Iridium Pilot User manual

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Installation Guide
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Installation Guide
© Copyright 2012 Iridium Satellite LLC
All rights reserved. (version BIM1201)
Version 1
Effective January 2012
Notice:
Export Compliance Information. This product is
controlled by the export laws and regulations
of the United States of America. The U.S. Government
may restrict the export or re-export of this product
to certain individuals and/or destinations.
For further information, contact the U.S. Department
of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security
or visit www.bis.doc.gov.
Disclaimer:
Every effort has been made to ensure the correctness and
completeness of the material in this document. No company shall be
liable for errors contained herein. The information in this document
is subject to change without notice. No warranty of any kind is made
with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
See Legal Notices on page (iii), Limited Warranty and
Limitations at Appendix E, and the Iridium Pilot User Manual.
Iridium, the Iridium Logo, Iridium Pilot and any other trademark or
service mark referred to or displayed in this document are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Iridium Satellite LLC.
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ii Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
Legal Notices
This Installation Guide provides installation information and is provided “as is.” Iridium and its aliated
companies, directors, ocers, employees, agents, trustees or consultants (“Iridium”) assume no responsibility
for any typographical, technical, content or other inaccuracies in this Installation Guide. Iridium reserves the
right to revise this Installation Guide or withdraw it at any time without prior notice. You can nd the current
version of this Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide at www.iridium.com.
Your Iridium Pilot is subject to a Limited Warranty, Limitations, Exclusions, and Terms and Conditions, which
were included in the packaging with your Iridium Pilot, and which can also be found in the Appendices to this
Installation Manual, and in your User Manual. If there are discrepancies in the wording of the Limited Warranty,
that version associated with the User Manual is controlling. You are permitted to use Iridium Pilot only as
described and specied in this Installation Guide, the User Manual, and the Limited Warranty. By using the
Iridium Pilot, you are indicating that you agree to comply with the terms set forth in this Installation Guide as
well as the User Manual, including without limitation the Limited Warranty, including the section describing
permitted use of Iridium Pilot (the “Conditions of Use”). If you fail to comply with the Limited Warranty and
the Conditions of Use, Iridium may void certain protections oered under the Limited Warranty and Iridium
reserves the right to terminate your right to use Iridium Pilot on the Iridium system. If you do not accept the
terms of the Limited Warranty and Conditions of Use, do not use Iridium Pilot.
Prior to Installing Iridium Pilot, read and understand this Installation Guide and the User Manual,
including the safety warnings and information. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
If you do not have the Iridium Pilot User Manual, it can be found at www. iridium.com or call 1-866-947-4348
and request that a User Manual be sent to you.
Third Party Information
This Installation Guide might refer to third party sources of information, hardware or software, products
or services and/or third party web sites (“third party information”). Iridium does not control, and is not
responsible for, any third party information, including without limitation the content, accuracy, copyright
compliance, compatibility, performance, trustworthiness, legality, decency, links, or any other aspect of third
party information. The inclusion of such third party information does not imply endorsement by Iridium of
the third party information. ANY THIRD PARTY INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED WITH IRIDIUM’S FACILITIES,
SERVICES, PRODUCTS OR USER INFORMATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS”. IRIDIUM MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS,
GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES IN RELATION TO THIRD PARTY INFORMATION AND IRIDIUM SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, JUDGMENTS, AND FINES, AMOUNTS PAID IN SETTLEMENT,
EXPENSES OR COSTS OF DEFENSE SUSTAINED IN RELATION TO ANY SUCH THIRD PARTY INFORMATION.
Intellectual Property, Trade Secret, Proprietary or Copyrighted Information
To protect Iridium proprietary and condential information and/or trade secrets, this Installation Guide may
describe some aspects of Iridium technology in generalized terms. Iridium products may include copyrighted
Iridium and third party software. Any such copyrighted software contained in Iridium products may not be
modied, reverse engineered, distributed or reproduced in any manner to the extent provided by law. The
purchase of any Iridium products shall not be deemed to grant either directly or by implication or otherwise, any
license under copyrights, patents, or patent applications of Iridium or any third party software provider, except for
the normal, nonexclusive, royalty free license to use that arises by operation of law in the sale of a product.
