KVH Industries TracVision Cruiser User manual

KVH I ndust ri es, I nc.
A Gui de t o Tr a cVi si on®Cr ui se r
• Technical Manual
• User’sGuide
• InstallationGuidelines

Congratulations!
You have selected one of the most advanced marine satellite
tracking systems available today. KVH®Industries’ TracVision®
Cruiser is designed for use with DIRECTV®and the DISH™
Network on vessels that typically experience low to moderate
motion. This manual provides detailed instructions on the
proper installation, use, and maintenance of your TracVision
Cruiser system.
Throughout this manual, important information is marked for
your attention by these icons:
Direct questions, comments, or suggestions to:
KVH Industries, Inc.
50 Enterprise Center
Middletown, RI 02842 USA
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
internet: http://www.kvh.com
A helpful tip that either directs you to
a related area within the manual or
offers suggestions on getting the
highest quality out of your system.
An alert to important information
regarding procedures, product
specifications, or product use.
An electrical safety warning to help
identify electrical issues that can be a
hazard to either this KVH product or
a user.
Information about installation,
maintenance, troubleshooting, or
other mechanical issues.
TracVision Cruiser
Serial Number
This serial number will be required
for all troubleshooting or service
calls made regarding this product.
KVH Part # 54-0144 Rev. C
© 1999, KVH Industries, Inc.

TracVision®and KVH®are registered trademarks of
KVH Industries, Inc.
DIRECTV®is an official trademark of DIRECTV,
a unit of GM Hughes Electronics Corporation.
DISH™Network is an official trademark of
EchoStar Communications Corporation.

Table of Contents
1Introduction...............................1-1
1.1 Digital Satellite Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.2 TracVision Cruiser System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.2.1 TracVision Cruiser Components.............................................1-2
1.2.2 Integrated Receiver Decoder..................................................1-2
1.3 Materials Provided with TracVision Cruiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
1.3.1 Additional Materials Required for
TracVision Cruiser Use...........................................................1-3
2Installation................................2-1
2.1 Overview of Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1
2.1.1 Installation Tools and Materials Required...............................2-1
2.1.2 Kitpack....................................................................................2-2
2.2 Choosing the Best Location and Getting
the Best Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
2.3 Mounting the Antenna Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
2.4 Connecting the Antenna Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
2.4.1 Connecting the Antenna Data Cable to the IRD ....................2-8
2.4.2 Connecting the Antenna to Vessel Power ............................2-10
2.4.3 Connecting the Antenna RF Signal Cable to the IRD ..........2-11
2.5 Connecting the IRD to Vessel Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
2.6 Checking Out the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
2.7 Completing the Installation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-16
3Operation.................................3-1
4Troubleshooting.............................4-1
4.1 Causes and Remedies for Common Operational Issues . . . . . .4-1
4.1.1 Satellite Signal Blocked..........................................................4-2
4.1.2 Outside Satellite Coverage Zone ...........................................4-2
4.1.3 Radar Interference..................................................................4-2
i
54-0144 Rev. C

4.1.4 Vessel Turning During Startup................................................4-2
4.1.5 Incorrect or Loose RF Connectors .........................................4-3
4.1.6 Passive Multiswitch Used.......................................................4-3
4.2 IRD Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
4.2.1 EchoStar IRD Commissioning................................................4-3
4.2.2 IRD Data Port or Cable/Wiring ...............................................4-3
4.2.3 IRD Faulty...............................................................................4-3
4.2.4 Failed IRD Status Check ........................................................4-4
4.3 Antenna Gyro and LNB Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
4.4 Computer Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
4.5 Maintenance Port Parser Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
5Maintenance...............................5-1
5.1 Warranty/Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
5.2 Preventive Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-1
5.3 Replaceable Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
5.4 Field Replaceable Unit Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
5.4.1 PCB Removal and Replacement............................................5-5
5.4.2 RF Detector ............................................................................5-6
5.4.3 Antenna Gyro Assembly.........................................................5-6
5.4.4 Antenna LNB Replacement....................................................5-8
5.4.5 EchoStar Adapter Replacement .............................................5-9
5.5 Preparation for Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Appendix A System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1
Appendix B Functional Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-1
Appendix C Data Cable Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-1
C.1 Wiring TracVision Cruiser to a 15-pin Data Connector . . . . . . .C-1
C.2 DB9 Data Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
Appendix D EchoStar IRD Commissioning Procedure . . . . . .D-1
ii

