Defining VSAT

Now, let’s start by clearly defining what is meant by VSAT:

• VSAT — Per Webopedia.com (http://www.webopedia.com/): Short for Very Small Aperture Terminal, a VSAT is an earthbound station used in satellite communications for data, voice and video signals, excluding broadcast television. A VSAT consists of two major parts, as follows:
• A transceiver and antenna , which are placed outdoors in direct line of sight to the satellite. This is the Rx-Tx Feed Assembly and the dish.
• A device that is placed indoors, to interface the transceiver with the end user's communications device, such as a PC. This is your StarBand ® satellite modem.

The transceiver receives and sends signals to a satellite transponder in the sky. The satellite sends and receives signals from a ground station computer, which acts as a Hub for the system. This is the StarBand ® NOC (Network Operations Center). Each end user is interconnected with the hub station via the satellite. The Hub controls the entire operation of the network. For one end user to communicate with another, the transmission has to first go to the Hub, which then retransmits it (via the satellite) to the other end user's VSAT.

Comments about this manual are welcome. Please email bjnolley@mobileinternetsatellite.com.

Note: This user guide will be available from MobileInternetSatellite.com and other Satellite Mobility Support Network (SMSN) dealers. This alliance of two-way satellite dealers is dedicated to providing RVers with satellite Internet and helping them to stay online.

Set up your StarBand ® member account

1. Get your installer certification
2. Receive hands-on training
3. Use CVACS to check alignment

Step 1 – Setting Up Your StarBand ® Account

Have your StarBand ® mobile dealer set up your StarBand ® account. This involves providing some information to the dealer and selecting the service plan you want. There are one- and two-year contracts.

The StarBand ® Nova service plans include the Nova 500, 1000, and 1500, which provide up to 500 Kbps down/100 Kbps up, up to 1 Mbps down/128 Kbps up, and up to 1.5 Mbps down/256 Kbps up, respectively.

All service plans include a generous weekly allocation for downloaded and uploaded data, as well as up to 10 hours per month of dial-up access, up to 15 email accounts, personal web space, and an equipment warranty of 12 months on new equipment.

Step 2 – Getting Your Installer Certification

Getting your installer certification is very straight-forward. Start by going to: http://www.MobileInternetSatellite.com/StarBandInstallerCert/index.html

• Click on the "Training Materials" button, to download the PDF file, which contains the information that the test is based on. The document was drawn from both StarBand and MobileInternetSsatellite.com documents.
• Click on the "Start Certification" button, when you are ready to take the test … this will take you to the Brainsbuilder.com web site, where the test resides.

Just enter the requested information. Your dealer will give you the password. The password is case-sensitive.

When you complete the test, you will be shown the list of questions and whether you got each one right or wrong. Then, you will be returned to the MobileInternetSatellite.com web site.

Once you have passed the exam, MobileInternetSatellite.com will be notified and we will contact StarBand to get an installer ID and passcode for you. We will send this to you via email, along with a PDF copy of your installer certificate.

Your installer ID and passcode will be your CVACS username and password.

The materials provide all the information you will need to pass the exam. Your installer or dealer will answer questions for you and provide any needed assistance, in preparing for the exams.

The exam is open book and you may take it up to 5 times. You must answer 85% of the questions correctly, to pass the exam.

Step 3 – Receiving Hands-on Training

The original installation and commissioning is usually performed by a professional installer. It is also the responsibility of the original installer or dealer, to train the new mobile user in proper alignment and verification procedures, when moving the satellite dish. If necessary, the new user should be provided help in preparing for the installer certification exam. Passing the installer exam is a requirement for those who will be setting up their own satellite system.

Step 4 – Using CVACS to Check Your Alignment

StarBand ® installers (mobile users) are asked to call into an automated system to do an alignment check, after redeploying the dish and going online. The automated system is the Consumer VSAT Automated Commissioning System (CVACS). The alignment check will verify and report the co-pol and cross-pol values. In 2006, a test for adjacent satellite interference (ASI) was added to the alignment check. Co-pol, cross-pol, and ASI will be defined fully later.

