Setup of the tracking system is straight forward. From the controller’s CONFIG mode the user enters the following information:

- Antenna Size - Antenna Latitude and Longitude

- Maximum Tracking Error in tenths of dB

- Elevation Constant (the number of elevation position counts per degree of antenna elevation movement)

- AGC Polarity (positive polarity implies that a stronger satellite signal produces a greater AGC voltage)

- AGC Threshold (an AGC level above the threshold implies that a satellite signal is present)

When a track is initiated on a satellite the user is prompted for: the satellite’s longitude, the satellite’s current inclination, and the satellite’s frequency band(s)

- C, Ku, C/Ku, L, X, Ka.

From this information the controller is able to automatically determine the optimum tracking parameters:

- Step Track azimuth and elevation step sizes

- Interval between Step Track peaking operations

- Frequency of Memory Track antenna alignment operations

- The shape of the Search Mode search region

Features:

- An intuitive user interface based on a 2 by 40 liquid crystal display with a 16 key keypad

- Dual Speed, Solid State Adapti-DriveTM can deliver 8 amps (at 30 volts DC) to the antenna actuator. The drive features electronic over current protection and dynamic braking. An application note is available which describes a method to interface with motors that operate at different voltages - see the Application Information section.

- Precise slow speed control is implemented by a software servo based system that measures the rate at which position pulses are accumulated by the controller and adjusts the voltage applied to the drive to maintain a constant rate of movement.

- Interfaces with pulse based position sensors

- reed switch, Hall effect, or optical

- Servo based polarization control. An optional daughter board, designated RC2KPOL, can interface with a 5 to 24 volt DC powered rotating feed equipped with a potentiometer for position feedback

- Serial communications via an RS-422 port. The RC2000 uses the industry standard SA Bus protocol

- Rack Mounting (2 rack units high), 115/230 VAC Switch Selectable Power Input

- Non-Volatile Memory retains satellite position data. The RC2000A can store location data for 50 geostationary satellites. The RC2000C stores location data for 35 satellites, 5 of which may be inclined.