satellite. You will see the Freq Dev (Frequency Deviation) field displayed. You should be alarmed if the frequency deviation is greater than 2500 khz. Think of this number as an absolute value, so 3000 khz or khz would be considered a poor value.

36 Check Frequency Deviation / LO Drift of LNB The downlink satellite signal frequency will depend on the frequency band, of course (i.e. C-Band, Ku Band, Ka Band). The downlink signal comes down, hits the reflector, and then hits the LNB. The LNB down-converts and amplifies the signal. The output signal is in the L-Band ( MHz). LO stands for Local Oscillator. The LNB LO frequency determines the L-Band output frequency. For example. If the Ku Band downlink frequency is 12.2 GHz (12,200 MHz) and the LNB LO frequency is GHz (11,250 MHz), then the L-Band output frequency should be 950 MHz. I say should be because the LNB may not work properly and therefore the LO frequency ends up being different than the advertised GHz (11,250 MHz). If the output L-Band frequency is 955 MHz, then that means the actual LO frequency is GHz (11,245 MHz) and the frequency deviation would be khz. This frequency deviation (LO drift) of khz would be a red flag indicating that this LNB isn t working properly.

37 Check Frequency Deviation / LO Drift of LNB In chart shown below right, the manufacturer s LO frequency spec shown on the LNBF was GHz, but the LNBF output frequency shows us that the actual LO frequency of the bad LNBF is GHz (5 MHz drift) Ku Band Downlink Transponder Frequency: 12,200 MHz L-Band Output Transponder Frequency: 950 MHz Good LNBF LO Frequency: 11,250 MHz IRD Good LNBF example Bad LNBF example Ku Band downlink frequency (MHz) Actual LNB LO frequency (MHz) L-Band output frequency (MHz) LNB LO Drift / Frequency Deviation (MHz) 0 5

38 Check Noise Floor of LNB As soon as LNB power is applied, you should see signal level on left bar graph while connected to the LNB. If the LNB is not receiving signal from satellite (if dish is mis-aligned or LNB is setting on table), RF energy displayed is the noise floor of the LNB. LNB power is off LNB power is turned on Noise floor of LNB is displayed on left bar graph (signal level)

39 IRD Testing Two tests related to IRD can be done with Super Buddy: 1) Check voltage output of IRD 2) Check DiSEqC commands from IRD

40 Check Voltage Output of IRD Find out whether the IRD / sat receiver / modem is outputting the correct voltage (i.e. 13, 18, 21, 29 volts). You can do this indoors at the IRD location and also back outside right next to the dish to test for voltage drop. 1) Connect bottom port of Super Buddy to a powered IRD / sat receiver 2) Check to see if IRD LED lights up in bottom right hand corner of meter 3) Press MENU soft-key 4) Select Volt / Amp field 5) Refer to IRD field and check the amount of voltage being supplied by IRD Voltage Output of IRD

41 Check DiSEqC Commands from IRD Connect bottom port of Super Buddy meter to a powered IRD Go to MENU OPI/DiSEqC Displays DiSEqC commands in hexadecimal format

42 Noise Scan Tests coax cable integrity before satellite dish is installed and aligned Useful for technicians doing large jobs (commercial or high-end residential) that show up to site with pre-installed cables Quickly check for PASS/FAIL and know if the existing cables will work well Requires optional noise generator (i.e. model NS-1) for best performance

43 Noise Scan 1) Select MENU Noise Scan 2) Normalize source if first time using the source with Super Buddy meter #1 #2 #2 continued

44 Noise Scan 3) Perform Noise Scan 4) Specify the expected signal level at dish 5) Specify required signal level at IRD 6) Meter will display PASS or FAIL (Note: the data shown above is NOT representative of a real scan.) #3 # s 4, 5, 6

45 Spectrum Screen Look for the presence of carriers Look at a carrier with an incompatible modulation type or encryption Optimize your polarity adjustment (null out the opposite polarity) for linearly polarized signals (for VSAT, Free to Air, non-dbs) Note: The spectrum screen is a new feature; See soft-copy of revised Super Buddy Operations Manual for operating instructions.

