KVH Industries TRACVISION SA User manual

KVH Industries, Inc.
A Guide to TracVision SA
• Installation Instructions
• User’s Guide
• Technical Manual

Congratulations!
You have selected one of the most advanced land-mobile satellite
tracking systems available today. KVH®Industries’ TracVision®A
is designed for use with DIRECTV®and the DI H™Network.
This manual provides detailed instructions on the proper
installation, use, and maintenance of your TracVision A 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 U A
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 SA Serial Number
This serial number will be required
for all troubleshooting or service
calls made regarding this product.
KVH Part # 54-0149 B
© 2000, 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
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.1 Digital Satellite Television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.2 TracVision SA System Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
1.2.1 TracVision SA Components....................................................1-2
1.2.2 Integrated Receiver Decoder..................................................1-2
1.3 Materials Provided with TracVision SA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
1.3.1 Additional Materials Required for TracVision SA Use............1-3
2 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
2.3 Mounting the Antenna Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
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 Vehicle Power...........................2-10
2.4.3 Connecting the Antenna RF Signal Cable to the IRD ..........2-11
2.5 Checking Out the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
2.6 Completing the Installation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
2.7 Configuring TracVision SA for Remote
Satellite Dish Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-14
3 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
4 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
4.1 Causes and Remedies for Common Operational Issues . . . . . .4-1
4.1.1 Blown Fuse or No Power........................................................4-2
4.1.2 Satellite Signal Blocked..........................................................4-2
4.1.3 Outside Satellite Coverage Zone ...........................................4-2
4.1.4 Incorrect or Loose RF Connectors.........................................4-2
i
54-0149 Rev. B

4.2 IRD Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
4.2.1 IRD Data Port or Cable/Wiring...............................................4-3
4.2.2 AC Power Fluctuating.............................................................4-3
4.2.3 EchoStar IRD Commissioning Check.....................................4-3
4.2.4 Failed IRD Status Check........................................................4-3
4.2.5 IRD Faulty...............................................................................4-4
4.3 LNB Faults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
4.4 Computer Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
4.5 Maintenance Port Parser Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
5 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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 LNB Replacement....................................................5-6
5.4.4 EchoStar Adapter Replacement.............................................5-8
5.5 Preparation for Shipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8
Appendix A System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1
Appendix B Functional Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B-1
Appendix C Data Cable Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-1
C.1 Wiring TracVision SA 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
Appendix E Startup Data Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E-1
ii

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 Target and Signal Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-4
List of Figures
Figure 1-1 TracVision SA System Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1
Figure 1-2 Primary Components of the TracVision SA . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Figure 2-1 Proper Orientation of the Antenna Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Figure 2-2 Forward Shipping Restraint (Arranged for Shipping) . . . . .2-3
Figure 2-3 TracVision SA Shipping Restraints (Top View) . . . . . . . . .2-3
Figure 2-4 Mounting the Unit on a Curved Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Figure 2-5 Baseplate Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Figure 2-6a Connectors Facing Rear of Vehicle –
Factory-drilled Drain Hole Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Figure 2-6b Connectors Facing Front of Vehicle –
Recommended Drain Hole Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Figure 2-7 Forward Shipping Restraint Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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 SA Baseplate . . . . . .2-7
Figure 2-12 Proper Terminal Strip Wiring Arrangement –
Data Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Figure 2-13 DB9 Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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
Figure 2-17 Wiring TracVision SA to Vehicle Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
Figure 2-18 Connecting the RF Cable to TracVision SA . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
iii
54-0149 Rev. B

Figure 2-19a-d Attaching the KVH-provided F-connector
to an RF Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-12
Figure 2-20 Remote Dish Wiring Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9
Figure 5-7 Securing the Forward Shipping Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9
Figure C-1 DB9 Male and Female Connector Arrangement . . . . . . . .C-2
List of Tables
Table 1-1 TracVision SA Packing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Table 2-1 Kitpack Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Table 2-3 DSS On-screen Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
Table 2-2 TracVision SA Operational Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-13
Table 3-1 TracVision SAAutomated Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-1
Table 4-1 Troubleshooting Matrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1
Table 5-1 Field Replaceable Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Table A-1 TracVision SA System Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1
Table C-1 Alternate Wiring Arrangement for TracVision SA
Data Cable to DB15 (15-wire) Connector . . . . . . . . . . .C-1
Table C-2 DB9 Pin Functions and Color Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C-2
Table F-1 System Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-1
Table F-2 Manual Positioning Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-2
Table F-3 Operational Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-3
Table F-4 Target and Signal Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F-4
iv

1 Introduction
1.1 Digital Satellite Television
The DIRECTV®and DI H™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 tates and
contiguous waters. TracVision A automatically identifies, locks
on to and receives signals from the appropriate satellite when
your vehicle is stationary.
1.2 TracVision SA System Overview
A complete satellite TV system includes the TracVision A
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 1-1. ystem specifications and a
functional block diagram are provided in Appendices A and B,
respectively.
1-1
Introduction
54-0149 Rev. B
Low-speed
Data Port
11-16 Volts DC
2.5-3.5 Amps
Satellite Receiver
9-Pin PC
Communications
Port
Co-axial
Cable
Options Purchased Separately
Television
Figure 1-1
TracVision SA System
Configuration
TracVision SA is equipped with a
single-port Low Noise Block (LNB)
that can provide signals to a single
IRD. Should you wish to equip your
vehicle with multiple TVs and IRDs,
a dual-port LNB is available as an
option (KVH Part Number 19-0056).
TracVision SA is a self-acquiring
satellite TV antenna for use when
your vehicle is stationary. The
system is not designed to track the
TV satellite when the vehicle is
moving.

1.2.1 TracVision SA 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, power conditioning and regulating circuits, and the
RF detector. The antenna is a parabolic dish mounting a single-
port low noise block (LNB) converter with built-in preamplifier.
A molded AB 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 from 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.
1-2
A Guide to TracVision SA
Figure 1-2
Primary Components of the
TracVision SA
On-screen messages are not
available with a DISH Network IRD.
Radome
Antenna Unit
Mounting Plate
Antenna
Reflector
LNB
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!

1.3 Materials Provided with
TracVision SA
Table 1-1 lists the units, cables, and materials packed in the
TracVision A package by name and KVH part number.
Component KVH Part No.
Antenna Unit (comprising): 01-0225-02
Baseplate Assembly 02-0952-02
Radome Assembly 02-0953-02
RF Cable (30') 32-0589-30
Power Cable (30') 32-0590-30
Data Cable (30') 32-0591-30
Mounting Plate 20-0668
Kitpack* 72-0094
Installation and Operation Manual 54-0149
* A complete listing of kitpack contents is provided in Section 2.1.2, “Kitpack.”
1.3.1 Additional Materials Required for
TracVision SA Use
To make full use of your new TracVision A and receive satellite
TV on the road, you will need to provide/purchase the
following:
•Television
•Appropriate IRD for your selected satellite
TV service (if using the DI H Network, a
Model 4000 or 5000 IRD will be required)
•ealing materials to weatherproof cable holes and
seal mounting plate
•Optional KVH Echo tar Adapter (for use with the
DI H Network service and IRD)
1-3
Introduction
54-0149 Rev. B
Operation of the DISH Network
requires the purchase of an
EchoStar IRD Adapter. To purchase
an EchoStar Adapter, contact KVH
or your local KVH dealer and ask
for KVH Part Number 02-0899.
Table 1-1
TracVision SA Packing List
Cables for the TracVision SA are
stored beneath the antenna unit
during shipping.