ViaSat SurfBeam Operator's manual

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Satellite
Modem
Installation and
Configuration Guide
ViaSat® Document Number
VSD-200292-02-085
(Rev. B)
SurfBeam Release 1.2/1.3
ViaSat, Inc.
6155 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, CA 92009-1699
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.viasat.com
ViaSat®Proprietary
This document contains proprietary information to ViaSat, Inc. Disclosure to others, use or
copying without the prior express written authorization of ViaSat, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

NOTICES
Compliance testing to current UL, FCC, Canadian, and European safety and emissions requirements is currently being
conducted as of the publication date of this manual.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
©Copyright 2002, 2003 ViaSat, Inc.
All rights reserved under the copyright laws of the U.S.
Printed in the United States of America
DOCUMENTATION NOTICE
The information, specifications, and features contained in this document are subject to change without notice
and should not be construed as a commitment by ViaSat, Inc.
ViaSat, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document nor does it make
expressed or implied warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the
implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. ViaSat, Inc. shall not be liable
for incidental or consequential damages in conjunction with, or arising out of the furnishing, performance, or
use of this document and the program material it describes.
ViaSat®and the ViaSat logo are registered trademarks of ViaSat, Inc. Other product names included in this document are
trademarks of their respective owners.

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
Rev. B VSD-200292-02-085
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Revision History
Revision Rationale Release Date Affected
-Initial Release 22 November, 2002 All pages
ARevision update only to include SurfBeam Release 1.3.
Note: Installation and configuration instructions are
identical for SurfBeam Release 1.2 and 1.3.
3 February, 2003 All Pages
BModified for Intelsat Installer Training 15 October, 2003

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
VSD-200292-02-085 Rev. A
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By ViaSat

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
Rev. B VSD-200292-02-085
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Safety Precautions
If safety precautions or important information is presented in this
manual, the information will normally be presented just before the
point where the hazard is likely to be encountered. Symbols used to
identify the information are defined as follows:
Warning This symbol indicates a procedure or practice that, if not correctly
followed, could result in injury, death, or long term health hazard.
Caution This symbol indicates a procedure or practices that, if not correctly
followed, could result in equipment damage or destruction.
This symbol indicates that electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions
must be observed or the equipment may be damaged.
Note This symbol indicates information that is important to observe.
General safety precautions are as follows:
Warning RF
Radiation Hazard.The
transmitting equipment is
capable of generating RF
levels above the maximum
permissible uncontrolled
exposure level. Do not
enter the radiation beam
pattern of the transmitter
feed horn and / or antenna
when the transmitter is on.
Warning There are no
user-serviceable partsinside
any of the equipment in your
system. There are potentially
lethal voltages inside the
equipment. It should only be
opened by a technician trained
and certified to service ViaSat®
products.
Warning When
the SM is powered
on, DC voltage is
present on the rear
panel TX and RX
connectors.

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
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By ViaSat

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
Rev. B VSD-200292-02-085
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Table of Contents
1. GETTING STARTED ..................................................................................................................................................................1-1
1.1 REQUIRED ITEMS FOR INSTALLATION.....................................................................................................................................1-1
1.2 COAXIAL CABLE REQUIREMENTS...........................................................................................................................................1-2
2. CONNECTING AND CONFIGURING THE EQUIPMENT...........................................................................................2-1
3. SATELLITE MODEM INDICATORS ...................................................................................................................................3-7
4. TROUBLESHOOTING...............................................................................................................................................................4-9
4.1.1 PWR Indicator Does Not Light..................................................................................................................................4-10
4.1.2 RX Indicator Does Not Flash or Light Steady.........................................................................................................4-11
4.1.3 TX Indicator Does Not Blink or Light.......................................................................................................................4-12
4.1.4 LAN Indicator Does Not Blink or Light....................................................................................................................4-13
4.1.5 RX Indicator Flashing Very Fast (1/8 second rate)...............................................................................................4-14
APPENDIX ASATELLITE MODEM NETWORK PARAMETER VALUES.........................................................................................A-1
APPENDIX BINDEX...........................................................................................................................................................................B-1

