Copyright 2012 VT iDirect, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

. Information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The specifications and information regarding the products in this document are subject to change without notice. All statements, information, and recommendations in this document are believed to be accurate, but are presented without warranty of any kind, express, or implied. Users must take full responsibility for their application of any products. Trademarks, brand names and products mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. All such references are used strictly in an editorial fashion with no intent to convey any affiliation with the name or the product's rightful owner.

Document Name: TN_iDirect BUC and LNB Tech Note_Rev B_03272012.pdf Document Part Number: T0000329

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Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v

Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Intended Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Document Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

iDirect BUCs and LNBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

iDirect BUCs and LNBs with iDX 3.1 and Later Releases . . . . . . . . . . 2 iDirect BUCs and LNBs Prior to iDX Release 3.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Product Specifications ................................................................. 3 Configuration ............................................................................ 4 Configuring a Remote to Use an iDirect BUC or LNB............................. 8

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

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Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

About This Guide

Purpose
This technical note describes the iDirect product line of ODU Electronics (BUCs and LNBs). It includes the information required to configure iDirect BUCs and LNBs to operate in iDirect networks.

Intended Audience
This technical note is intended for personnel responsible for selecting and configuring the ODU equipment in their iDirect networks.

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

Document Conventions
This section illustrates and describes the standard conventions used throughout this document. Review the documentations conventions table prior to using this manualit provides information on how to interpret standard conventions used in iDirect documents. Convention Description
Blue Courier font Courier font Used when the user is required to enter a command at a command line prompt or in a console) Used to show the resultant output from a command entered at a command line or on a console.

Example
[SWITCH_PORT_n] vid = vlan_id

Output similar to the following sample appears: [SECURITY] password = $idi2$/bFMhf$5H8mYAaP1sTZ0m1Ny/dYyLaS40/ admin_password = $idi2$146rgm$.KtDb4OH5CEBxzH6Ds2xM.ehHCH os_password = $1$UTKh0V$cc/UfNThFmBI7sT.zYptQ0 1.To add a remote to an inroute group, right-click the Inroute Group and select Add Remote. The Remote dialog box has a number of userselectable tabs across the top. The Information Tab is visible when the Dialog opens.

Bold Trebuchet font

Used when referring to text that appears on the screen on a windows-type Graphical User Interface (GUI). Used when specifying names of commands, menus, folders, tabs, dialogs, list boxes, and options.

Blue Trebuchet Bold italic Trebuchet Red italic Trebuchet font

Used to show hyperlinked text within a document. Used to emphasize information for the user, such as in notes. Used when the user needs to STRICTLY follow instructions or have additional knowledge about a procedure or action.

For instructions on performing specific tasks on a remote, see Using the Remote Probe on page 59.

Note:

The Tx Power for a remote cannot be set outside of the Min/Max range defined in iBuilder.

WARNING! The following procedure may

cause a network outage.

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Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

Getting Help
The iDirect Technical Assistance Center (TAC) is available to provide assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Software user guides, installation procedures, an FAQ page, and other documents that supports our products are available on the TAC Web site. The TAC Web site is accessed at: http://tac.idirect.net. The TAC may also be contacted by telephone or e-mail. Telephone: (703) 648-8151 E-mail: tac@idirect.net For sales or product purchasing information contact iDirect Corporate Sales at the following telephone number or e-mail address: Telephone: (703) 648-8000 E-mail: SALES@iDirect.net iDirect strives to produce documentation that is technically accurate, easy to use, and helpful to our customers. Please help us to improve this document by providing any feedback. Send comments to techpubs@idirect.net.

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iDirect BUCs and LNBs

This technical note describes the iDirect product line of BUCs and LNBs and how to configure them in iBuilder. The iDirect BUCs and LNBs have been specifically tailored to the capabilities of iDirect iNFINITI and Evolution Satellite Routers, creating synergies that deliver increased RF power, flexibility and convenience through innovations in ODU design and manufacturing. Some advantages of using iDirect BUCs and LNBs with iDirect Satellite Routers include: Universal designs provide global applicability, potentially allowing satellite or sub-band changes without a site visit. iDirect universal BUCs cover extended and standard Ku sub-bands (13.75 to 14.5 GHz). iDirect PLL LNBs cover all three Ku sub-bands (European Low, Americas, and European High) from 10.7 to 12.75 GHz. Note: This does not apply to iDirect DRO LNBs, which are per sub-band.

