Thuraya SpaceCom IP221 User manual

L10-10058-3
Thuraya Telecommunications Company
Installation Manual
SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna
for Thuraya IP terminal

2
1. Table of Contents
1. Table of Contents................................................................................................................ 2
2. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 3
3. Specifications ..................................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Limits of Normal Operation ..................................................................................................5
3.2 Absolute Maximum Limits ...................................................................................................5
4. Package Contents ............................................................................................................... 6
5. Installation ......................................................................................................................... 7
5.1 Correct Placement of the Antenna.........................................................................................7
5.2 Placement of Power Supply, AS03951 .................................................................................7
5.3 Connecting to the Thuraya IP terminal .................................................................................8
6. perating the Antenna ..................................................................................................... 10
6.1 Satellite Acquisition ............................................................................................................10
6.1.1 Blocking of the Satellite...............................................................................................10
6.2 Satellite choice ....................................................................................................................10
7. Appendices ....................................................................................................................... 11
7.1 Basic Maintenance ..............................................................................................................11
7.2 System fault finding ............................................................................................................11
8. Warranty .......................................................................................................................... 13
8.1 SpaceCom Limited Warranty Statement.............................................................................13
8.2 Return of defective antennas and parts................................................................................13

3
2. Introduction
The stabilized SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna is designed for use with ThurayaIP
terminals.
The SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna is a 2-axis antenna designed for vehicular use. It is
an autonomous satellite tracking antenna using a patented beam squint technology and
built-in control software to acquire the satellite and stabilize the antenna using a tracking
beacon from the Thuraya satellites. This ensures that the antenna is always pointed
optimally towards the satellite regardless of the vehicle movements and position.
The antenna includes onboard LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) and HPA (High Power Amplifier)
in order to give a more versatile installation of the antenna and terminal by compensating
for cable loss resulting from long cables.
Figure 1. Cross section showing the SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna inside the
dome.

4
3. Specifications
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions
Size of radome: 115x275mm (hxd) (excluding
mag. mount)
Weight
2.1 kg (excluding cable, mag. mount and Power
Supply, AS03951)
RF Connector TNC on radome
Cable 4mts
Electrical
Antenna Gain 10dBi approx
LNA Gain 12dB ±1 (excluding cable loss)
TX Gain 10dBi ±1 (including cable loss)
Polarisation LHCP
RX Frequency 1525 – 1559MHz
TX Frequency 1626.5 - 1660.5MHz
Max EIRP 13.5±1 dBW (Max. output from antenna)
G/T > -16dB/K
Terminal Connector SMC connector
Supply Voltage
To Power Supply, AS03951 10 – 32V DC
Power Consumption
60W at 10V DC, max EIRP
53W at 24V DC, max EIRP
Fuse 10A / trag, 5x20mm
Enviromental
Temperature -30 to +55°C
Humidity 98% at 38 °C
Wind 200 Km/hr Relative speed
Vibration Random Vibration of 1.05g rms
Motion
Turn rate: 60 deg/s
Angular rate of change: 25 deg/s
2

5
3.1 Limits of Normal Operation
The antenna is designed to perform optimally within these operational limits:
Random vibration 1.05 g rms with the following spectral density
5-20 Hz………….0.02G2/Hz
20-150 Hz……….-3dB/octave
Single frequency vibration 5-10 Hz with amplitude 2.54 mm
10-15 Hz with amplitude 0.76mm
15-25 Hz with amplitude 0.40mm
25-33 Hz with amplitude 0.23mm
3.2 Absolute Maximum Limits
Exposure outside these limits may cause permanent damage:
Temperature -45 to +60 °C

6
4. Package Contents
After opening the box check the contents (see Figure 2):
1. One stabilized SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna
2. One Magnetic mount installation kit
3. One Power Supply, AS03951
4. Cables for installation
1. 4 meter coax antenna cable with N and TNC connectors
2. 1 meter coax interface cable with SMA and SMC connectors
3. 1 red/black DC cable for the Power Supply, AS03951
5. External GPS antenna for use with the ThurayaIP terminal.
6. One Installation Manual (this document)
Figure 2. SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna package contents. Numbers refer to the
contents list.
1
2
3
4.1
4.2
4.3
5