In order to use CVACS, you will need your Installer ID and passcode, referred to as User ID and password, in CVACS. Each of these are five-digit numbers. You will also need an Equipment Record or Notification Number, to identify your “Site” to CVACS. It used to be called the Site Number or Site ID . The ERN is an eight-digit number. It begins with “601”. The Z8 is a nine-digit number that begins with “5000”.

An Equipment Record Number (ERN) is permanently associated with each StarBand ® system. The older StarBand ® 360 and 48x systems used the ERN only for the original commissioning. Once a confirmation number was generated, the ERN was no longer accepted by CVACS and a maintenance ticket number, also called a Z8 number, was generated, to identify the site to CVACS. For StarBand ® Nova systems, the ERN remains active in CVACS. However, if a satellite switch or certain other change occurs, the ERN will no longer be accepted by CVACS. In this case, a Z8 number must be generated to identify the VSAT to CVACS.

A web-based alignment check is being developed for the StarBand ® Nova systems. When it becomes available, it will eliminate the need to call CVACS. In the meantime, should you ever set up in an area without cell-phone coverage, just send an email to your installer or dealer and ask them to make this call for you and email you the results.

StarBand ® Satellites

All StarBand ® two-way Internet services use one of the following geosynchronous satellites, located 22,300 miles above the earth:

• Americom 6/AMC6, 72 W longitude - Mostly SpaceNet Connexstar services. A few StarBand customers are assigned to this satellite, including users in Haiti and those on the Guatanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.
• Echostar 9/E9, 121 W - Almost all StarBand users were migrated to this satellite, beginning in July of 2009.
• Galaxy 18/G18, 123 W - Most StarBand users not assigned to E9 are those in western Alaska, who are assigned to the G18 satellite, at 123 W.

Account and Site Information

When a StarBand ® VSAT system and service is ordered, a customer account is created. Site specific parameters will be associated with the account, including the following:

• Equipment Record Number (ERN) - When your StarBand ® dealer created your account, this eight-digit number was generated. It can be thought of as an account number, but one that is permanently tied to the satellite modem serial number (for warranty purposes). During the original commissioning of the modem and service, the number is sometimes referred to as the Site Number or Site ID . CVACS now calls it the equipment record or notification number. Whatever it is called, it identifies the site being commissioned, to CVACS. ERNs start with “601”. When the account is first created, it is in the Install Pending state. When the site has been commissioned, the state changes to Installed . Billing starts when the state becomes Installed . For the StarBand ® Nova, the ERN continues to be used as the notification number in CVACS, unless a satellite switch occurs.
• Z8 Number - Whenever the ERN is not accepted by CVACS, mobile users must be issued a non-expiring Maintenance Ticket Number, also referred to as a Z8 number. This nine-digit number is used as the notification number, for CVACS access. Z8 numbers always start with “5000”. When using CVACS with a Z8 number, you will use the alignment options (Main Menu Option 2). Once the antenna is within specs, you are done. A confirmation number is not needed, for re-pointing and validating your antenna setup, in a new location. In fact, if you take the Get Confirmation Number CVACS option, your Z8 Number may become invalid. You will then need to contact your StarBand ® dealer, to request a new Z8 number.
• Modem Serial Number - This number is assigned during manufacturing and is shown on the back of the modem. It is tied to the ERN, for warranty purposes.
• Tech_ID - This number is actually composed of three separate numbers, which identify the customer site, the assigned satellite, transponder, polarity, and the associated processor or workgroup, at the Hub or Network Operations Center (NOC). These three things will be configured on the StarBand ® modem:
• The Satellite Modem ID (or VSAT ID) - Uniquely identifies the customer site
• The Cluster Number - Identifies satellite, transponder, and polarity
• The Subcluster Number - Identifies the Hub-sat Processor (HSP) at the NOC, always 0-0 for the Nova
• For Nova, Workgroup Address - Identifies a group of VSATs at the NOC

The satellites used are in geosynchronous orbit over the equator, 22,300 miles above the earth. StarBand uses Hub Burst Receiver (HBR) transponders, so the Hub in Marietta, GA can do what is called auto-ranging . This is how the timing information is adjusted, allowing the VSAT to synchronize with the Hub from different locations (i.e., different distances from the satellite).