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
VSD-200292-02-085 Rev. A
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List of Figures
Figure 1-1 SurfBeam Satellite Modem................................................................................................................................................1-1
Figure 2-1 SurfBeam Satellite Modem Connectors...........................................................................................................................2-1
Figure 2-2 SurfBeam Satellite Modem Connections.........................................................................................................................2-1
Figure 2-3 Upstream Frequency/Power Search Pattern ....................................................................................................................2-5
Figure 3-1 SM Front Panel Indicators..................................................................................................................................................3-7
Figure 4-1 PWR Indicator Does Not Light........................................................................................................................................4-10
Figure 4-2 RX Indicator Does Not Flash or Light...........................................................................................................................4-11
Figure 4-3 TX Indicator Does Not Blink or Light...........................................................................................................................4-12
Figure 4-4 LAN Indicator Does Not Blink or Light........................................................................................................................4-13
Figure 4-5 RX Indicator Flashing Very Fast.....................................................................................................................................4-14
List of Tables
Table 2-1 Configuration Commands and Parameters........................................................................................................................2-5
Table 3-1 SM Indicator Functions........................................................................................................................................................3-7
Table 4-1 Fault Symptoms and Cross Reference ...............................................................................................................................4-9

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
Rev. B VSD-200292-02-085
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1. Getting Started
This Installation and Configuration Guide contains information to
assist you in installing and configuring the ViaSat®SurfBeam Satellite
Modem (SM).
The SurfBeam Satellite Modem (Figure 1-1) is a compact, high-speed
modulator-demodulator that provides high-speed Internet
communications over satellite. The SM is normally located as an indoor
unit (IDU) at the user’s home or facility, and contains the components
necessary to interface between the Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)
(e.g., PC), and the transmitting and receiving equipment usually called
the outdoor unit (ODU).
Figure 1-1SurfBeam Satellite Modem
1.1 Required Items for Installation
To install the Satellite Modem, you will need the following items:
?? ViaSat SurfBeam Satellite Modem
?? In-Line Power Supply
?? Ethernet cable (RJ-45)
?? Preinstalled ODU including:
?? Transmitter/Receiver
?? Antenna
?? TX and RX coaxial cables from ODU (refer to paragraph1.2)
Note
The Satellite Modem
is complelely self-
contained,
and contains no user
serviceable parts.
Note
The Satellite Modem
may be pre-configured
before installing it at the
customer’s site. Refer to
Section 2.

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
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1.2 Coaxial Cable Requirements
The SM and ODU must be connected using two runs (TX and RX) of
Comscope type 5729 coaxial cable, not more than 120 feet [36.5
meters] long.
In addition to conveying the IF signal, each coaxial cable passes DC
voltage supplied by the SM to power the TXB and LNB. The SM supplies
30V, 1.55A to the center conductor of the TX connector, and 30V,
150mA to the center conductor of the RX connector on the SM rear
panel.
Warning When
the SM is powered
on, DC voltage is
present on the rear
panel TX and RX
connectors.

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2. Connecting and Configuring the Equipment
Figure 2-1shows the connectors on the SM rear panel. The TEL, LINE,
and USB connectors are NOT currently used.
Connect the SM as follows:
1. Make sure the Support PC has been shut down normally, and is off.
2. Make sure the Satellite Modem is NOT connected to the in-line
power supply.
Figure 2-1SurfBeam Satellite Modem Connectors
3. Connect an Ethernet cable as shown in Figure 2-2. Do not plug the
power cordon the in-line power supply to the power source. Do not
use the USB port to connect the Support PC or the user’s CPE.
Figure 2-2SurfBeam Satellite Modem Connections
POWER
USB
ETHERNET LAN
RX IN
TX OUT
TEL
LINE
MODEM
Note
The Satellite Modem
has no power on/off switch.
To apply or remove power
from the SM, connect or
disconnect the in-line power
supply from the power
source. The SM will start-
up
every time power is applied.
SurfBeam
SM
Ethernet
Cable
TX to ODU
RX from ODU
In-Line PS
Support PC
Note
Unless otherwise
instructed, the modem comes
preconfigured for the proper
operating frequencies, and
steps 3 through 13 should NOT
be perfomed!

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4. Power on the Support PC, and wait for it to complete the boot cycle.
5. Refer to the Support PC’s Operating System documentation, and
configure the Support PC for a static IP address of 192.168.1.2.
6. Plug the in-line power supply to the power source to turn on the
Satellite Modem. The power indicator on the front of the modem
will light.
7. Wait for the LAN indicator on the SM front panel to light indicating
the Ethernet link between the SM and the Support PC is OK.
8. On the Support PC, open a Command Prompt Window. Connect to
the Satellite Modem by typing telnet 192.168.1.1. This will
connect you to the SM using its fixed IP address (192.168.1.1) as
shown in the example below.
9. When the SM Telnet Server Welcome screen appears, enter user as
the password as shown in the example below.