iDirect BUCs and PLL LNBs take advantage of the extended L-band feature of iDirect remotes iDirect BUCs and LNBs with iDX 3.1 and Later Releases, page2 iDirect BUCs and LNBs Prior to iDX Release 3.1, page3 Product Specifications, page3 Adding an iDirect BUC in iBuilder, page4 Adding an iDirect LNB in iBuilder, page6 Configuring a Remote to Use an iDirect BUC or LNB, page8

This technical note contains the following sections:

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

iDirect BUCs and LNBs with iDX 3.1 and Later Releases
Beginning with the iDX Release 3.1, iDirect BUCs and LNBs are preconfigured in the Remote Antenna Components folder of iBuilder. This iDX software enhancement means that there is no longer the need to manually configure iDirect BUCs and LNB, prior to assigning it to a remote, as previously required. With this enhancement the iDirect BUC or LNB may be selected from the list of devices that are available from the remote VSAT tab. In iDX Release 3.1 and later releases, when configuring an iDirect LNB, the high or low Frequency Band may be selected on the GUI. Therefore, the remote custom key to select the high frequency band is no longer required. The following BUC and LNB components are preconfigured in iBuilder: iDirect 1.5W Ku-Band BUC iDirect 3W Ku-Band BUC iDirect 4W Ku-Band BUC iDirect Ku-Band PLL LNB For any iDX release that is prior to iDX 3.1, iDirect BUCs and LNBs are configured as described in the following sections of this document.

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

iDirect BUCs and LNBs Prior to iDX Release 3.1

The following discussions provide information required for configuring iDirect BUC and LNB devices with iDX releases prior to iDX Release 3.1. In these releases, iDirect BUCs and LNBs are not preconfigured in iBuilder this means that they must be configured prior to their use.

Product Specifications
Table 1 contains the specifications for the Direct BUCs. Table 2 contains the specifications for the iDirect DRO and PLL LNBs. These tables include all the data required to configure iDirect LNBs and BUCs in iBuilder. They also show the recommended remote model types for each BUC and LNB and any symbol rate limitations for LNBs. For more detailed specifications, see the Spec Sheet for your unit at http://www.idirect.net. Table 1. iDirect BUC Specifications

Table 2. iDirect LNB Specifications

* Remote modems using a DiSEqC PLL LNB require a remote-side custom key to select the high frequency band.

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

Configuration
Because these products are backward-compatible with existing iDX and iDS releases, they are not preconfigured in the components folder in iBuilder. Therefore, the BUC or LNB must be configured in the iBuilder tree before it canbe assign to a specific remote on the Remote VSAT tab. Note: Before adding the first iDirect BUC or LNB in iBuilder, add iDirect as a Manufacturer. Right-click the Manufacturers folder in the iBuilder tree and select Add Manufacturer from the menu.

Adding an iDirect BUC in iBuilder

Follow these steps to create an iDirect BUC in iBuilder: 1. Expand the Components folder in the iBuilder tree to view the BUC sub-folder under Remote Antenna Components.

Figure 1. BUC Sub-Folder in iBuilder Tree

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

Right-click the BUC sub-folder and select Add BUC to open the BUC dialog box. Figure 2 shows the correct iBuilder configuration for an iDirect 3W Universal Ku-Band BUC.

Figure 2. BUC Dialog Box for iDirect 3W BUC 2. Select iDirect as the Manufacturer. 3. Enter the iDirect Part Number from Table 1 for both the Manufacturer Part Number and the iDirect Part Number. Note: The Manufacturer Part Number is a required field. This field is used to select the BUC on the remote VSAT tab.

4. Select a BUC Type. Note: 1.5W Ku-band is not currently a selection in the list of BUC Types. Since this field is informational only, select 2W Ku-band instead.

5. For Start Frequency, enter the low RF Frequency from Table 1, converted to MHz. 6. For Stop Frequency, enter the high RF Frequency from Table 1, converted to MHz. 7. Enter the Gain from Table 1. 8. Enter the Power from Table 1. 9. For Frequency Translation, enter the Local Oscillator (L.O.) Frequency from Table 1, converted to MHz. The Frequency Translation is 12800 MHz for iDirect Universal Ku-Band BUCs.

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

Note:

Ensure that the Frequency Translation is entered correctly. A wrong value in this field can result in the modem transmitting on an incorrect frequency.