Other Dish Pointing Information

The antenna uses a three axis pointing system, which is illustrated above. You will typically adjust these three settings, to point at 121 W:

• Azimuth - This is the magnetic compass direction (angle of sighting) at which you point the dish. It is a side-to-side adjustment. For tripod setups, point one leg in this direction, to serve as a guide.
• Elevation. - This is the angle above the horizon, at which you point the dish. This is an up-and-down adjustment.
• Polarization - The polarization or skew is set once at assembly, for either horizontal or vertical polarity. Then, a skew setting is made after each move, to adjust for the current location. This is a rotational adjustment.

These settings are illustrated above. The corresponding mechanical adjustments on the antenna are explained later.

You will get this information (azimuth, elevation, and skew) from the Spacenet ® Point Dish Tool, which will be covered in more detail later. You will have to manually type in “ 121 ” in the popup satellite menu.

For Macintosh users, there is a Java application called Satellite Finder, which does the same thing. See the Macintosh appendix for details about this useful utility.

The Antenna

The 75E antenna is a light, fiberglass dish measuring 0.75 meter (35.0 by 24.4 inches). It is referred to as a Phase II antenna. The 75E antenna operates in the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) KU-band (14.0-14.5 GHz transmit and 11.7- 12.2 GHz receive).

Nova systems come with the Phase III or 75 E LFL antenna, which has the same surface area as the Phase II, but is more oblong in shape.

The two antennas, shown above, are interchangeable. Often, when only referring to the dish, without the Rx-Tx Feed Assembly, the term reflector is used.

The 75E and 75 E LFL antennas use a three-axis pointing system, which you will adjust, when you move:

• Azimuth - This is the magnetic compass direction (angle of sighting) at which you point the dish.
• Elevation - This is the angle above the horizon, at which you point the dish.
• Polarization - The polarization axis is set during the original assembly of the antenna. It is often set to vertical for shipping and will have to be moved 90o to horizontal, for use on 121. Polarization orientation is set each time you move. Then, fine polarization adjustments are made at the feed assembly, if needed.

The Rx-Tx Feed Assembly

Located on the fully assembled VSAT antenna, the Phase III Rx-Tx feed assembly is shown above. The Phase II assembly is very similar. It is normally removed and safely stored fully assembled, as part of the process for moving to a new location.

• The Rx-Tx Feed Assembly comprises the following parts:
• The feed assembly - This part takes care of miscellaneous electronic and mechanical functions, that are needed for transmitting and/or receiving.
• The feed support arm - All of the other parts connect to this support arm, which also adds strength (and weight) to the completely assembled antenna.
• The outdoor electronics - The outdoor electronics consist of the LNB, which receives outbound (from the Hub) KU-band signals from the satellite, and the transmitter, which transmits inbound (to the Hub) KU-band signals to the satellite. The transmitter is also referred to as the ODU (OutDoor Unit). Power is supplied by the StarBand ® satellite modem.

Communications satellites send and receive KU-band signals, which are in the super high-frequency range. Microwave phone signals, which are relayed between tall towers, are in this same frequency range. Fortunately, KU-band signals are not usually susceptible to interference from these towers.

LNB

The Low-Noise Block down-converter (LNB) is used to amplify and frequency convert outbound signals received by the antenna. The LNB first amplifies the received KU-band signals. It then translates the input signals to the frequency used on the IFL RF-In cable.

The signal noise value is an electrical specification for the LNB, which is critical to outbound signal (your received signal) quality performance. The lower the noise figure, the better the signal quality performance will be.

Associated with the LNB is a transmit reject filter (TRF), which can be either internal or external. Both are shown in the graphic above.

The TRF prevents the energy coming from the transmitter, from interfering with the received signal that is down converted by the LNB. Without a TRF, the modem will often experience problems with losing the SYN light on the modem, and possibly the Rx light as well. If you use an LNB that has an internal TRF, with an external TRF also, the received signal can be significantly weakened.

The LNB is powered from the modem, via a DC power supply coupled on the coaxial RF input connector that is connected to the receive IFL cable.

