Installing and Activating

an iDirect Modem

Netmodem II + / iNFINITI and Evolution X3 Series

for

2way2sat Broadband Services

September 2009

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1. IntroductionThis document is intended for providing instructions on installing, operating, and field-servicing of theiDirect terminal system.

2. Typical iDirect Terminal / RCST*

A typical iDirect Remote Channel Satellite Terminal system consists of the following components:

Antenna TX / RX

For example from Prodelin, ASC Signal or Patriot

1.20 m

(1.80 m)

Non-penetrating Mount Refer to the Antenna size

Satellite Router (Modem) iDirect NetModem II +

Series iNFINITI 3100, 5100, 5150

and Evolution X3

BUC (Block Up-Converter) (2 Watt), 3 Watt, (4 Watt)

LNB (Low Noise Block down-converter) 10.95 – 11.70 GHz, LO 10.0 GHz

12.50 – 12.75 GHz, LO 11.3 GHz

IFL (Inter Facility Link) Cables RG-6 or RG-11, 75 Ohm low loss

Adapter(s) N male to F female (optional)

Protection against moisture Self-fusing Rubber tape 6” / 15 cm or water boots

Grounding Wire 8 AWG

Installation Kit, Indoor Unit for rack mount (optional)

DC power supply included with Satellite Router

2.1. Cabling and connectors

All coaxial cables are 75 Ohm. All connectors are F Type.

IFL Length Cable Connector

Up to 30m RG-6 type F-Type

Up to 100m RG-11 type F-Type

Cabling Specifications for BUC ( 2– 4 W Ku-Band, 2– 5 W C-Band )

IFL Length Cable Connector

Up to 100m RG-6 type F-type

Cabling Specifications LNB

*RCST: Return Channel Satellite Terminal

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2.2. Crimping an F- Connector

Below you find the instructions for mounting an F-type crimp connector to either an RG-6 or RG-11 coaxialcable.

For crimping the connector, you will need the correct crimp tool which is available from atrexx (HT-C106for RG-6 & RG-59; HT-F106 for RG-6 & RG-11)

Step 1Strip the jacket material and foamisolation according to the lengths Aand B. We strongly recommend theuse of a pre-adjusted Rotary CableStripper.

Step 2Fold exposed braid back overjacket. For "Super shield" cables:Remove the outer braid and foilonly. Fold back the braid over thejacket and leave the foil attached tothe dielectric.

Step 3Press the front part of the connector(with the built-in "tool") against thecable and turn slowly to prepare thefoil to enter into the connector.

Step 4Push the connector over the foil and allow the support mandrel to slide between the foil and braid.Press and turn until the dielectric is flush with the support mandrel face.

Step 5Crimp the connector using the proper crimping tool.

Important:Make sure that the center conductor of the coaxial cableis prominent by at least 3 mm.

Otherwise a proper connection to the iDirect satelliterouter (modem) may not be guaranteed

A and B in mm

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3. IFL* Cables Installation

Cautions:Ensure installation meets all applicable cable codes, including National Electrical Code (NEC) and localrequirements.Do not pull IFL cables using center conductor of the coax. Cable insulation is foam; pulling by centerconductor will damage electrical performance. Use full grip only.

1. Clearly identify transmit (TX) and receive (RX) IFL cable at both cable ends. If cables have twodifferent colors, use white cable as RX and black cable as TX.

2. Pull the IFL cables, using good installation practices. Leave 3 meters (10 feet) of cable beyondthe antenna post for adequate service loops. At the indoor end, allow adequate service loop foreasy access and service of the RCST.

3. At the outdoor end, dress the IFL cables to the antenna mounting post using one of the tiewraps positioned 30 cm (12 inches) from the bottom of the post.

4. Terminate cable ends with connectors to mating connectors on antenna feed assembly andSatellite Router.

5. Dress cable to the support arm, using tie wraps.

6. Use standard self-fusing tape or a water boot on all outdoor connections as to ensure awater-tight system. Approximately 3” / 7.5 cm of tape is required per connection.