Content Copyright
You are exclusively responsible for the use of Iridium Pilot, including proper use of third party copyrighted
materials. If you violate these terms, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold Iridium harmless with respect to
any claims or actions by third parties related to your improper use of copyrighted material and to pay all costs,
damages, nes and other amounts incurred by Iridium, or on its behalf, in the defense of any such claims or actions.
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Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide iii
Contents
Section I – INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Safety Summary ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Overview of Operation .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Section II – INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................. 7
4. Broadband Subscriber Unit Components ............................................................................................................................... 7
5. Interconnection Diagram ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
6. Installation Considerations and Overview .............................................................................................................................. 9
7. How to Connect the System .......................................................................................................................................................13
8. Installing the System ....................................................................................................................................................................14
9. Install Performance Testing .........................................................................................................................................................22
Section III – NETWORK CONFIGURATION........................................................................................................ 25
10. Initial System Conguration ....................................................................................................................................................25
11. Conguration of LAN Settings ................................................................................................................................................26
Section IV – TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................................................................................... 29
12. Fault Overview ..............................................................................................................................................................................29
13. LED State Table .............................................................................................................................................................................29
14. Troubleshooting ...........................................................................................................................................................................29
15. Access Denial ................................................................................................................................................................................32
16. Performance Problems ..............................................................................................................................................................32
Section V – APPENDICES .................................................................................................................................. 33
Appendix A – Regulatory Approvals ...........................................................................................................................................33
Appendix B – Specications ...........................................................................................................................................................36
Appendix C – ADE/BDE Cable ........................................................................................................................................................39
Appendix D – Installation Templates ............................................................................................................................................41
Appendix E – Limited Warranties, Conditions of Use and Limitations of Liability .......................................................47
Appendix F – Site Survey Tool (SST) .............................................................................................................................................57
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iv Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
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1: INTRODUCTION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 1
Section I – INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing Iridium Pilot™, the NEXT generation solution for maritime broadband voice and data
communications. Leveraging the world’s furthest reaching and only truly global communications network,
Iridium Pilot delivers exceptional performance, reliability and durability anywhere on the planet. Powered
by the Iridium OpenPort® service, and backed by an industry-leading warranty, you can count on a secure,
real-time connection — wherever you happen to sail.
About This Manual
This manual is the installation guide for the Iridium Pilot platform. The readers of this manual include anyone
who intends to install this system. Specic skills are required to install the Iridium Pilot platform and therefore,
it is important that you observe all safety requirements listed in the beginning of this manual, and operate the
system according to this guide’s guidelines.
This guide provides you with complete information on the installation and testing of the Iridium Pilot Terminal.
This includes the following:
• System installation
• System start-up and test
• PC & network conguration
• System Administration
• Troubleshooting
Terms to Know
• ADE: Above Decks Equipment, the radiating unit.
• BDE: Below Decks Equipment, the user interface unit.
• IBSU: Iridium Broadband Subscriber Unit, The ADE and BDE together
• POTS: Plain Old Telephony System
• SIM: Subscriber Identity Module
• PSU: Power Supply Unit
• Provisioned: A term used to indicate the SIM card is activated for voice and data connection.
This can only be done by the Service Provider.
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1: INTRODUCTION
2 Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
2. Safety Summary
The ADE and the BDE should be installed by a qualied professional technician trained in the installation of
marine electronics and antennas. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specic warnings on the
equipment, in the User Manual or in this guide violates the safety standards of the design, manufacture and
intended use of this equipment.
WARNING
Prior to Installing Iridium Pilot, read and understand this Installation Guide and the
User Manual, including the safety warnings and information. Failure to do so could
result in serious injury or death.