Transmitter (ODU)

The modem sends the inbound (to the Hub) signals to the transmitter, using RF-Out and the IFL transmit cable. The transmitter is also called the ODU (OutDoor Unit), a BUC (Block Up-Converter), or the TXB (Transmission Block). The L-band signal from the modem is input to the transmitter, where it is frequency converted to the transmit KU-band. The KU-band signal is then power amplified to operate the transmitter at one or two watts (at saturation) and output to the antenna for transmission.

A transmitter is rated according to the output power. Only the Nova 1500 system will include a 2-watt transmitter. When a linear transmitter is used, it requires a GCD (gain control device) adapter, an extra item that goes inline, between the transmitter and the modem, as shown above. The 2-watt transmitter is linear. The transmitter is powered from the modem, via a DC power supply coupled on the coaxial RF outlet connector.

The IFL Cables

This component is what connects the outside components to the StarBand ® satellite modem, also called the InDoor Unit (IDU). The cables run from the antenna Rx-Tx Feed Assembly, through the point of entry into the RV, to the modem. The IFL cables connect the LNB and transmitter to the modem. The IFL cables carry DC power supplied by the satellite modem, for the outdoor electronics. They also carry the L-band signals between the outdoor electronics and the modem. StarBand ® requires dual RG-6 cable for this purpose.

The StarBand ® Satellite Modems

The modem or InDoor Unit (IDU) supplies the DC power to the LNB and the transmitter, also called the ODU. It also transmits the inbound signal and receives the outbound signal.

The modem can transmit an inbound signal, in one of two modes:

• Burst modulated - This is the normal mode for Internet access.
• Continuous wave (CW) - CW mode, also referred to as carrier wave , is used for co-pol and cross-pol testing.

Both outbound (received) and inbound (transmitted) signals operate at L-band frequencies (950-1,450 MHz), between the modem and the outdoor electronics.

Mounting and Pointing Tools

Shown above are the mounting and pointing tools included in the mobility kits porovided by MobileInternetSatellite.com. TheSkyManage Telemetry and a liquid-filled lensatic compass are included in the Budget kit, instead of the BirDog meter and Suunto tandem compass, as shown for the Deluxe kit. The polarizer adjustment kit is not included in the budget kit. All other items are the same in both kits. Other SMSN dealers may offer slightly different options. Following is a list of the items and a brief description of each:

• Ballast Strap - This attaches to the tripod eyebolt, for adding a minimum of 50 lbs. of ballast.
• Adapter Hardware - This is to securely mount the offset adapter to the tripod. It also provides the hook, from which to hang ballast. Detailed photographs of the adapter hardware assembly are included in Appendix D, Assembling the Offset Adapter .
• Mounting or Offset Adapter - The custom designed offset mount moves the center of balance of the satellite dish to directly over the center of the tripod. This creates a well-balanced antenna assembly, less prone to tip over.
• BirDog Satellite Meter - This digital satellite meter option also includes everything you need. It makes locating the right satellite and adjusting the dish to optimize the signal even easier. Because this meter positively identifies the satellite, you will be immediately able to set up your antenna and know you are online, before you turn on the modem. The BirDog is included in the Deluxe kit.
• Standard Sighting Compass - A compass is used to help determine your azimuth - the direction in which you will point your dish. This liquid-filled lensatic compass is the option included in the Budget kit.
• Suunto Tandem Compass - Included in the Deluxe kit, this is the ultimate compass, which allows you to determine your line of sight, even when there are lots of potential obstacles, such as in a heavily wooded area. This compass allows you to sight elevation, as well as azimuth.
• Torpedo/Mast Level - This level will help you plumb the offset adapter mast. Achieving a plumb mast is the key to properly pointing your dish, for optimum signal quality and minimum cross-pol and ASI. This is described in Chapter 2, Commissioning & Redeploying Your StarBand® VSAT .
• T-Level - Shown attached to the mounting adapter, the T-level is no longer included in the mobility kits. Having a T-level that is calibrated to a plumb mast makes it incredibly easy to get a plumb mast. Unfortunately, over time the calibration with the plumb mast is lost and it is no longer as helpful.

A torpedo or mast level is now recommended, since it directly measures the plumbness of the mast itself.

Note: The items pictured are only representative of the actual kit components. In some cases, an item of equal or greater value may be substituted for any individual component.