Note:Please be very careful with cabling and connectors. The complete iDirect set is provided with crimpconnectors from Cablecon www.cablecon.dk.

Be informed that the power supply for LNB and BUC is provided via the cabling. Careless mounting cancause short cuts or bad connection for power supply of LNB or BUC.

7. Make a measurement of the cable resistance.

*IFL: Inter Facility Link

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4. Outdoor Unit Installation

The Outdoor Unit (ODU) consists of the VSAT antenna with feed and filter and the outdoor electronics:Low Noise Blockconverter (LNB) for receiving and Block Up-Converter (BUC) for transmitting.

4.1. BUC

The BUC (Block Up-Converter) accepts modulated transmit signals from the iDirect satellite Router,provides up-conversion to the satellite uplink frequency, amplifies the signals and transmits them to thesatellite. For all of the satellites listed above, a BUC with standard KU-Band frequency range is needed(14.0 – 14.5 GHz, LO 13.050 GHz). Eutelsat W6 can also be operated using a BUC with extended Ku-band frequency range (13.75 – 14.25 GHz, LO 12.800 GHz).

4.1.1. Polarization: Horizontal or Vertical?

The standard mounting of the feed is pre-adjusted to horizontal (x) polarization. In this case the feed ispositioned as shown below:

Horizontal RX Polarization (The BUC’s ripped surface is placed horizontally)

For vertical polarization (Y) you have to turn the feed by 90° as shown in the picture below

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Vertical RX Polarization (The BUC’s ripped surface is placed vertically)

Important:The above exact horizontal and vertical orientations of the feed are only true for a satellite which is locatedat the same orbital position as the longitude of the remote site. In all other cases the polarization will betilted due geometrical reasons of earth and satellite. The polarization tilt angle for satellites positionedat extreme West or East locations may be substantial and may approach 90° at a remote site near theequator.

5. Access to an iDirect Satellite Router (Modem) with iSite

iSite is a software from iDirect which allows to configure an iDirect modem and to upgrade the modem’simage (firmware).

The factory default IP address of iNFINITI modems is 192.168.0.1. In Microsoft Windows under TCP/IPproperties, assign to your PC an IP address and a subnet mask in the subnet address range of theSatellite Router. A good choice for the PC is IP: 192.168.0.2, subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Important: If your Satellite Router has been activated before, you need to know the current IP address ofthe modem and choose the IP address of the PC accordingly.

NetModem II + iNFINITI 3100 series and Evolution X3 Series:Connect the PC and the LAN Ethernet interface of the Modem using a cross-over Ethernet cable.Alternatively PC and Modem can be connected to an Ethernet switch / hub using 2 straightEthernet cables.

iNFINITI 5100 and 5150 series:Connect the PC and one of the LAN B Ethernet switch interfaces of the Modem using a straightEthernet cable.

Both green and orange LEDs of the modem’s LAN interface should now be on.

Important:Make sure not to connect the Ethernet cable to the Console interface of the modem which features also anRJ-45 connector.

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Open iSite by double clicking on the iSite icon. The following window appears:

If the Modem’s Serial number and IP address are not displayed enter CTRL+N (New) and input the IPaddress of the modem. Select the modem in the left window and enter CTRL+L (login). The followingwindow will appear:

If not already displayed enter the IP address of the modem. Select “User” and enter the password. If anerror message is returned, select “Admin” and enter the password. (Whether “User” or “Admin” worksdepends on the software version of your Modem.)

The factory default password is “iDirect”.

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5.1. Upload Option File

After having filled out the commissioning form, atrexx normally will send by e-mail within 2 working days aso-called “Option File”. This Option File contains the complete configuration parameters for the specificiDirect modem. You need to load this Option File into the iDirect Modem using iSite.