If you do not have the Iridium Pilot User Manual, it can be found at www.iridium.com, or call 1-866-947-4348
and request that a User Manual be sent to you.
Follow all safety precautions carefully. Improper installation may result in injury or inability of the equipment to
function properly. Only a qualied professional technician trained in the installation of marine electronics and
antennas should remove the installation cover on the BDE.
Iridium Satellite LLC disclaims all liability for failure to comply with these requirements and
improper installation.
Shock Hazard
WARNING
The Below Decks Equipment (BDE) contains low voltage that may cause serious injury if opened
or not grounded. Ensure the unit is properly grounded before operation and do not, under any
conditions, open or dismantle the BDE. Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious
injury or death.
Radiation Hazard
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a safety standard for human exposure to
RF (Radio Frequency) energy, which is below the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) limits.
WARNING
The Above Decks Equipment (ADE) transmits radio frequency energy (RF) that may cause
thermal injuries including tissue damage from increased heating and body temperature.
When the system power is ON keep all personnel a minimum of 1.0 m (3.3 ft.) from the
antenna (see Radiation Hazard). Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
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1: INTRODUCTION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 3
Figure 1.
R
a
d
i
a
t
i
o
n
H
a
z
a
r
d
1.0 m (3.3 ft.)
Description Minimum Distance from Antenna
within 0˚- 180˚ of the antenna elevation range 1.0 m (3-3 ft.)
Antenna mounting and substitution
The antenna supplied by the manufacturer or radio dealer must not be mounted at a location such that during
radio transmission, any person or persons can come closer than the indicated minimum safe distance to the
antenna: 1.0 m (3.3ft).
To comply with current FCC RF Exposure limits, the antenna must be installed at or exceeding the minimum
safe distance shown above, and in accordance with the requirements of the antenna manufacturer or supplier.
Base Station Installation: The antenna should be xed-mounted on an outdoor permanent structure. RF
Exposure compliance must be addressed at the time of installation.
You may contact your radio dealer or the manufacturer for further instructions. You, as the qualied end-user
of this radio device must control the exposure conditions of bystanders to ensure the minimum separation
distance (above) is maintained between the antenna and nearby persons for satisfying RF Exposure
compliance. The operation of this transmitter must satisfy the requirements of Occupational/Controlled
Exposure Environment, for work-related use. Transmit only when person(s) are at least the minimum distance
from the properly installed, externally mounted antenna.
If you have any concerns about the adequacy of the mounting or support for the Iridium Pilot device, seek
advice from a structural engineer or other qualied individual.
WARNING
Exposure to radio frequency energy (RF) from the antenna may cause thermal injuries
including tissue damage from increased heating and body temperature. Keep everyone at a safe
distance from the antenna when the system power is ON. Personnel must maintain a minimum
separation distance of 1.0 m the from unit and installers must place ADE transmitter in a manner
to maintain minimum spacing requirement. Failure to do so could result in exposure to radio
frequency energy (RF) transmitted from the ADE that could result in serious injury or death.
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1: INTRODUCTION
4 Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
WARNING
Exposure to radio frequency energy (RF) from the antenna may cause thermal injuries including
tissue damage from increased heating and body temperature. Do not substitute any antenna
for the one supplied or recommended by the manufacturer or radio dealer. Substitution of
antennas could cause exposure to excess radio frequency radiation which could result in serious
injury or death.
WARNING
ADE must be properly mounted and secured to vessel. Failure to do so could result in
detachment of the unit, causing disruption in operation of the unit, or danger from
a falling unit, which could result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Damage to the paint coating may allow rust to the ADE which could result in
failure of the ADE. This in turn could cause disruption in operation of the Iridium Pilot device
or danger from a falling unit. Avoid damaging the paint coating. If damage occurs, re-apply
appropriate anti-corrosion paint. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
Blasting Areas
WARNING
To avoid interfering with blasting operations, turn your device OFF when in a
“blasting area” or in areas posted: “Turn o two-way radio.” Obey all signs and instructions.
Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
3. Overview of Operation
Iridium’s constellation consists of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO), cross-linked satellites operating as a fully meshed
network and supported by multiple in-orbit spares. Iridium has gateways in Arizona and additional telemetry,
tracking and control facilities in Canada and Norway. It is the largest commercial satellite constellation in the world.
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1: INTRODUCTION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 5
Figure 2.
An Iridium Pilot voice or data call is received by the closest satellite to the device’s current location, anywhere
on the Globe. The trac is routed through the meshed satellite network and lands at the Alaska Ground
Station, and, is then routed over terrestrial networks to the Gateway in Arizona. At the gateway, trac is
converted back to internet protocol (IP) and voice, depending on call type and delivered to the IP cloud or the
public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Figure 3.
Internet
or VPN
PSTN
L-Band
K-Band K-Band
K-Band
GW
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1: INTRODUCTION
6 Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
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2: INSTALLATION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 7
Section II – INSTALLATION
4. Broadband Subscriber Unit Components
1. Above Decks Equipment (ADE): The ADE provides the communication connection between the BDE and
Iridium’s satellites. The ADE will automatically locate and track Iridium satellites overhead using a solid state
antenna array.
Figure 4.
1
Mounting Bracket (not shown): Platform to attach mounting pole and ADE to at surface. This is an optional
accessory used to connect the ADE to the mast.
2. Below Decks Equipment: The Below Decks Equipment (BDE) is the appliance to which you connect your
telephones and computers. It is capable of handling three POTS/RJ11 telephone handsets and one Ethernet
data connection.
3. ADE / BDE Cable (20 m and 50 m cable available): The cable connects the ADE to the BDE. It is shielded
and has a waterproof connection for the ADE. Other lengths are available. Consult your Iridium service
provider for availability. To maintain the waterproong and shielding integrity of the cable, take care when
altering the cable in any way. The pin-out of the interface cable can be found in Appendix C.
4. BDE Power Supply Unit: The AC Power Supply Unit (PSU) provides power to the BDE.
5. SIM: The SIM card validates the system at start-up, allows connection to the Iridium network and provisions
the appropriate phone and data lines.
Figure 5.
2
4
3 5 SIM card, reset button
and on/off switch are
located behind panel
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8 Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
Installer/Customer Furnished Equipment
• Mounting Pole: Used to establish vertical position of ADE. Must have additional support if exposed to
high winds.
• Ethernet Cable: Use if data connection is provisioned. Maximum length is 100 meters. This has to include
the ADE/BDE interface cable. So the Ethernet cable length must take into account the distance between the
ADE and BDE.
• Fasteners: (4) M10 (length depends on bracket, must have 15-20 mm thread engagement with ADE.
Recommended Practices/Supplies
Iridium recommends that a surge suppressor or universal power supply (UPS) unit is installed along with the
Iridium Pilot product.
5. Interconnection Diagram
Figure 6.
Iridium Pilot™
Interconnection Diagram
Interconnect
Cable 50 meters
(optionally 20 m)
Power Module
Mains
Power Cord 2 m
User Supplied
Computer
and Cable
Normal Handset
& 2 m RJ-11 Cable
Crew’s Handset
& 2 m RJ-11 Cable
Optional
Handset
BADE 1001
Above Decks Equipment
Below Decks Equipment
Understanding the Interface Between ADE and BDE
The BDE provides isolated 48 volts to operate the transceiver and digital base-band processor in the ADE. There
is an E1 interface that carries voice information from the BDE to the ADE. The E1 also provides communications
for housekeeping between the two devices, for SIM interfacing and “reset to factory defaults” commands.
Lastly there is an Ethernet connection thru the BDE connecting directly to the ADE base-band processor.
