ZUKU DTH INSTALLER

TRAINING MANUAL
 CONTENTS
- 27. WHAT IS A REFLECTOR? PAGE 20
- 28. REFLECTOR SIZE PAGE 20
- 29. FACTORS AFFECTING GAIN PAGE 21
- 30. BEAM WIDTH PAGE 21
- 31. CARRIER TO NOISE RATIO PAGE 21
- 32. SYMBOL RATE PAGE 22
- 33. FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION - “FEC” PAGE 22
PART 1. THEORY PAGE 2 - 34. BIT ERROR RATE – “BER” PAGE 22
- THE EARLY DAYS OF SATELLITE PAGE 2 - 35. COMPRESSION PAGE 22
- DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORBIT PAGE 3 - 36. THE LNB PAGE 23
- TYPES OF SATELLITE ORBITS PAGE 4 - 5 - 37. THE FEED HORN PAGE 23
- GEO - A CROWDED RESOURCE PAGE 5 - 38. LNB –PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION PAGE 23
- TYPES OF FOOTPRINTS PAGE 6 - 39. WORKINGS OF THE DOWN CONVERTOR PAGE 24
- NSS12 FOOTPRINT & PARAMETERS PAGE 6 - 8 - 40. TYPES OF LNB’S PAGE 24
- THEORETICAL FUNDAMENTALS PAGE 8 - 26 - 41. ELEVATION AND AZIMUTH PAGE 24
- 1. THE VOLT PAGE 8 - 42. THE SKEW PAGE 25
- 2. THE AMP & THE WATT PAGE 9 - 43. ENCRYPTION PAGE 25
- 3. ALTERNATING CURRENT – “THE SINE WAVE” PAGE 9 - 44. THE COAXIAL CABLE PAGE 25
- 4. DIRECT CURRENT PAGE 9 - 45. COAXIAL CABLE IMPEDANCE PAGE 26
- 5. FREQUENCY PAGE 10 - 46. COAXIAL CABLE D.C. RESISTANCE PAGE 26
- 6. FREQUENCY TERMINOLOGY PAGE 10 - 47. COAXIAL CABLE SIGNAL LOSS PAGE 26
- 7. THE FREQUENCY SPECTRUM PAGE 10 - 12 - 48. UNDERGROUND COAXIAL INSTALLATION PAGE 26
- ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM PAGE 11 - 12 PART 2. THE PRACTICAL INSTALLATION PAGE 27 - 35
- SATELLITE BANDS PAGE 12 - 1. DEALING WITH THE CLIENT PAGE 27
- SATELLITE BAND USAGE PAGE 12 - 2. BASIC TEST EQUIPMENT PAGE 27
- 8. THE DECIBEL (dB) PAGE 12 - 3. BASIC TOOL SET PAGE 28
- 9. LINES OF LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE PAGE 13 - 4. RECEPTION EQUIPMENT PAGE 28
- 10. THE ELECTRO-MAGNETIC WAVE PAGE 13 - 5. SELECTING THE INSTALLATION POSITION PAGE 28
- 11. THE ANALOGUE WAVEFORM PAGE 13 - 6. SETTING POLARISATION OFFSET (“LNB SKEW”) PAGE 28
- 12. THE DIGITAL SIGNAL PAGE 14 - 7. SELECTING THE INSTALLATION POSITION PAGE 29
- 13. WHAT IS MODULATION? PAGE 14 - 8. SELECTING THE INSTALLATION POSITION PAGE 29
- 14. AMPLITUDE MODULATION PAGE 14 - 9. INSTALLING THE MOUNTING BRACKET PAGE 29
- 15. FREQUENCY MODULATION PAGE 15 - 10. INSTALLING THE MOUNTING BRACKET PAGE 30
- 16. QUADRATURE PHASE SHIFT KEYED MODULATION PAGE 15 - 11. ALIGNING THE SATELLITE ANTENNA PAGE 30 - 31
- 17. BANDWIDTH PAGE 16 - 12. SETTING THE SKEW PAGE 31
- 18. ATMOSPHERIC NOISE PAGE 16 - 13. THE CABLE INSTALLATION PAGE 32
- 19. ELECTRONIC NOISE PAGE 17 - 14. CABLE INSTALLATION PAGE 32
- 20. RAIN FADE PAGE 17 - 15. CABLE INSTALLATION –OUTSIDE WALL PAGE 32
- 21. SUN OUTAGES PAGE 17 - 16. CABLE INSTALLATION –OUTSIDE WALL PAGE 33
- 22. THE SATELLITE FREQUENCY GROUPS PAGE 18 - 17. CABLE INSTALLATION – INSIDE WALL PAGE 33
- 23. C BAND & Ku BAND COMPARISONS PAGE 18 - 18. THE F CONNECTORS PAGE 33
- 24. SATELLITE TRANSMISSION POWER PAGE 18 - 19.THE F CONNECTOR PAGE 34
- 25. FREE SPACE AND ATMOSPHERIC TRANSMISSION LOSSES PAGE 19 - 20. EARTHING PAGE 34
- POLARIZATION – H AND V PAGE 19 - 21. INSTALLING THE DECODER PAGE 34
- 26. POLARIZATION PAGE 20 - 22. SIGNAL SCAN PAGE 35
 PART 1. THEORY Different Types of Orbit