46 Spectrum Screen Adjustable Frequency Span (Zoom) Higher zoom = less span Lower zoom = greater span Press 1 to zoom IN Press 3 to zoom OUT Minimum span = 50 MHz (i.e MHz) Maximum span = 1200 MHz (i.e MHz) 1200 MHz 605 MHz 305 MHz 154 MHz 77 MHz span span span span span

47 Spectrum Screen Automated Level Scaling The default amplitude range shown on the spectrum display is -70 to -10 dbm. To change the amplitude range, press the LVL soft-key in bottom left hand corner of LCD screen to turn auto level scaling on or off. This will rescale the amplitude range to the min/max amplitude levels detected during the last sweep. When on, the level scaling will be adjusted to make the measured signal levels more obvious. Press LVL soft-key to turn on automated level scaling Before pressing LVL After pressing LVL

48 Spectrum Screen Cursor Position Press Up/Down arrow keys to move cursor vertically to different amplitude levels on the y-axis. The level (Level) at the cursor position is shown in the bottom center area of the screen. Note: Signal Level displayed will depend on whether you have selected dbm, dbmv, or dbµv in the Options menu. In example shown below, user has moved amplitude cursor bar to dbm (top of the 1907 MHz carrier) Press Left/Right arrow keys to move cursor horizontally to different frequencies on x-axis. The frequency (Freq) of the cursor position is also shown in the bottom center area of the screen. In example shown below, user has moved frequency cursor bar to 1907 MHz Use up/down arrow keys to move cursor vertically to different signal levels (dbm) Use left/right arrow keys to move cursor horizontally to tune to different frequency

49 Constellation Screen Another method of analyzing signal quality You must be locked on carrier for the constellation feature to function Tightly packed dot clusters are good; Dispersion of dots is bad Note: The constellation screen is a new feature; See soft-copy of revised Super Buddy Operations Manual for operating instructions.

50 Constellation Screen Constellation graph style depends on signal modulation type QPSK (4 clusters) 8PSK (8 clusters) QPSK 8PSK

51 Constellation Screen = = = = = = GREAT 71 IRD, 16.2 db C/N Tightly packed dots PERFECTLY ALIGNED OK 36 IRD, 10.9 db C/N More dispersed dots SLIGHTLY MISALIGNED BAD 11 IRD, 7.0 db C/N Very dispersed dots like shotgun target VERY MISALIGNED

52 Constellation Screen QPSK Constellation Example GREAT Tightly packed clusters OK More dispersed clusters BAD Very dispersed dots like shotgun target

53 Software Updates for Meter Easy software update process using FlashUpdate program You must temporarily disable your anti-virus and firewall software before downloading and running the FlashUpdate application. You must continue to temporarily disable antivirus and firewall each time before using FlashUpdate (or at least permanently allow internet access to our application)

54 Software Updates for Meter FlashUpdate program can be downloaded from: Instructions for FlashUpdate and software download process can be found in Super Buddy Operations Manual For FlashUpdate to function, computer must be connected to internet Updates are released about every 4 weeks Meter must be powered on and connected to PC before running FlashUpdate Do NOT connect meter to PC until you ve downloaded FlashUpdate because you will need the USB drivers included with FlashUpdate FlashUpdate.lnk Shortcut icon for FlashUpdate

55 What the Meter Can Do Identify the satellites Power the LNB Test voltage output of IRD (at IRD location and back out at the dish) Test DiSEqC commands of IRD Test current draw of LNB Test LO Drift / Frequency Deviation of LNB Tell you if there is a short or open in the line Help calculate signal level loss (caused by long cable run or splitters, etc.) Check different transponders on each satellite Record the signal level and signal quality in the memory of the meter for later uploading to the PC for analysis or safekeeping Be used while being charged with AC line cord (if LNB current draw < 275 ma for Hardware v1.3 and older, if LNB current draw < 500 ma for Hardware v2.0 and newer)

56 What the Meter Cannot Do Run off of IRD power Install the dish for you. The meter only provides raw data (numbers). The technician must know how to interpret that data to troubleshoot quickly and effectively. Tell you where a fault is located in the line (no built-in TDR time domain reflectometer)

57 Expectations of User Keep software up-to-date (described in Operations Manual) Keep meter charged up (charge indoors every night) Do not leave meter in van overnight during cold weather that would deplete battery charge a lot Do not expose meter to excessive rain / snow. Protect with coat, plastic bag, etc. Change F-connector barrels every two months and do NOT over-torque them when replacing Give us product feedback Take care of your meter