Appendix E Startup Data Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E-1
Appendix F Maintenance Port Parser Commands . . . . . . . . .F-1
F.1 System Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F - 1
F.2 Manual Positioning Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-2
F.3 Operational Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-3
F.4 Tr a cking and Conscan Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-4
List of Figures
Figure 1-1 TracVision Cruiser Identifies and Compensates
for Vessel Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
Figure 1-2 TracVision Cruiser Single IRD System Configuration . . . .1-1
Figure 1-3 Primary Components of TracVision Cruiser . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Figure 2-1 Forward Shipping Restraint and LNB Arm
(Arranged for Shipping) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Figure 2-2 TracVision Cruiser Shipping Restraints (Top View) . . . . . .2-3
Figure 2-3 Stiffening Plate Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Figure 2-4 Orientation of the Antenna Unit and Stiffening Plate . . . . .2-4
Figure 2-5 Recommended Drain Hole Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Figure 2-6 Shipping Restraint (Arranged for Storage) . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Figure 2-7 Bolting TracVision Cruiser to the Deck (Side View) . . . . . .2-6
Figure 2-8 Proper Wire-to-Terminal Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Figure 2-9 Moving the Antenna Reflector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Figure 2-10 Cable Port Assignments (Exterior of Baseplate) . . . . . . . .2-7
Figure 2-11 Cable Overlap within the TracVision
Cruiser Baseplate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Figure 2-12 Proper Terminal Strip Wiring Arrangement –
Data Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Figure 2-13 Examples of DIRECTV IRD Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Figure 2-14 EchoStar Adapter Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Figure 2-15 Proper Wire-to-Terminal Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
Figure 2-16 Proper Terminal Strip Wiring Arrangement –
Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-10
iii
54-0144 Rev. C

Figure 2-17 Wiring TracVision Cruiser to Vessel Power . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
Figure 2-18 Connecting the RF Cable to TracVision Cruiser . . . . . . . .2-11
Figure 2-19a-d Attaching the Provided F-connector to an RF Cable . . . .2-12
Figure 2-20 Connecting TracVision Cruiser to Multiple IRDs . . . . . . .2-13
Figure 2-21 Connecting to Multiple Multiswitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
Figure 5-1 Antenna, PCB, and Rotating Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Figure 5-2 Close-up of Linear Actuator, Pivot Bracket, and Pin . . . . .5-3
Figure 5-3 Antenna Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Figure 5-4 Close-up of RF Detector, PCB, and Cover . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Figure 5-5 PCB Connector Locations – Rear View (not to scale) . . . .5-5
Figure 5-6 Attaching the Shipping Restraints to
the Antenna Baseplate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Figure 5-7 Securing the Forward Shipping Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Figure C-1 DB9 Male and Female Connector Arrangement . . . . . . . .C-2
List of Tables
Tab le 1- 1 Trac Vi si on C rui se r Pa ck ing L is t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 -3
Tab le 2- 1 Ki tpa ck C on ten ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Tab le 2- 2 Trac Vi si on C rui se r Op er ati on al M ess ag es . . . . . . . . . . 2- 15
Tab le 2- 3 DS S On- Sc re en Me ss ag es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 -1 6
Tab le 3- 1 Trac Vi si on C rui se r Aut om at ed P roc ed ur es . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Tab le 4- 1 Trou bl es hoo ti ng M atr ix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 1
Tab le 5- 1 Fi eld R ep la cea bl e Un its . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 -2
Tab le A- 1 Trac Vi si on C rui se r Sy st em Sp ec if ica ti on s . . . . . . . . . . .A -1
Tab le C- 1 Al ter na te W iri ng A rra ng em ent f or Trac Vi si on C rui se r
Data Cable to DB15 (15-wire) Connector . . . . . . . . . . .C-1
Tab le C- 2 DB 9 Pin F un ct ion s an d Co lor C od e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C -2
Tab le F- 1 Sy st em Co mm an ds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1
Tab le F- 2 Ma nu al Po si ti on ing C om ma nds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F- 2
Tab le F- 3 Op er ati on al C om man ds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3
Tab le F- 4 Tra cki ng a nd C on sca n Co mm and s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F- 4
iv

