System information

DAC-2202 Antenna Control Unit Operation
2-1
2. Operation
When power is turned ON, the ACU Display will initially show “SEA TEL INC - MASTER” and the ACU software
version (ie DAC-2202 VER 6.xx ). 10 seconds later, the display will switch to “SEA TEL INC - REMOTE” and
“INITIALIZING” for approximately two minutes while the Pedestal Control Unit (PCU) completes initialization of
the antenna pedestal and then reports its Model & Software version.
2.1. Quick Start Operation
If your system has been set up correctly and the ship has not moved since the system was used last.
Operation of the system from a cold start involves the following steps.
1. Turn on the AC power switches for the Antenna Control Unit (ACU) and other Below Decks
Equipment..
2. Press NEXT until the Ship menu is displayed to check the Latitude, Longitude and Heading
values. Latitude and Longitude should still be correct, but may be updated if necessary.
Heading in most cases will be 000.0 and you will have to enter the initial value of the ships
current heading. Entry of ships heading is not required when your system is connected to a 1:1
Synchro or NMEA 0183 Heading Gyro Compass output. Press ENTER 3 times to select ship's
heading (HDG) entry mode. Use the LEFT arrow to bring the cursor up under the ones digit,
then if desired, increment/decrement it using the UP/DOWN arrow keys. Use the LEFT/RIGHT
arrow keys to select other digits to modify and the UP/DOWN arrow key to modify them as
needed to enter the current ships gyro heading. Press ENTER to save the value. Press NEXT
to return to the Ship display menu.
3. If System Type parameter includes value 1, the ACU should automatically target the last satellite
that was used. If it does not, press NEXT to the Satellite display menu so you can manually
target the satellite. If you are targeting the SAME satellite longitude as was used last; Press
ENTER, then the LEFT (or RIGHT) arrow and then ENTER to target the same satellite. If you are
targeting a different satellite you will need to change the tracking parameters and then target the
desired satellite, refer to the operation section for the Satellite menu below.
A. If no signal is found: The Tracking LED will flash for a short period of time (per the SEARCH DELAY
parameter) followed by the Search LED coming ON. The ACU will automatically move the antenna in a
spiral SEARCH pattern until the ACU receives a signal (AGC) value that is greater than the threshold
value. Tracking will take over (Tracking LED ON) and automatically peak the antenna position for highest
receive signal level from the satellite which has been acquired.
B. If a satellite signal is found: The received signal level (AGC) will be higher than the threshold value.
Tracking will take over (Tracking LED ON) and automatically peak the antenna position for highest
receive signal level from the satellite.
Upon completion of the above, the system will continue to operate automatically indefinitely until; AC
power to the system is interrupted OR The satellite signal is blocked OR The ship sails into an area of
insufficient satellite signal level.
2.2. Front Panel Layout