Antenna Components and Tripod

Following is a list of the included antenna components and the tripod, with a brief description of each. The items are shown in the figure above:

• Reflector with AZ/EL Skew Cap Mount - This is the StarBand ® fiberglass dish and bracket, which mounts on the offset adapter. The Nova Phase III dish ships with both the Phase II and the Phase III AZ/EL mounts.
• 50’ Dual RG-6 Cable - This is the receive and transmit InterFacility Link (IFL) cable, which connects the outdoor equipment to the satellite modem indoors.
• Rx-Tx Feed Assembly - This includes the active elements of the outdoor equipment, comprising the receiver and transmitter and other elements.
• All Fiberglass tripod - The tripod supports the antenna assembly. It should always be weighted down with at least 50 lb. of ballast. Shown in the figure at the bottom right is the Seco all-fiberglass tripod that is included in all kits.
• All aluminum tripod - The optional 60-SMSN25 tripod is all aluminum. It was specially developed for this purpose by CST/berger. It is no longer manufactured.
• 13 mm Ratchet Wrench - This tool is used for tightening the bolts in the antenna assembly. It is part of a complete toolkit (not pictured).

Pointing the Antenna Properly

TV satellites transmitting their signal to the earth broadcast a large footprint. As long as you are in that footprint, it is a relatively easy task to aim towards the satellite and acquire the signal. Transmitting a signal back is a much more precise task.

Satellites in geostationary orbit, like the Starband ® satellites, are spaced approximately 45-50 miles apart. If you draw a straight line between your dish and the satellite, it will be about 22,300 miles long. If you move your dish even one degree off peak, the other end of your line will have wandered off target, by approximately 389 miles.

A properly pointed antenna has the strongest possible received and transmitted signals (signal quality and co-pol, respectively). It creates the least possible interference for other users on the satellite (cross-pol) and on adjacent satellites (ASI).

Remember that CVACS is the automated system used to validate your setup, after each move. Because it is an automated system, there is very little delay involved. A manual Continuous or Carrier Wave (CW) test can be done, from the NOC, even when there is no valid site number in CVACS for a site.

Note: The most important thing to remember is that a properly pointed antenna doesn’t waste bandwidth or interfere with your own or others’ transmissions. This means a better online experience for everyone. And, most important in properly pointing the antenna is minimizing the cross-pol or interfering signal and the ASI. High cross-pol levels and/or ASI will affect the link performance of both StarBand ® and non-StarBand ® users in the opposite polarization, from StarBand's inbound bandwidth assignment.

Uploading with Random Access (RA) and Controlled Random Access (CRA)

The StarBand ® 360 and 48x modems use two different modes for uploads: random access (RA) and dedicated access (DA). Normal transmissions are in RA mode, but when you begin uploading a large file, a dedicated channel is assigned for the length of the upload. DA allows for faster uploads and is called Turbo mode. After the upload completes, RA is resumed.

Controlled RA (CRA) is a way to share the dedicated channel among multiple users. It will provide better upload speeds than RA and is a much more efficient use of bandwidth than DA. As such, it allows more users to get better than RA performance at any one time.

Defining Inbound and Outbound Communications

Let’s define what is meant by inbound and outbound transmissions:

• Inbound transmission - This is everything transmitted by your VSAT, to the StarBand ® Hub. Inbound performance is characterized by the CVACS co-pol and cross-pol measurements.
• Outbound transmission - This is everything received by your VSAT, from the StarBand ® Hub. Outbound performance is characterized by the Signal Quality reading. For Nova SkyManage , this is the Telemetry page EbN0 value.

Defining Polarization

The StarBand ® VSAT antenna transmits and receives signals in two linear polarizations: horizontal and vertical, as shown in the figure, above.

The first thing to keep in mind when talking about linear polarization, is that the electric field's orientation describes the polarization. The electric field radiates off of, and is in the same plane, as the “radiating antenna” in the transmitter. The magnetic field is induced by, and is perpendicular to, the electric field. Also, remember that the antennas on the satellite are oriented with respect to the earth at its meridian or line of longitude. So vertical for the satellite may be skewed from our point of view. These points hold true for the LNB, only the signal excites the “pickup antenna” in the LNB.