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2: INSTALLATION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 9
6. Installation Considerations and Overview
Considerations
The single most important consideration of the Iridium Pilot installation is location of the ADE. It must be
located to minimize obstructions that block transmission to and from the satellites and be far enough away
from potential radio interferers that will degrade or jam reception of the Iridium downlink. The ADE should also
be located where passengers and crew do not accidently violate the 1 meter RF Radiation hazard zone. Most
installations will not result in a perfect location due to the competition for real estate on the antenna bridge,
but an optimized location will result in a fully functional unit.
Overview of the Installation Process
1. Conduct a visual survey to identify locations for installation of the product. Place emphasis on avoiding
potential interference (see section 8) and a clear view of the sky, and place ADE transmitter in a manner to
maintain minimum spacing requirement of 1.0 from the antenna to a person.
2. Analyze and rank each of the potential sites.
3. Review User Manual and Installation Guide Warnings.
4. Temporary connection of equipment may be necessary to test and validate the potential ADE location(s).
These tests should be run with all vessel RF systems operational.
5. Run the “Site Survey Tool” supplied on the accessory CD with your product. This will help to identify and
quantify interferers with the ADE.
6. Installation of the ADE and BDE
• Install the Mast for the ADE
• Route the cable
• Mount the ADE (connect grounding cable)
• Connect cable to ADE
• Mount the BDE
• Connect power supply to BDE
• Attach cable from ADE to BDE
• Connect phones
• Connect to the ship’s network
Installation Parts and Tools
• Iridium Pilot unit – ADE, BDE, power module, handsets, interconnect cable,
optional mounting bracket and mounting hardware.
• User supplied mast
• Windows compatible computer
• Iridium Pilot accessory CD
• Ethernet cable
• RJ11 phones
• Slotted and Phillips screw drivers
• Hammer and center punch
• Power drill and associated bits
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2: INSTALLATION
10 Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers and terminal lug crimper
• RJ-45 Crimp tool
• Electrical tape
6.1 Choosing a Location for the ADE
Proper location is critical to ensure proper communications between the Iridium Broadband Subscriber Unit
(IBSU) and the Iridium satellite network.
WARNING
The Above Decks Equipment (ADE) transmits radio frequency (RF) that may cause thermal
injuries including tissue damage from increased heating and body temperature. When the
system power is ON keep all personnel a minimum of 1.0 m (3.3 ft.) from the antenna (see
Radiation Hazard). Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
ADE Installation Considerations
As previously stated, Iridium is a constellation of LEO satellites covering every location on the surface of
the Earth, at any moment in time. This means the satellite communicating with the Iridium Pilot unit can be
located anywhere within the local hemisphere, making a horizon-to-horizon unobstructed view of the sky
important for uninterrupted communications. The solid state antenna array takes care of tracking the satellite
and vessel motions to maintain acceptable link margin. No moving parts are used in the ADE for antenna
tracking
Finding an unobstructed view of the sky on a commercial vessel may be dicult given the number of other
communication systems collocated on the antenna bridge.
Figure 7.
Unobstructed view of sky all direction
Unrestricted area for obstructions
8.0 m (26.2 ft.)
2.0 m (6.6 ft.)
8.0 m (26.2 ft.)
No metallic or concrete
obstructions in
grey shaded area
Minimize
obstructions
Minimize
obstructions
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2: INSTALLATION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 11
Elevation Probability
The below graph shows the importance of low elevation visibility of the sky, where 90% of the time a
spacecraft will be less than 45° above the local horizon.
Obstructions Around the ADE
To ensure the best possible connection with the Iridium satellite network the ADE needs clear exposure, in all
directions, to the sky. Two types of obstructions that should be considered when deciding the placement of
the ADE include: metallic and superstructure obstructions.
The loss of signal (dB) will increase the closer the obstruction is to the ADE. The table below shows the
correlation between the size of the obstruction and the distance of the obstruction from the ADE and the
amount of signal loss.