THREE MAIN TYPES OF ORBIT FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS:

Satellite Transmits = 100 • GEOSTATIONARY EARTH ORBIT (GSO): 90% of the time, Geostationary Earth Orbit satellites will be the object
of your attention. They are a long way from Earth (22,237 miles) but they appear stationary when seen from the
Earth’s surface. A signal takes about a quarter of a second to do a round trip from the Earth to the satellite and
Power at Satellite = then back to Earth, so there is a noticeable voice delay.
0.0000000001
• NON-GEOSTATIONARY (NGSO)

Transmission Loss Transmission Path Loss • POLAR

Atmospheric Loss
Power to Receiving Earth GSO - ORBITAL SLOTS:
Initial Power = 1,000 Station = 0.00000000001
The location of a satellite is called an orbital slot. The orbital slot is measured in degrees of longitude from the
Greenwich Meridian.

Other Losses:
• RF Inefficiencies
• Noise from other RF sources:
- The Sun
- The Earth
• Power Dissipation
• Inefficient Amplification

Figure 1. The Satellite Transmission Path

THE EARLY DAYS OF

SATELLITE
Arthur. C. Clarke – 1945
“Extra-Terrestrial Relays”

• +/-36,000 km above Earth and appear to be

standing still

• Only by the early 1960’S were rockets

powerful enough to launch satellites to this
orbit

Figure 2. Total Global Coverage

LEO - Low Earth Orbit • MEO - Medium Earth Orbit • GEO - Geostationary Earth Orbit
2. 3.
 TYPES OF SATELLITE ORBITS 5. GEO-STATIONARY ORBIT

• 36,000 km from the Earth

• Above equator • Appears stationary
• Satellites orbiting the Earth make
one orbit every 90 minutes and cover a
circumference of about 40,000 kilometers.
This works out to about 445 kilometers

1. LOW AND MEDIUM EARTH ORBIT 2. POLAR ORBIT per minute or 26,000 kilometers/hour
which is 17,000 miles per hour
• Does not require tracking • Used mostly
for DTH and VSAT

Figure 7. Geo-Stationary Orbit

Figure 3. Low Earth Orbit Figure 4. Polar Orbit

GEO - a Crowded Resource
• +/- 300 km’s above the Earth • Fast orbit • Needs tracking • Orbits across North and South Pole • Fast orbit • Needs
• Telecomm use tracking • Telecomms use

3. INCLINED ORBIT 4. HIGH EARTH ORBIT

Figure 5. Inclined Orbit Figure 6. High Earth Orbit

• Mostly used by Russians to get signals to and from

Further than 40,000 km • Slow orbit
polar regions (i.e. Siberia) • Fast orbit • Requires tracking
• Space exploration

4. 5.
 TYPES OF FOOTPRINTS THE SATELLITE TRANSMISSION CHAIN
• UPLINK
Transmits the programmes
to the satellite

• SATELLITE
Converts the uplink frequencies to lower
frequencies and amplifies them before
transmitting back to Earth

• GLOBAL • TVRO
Covers 1/3 of Earth’s surface Receives the signals and converts
(low power) to a lower frequency

• HEMI • RECEIVER
Covers 1/6 of Earth’s surface De-modulates signal and decrypts for
(low power)
viewing on TV set

• ZONE Figure 9. The Satellite Link Chain

Covers part of a continent
(e.g. W7 CA Beam)
(medium power)

• SPOT THE SATELLITE UPLINK

Covers a small area (e.g. NSS-12
spot over East Africa) • Incoming feed for live feeds
(high power) • Carousel for movie play outs

• Other FCCs for live shows etc

• A/D convertors
Figure 8. Types of Satellite Footprints
• MUX for multiplexing data
streams