Low-speed
Data Port
TV
11-16 Volts DC
2.5-3.5 Amps
Antenna Unit
9-Pin PC
Communications
Port
IRD
Figure 1-2
TracVision Cruiser Single IRD
System Configuration
1 Introduction
1.1 Digital Satellite Television
The DIRECTV®and DISH™Network systems transmit digital
audio and video data from land-based transmitters to a
satellite “parked” above the equator. Each satellite relays the
signals in spot beams covering the continental United States
and contiguous waters. TracVision Cruiser is designed to
identify, lock on to, and track the appropriate satellite, both
while your vessel is at rest and in motion.
1.2 TracVision Cruiser
System Overview
Your KVH TracVision Cruiser employs a state-of-the-art
actively stabilized antenna system designed for use with
Ku Band satellite television reception. This vessel-referenced
stabilization system is enhanced by a conical scan tracking
function to detect and lock on to the strongest signal, resulting
in the clearest reception possible.
A complete satellite TV system includes the TracVision Cruiser
connected to an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD), aka a
“satellite receiver,” and a television set. A desktop or laptop
computer is used to conduct diagnostics. The interrelationship
of units is illustrated in Figure 1-2. System specifications and a
functional block diagram are provided in Appendices A and B,
respectively.
1-1
Introduction
54-0144 Rev. C
TracVision
Figure 1-1
TracVision Cruiser Identifies and
Compensates for Vessel Motion

1.2.1 TracVision Cruiser Components
The Antenna Unit includes the antenna positioning
mechanism, signal front end, power supply and control
elements. These include antenna drive controls and
mechanisms, the cable wrap subassembly, antenna gyro
sensor, power conditioning and regulating circuits, and the RF
detector. The antenna is a parabolic dish mounting a dual port
low noise block (LNB) converter with built-in preamplifier. A
molded ABS radome encloses the baseplate and is secured in
place with standard fasteners. Liquid-tight (watertight) fittings
located on the back of the baseplate join the power, signal, and
control cabling to below-decks units.
1.2.2 Integrated Receiver Decoder
The IRD receives satellite signals from the Antenna Unit for
signal decoding, processing and channel selection, and sends
the signals to the TV set for viewing. Messages are sent from
the IRD to the Antenna Unit and messages are received from
the Antenna Unit for display on the television screen. The IRD
also provides the interface for the user to activate authorization
for reception. Please refer to the User’s Manual provided with
your selected IRD for complete operating instructions.
Multiple IRDs may be connected to the Antenna Unit to
provide satellite signals to a number of TV sets. When two
or more IRDs are connected to the same antenna, an active
multiswitch must be installed between the Antenna Unit and
1-2
AGuidetoTracVisionCruiser
Radome
Antenna Unit/
Baseplate
Antenna
Reflector
LNB
Gyro
Figure 1-3
Primary Components of
TracVision Cruiser
On-screen messages are not
available with a DISH Network IRD.
For directions on installing a
multiswitch with your TracVision
Cruiser system, refer to Section
2.4.3, “Connecting the Antenna RF
Signal Cable to the IRD.”
Always lift the antenna unit by the
gray baseplate and not the radome,
antenna reflector, or internal
mechanical assemblies.
NEVER pick up the unit by the LNB
or the gyro!

the IRDs. The multiswitch contains relays that select the proper
output from the antenna LNB to send to the IRD. In multiple
IRD installations, all IRDs must be for the same satellite
television service (i.e., DIRECTV or DISH Network).
1.3 Materials Provided with
TracVision Cruiser
Table 1-1 lists the units, cables, and materials packed in the
TracVision Cruiser package by name and KVH part number.
Component KVH Part No.
Antenna Unit (comprising): 01-0225
Baseplate Assembly 02-0952
Radome Assembly 02-0953
Stiffening Plate 20-0684
RF Cable 32-0589-60
Power Cable 32-0590-60
Data Cable 32-0591-60
Kitpack* 72-0094
Installation and Operation Manual 54-0144
* A complete listing of kitpack contents is provided in Section 2.1.2, “Kitpack.”
1.3.1 Additional Materials Required for
TracVision Cruiser Use
To make full use of your new TracVision Cruiser and receive
satellite TV on the water, you will need to provide/purchase
the following:
•Television
•Appropriate IRD for your selected satellite
TV service (if using the DISH Network, a
Series 4000 or 5000 IRD will be required)
•Sealing materials to weatherproof cable holes
and seal mounting plate
•Optional KVH EchoStar Adapter (for use with
the DISH Network service and IRD)
1-3
Introduction
54-0144 Rev. C
Operation of the DISH Network
requires the purchase of an
EchoStar IRD Adapter. The
adapter is not shipped in the main
TracVision Cruiser container. To
purchase an EchoStar Adapter,
contact KVH or your local KVH
dealer and ask for KVH Product
Number 02-0899.
Table 1-1
TracVision Cruiser
Packing List
Cables for the TracVision Cruiser
are stored beneath the antenna unit
during shipping.