Obstruction Signal Loss Table – Signal interference around the ADE
Diameter of Obstruction Obstruction Distance Signal Loss
.2 m (.7 ft.) < 2 m (6.5 ft.) 2 dB
< 4 m (13.1 ft.) 1 dB
.4 m (1.3 ft.) < 9 m (29.5 ft.) 2 dB
< 31 m (101.8 ft.) 1 dB
.6 m (2 ft.) < 22 m (72.2 ft.) 2 dB
< 75 m (246 ft.) 1 dB
.8 m (2.6 ft.) < 40 m (131.2 ft.) 2 db
1 dB
1.0 m (3.3 ft.) < 65 m (213.2 ft.) 2 dB
1 dB
The ship’s RADAR and high power transmitters may cause signal interference.
To avoid possible damage to the ADE and degradation of ADE performance the unit must be mounted as far
away as practical from these units. In addition it should also be kept clear of other sources of interference such
as other Iridium or Inmarsat terminals.
The diagrams and tables below are only guidelines as the minimum distances will be dependent on the exact
transmitter characteristics as well as reections from masts, decks and other items in the vicinity of the ADE.
The tables for X and S-band radar distances are minimum distances to avoid damage to the ADE and do not
necessarily guarantee a good communication link.
Minimum Distance from S-band & X-band RADARs
S-band (- 10 cm / 3 GHz) radars
Radar Power Min distance at 15˚ vertical separation Min distance at 60˚ vertical separation
0 – 10kW 0.4 m (1.3 ft.) 0.4 m (1.3 ft.)
30kW 1.0 m (3.3 ft.) 0.5 m (1.6 ft.)
50kW 2.0 m (6.6 ft.) 1.0 m (3.3 ft.)
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12 Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
Oset Distances from other Communications & Navigation Equipment ADE Location Priorities
X-band (~ 3 cm / 1-GHz) and C-band (4-8GHz) radars
Radar Power Min distance at 15˚ vertical separation Min distance at 60˚ vertical separation
0 – 10kW 0.8 m (2.6 ft.) 0.4 m (1.3 ft.)
30kW 2.4 m (7.9 ft.) 1.2 m (3.9 ft.)
50kW 4.0 m (13.1 ft.) 2.0 m (6.6 ft.)
Important
A vertical separation of at least 15° is required from any RADAR to ensure the ADE is out of the main transmit
beam. If this is violated there is the potential the RADAR pulse will damage the sensitive RF receivers in the ADE
or at a minimum disrupting communications each time the RADAR sweeps past the ADE.
Important! A vertical separation of 15˚ is always required from any radar.
1. Locate the RADARs. They are usually the highest mounted items on the antenna bridge. Look for locations
that are at least 15° below the RADARs and honor the separation distances.
2. Locate Inmarsat radomes and honor the 10 meter separation distances. The Inmarsat and Iridium operating
frequencies are close together and interference is likely if the equipment is too close to each other. Note
there are frequently several satellite communication systems on each vessel. If one system is designated a
“backup” then there may be some latitude to violate the oset distance.
3. Locate the GPS antenna. GPS and Iridium frequencies are close together and transmission from the ADE can
aect ship’s navigation if the oset distances are not honored.
4. Note metal (RF reective) surfaces just below the potential ADE location (Figure 7). Any metal in this area has
the potential to reect RF energy and cause multipath fading.
5. Look at possible locations and the remaining antennae in the immediate area and select the locations with
the fewest potential interferers.
6. Finally look at the obstructions and determine if the site will provide a reasonably unobstructed view of the
sky. Try not to allow any single obstruction to attenuate signal path more than 2 dB.
6.2 Choosing a Location for the BDE
An ideal location for the BDE should be:
1. Within 50m of the antenna.
2. In a dry location.
3. Within close proximity to the digital and analog interface.
4. Close to AC/DC power.
Shock Hazard
WARNING
The Below Decks Equipment (BDE) contains low voltage that may cause serious injury if opened
or not grounded. Ensure the unit is properly grounded before operation and after installation do
not, under any conditions, open or dismantle the BDE. Failure to follow these instructions could
result in serious injury or death.