When we rotate the polarizer, as described later for skew or polarization adjustment, the little radiator assumes the polarization that we set.

The transmit and receive antennas use perpendicular polarizations: one for transmitting and one for receiving. (Circular polarization is also shown, but is not used by StarBand® and will not be discussed.)

Theoretically, since the two polarizations are perpendicular they should not interfere with each other. So, the VSAT can receive and transmit simultaneously, using the same antenna, with no interaction between transmitted and received signals.

However, in reality, these signals can interfere with each other - the transmit cross-polarization component can interfere or “disturb” the receiving co-polarization signal, and vice versa. These disturbances need to be kept to a minimum, by proper pointing of the dish, to avoid harmful interference on the transmission links.

Every antenna has some parasitic cross-polarization. The goal is to have a cross-pol component as small, as possible. StarBand ® allows a cross pol value of 4.0 or less.

Defining Co-pol, Cross-pol, Adjacent Satellite Interference (ASI) and Signal Quality

The inbound link is characterized by measurement of the co-pol and cross-pol Carrier-to-Noise ratios, (C/N), as measured at the Hub. The outbound link is characterized by measurement of the signal quality Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio, as measured at the StarBand ® satellite modem. Test frequencies dedicated for this purpose on both the co-pol and cross-pol transponders are used.

• Co-pol (Inbound Co-Pol C/N) - This is the desirable signal. It is measured by the co-pol test, which is a measurement of the signal power transmitted by the VSAT to its assigned satellite and polarization, relative to the RF link noise. The satellite transponder sends a Continuous or Carrier Wave (CW), an unmodulated radio signal, to the antenna, for measuring co-pol. The co-pol value should be optimized to the highest possible value. A value of at least 24 must be obtained, in order for a site to pass the co-pol test. You can optimize this, by adjusting the elevation and azimuth settings, while listening to CVACS reciting the current value.

A co-pol reading above the minimum does not appreciably improve performance. It is not necessary to continue to adjust the antenna, once the minimum reading is achieved. However, maximizing co-pol will increase the margin for rain fade.

• Cross-pol (Inbound Cross-Pol C/N) - This is the interfering signal. It is measured by the cross-pol test, which is a measurement of signal power transmitted by the VSAT into the opposite (wrong) polarization, relative to the RF link noise. Since the transponders in the opposite polarization are occupied by other users, cross-pol C/N must be minimized. The satellite transponder sends a Continuous/Carrier Wave (CW) to the antenna, for measuring cross-pol. The cross-pol value should be minimized to the lowest possible value. A value of 4.0 or less must be obtained, in order for a site to pass the cross-pol test. You can minimize this, by adjusting the skew setting, while listening to CVACS reciting the current value. A perfect cross-pol reading is zero.
• Adjacent Satellite Interference (ASI) - There is also the very real possibility that if your antenna is not pointed or aligned correctly, you could be sending a high frequency transmission to an adjacent satellite and potentially disrupting service to thousands of its users. This is referred to as Adjacent Satellite Interference (ASI).

This is a very serious issue to satellite operators and is why it is so critical that your dish is correctly pointed, locked down tight, and stabilized properly.

• Signal Quality (Outbound Signal Quality S/N) - This measurement must be maximized for optimal outbound link performance. The signal quality or Signal-to-Noise ratio (S/N) should be at least 4.5, to provide adequate performance. It is displayed as EbN0 in Nova SkyManage, on the Status tab (top), Telemetry option (left).

Pointing the Antenna and Fine-tuning with CVACS

After each move, the antenna is redeployed , by first making sure that the mast for the dish is plumb, with respect to gravity. Then, the skew, azimuth, and elevation are set on the antenna assembly, per the values provided by the Point Dish tool. Remember to add one to two degrees to the elevation.

After locating the satellite, the azimuth and elevation are then adjusted, with the help of a satellite meter, such as the BirDog, or the SkyManage Telemetry page, to achieve the strongest possible received signal. If your mast is plumb AND you have optimized your received signal, you are likely to also have an optimized co-pol signal. You should be close to minimized cross-pol and ASI values, as well.