7
5. Installation
Please observe the following warnings when installing the SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle
Antenna with the Thuraya IP terminal:
WARNING:
•Only use the included magnetic mount installation kit for mounting of the
SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna. The kit is designed for easy installation
and ensures proper drainage of the antenna and is able to withstand rigid
mechanical stress.
•Do not obstruct the drain holes at the bottom of the radome.
•It is very important only to use the coaxial cables supplied for the installation
of the SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna. Using other cables can cause
degradation or loss of the satellite link.
5.1 Correct Placement of the Antenna
•WARNING! Avoid exposure to microwave radiation. Keep a safe minimum distance
of 1 meter around and above the antenna.
•Keep a clear line of sight to the satellite. Preferably avoid all obstructions within 3
meters of the antenna. Obstructions less than 15cm in diameter can be ignored
beyond this distance. Otherwise the line-of-sight to the satellite may be obstructed
and the satellite link performance degraded.
•Do not place the antenna close to interfering signal sources or receivers.
•Vibration levels in a typical installation are usually much less than the specified
maximum values. It is however the responsibility of the installer to verify, that the
cited levels are not exceeded in any mode of operation of the vehicle. In case of
abnormal vibration, typically at a resonance frequency, measures must be taken to
displace the resonance frequency or to dampen the vibration amplitude.
•The external GPS antenna required for the Thuraya IP terminal should be placed at
least 1 meter from the SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna and other interfering
signal sources or receivers.
5.2 Placement of Power Supply, AS03951
The Power Supply, AS03951 must be placed inside the vehicle.

8
5.3 Connecting to the Thuraya IP terminal
The antenna is connected with the Power Supply, AS03951 by a single coaxial cable with
a TNC male connector at the antenna and an N-male connector at the Power Supply,
AS03951 end.
The cable carries “receive and transmit” L-band signals as well as DC power to the
antenna. A separate coax cable is connected between the Thuraya IP terminal and the
Power Supply, AS03951. See picture showing the SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna
connections:
Figure 3. Connecting SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna to the Thuraya IP terminal
via the Power Supply, AS03951.
To Thuraya IP
terminal external
antenna connector
To DC supply
10 – 32V DC
To Thuraya IP terminal
external GPS
connector

9
•Connect the 1m coax cable from the Power Supply, AS03951 to Thuraya IP
terminal “active external antenna” connector (see Figure 4). The Thuraya IP
terminal will automatically detect and use the SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna.
Figure 4. Connecting the SpaceCom IP221 Vehicle Antenna to the “active external
antenna” connector on the Thuraya IP terminal.
•The DC cable of the Power Supply, AS03951 is connected to a nominal power
supply with specifications defined in Section 3. Please ensure that the polarity is
correct. The DC step-up converter in the Power Supply, AS03951 is isolated from
the vehicles ground.
•The external GPS antenna, Thuraya IP power supply must be connected according
to the Thuraya IP user manual.
•Bending Radius of the Coax Cables
Please observe the minimum bending radius for the 2 types of coax cables.
Warranty will be void if guidelines are not followed.
Cable Type Bending Radius
4m and 1m RG223 Single bend: 25mm
Multiple bends: 50mm

10
6. Operating the Antenna
After the cable connections are made, apply power (10-32V DC) to the Power Supply,
AS03951 and switch it on.
Wait for the SpaceCom IP221 Landmobile Antenna to acquire the satellite signal, this
takes approx. 1 minute.
Switch the Thuraya IP terminal on when the antenna is ready (see Section 6.1). Let the
terminal acquire the satellite network as described in the Thuraya IP manual.
6.1 Satellite Acquisition
The tracking antenna performs a full hemispherical satellite search to acquire the Thuraya
satellite every time power is applied. This takes approx. 1 minute.
6.1.1 Blocking of the Satellite
If blocking of the satellite signal happens, the antenna controller detects loss of the signal
from the satellite (can occur if large objects block the line-of-sight to the satellite).
The antenna controller will first try to reacquire the satellite by turning around two times
which usually will take only a few seconds. If this fails a full hemispherical acquisition is
performed to reacquire the satellite which can take up to 1 minute if a satellite signal is
available. If no signal is available the antenna will continue to scan the sky until a signal
can be acquired.
The antenna controller can stabilize the antenna at signal levels that are lower than the
operational limits of the Thuraya terminal.
6.2 Satellite choice
The Thuraya satellite system consists of 2 satellites with each satellite having its own
beacon the antenna can track. In order for the Thuraya IP terminal to have connection to
the network, the antenna must track the correct satellite.
When the antenna performs a satellite search it will search for both satellites but in most
covering areas only one satellite is visible and the antenna automatically detects this and
tracks the visible satellite.
In certain areas both satellites are visible and therefore the antenna can track either of
them, but only one of them will allow the Thuraya IP to connect to the network. The area
with both satellites visible is from longitude 60°East to 110°East.
In the case where the antenna tracks the wrong satellite no service will be available.
The user can redirect the antenna to the other satellite by, within the first 15 minutes after
powering on the system, toggling the power switch on the antenna power supply,
AS03951. This will redirect the antenna to track the beacon of the other satellite visible. It
is not necessary to power off the Thuraya IP terminal.