• Modulator to place programmes

onto carrier

• Transmitter to amplify carrier

NSS12 FOOTPRINT & PARAMETERS • Uplink antenna for transmission

to satellite

Figure 10. Simple Uplink Site & Studio

ZUKU Satellite Parameters THE SATELLITE TRANSPONDER

Satellite NSS-12

Orbital Position 57°E

Symbol Rate (kSym/Sec or kBaud) 45,000

• Converts uplink frequencies to lower
frequencies
Modulation QPSK
• Amplifies the frequencies to transmit back
Forward Error Correction (FEC) 3/5 to Earth
• Solar panels and batteries for power
Polarisation H
• Up to 40 transponders on one satellite
Homing Channel Frequency (MHz) 11,518 • Hydrazine thrusters for stability

• Telemetry for station keeping

• Transmit and receive antennas

Figure 11. Satellite Transponder

6. 7.
 THE DOMESTIC RECEIVE ONLY TELEVISION SITE
2. THE AMP & THE WATT
• REFLECTOR The AMP can be regarded as the “volume” of electricity in a wire or circuit.
Concentrates Ku Band signals

• LNB
Amplifies and down- The WATT is the amount of power generated when the volts and amps are multiplied together.
converts signals
Watts are used for the power transmitted by the satellite, but not for the signals received as these are too small.
• SATELLITE RECEIVER
De-modulates and decrypts signals The footprint is rated in Watts, but this relates to the power transmitted from the satellite.

• TV/MONITOR
Displays the programmes

Figure 12. TVRO (Down Link Site)

3. ALTERNATING
CURRENT – “THE
SINE WAVE”
THEORETICAL FUNDAMENTALS
• The value varies between a
positive and equal negative
value over time

• This is the type of waveform

transmitted to and from the satellite Figure 14. The AC Waveform

1. THE VOLT

• Electrical force or pressure 4. DIRECT

• Received satellite signals
are small
CURRENT
• Use the millivolt
(one thousandth of a volt) • The one port of the supply
always stays positive and the other
• Use the microvolt always stays negative
(one millionth of a volt)
• Used for power and
Figure 13a. Volt vs millivolt Figure 13b. Millivolt vs microvolt switching to the LNB

• Think of D.C. as the way a car

battery works
Figure 15. The D.C. Waveform

• ONE VOLT = 1,000 MILLIVOLTS • ONE MILLIVOLT = 1,000 MICROVOLTS

• ONE VOLT = 1,000,000 MiCROVOLTS
8. 9.
 ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

5. FREQUENCY Figure 16a. Frequency of 1Hz (one cycle per second)

• Number of cycles per second

is known as the frequency

Figure 16b. Frequency of 5Hz (five cycle per second)

6. FREQUENCY TERMINOLOGY
1 HERTZ = 1 CYCLE PER SECOND

1,000 HERTZ = 1 KILOHERTZ = 1,000 CYCLES PER SECOND

1,000,000 HERTZ = 1 MEGAHERTZ = 1,000,000 CYCLES PER SECOND

1,000,000,000 HERTZ = 1 GIGAHERTZ = 1,000,000,000 CYCLES PER SECOND

7. THE
FREQUENCY
SPECTRUM

• All these frequencies

are sine waves

• It is only the number of

oscillations per second that are
different
Figure 17. Frequency Spectrum (simplified)

10. 11.
 SATELLITE BANDS 9. LINES OF
LATITUDE AND
• L-BAND: Exclusively reserved for mobile satellite services (MSS). Currently Inmarsatand Globalstar,
ICO and others to follow. LONGITUDE
• C-BAND: Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and television broadcast (BSS). Mainly used in areas of high
rainfall, Asia, Africa and Latin America, due to its tolerance to “rain fade”. Often used in beams with • The lines of LATITUDE run
widely dispersed power, e.g. Global beams. parallel to the Equator

• The lines of LONGITUDE run

• Ku-BAND: FSS and BSS, primarily used in North America and Europe, not least because it avoids from the North to the South Poles
terrestrial C-band interference. Often configured as high powered spot beams. and converge at the Poles

• Ka-BAND: The path for broadband services via satellite. Very susceptible to atmospheric attenuation. • These lines decide the
Commercial use is small today, but many future projects plan Ka-Band systems. ELEVATION, AZIMUTH and SKEW of Figure 18. Latitude and Longitude
every satellite installation

