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INTRAC-305 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
© 2011 Advantech Wireless INTRAC-305 MANUAL - Issue 3.2 Page 57
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the high accuracy of the model the tracking is within 0.05dB of
peak signal tracking.
In Tracking Mode the INTRAC continuously updates the model
by making small perturbations of the antenna and incorporating
the resultant data into the model. During periods when the
satellite’s orbit is changing because of station keeping
manoeuvres the INTRAC may increase the frequency of the
perturbations.
If the beacon receiver stops providing a useful signal* the
INTRAC will enter “Predicting” sub mode. In this mode the
INTRAC will continue to point the antenna according to the
model but will not update the model. Once “Tracking Mode”
has been achieved “predicting” can continue for 72hrs. If the
beacon receiver returns to providing a useful signal* within this
period the INTRAC returns to updating the model. If, after
72hrs, the beacon is still not producing a useful signal* the
model is deemed to have expired. If this occurs the INTRAC
can fall back on the “Reserve Model” which is a Program Track
using either IESS-412 or NORAD data. (see Reserve Model -
page 48)
* useful signal A useful signal is defined as one that varies sensibly during
antenna movements, is neither over or under range and the
beacon receiver is in lock.
Manual Manual Mode allows the operator to drive the antenna using
the Manual Control keys on the INTRAC front panel. It is
normally only used for small movements of the antenna such
as peaking when the position of the satellite is known with
close accuracy.
For larger antenna movements one of the Goto modes is faster
and where the satellite’s position is only roughly known search
is employed to peak the antenna.
There are two Manual Modes. Manual (P) Mode is manual
control from the front panel. Manual (A) Mode is manual
control from the Remote Terminal. (see section 9). The
antenna can be driven through North (Azimuth 0), in the
Northern Hemisphere, or South (Az 180), in the Southern
Hemisphere, only in Manual (P) Mode.
Goto There are three Goto sub modes. Goto Position and Goto
Satellite provide a convenient method of driving the antenna to
a specific position. Search mode is the automatic scanning of
an area of sky for a satellite.
Goto Position In this mode the operator enters the co-ordinates and beacon
frequency of the required satellite and presses the enter key.
The entered co-ordinates are checked for validity (i.e. are they