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10. After the login is successful, you will see the Available commands
screen as shown in the example below.
11. At the SM> prompt, enter downstream-frequency. The existing
downstream frequency will be displayed. You may either accept the
current frequency, or enter a new frequency and press the Enter
key. If you do not want to change the existing frequency, just press
Enter. An example is shown below.
12. At the SM> prompt, enter upstream-search. Each of the upstream
parameters and the current value will appear each time the Enter
key is pressed. Either accept the current value, or enter a new
value and press Enter. If you do not want to change the existing
value, just press Enter. Refer to Table 2-1for command parameter
details. An example is shown below.
Note
Instead of typing the
entire command, you may
type the first few characters
of the command and press
Enter. (e.g., type “dow”
instead of “downstream-
frequency”, or “ups” instead
of “upstream-search”).
Note
The downstream
frequency is the SM receive
frequency, and the upstream
frequency is the SM transmit
frequency.
Note
If an out
-
of
-
range
value is entered, the
program will display the
correct range.

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13. Remove input power from the SM by unplugging the in-line power
supply from the power source.
14. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the Support PC, and connect it
to the User’s CPE.
15. Ensure the TX and RX coaxial cables are connected to the SM.
16. Apply input power to the SM, by plugging the in-line power supply
into the power source. Observe the SM power indicator lights.
17. Turn on and boot the CPE. Observe the SM LAN indicator lights.
18. Refer to the CPE’s Operating System documentation, and configure
the CPE to automatically obtain an IP address from the DHCP
server.
19. See Figure 3-1and refer to Table 3-1. Observe the SM front panel
indicators as the SM acquires the downstream signal, and
completes the ranging/registration process. The IP address is
automatically obtained from the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
20. After the satellite modem is installed and configured correctly, and
the CPE obtains its IP address, you are ready to surf the Internet.
Note
Figure
2
-
3
shows the
initial frequency/power
search alogrithim that is
used based on the entered
values.
Note
No special software
is required to be installed on
the users computer to
operate the SM.
Note Refer to the
documents provided with
your Internet browser to surf
the Internet.
Note The Provisioning
Process may be different
depending upon local ISP
guidelines.

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Table 2-1Configuration Commands and Parameters
Command Parameter Purpose1
downstream-
frequency Downstream Frequency Value in Hz Specifies the downstream frequency used by the
SM to receive traffic.
upstream-search Frequency Search Offset
(FMAX) The maximum offset frequency in Hz, from
nominal frequency, that the SM will use in its
search for upstream lock.
Number of Frequency
Search Steps (FN)The total number of frequency appraisals to be
made over ± FMAX range.
Max. Power in dBm (PMAX)The highest power to be used in the upstream
search, in dBm (This is not necessarily equal to
the highest possible SM power output).
Min. Power in dBm (PMIN)The lowest power to be used in the upstream
search, in dBm (This is not necessarily equal to
the lowest possible SM power output).
Number of Power Search
Steps (PN)The total number of power levels to be appraised
between PMIN and PMAX during upstream search.
1Figure 2-3shows the search pattern based on the parameter values entered at the command line interface.
Figure 2-3Upstream Frequency/Power Search Pattern
6
Frequency
Power
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
PMIN
PMAX
FMAX
9
START
10
11
12...
Start at nominal upstream
frequency, and minimum power
(as specified by CLI entry)
PN
(Number of Power Steps)
FN
(Number of Frequency Steps)

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
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3. Satellite Modem Indicators
Figure 3-1shows the indicators on the satellite modem’s front panel.
Refer to Table 3-1for a description of the indicators.
Figure 3-1SM Front Panel Indicators
?
Table 3-1SM Indicator Functions
Function Indicator Conditions
PWR RX TX LAN1
Power is not applied OFF
OFF OFF OFF
Power is applied (startup) ON
OFF OFF OFF
Power is applied
(after startup) ON OFF OFF ON -CPE connected to Ethernet OFF -CPE not connected to Ethernet
SM acquiring Downstream ON
“slow” blink (1-second period) OFF ON -CPE connected to Ethernet OFF -CPE not connected to Ethernet
Ranging/registration in
process ON “fast” blink (½-second period) FLASH during upstream traffic ON -CPE connected to Ethernet OFF -CPE not connected to Ethernet
SM successfully
ranged/registered (normal). ON ON FLASH during upstream traffic ON -CPE connected to Ethernet OFF -CPE not connected to Ethernet
Fault as a result of POST ON
“very fast” blink (1/8-second period) N/A N/A
1If CPE is turned off, LAN indicator will not light.
PWR
RX
TX
LAN

SurfBeam Satellite Modem Installation and Configuration Guide
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By ViaSat