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2: INSTALLATION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 13
7. How to Connect the System
1. Connect the 9-pin circular connector on the interface cable to the ADE receptacle on the bottom of the
ADE. Note you can use the ADE shipping container as a temporary platform to support the ADE and provide
clearance for the connector and cable by cutting a small hole on the cardboard box. Elevate the ADE to the
approximate intended install height and use a temporary platform to hold the unit. Orient the grounding
lug on the bottom of the ADE aft towards the stern of the vessel.
2. Route the interface cable along the deck to a location where Mains power is available. Tape the cable to the
deck to reduce any trip hazard during the temporary operation of the system.
3. Remove the “installation cover” on the BDE and Connect the interface cable (RJ-45) and the green connector
from the power module. You can leave the cover o at this time.
4. Remove the SIM cover and install the SIM noting the correct orientation as indicated on the unit. Close the
SIM latch and make sure the power switch is in the o position. Leave the SIM cover o during the test.
5. Connect the mains cable to the power module and connect the other end to the Ship’s mains power outlet.
The LED on the power module should light and the Power LED on the BDE should light.
6. Connect a cable from the BDE “Data” port to the RJ-45 connector on the lap top computer.
7. Connect the RJ-11 cable from “Voice 1” on the BDE to the “Normal” handset.
7.1 Temporary Setup and Site Validation
This next step will use the Iridium Pilot equipment to measure the RF environment at the potential ADE
mounting locations prior to permanent installation. This is an important step that will eliminate the possibility
of needing to move the equipment later. It is imperative all ship’s RADARs, communications and navigation
systems are on and operating during this test to ensure all potential interferers are detected.
System Minimum Separation
VHF 5.0 m (16.4 ft.)
HF (ssb) 5.0 m (16.4 ft.)
Inmarsat 10.0 m (32.8 ft.) minimum. Inmarsat may interfere
with Iridium at distances up to 60.0 m (196.8 ft.)
depending on the relative position of the satellites.
Other Iridium antennas (unity gain) 2.0 m (6.6 ft.)
Another Iridium Pilot Terminal 6.0 m (19.7 ft.)
GPS 10.0 m (32.8 ft.) if it is in the same horizontal plane as
the ADE
Compass 1.0 m (3.3 ft.) estimate
7.2 Initial Power-up and Site Survey Test
1. On the BDE move the power switch to the ON position. After the units boots and the GPS initializes
(< 2 minutes) the status LEDs on the BDE should be as follows:
a. Power = Green
b. Status = Amber (Status can be Green with software version A012001
c. Signal=Green
d. GPS=Green
2. Boot the laptop computer and install the Iridium Pilot Accessory CD.
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2: INSTALLATION
14 Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide
3. The PC should display the CD directory. Select the Site Survey Tool (SST) and double click to start the tool.
(note the tool assumes the default IP address if the address has been changed select the settings menu from
the Task bar and input the alternate IP address).
4. At this time make sure the ship’s navigation and communication systems are on and active.
5. Click on the “Start” button on the SST application to begin the test. The tool scans ~ 2.6 channels per
second requiring 97 seconds to complete a single scan. Several scans are useful in assessing the local noise
environment and to detect down link information from the Iridium constellation. Note the screen will be
updating to provide feedback the program is executing normally.
6. This test validates that you have placed the Iridium equipment in a good location. See Appendix G for more
information on the SST.
8. Installing the System
Now that a suitable location for the ADE has been veried the equipment can be permanently installed for
operation. The permanent installation is comprised of 4 steps.