11
7. Appendices
7.1 Basic Maintenance
The SpaceCom IP221 Landmobile Antenna is designed for a long maintenance free life.
However, it is important to install the antenna correctly, not blocking the drain holes in the
bottom of the radome and keeping the associated cables free from damage and water
ingress (see Chapter 5). Proper sealing of coax connectors and fastening of cables will
ensure long and trouble-free service.
7.2 System fault finding
If for some reason the system can not connect to the Thuraya network the following things
must be checked with respect to the antenna installation. For fault finding on the Thuraya
IP terminal, refer to its manual.
1. Check all cables are correctly connected.
2. Check the antenna is detected by the terminal.
a.Go to the web interface on the terminal and under the fan “Status” check that
the Satellite Antenna Type reads: “Active External”, see Figure 5.
b.If Satellite Antenna Type differs from “Active External” go to point 3 else the
antenna is detected and tracking a satellite, go to point 4.
3. The terminal has not detected the antenna. Perform the following.
a.Check the antenna is powered. This is be done first by switching off the
antenna on the antenna power supply, AS03951. Switch on the antenna
power supply, AS03951 and hear that the antenna is moving.
b.If the antenna is not moving check the fuse in the antenna power supply and
power connection to the antenna power supply, AS03951.
c. If antenna is moving check cable connection between antenna power supply,
AS03951 and Thuraya IP terminal. After checking the connection the
terminal must be restarted with the antenna power up first. Then go to point 2
again.
4. Switch tracking beacon as described in section 6.2 and restart Thuraya IP terminal.
If the above does not solve the problem, contact the Thuraya team with information of
terminal type, antenna type and antenna serial number. Antenna type and serial number is
found on the antenna radome bottom on a silver label marked with P/N and S/N.

12
Figure 5. Thuraya IP terminal web interface. Check for antenna type.

13
8. Warranty
8.1 SpaceCom Limited Warranty Statement
SpaceCom warrants that SpaceCom stabilized vehicular antenna for the Thuraya IP
terminals, accessories and software will be free from defects in materials and
workmanship after the date of production for a period of 18 months.
If SpaceCom receives notice of such defects during the warranty period, SpaceCom will,
at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective. Replacement
products may be either new or equivalent in performance to new.
The warranty does not apply to defects resulting from (a) improper or inadequate
installation or maintenance, (b) unauthorized modification or misuse, (c) operation outside
the published supply voltage and environmental specification for the product or (d)
improper site preparation or maintenance.
SpaceCom products may contain remanufactured parts equivalent to new in performance
or may have been subject to incidental use.
IN NO EVENT WILL SPACECOM BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF DATA OR FOR DIRECT,
INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING LOST PROFIT OR DATA), OR OTHER
DAMAGE.
8.2 Return of defective antennas and parts
Before returning antennas or other equipment for repair, a RMA number will be issued by
SpaceCom. This RMA number must be included in the failure description in order to track
the repair.
The customer will arrange and pay for shipment to SpaceCom. After repairs SpaceCom
will return the product to the customer at SpaceCom’s cost. For antennas out-of-warranty
SpaceCom will charge the customer for repair and return shipment.
It’s important that failures are described as well as possible, and actions have been taken
to ensure failures are related to SpaceCom antennas and accessories – not due to faulty
installation.
If there are no failures found, the equipment will be returned and a handling fee charged.