SATELLITE BAND USAGE

Band Frequencies
L 1.5-1.6 GHz
S 2.5 GHz
10. THE ELECTRO-
Spectrum Available Typical Applications MAGNETIC WAVE
50 MHz Mobile satellite communications
• All sine waves have a
magnetic and electric part at right
70 MHz Mobile satellite communications angles to each other

• The electrical part

C 4-6 GHz 500 MHz Trunk telephony / data / DTH
determines the polarization

X 7-8 GHz 30 MHz Military / Feeder links Figure 19. Electro Magnetic Wave

Ku 10-14 GHz 2 GHz DTH / data

Ka 20-30 GHz 2 GHz Broadband applications

Q/V 37.5-40.5 GHz 3 GHz Broadband applications

11. THE
ANALOGUE
W 71-74 GHz 3 GHz Broadband applications

WAVEFORM
8. THE DECIBEL (dB) • The voltage level of this
waveform varies with time

• This is the type of waveform

• 54 dBuV= ¼ Millivolt • 57 dBuV= ½ Millivolt that is transmitted to and from the
• 60 dBuV= 1 Millivolt • 63 dBuV= 2 Millivolt satellite
• 66 dBuV= 4 Millivolt
Figure 20. Analogue Signal
REMEMBER THIS IS HOW IT READS ON YOUR FIELD STRENGTH METER!

12. 13.
 12. THE DIGITAL 15. FREQUENCY
SIGNAL MODULATION
• The modulation signal
changes the value of the frequency
• Only has two values “1 or 0” and the amplitude

• “1” Can be any value • Immune to noise

• This is the form used for the • Used in the earlier analogue
television signal that is Satellite transmission
modulated onto the satellite
frequency
Figure 21. Digital Signal Figure 23. The Frequency Modulated Signal

13. WHAT IS MODULATION?

This is the term used whereby the shape of the carrier is changed by another waveform
1,000,000,000 HERTZ = 1 GIGAHERTZ = 1,000,000,000 CYCLES PER SECOND.

In the case of satellite television, this means the change of shape of the carrier (or signal) that is used 16. QUADRATURE
to transmit the programmes to the satellite by the signal that contains the picture information.
PHASE
SHIFT KEYED
MODULATION
• Phase shift used instead of
frequency shift
14. AMPLITUDE • Each phase shift gives two

MODULATION symbols

• Reduces bandwidth for digital

television

• The amplitude or “level” of

the carrier is changed by the
information signal

• Prone to noise interference

• Not used in satellite

transmission
Figure 22. The Amplitude Modulated Signal Figure 24. QPSK

14. 15.
 19. ELECTRONIC NOISE
• Every electronic circuit generates noise
• The higher the gain, the more noise is generated
• This noise is also caused by molecular movement
• The noise figure (N.F.) on the side of the LNB shows the amount of noise
the LNB generates
17. BANDWIDTH • The lower this figure, the better it is

• The carrier without

modulation is only a
sharp spike

• When modulation is added the Figure 25a. Frequency with no Modulation

signal spreads on either side of the
centre frequency 20. RAIN FADE
• The more information
required, the wider the bandwidth
gets • The rain drops are much
larger than the wave length of the
• Bandwidth is the limiting Ku Band signals
technical and financial restraint in
satellite transmission • Some of the signal is
absorbed in the rain drops and the
energy is lost in heat as it warms the
rain drops

• Some of the signal is

reflected

Figure 25b. Frequency with 1MHz Modulation

18.
ATMOSPHERIC
NOISE 21. SUN OUTAGES
• This noise is created by small
molecules rubbing together in the
atmosphere • The sun is the biggest
generator of noise
• Cannot be seen or heard
• In March and September the
• Ground noise comes from sun is directly behind the satellite
the ground
• The noise level is much higher
• The hotter and drier it is than the signal level
the more ground noise is available
Figure 26. Noise and Signal
Figure 27. Sun Outage

NB: THE SATELLITE SIGNAL HAS TO TRAVEL THROUGH THIS NOISE

16. 17.
 22. THE 25. FREE SPACE AND ATMOSPHERIC TRANSMISSION LOSSES
SATELLITE E.I.R.P FROM SATELLITE

FREQUENCY 25120 WATTS = 44dBW

TRANSMISSION LOSS THROUGH SPACE
GROUPS 200 dB
SIGNAL RECEIVED ON EARTH

• L BAND
-157 dBW = 0,0003 pW
One Pico Watt is one millionth of a Watt!
• C BAND DOWN LINK
So we are receiving close to nothing!
• C BAND UP LINK

• Ku BAND DOWN LINK

Figure 28
• Ku BAND UP LINK

The L Band frequency is a much lower frequency so that the signal can be transmitted down the coax POLARIZATION – H and V
cable.