Important:The Option File only works for the specific iDirect Modem and the remote location it was generated for.Loading the Option File into another modem will spoil this modem’s configuration and will possibly makethe modem inaccessible.

1. At the menu bar push the button “Download Option from Disk”.

2. Search for the directory where you have stored the Option File for this modem and confirm thedownload.

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3. After the download is finished, reset the iDirect modem as requested.

Important:

The new IP address of the modem and net mask are as communicated by atrexx when receiving theOption File.

4. In “TCP/IP properties” of Microsoft Windows enter an IP address for the computer within thegiven subnet range. (The IP address of the iDirect modem + 1 is a good choice.)

5. Enter the IP address of the iDirect modem as “Standard Gateway”

6. Enter the subnet mask of the subnet as communicated by atrexx.

7. Enter the following Dynamic Name Server addresses:

DNS1 93.91.80.253DNS2 93.91.95.254

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Polarization, Azimuth and Elevation with iSite

5.2. Calculate Polarization, Azimuth and Elevation with iSite

Using iSite, you may want to calculate the polarization, azimuth and elevation appropriate for your remotelocation. If you have these figure already at hand pass to the next paragraph.

1. In the iSite Tree View, select Align Antenna and then click Antenna Pointing.

2. Select the Look Angle Calculator tab.

3. Longitude parameters should already be entered for in Spacecraft Position. If they are not, enterthe appropriate longitude values for the satellite that you are using.

4. In Remote Location, the appropriate latitude and longitude values for your current geographiclocation should display after you have loaded the option file. If not, enter the appropriate values of

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your site with a precision of dual decimals.

5. In Elevation Information, you may want to enter the appropriate offset value for your antenna.The offset value is specific for every antenna design and normally ranges between 15° and 25°.

When all of the information is entered, iSite automatically calculates your polarization offset, azimuth,and elevation values.

Note:Write these values down, or leave this screen open on your laptop. You will need these values later toperform the initial pointing of your antenna.

5.3. Antenna pointing with iSite

Note:iSite features an excellent tool for fine-tuning the antenna pointing - after the correct satellite has beenfound! However, trying to find the correct satellite using iSite’s antenna pointing tool is difficult.

To find the satellite it is recommended to use a field spectrum analyzer, e.g. SATLOOK Digital NITavailable from atrexx. For details refer to Chapter Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefundenwerden. “Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.”.

Pulse Width Modulation (PWA) Antenna Pointing

1. Disconnect the TX IFL cable from the BUC as this cable will carry the PWA measuring signal.

2. Make sure both IFL cables are connected to the Satellite Router and the RX IFL cable isconnected to the LNB.

3. For measuring the pointing result directly at the antenna site, connect a digital voltmeter (DVM) toTX IFL cable: center conductor (+) and screen (-).

4. In the iSite Tree View, right-click the remote, select Align Antenna, and then click AntennaPointing.

5. To fine-tune the antenna pointing, you will attempt to lock onto the downstream carrier fromthe satellite by very gently sweeping the antenna in azimuth.

The signal reading in the pointing graph on the PC monitor will turn red, then yellow, and finally,completely green, as you sweep the reflector to lock onto the downstream carrier.

On the DVM readings in the range of 12 to 24 Volts DCindicate that you have successfully locked into thecorrect satellite.

Note:A voltage reading of ≥ 12 Volts is only possible when the iDirect modem is locked onto the correctspacecraft and network.

Comparing Signal Strengths

When you have achieved strong signal strength on thecorrect satellite, you should see:

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a green reading on the Antenna Pointing graph

a reading within the desired voltage range in the Signal Strength box

a reading of ≥ 12 Volts on the DVM

PWA Voltage Range Summary

Volts DC Antenna Status

0 – 2 Not in pointing mode, hardware problem, or off satellite

2 – 10 Detecting RF energy, but not locked on the downstream carrier

12 – 24 Locked on the downstream carrier

Only if the desired signal is not found:

Increase or decrease elevation setting by 2° increments and repeat the azimuth sweep, until thecorrect signal is found.