10. Select ODU Tx DC Power to tell the remote modem to supply DC power to the BUC. 11. Select ODU Tx 10 MHz to tell the remote modem to supply the 10 MHz reference clock to the BUC. 12. For Spectral Inversion, select Normal. 13. Click OK to save the BUC configuration.

Adding an iDirect LNB in iBuilder

Follow the steps in this section to configure an iDirect DRO or PLL LNB in iBuilder. Be sure to use the correct specifications from Table 2 for the specific LNB model. 1. Expand the Components folder in the iBuilder tree to view the LNB sub-folder under Remote Antenna Components.

Figure 3. LNB Sub-Folder in iBuilder Tree

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

2. Right-click the LNB sub-folder and select Add LNB to open the LNB dialog box. The example in Figure 4 shows an iDirect Ku-band PLL LNB configured in iBuilder to use the high frequency band.

Figure 4. LNB Dialog Box for iDirect PLL LNB - High Band Note: Even though the LNB in Figure 4 is configured for the high band Frequency Translation of 10600 MHz (see Table 2), Low Band is selected in the Frequency Band drop-down menu and cannot be changed. Therefore, a custom key must be added to each remote equipped with a DiSEqC LNB in order to select the high frequency band. (See Configuring a Remote to Use an iDirect BUC or LNB, page8.) Any Manual Switch PLL LNBs using the configuration in the example should have the switch set to the high band position.

3. Select iDirect as the Manufacturer. 4. Enter the iDirect Part Number from Table 2 for both the Manufacturer Part Number and the iDirect Part Number. Note: The Manufacturer Part Number is a required field. This field is used to select the LNB on the remote VSAT tab.

5. For Start Frequency, enter the low RF Frequency from Table 2, converted to MHz. 6. For Stop Frequency, enter the high RF Frequency from Table 2, converted to MHz.

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

7. Enter the Gain from Table 2. 8. Enter the Noise Figure from Table 2. 9. Enter the Stability from Table 2. 10. For Frequency Translation, enter the Local Oscillator (L.O.) Frequency from Table 2, converted to MHz. Note: When configuring a DRO LNB, be sure to enter the correct Frequency Translation for the specific LNB. If configuring a PLL LNB, be sure to enter the correct Frequency Translation for your frequency band.

11. Select ODU Rx DC Power to tell the remote modem to supply DC power to the LNB. 12. Do not select ODU Rx 10 MHz. iDirect LNBs do not require an external 10 MHz reference. 13. For Spectral Inversion, select Normal. 14. The Frequency Band may not be selected at this time. If you are using the High Frequency Band and a DiSEqC PLL LNB, you must configure a custom key on all remotes with this LNB definition assigned to select the high band. See the next section for details. 15. The DC Voltage field cannot be changed. The default value is correct for all LNBs. 16. Click OK to save the LNB configuration.

Configuring a Remote to Use an iDirect BUC or LNB

Once the BUC and LNB components have been configured, they may be assigned to specific remotes using the Remote VSAT tab as follows: 1. Right-click on the remote in the iBuilder tree and select ModifyItem. 2. In the Remote Dialog Box, click the VSAT tab. 3. In the Remote Antenna area, select the BUC and/or LNB to be assigned to the remote. Figure 5 shows the BUC and LNB from the examples above assigned to a remote.

Figure 5. Remote VSAT Tab with iDirect BUC and LNB Assigned

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs

4. If the remote is equipped with a DiSEqC PLL LNB and you are selecting the high frequency band, configure a remote-side custom key to select the high band as follows: a. Click the Custom tab. b. Under Remote-side Configuration, enter the following custom key: [ODU] lnb_tone_enable = 1 Setting lnb_tone_enable = 1 enables the 22 kHz tone from the modem to select the high frequency band. By default, the tone is off and the low frequency band is selected. The low frequency band may be re-selected by entering lnb_tone_enable = 0 or by deleting the custom key. Regardless of which band is selected, it is important to ensure that the Frequency Translation configured for the LNB matches the L.O. Frequency of the frequency band that is selected with the custom key. (See Table 2). Note: Only Evolution remotes can generate the 22 kHz tone.

Figure 6 shows the remote-side custom key required to select the high frequency band for a DiSEqC PLL LNB.

Figure 6. Enabling the High Frequency Band on a Remote with a DiSEqC PLL LNB 5. Click OK to save the changes to the remote. 6. Right-click the remote in the iBuilder tree and select Apply ConfigurationReliable Remote Side (TCP) to send the modified configuration to the remote modem.

Configuring iDirect BUCs and LNBs