If the signals at C Band and Ku Band were transmitted down the coax cable, the signal losses would
be too high.

23. C BAND & Ku BAND COMPARISONS

C BAND Ku BAND
• Minimal rain fade • Suffers from rain fade
• Reflectors are much larger • Smaller reflectors required
• Prone to terrestrial interference • No terrestrial interference
• Lower frequency • High frequency

24. SATELLITE TRANSMISSION POWER

• LOW POWER TRANSPONDERS
2,5 Watts per channel
• MEDIUM POWER TRANSPONDERS
55 Watts per channel
• HIGH POWER TRANSPONDERS
>110 Watts per channel
• This power is not enough and is increased by the antenna gain
(effective isotropic radiated power)
• Typical E.I.R.P used across Africa can be 44 dBW (25120 Watts)
18. 19.
 26. 29. FACTORS AFFECTING GAIN
POLARIZATION • The higher the frequency, the higher the gain
(a 2m reflector will have a gain of 36 DB at C Band and 45 DB at Ku Band)
• The accuracy of the reflector surface
• Satellite transmission
can re-use the same frequencies but • Over-illumination
on two different polarities
• Under-illumination
• The polarity refers to the
electrical part of the signal

• Polarity can be vertical,

horizontal, right hand circular or left
hand circular Figure 29. Vertical & Horizontal Signals

30. BEAM WIDTH

27. WHAT IS A
• This is defined as the angle
between the half power points

REFLECTOR? • The larger the reflector, the

smaller the beam width

• The smaller the beam width,

PRIME FOCUS the harder it is to find the signal but
the higher the signal level
• Usually used for C Band
Figure 32. Beam Width
• Signal blockage not that
important due to reflector size

OFF-SET

• Usually used on Ku Band

Figure 30. The Difference between Off-set & Prime Focus
• No signal blockage

31. CARRIER TO
NOISE RATIO

28. REFLECTOR • This is the ratio used to

express the level of the
SIZE signal to the level of the noise

• The better this level the

• The larger the reflector, the better the reception
more of the wave front can be
intercepted • When the ratio is low the
receiver cannot discriminate
• THis means more gain between the signal and the noise Figure 33. Carrier to Noise
focuses all the signal onto the LNB

Figure 31. Wave concentration at LNB

IN DIGITAL MEASUREMENT, ANOTHER MEASUREMENT KNOWN AS SIGNAL-TO-NOISE IS USED, BUT THE

CARRIER-TO-NOISE IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT AS A GOOD C/N CREATES A GOOD S/N.
20. 21.
 32. SYMBOL RATE 36. THE LNB
SYMBOL RATE • Acronym for “Low Noise Block Down Convertor”
• The symbol rate can be defined as the number of digital “symbols” modulated • Situated in front of the reflector at the focal point
onto a carrier in one second
• Does not tune to single frequency but receives a group of frequencies
• With QPSK there are two digital “BITS” per symbol
• Amplifies this group of frequencies to a high level without introducing excessive noise
• With 8PSK there are three digital “BITS” per symbol
• Converts this group of frequencies to a lower frequency called L-Band
• DVB-S2 allows QPSK as well as higher order modulation schemes including 8PSK;
16-APSK; 32-APSK
• In a 36 MHZ transponder the rate is usually 27,5 million to 30 million symbols
per second

37. THE FEED

33. FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION - “FEC” HORN
• These refer to the extra bits transmitted for correcting errors in the
signal received
• It is the tube in front of
• There is a standard set of values expressed as a fraction the LNB also known as a
“waveguide”
1/2 = One of every two bits used for error correction
2/3 = One of every three bits used for error correction • Contains the two probes
3/4 = One of every four bits used for error correction (antennas) for the vertical and
5/6 = One of every six bits is used for error correction horizontal polarization
7/8 = One of every eight bits is used for error correction
• This is the only part of
• The higher the carrier-to noise ratio, the less error correction bits are needed the installation that can discriminate
between horizontal and vertical Figure 34. Front of LNB Feed Horn
polarization