1. Route the ADE/BDE interface cable.
2. Connect and mount the ADE.
3. Mount the BDE and make the connections to ADE, telephones and computer network.
4. Test and verify the installation.
Routing the ADE/BDE Interface Cable
The interface cable has a waterproof circular connector that connects to the ADE and a shielded RJ-45
connector that connects to the BDE. Since the BDE side is much smaller it makes sense to pull the cable
from the ADE towards the BDE. Once the ADE site is known a BDE location must be selected that is within
100 meters, accounting for the path thru the cable chase. Drill the necessary hole to route the cable to the
interior of the vessel. The cable should be pulled with the RJ-45 connector installed since it has been tested
in previous steps. Use care and install a pull string that attaches to the cable jacket and does not place stress
on the connector. Use electrical tape to protect the RJ-45 during the pull operation. Leave just enough service
loop at the ADE and store any excess cable in the cable chase or near the BDE.
ADE Mounting Considerations
WARNING
ADE must be properly mounted and secured to vessel. Failure to do so could result
in detachment of the unit, causing disruption in operation of the unit, or danger from
a falling unit, which could result in serious injury or death.
A suitable mounting bracket or mast needs to be procured or fabricated to support the ADE. Factors to consier
in selecting a mounting method include:
• The weight of the unit (11 kg, 24.25 lbs)
• The physical size of the unit (230 mm high by 570 mm in diameter)
• Mechanical resonance of the system excited by:
- Mechanical vibrations from the vessel
- Wind induced vibration
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2: INSTALLATION
Iridium Pilot™ Installation Guide 15
These factors will be discussed in the following paragraphs. The mounting bracket and pole must be capable
of supporting the weight of the unit. Consideration should also be given to accessibility for installation and
service work, and the task of lifting and supporting the size and weight of the equipment safely whilst all the
connections are being made. The mounting bracket and pole must be capable of supporting the lateral loads
caused by the wind. For example at 60 mph the lateral force on the ADE alone (ie. excluding the pole) will be
approximately 3.5-4.5 kgf. This load will generate shearing and bending forces in the mounting bracket and
pole which must be distributed safely into the vessel’s structure. Since this loading will vary continuously with
time, the structure must not only withstand the static loading but also the fatigue loading over the lifetime of
installation.
When selecting a suitable mounting pole it is important to consider resonance as well as strength. The ADE will
be subject to vibrations caused by oscillating aerodynamic forces due to vortex shedding from the ADE itself
(in the range 0 – 10 Hz for wind speeds up to 60 mph, or storm force 10), and any upstream objects even if they
are outside the zone shown in gure 7.
The ADE will also be subject to vibrations transmitted through the vessel’s structure (from engines, propellers,
motorized equipment, cable stays or guy ropes). Careful consideration must therefore be given to minimize the
potential for vibration causing damage to the ADE, by careful choice of the mounting position, pole diameter,
pole length, and any necessary supporting structure. If necessary modify the design of the mounting pole to
move its natural frequency (with ADE tted) away from the frequency of the source of vibration. For example,
increasing the stiness of the mounting pole will increase its natural frequency – this might be achieved by
using a shorter or thicker pole, but note that adding mass will have the contrary eect of reducing the natural
frequency. If the pole cannot be shortened, then consider adding rigid support struts or tensioned guy ropes
to reduce the eective length. The following guidelines are recommended:
• Minimum pole diameter: D = 60.3 mm (2.38 in.)
• Minimum wall thickness: t = 3.2 mm (.125 in.)
• Maximum unsupported pole length, L = 2.0 m (6.6 ft)
For 100 mph winds (hurricane force 12) the unsupported length should be reduced to 1.0 m (3.3 ft.). Longer
poles are possible if additional support is provided such as guy ropes. More sophisticated mounting designs
may be necessary to deal with vibrations in some installations. The design of vibration reducing or absorbent
mountings is critically dependent on many installation specic factors that are well outside the scope of this
manual. Hence for any such an installation, consult specialist suppliers of marine antenna mountings, to obtain
professional advice.
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