Locking into a Carrier Stream

When you have found the desired signal:

6 Fine-tune pointing in elevation and azimuth and polarization looking for a maximum voltage onthe DVM or the pointing graph:

6.1 Tighten down the 4 bolts on the Yoke Cap that secure the Yoke Cap to the Mast Pipe

6.2 Adjust the elevation until maximum DC voltage is obtained

6.3 Fine-tune azimuth with the azimuth adjustment screws until maximum DC voltage is obtained.

6.4 Adjust polarization until maximum DC voltage is obtained

7 Tighten down all remaining screws and make sure the DC voltage does not decrease duringthis process.

6. In iSite, click Stop to exit the modem’s antenna pointing mode.

7. Power down the Satellite Router.

8. Reconnect the TX IFL cable to the Block Up-Converter (BUC).

Caution:You must power down and power up the Satellite Router before continuing to the next sectionPolarization Check with Teleport using iSite.

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5.4. Polarization Check with Teleport using iSite

In order to guarantee that your remote station does not disturb transponders on the opposite polarization,the angular position of feed system of your antenna has to be fine-tuned.

This is done by rotating very gently the feed. Therefore untighten slightly the feed system for thisoperation.

Call the Teleport (Monday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00 CEST) at + 49 06151/307 22 66 and provide the serialnumber of your iDirect Satellite Router (Modem). Ask the operator for a Cross Polarization Check. Theoperator will give you a test frequency which has to be entered into iSite.

Example: Cross Polarization Check on Eutelsat W6

Transmit frequency for cross polarization check on W6: 14,171.3MHz

Important:The test frequency of 14,171.3 MHz is only valid for Eutelsat W6. For another satellite the operator at theTeleport will name another test frequency.

1. Push the “Cross Polarization” Button at the menu bar of iSite.

The following window will appear.

2. Enter the frequency for cross polarization check given by the operator in MHz.

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The correct BUC LO Frequency (13,050 MHz for standard Ku-Band, 12,800 MHz for extended Ku-Band)should be read in the above box. Change the BUC LO Frequency if it would not be correct. The L-Band TXFrequency is calculated by iSite.

3. Push the “Start” button after having been explicitly asked to do so by the teleport operator.

Important:Do not push the “Start” button before the operator has confirmed to do so!

The operator now confirms that the signal of your remote station can be received at the teleport. Possiblyyou will be asked to increase or to decrease the output level.

4. Proceed to the antenna with a mobile or cordless telephone.

5. Follow the operator’s instructions to slowly turn the feed clockwise or counter-clockwise.

After the optimum cross polarization has been confirmed by the Teleport, the operation is finished.

6. Push the “Stop” Button in the Cross Polarization Window and close the window.

7. Tighten the screws of the feed. Make sure that during this procedure the feed is not moved inany way.

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5.5. Activation of Terminal / RCST

When activating please make sure that the image of Section 6.1 is installed on the iDirect Modem and thatthe Status LED is off before calling the NOC!

Call the NOC at +49 06151/307 22 66 and provide the serial number of your iDirect Satellite Router. Askthe operator for activating the terminal. If you have passed the cross polarization check before, theoperator will activate the terminal.

You should now be able to browse the Web using the computer connected to the modem.Try http://www.atrexx.com as a reference. Enjoy!

5.6. Support Contacts

atrexx provides e-mail support to all customers during normal business hours, from Monday to Friday 9:00to 18:00 CET or CEST. In case of emergencies outside this time period, customers may contact theNetwork Operation Center (NOC). Below please find e-mail address and telephone numbers

atrexx: All Questions and RequestsMonday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00 CET or CEST

info@atrexx.comTel +49 2228 9120-0

Teleport / NOC: Cross Polarization Check and ActivationMonday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00 CET or CEST

Tel +49 06151/307 22 66