34. BIT ERROR RATE – “BER”

• This read out shows the proportional rate of incorrect bits that are received in
the bit-stream
• Bit-error rates (“BER”) can be measured before error correction (pre-corrected)
or after (post corrected). Obviously the “BER” post correction will be better
EXAMPLES:
38. LNB –
3 x 10-2 = 3 Incorrect bits per 100 bits
3 x 10-3 = 3 Incorrect bits per 1,000 bits
3 x 10-4 = 3 Incorrect bits per 10,000 bits
PRINCIPLES OF
3 x 10-5 = 3 Incorrect bits per 100,000 bits
3 x 10-6 = 3 Incorrect bits per 1,000,000 bits
OPERATION
3 x 10-7 = 3 Incorrect bits per 10,000,000 bits
• The switch selects between
vertical (13V) and horizontal (18V)

35. COMPRESSION polarity

• The LNA “low noise amplifier”

amplifies the low Ku Band signal
• This is the term used in digital transmission to reduce the bandwidth
requirements • The Down Convertor
converts the Ku Band to L-Band Figure 35. LNB Block Diagram
• This is achieved by only transmitting the required information as per scene
changes or the movement within a scene

22. 23.
 39. WORKINGS OF THE DOWN CONVERTOR
• When the 22KHz tone is selected, the higher oscillator (10600 MHz) is selected. When there is no
42. THE SKEW
22KHz tone the lower oscillator (9750 MHz) is selected • The skew aligns the two
probes with the electrical
part of the received satellite
• The oscillator frequency is subtracted from the incoming Ku Band frequency to provide an L-Band signal
frequency. i.e. 11130 –9750 = 1380 MHz | 12562 –10600 = 1962 MHz • The gives maximum
discrimination between
horizontal and vertical signals
• The result falls within the L-Band (950-2150 MHz)
• Has to be done to provide the
best BER and C/N
Figure 38. The idea of Skew
• If the wrong oscillator is selected, the resultant frequency falls outside the L-Band

40. TYPES OF LNB’S

• SINGLE UNIVERSAL - This LNB has a single output that switches between high band and low band,

vertical and horizontal

43. ENCRYPTION
• TWIN UNIVERSAL – This LNB has two outputs and each port switches independently between

horizontal, vertical, high band and low band

• QUAD - This LNB has four ports that all switch independently

• QUATTRO – This LNB has four dedicated ports – HIGH VERT – HIGH HOR – LOW VERT – LOW HOR

Figure 39.

41. ELEVATION AND AZIMUTH

44. THE COAXIAL
CABLE
170 degrees
• Centre conductor can be
solid copper or copper
clad steel – ”skin effect”

• Dielectric is usually air

blown P.E. foam

31 degrees • Shield is usually a

combination of aluminium
foil and braid for cost
saving

• Outer sheath is usually

PVC, but has to be P.E. for
underground use Figure 40. Cable Cross Section
• THE AZIMUTH IS THE ANGLE CLOCKWISE • THE ELEVATION IS THE ANGLE ABOVE
TO THE RIGHT OF NORTH THE HORIZON
24. 25.
 45. COAXIAL
CABLE
THE PRACTICAL INSTALLATION
IMPEDANCE
• TV Cable has an impedance of
75 ohm

• This is written on the side of

the cable

• “d” and “D” play a big part in

the calculation

• Sharp bends and too small 1. DEALING WITH THE CLIENT

cable clips compress the outer
sheath and changes the impedance Figure 41. Impedance YOU ARE NOT ONLY REPRESENTING YOURSELF, BUT ALSO Zuku TV.

NB. IMPEDANCE CHANGES CAUSES MISMATCHES AND MISMATCHES CAUSE SIGNAL LOSSES,
RELECTIONS AND ALL SORTS OF SIGNAL PROBLEMS!! • PLEASANT TELEPHONE
MANNERS
• ALWAYS RETURN CALLS
A.S.A.P.

46. COAXIAL CABLE D.C. RESISTANCE • DON’T ARGUE WITH THE

SUBSCRIBER
• ARRIVE ON TIME
• This is measured with a multimeter
• DRESS NEATLY
• A good cable should have a reading between 15 and 20 ohm per 100m
• SPEAK TO THE SUBSCRIBER
• Solid copper core has a lower D.C. resistance than copper clad steel COURTEOUSLY
• When voltage is supplied to the LNB, a high D.C. resistance causes a volt drop • DON’T LIE
• If the 18V (horizontal) is supplied to the LNB, the voltage at the LNB might be too low and the LNB
will stay in vertical mode. Result = no reception on “H”
REMEMBER 1ST
IMPRESSIONS
47. COAXIAL CABLE SIGNAL LOSS COUNT!! Figure 42. Happy & Friendly Installers

• All coaxial cables have a signal loss

• The higher the frequency, the higher the signal loss

• Use a cable with a loss of +/-30 dB per 100m at 2150 MHz

• Avoid 75 OHM video cable (stranded inner core) as this does not work at all
2. BASIC TEST EQUIPMENT
• Field strength meter

48. UNDERGROUND COAXIAL INSTALLATION • Minimum requirements: signal level indication, carrier to noise, pre- and post- bit
error correction and spectrum analyser
• Multimeter (for voltage and continuity checks)
• Direct burial has armoured sheath
• Compass (to indicate azimuth)

PVC PE • Other underground coax always in conduit • Inclinometer (to indicate elevation)
• PVC absorbs moisture – causes signal loss

26. 27.
 3. BASIC TOOL SET
7. SELECTING THE
• Hammer/electric
drill with masonry and
• Set of star and flat
screw drivers
• Set of ring and flat
spanners
INSTALLATION
steel bits
• Long nose pliers • Knife POSITION
• Side cutter
• Plumb line • Spirit level
• Ensure that there are no
• Glue gun
• Hammer • Short and long obstructions in the signal
• Amalgamating ladder path
• Extension lead
tape • Adjustable spanner
• Remember that the received
• Fish tape signals are weak and will not
provide good results
when there are obstructions! Figure 44a. Wrong! Signal Blocked

4. RECEPTION EQUIPMENT
• Use the correct size reflector for your country as specified by Zuku TV
• A smaller reflector will provide a useable signal but will not be reliable
and cause premature loss of signal

8. SELECTING THE
5. SELECTING THE INSTALLATION POSITION INSTALLATION
• Find the azimuth, elevation and skew from the city tables POSITION
• Try and find a place at the back or side of the building to install the dish
• Clear path with no
• Do not install the dish at the front close to front door obstruction

• Avoid a line of sight to the satellite that has a tree or other obstacle in the way
• If there is no other installation area, first discuss this with the client Figure 44b. Right! Clear Signal

6. Setting 9. INSTALLING
Polarisation THE MOUNTING
Offset (“LNB BRACKET
Skew”) • Spirit level
• 4X wall plugs and bolts
• Hammer
• Correct size masonry drill bit
• Check the city tables for • Hammer drill
the polarization offset (LNB “skew”)
• It is important that this
• Don’t forget to do final skew bracket be installed vertically as it
adjustment for best “BER” looks neat and allows for correct Figure 45. Bracket with Spirit Level
when antenna has been aligned! antenna alignment!

28. 29.
 10. INSTALLING THE MOUNTING BRACKET STEP FIVE
• Connect your field strength meter and cable to the LNB

• Drill one hole and fit the bracket to the wall

STEP SIX
• Place the spirit level on the side of the bracket, move until vertical and mark the
other three holes • Set your field strength meter to the parameters found in the installation spec

• Drill the three remaining holes and fit the bolts

• Tighten the bracket securely STEP SEVEN

• THE BRACKET MUST BE TIGHT AS ANY MOVEMENT WILL CAUSE SIGNAL LOSS - ESPECIALLY • Select the spectrum facility or signal level reading on the field strength meter
IN WINDY CONDITIONS! • Ensure that the elevation adjustment is set on the side of the antenna
• Use a compass to obtain the approximate azimuth
• Move antenna slowly left and right until a peak signal is found
11. ALIGNING THE SATELLITE ANTENNA • If not, adjust elevation up or down and repeat the process

STEP ONE STEP EIGHT

• Assemble the antenna according to the manufacturer’s instructions
STEP TWO
• Refer to attached elevation appendix and set the elevation marked on the side
of the antenna to the approximate elevation setting
• DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE BOLTS, BUT ALLOW FOR SOME MOVEMENT!
Zuku TV Satellite Parameters
• When a peak is found, move the antenna slowly up and down and left and right
until you are satisfied that the antenna is peaked
• Tighten all the bolts on the antenna
STEP NINE
• Now use the field strength meter to read the C/N, the pre- and post- BER and the
signal level. Write this down for future reference
STEP TEN

Satellite NSS-12 • In areas of high elevation pour a cup of water into the reflector
• If some of the water remains then drill a 5mm hole in the antenna
Orbital Position 57°E
• Paint this hole with rust proofing afterwards

Symbol Rate (kSym/Sec or kBaud) 45,000

12. SETTING THE SKEW

Modulation QPSK

Forward Error Correction (FEC) 3/5 THIS IS THE ONLY WAY OF CHOOSING BETWEEN VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL!

Polarisation H
• Use the spectrum facility on the field strength meter, choose 13V for vertical and rotate LNB

Homing Channel Frequency (MHz) 11,518

until spectrum is at its lowest
OR
• Use the BER reading on the meter and rotate LNB until the pre-BER is at its best
STEP THREE
OR
• Set the skew on the LNB to the value for your city per the city tables
• Look at the signal quality reading on the decoder. Rotate the LNB for the best reading

STEP FOUR
• Mount the antenna on the mounting bracket and tighten the mounting bolts -
but not too tight as the antenna still needs to be moved on the pole THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!

30. 31.
 13. The Cable Installation
• Use a long masonry drill that can go straight through the wall 16. CABLE
• Use a vacuum cleaner or tape a bag under the hole that is being drilled
• Make sure there are no water pipes or electrical conduits in the wall
INSTALLATION –
• Do not press to hard on the drill OUTSIDE WALL
• Fill the hole around the cable with filler once the cable is installed
• ONLY USE A GOOD QUALITY 75 OHM 7mm CABLE. A GOOD CABLE HAS A SIGNAL LOSS OF
• Use a spirit level to draw
+/-30DB PER 100m AT 2 GHZ horizontal lines on the
wall for the cable
installation
Figure 48b. Using a Spirit Level for Horizontal Cable

14. CABLE 17. CABLE INSTALLATION – INSIDE WALL

INSTALLATION
• Do not install the cable in the middle of the wall
• Install the cable on the skirting board or in the corners of the room
• Placing bag or vacuum • Use a hot glue gun instead of cable clips wherever possible
cleaner under the hole
• DO NOT BEND THE CABLE SHARPLY AS THIS CAUSES MISMATCHES
• ONLY USE THE CORRECTLY SIZED CABLE CLIPS AS SMALL CABLE CLIPS COMPRESS THE CABLE
Figure 47. Vacuum or Bag Placement for Drilling AND CAUSE MISMATCHES

18. THE F CONNECTORS

15. CABLE
INSTALLATION –
OUTSIDE WALL
Figure 49a. Coax Cutting Measurements Figure 49b. Coax Cutting Measurements
• Use a plumb bob for
installing the cable vertically on the
outside wall
• These are the approximate cutting dimensions
Figure 48a. The Plumb Line • Twist the braid to one side as modern cables have a small amount of braid
and this provides some strength
• Cut the cable with a knife or a special cutting tool
32. 33.
 19.THE F 22. SIGNAL SCAN
CONNECTOR
ZUKU Satellite Parameters for Installation Menu

• Fit only the right size

connector Satellite NSS-12

• Compression or crimp type

Orbital Position 57°E
connectors may be used but
require the correct tools
Symbol Rate (kSym/Sec or kBaud) 45,000
• The centre core only
needs to protrude by
1 mm Modulation QPSK
Figure 49c. F Connector Centre Core

Forward Error Correction (FEC) 3/5

Polarisation H

Homing Channel Frequency (MHz) 11,518

• Perform signal scan via the menu

20. EARTHING • When completed, note the signal strength and signal quality values and note them on the
installation form

• Make sure that these values are higher than the minimum “pass / fail” specification.
• Must be done in accordance If not, you need to re-optimise the antenna adjustments (“azimuth”, “elevation” and “skew”)
with the local laws and
until the decoder passes the required signal quality level
regulations

• Diagram shows a simple

method

• Earthing must always be done

Figure 50. Earthing

BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE PERFORM A “FORCED DOWNLOAD” TO ENSURE THAT THE
DECODER HAS THE LATEST SOFTWARE PARAMETERS FOR SIGNAL RECEPTION.

FINISHING OFF:
21. INSTALLING THE DECODER • Make sure the client has completed and signed the subscriber agreement form

• Connect satellite cable to LNB in on the back of decoder • Complete the “post-installation-sign-off” form with the signal level and quality levels and make sure
the subscriber signs this form
• Connect the AV leads and RF cable from decoder to TV set
• Insert batteries into remote control • Phone the local customer service office and have the subscriber’s decoder enabled

• Ensure that the smartcard is in the slot

• Switch on decoder and TV set CLEAN UP YOUR MESS!!!!!
• Select the installation “menu” on the decoder remote and configure the necessary
parameters for signal reception
34. 35.
ELEVATE.
Contact Details
Miriam Limo
Marketing & Sales Coordinator – Zuku TV
Wananchi Satellite Limited
Tel: 0735 265 904
Email: miriam.limo@ke.wanachi.com or installers@zukutv.co.ke