After you have set up in a new location and you are back online, you should call CVACS, to validate your co-pol, cross-pol, and ASI numbers. Make a call to CVACS and select the option to Align the Antenna and then to Check the Alignment. You will be told if your values do NOT meet the criteria. Follow the prompts to back out of the CVACS system and disconnect.

If the criteria isn’t met, you will have the options to adjust either the co-pol or the cross-pol setting. Select the appropriate option, based upon which value did NOT meet the criteria. You will adjust either the azimuth and elevation of the dish (if co-pol < 24) or the skew (if cross-pol > 4.0), while listening to the values spoken by CVACS. If ASI is > 5.0, it can be adjusted by moving the dish downward and to the east slightly.

If you do not have cell service, you should email your Z8 or ERN to your dealer or installer, and ask them to make the call for you. When the web-based alignment check is released, it will eliminate the need to call CVACS.

How Does the StarBand ® VSAT Antenna Communicate with a Satellite?

The StarBand ® Antenna both sends requests to the Internet and receives the requested Internet content via a KU-band satellite in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator. The StarBand ® Antenna uses a low-power microwave signal with a frequency of approximately 14,250 MHz, to send such requests and receive such content. The satellite, in turn, communicates with StarBand's hub facility, which has a direct connection to the Internet.

Will the StarBand ® Antenna Harm Me?

The antenna will not harm you, when it is used in accordance with StarBand ® ‘s recommendations. The strength of the microwave signal that the antenna uses to communicate with the satellite has been measured and these measurements show that there is no health risk in front of, beside, or behind the antenna.

Only in the region between the feed horn and the reflector itself can the signal occasionally be strong enough that StarBand ® warns persons to avoid placing any body part in that region when the antenna is operating and has placed a warning label on the feed arm, as shown on the right, in the figure above.

Can You Be More Specific?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have safety standards for devices such as the StarBand ® Antenna. In each case, the safety standard is a power density of up to 1 milliwatt per square centimeter of a person's body (averaged over 30 minutes for the general public; 6 minutes in occupational settings). According to the FCC, this power density limit is well below levels generally accepted as having the potential to cause adverse health effects.

The StarBand ® Antenna emits radio-frequency energy at levels below 1 mW/cm squared at all locations in front of, beside, and behind the antenna. In the region between the feed horn and the reflector, the signal strength exceeds 1 mW/cm squared, when the antenna is transmitting data, though not when it receives data. This area is indicated by a red arrow, in the figure above.

What Does This Mean to Me?

Installers (StarBand ® mobile users) shall install the antennas only in locations that are not readily accessible to children and in a manner that prevents human exposure to potential radiation hazards.

The height of the bottom lip of the antenna when fully deployed should be at least five feet above the ground at all times, or five feet above a surrounding surface, which a person may easily access.

Understanding Power Spectral Density (PSD)

In order to limit harmful interference, FCC regulations limit the maximum power spectral density (PSD) allowed to be input to a KU-band antenna to -14 dBW/4kHz . The PSD is a function of the transmit power and the carrier bandwidth.

The Nova 500 and 1000 services use a 1-watt transmitter, with an inbound rate of 96 Ksps (kilo-symbols per second) resulting in a PSD input into the antenna of -15.7 dBW/4kHz. This is below (good) the FCC maximum allowed PSD of -14 dBW/4kHz.

The Nova1500 service, at 192 Ksps, uses a 2-watt ODU and achieve the same PSD. Since the bandwidth is twice that of the 500/1000 and the power is twice that of the 500/1000, the net effect is that the same PSD will be present: -15.7 dBW/4kHz.

An invalid configuration, from the FCC PSD perspective, would be a 2-watt transmitter with the 1000 service at 96 Ksps. This would result in a PSD of -12.7 dBW/4kHz, which exceeds the FCC -14 dBW/4kHz limit. Among other things, this means that if a subscriber wants to change from the 1500 to the 1000 service, the transmitter must be changed from 2-watts to 1-watt, to keep the PSD within the FCC limit.

Additional Rules for Temporary Fixed Earth Stations (TFES)

The two-way satellite service provided by a VSAT is a fixed wireless technology. Because StarBand ® mobile users relocate the VSAT periodically, it is a temporary Earth station. There are rules for operating a Temporary Fixed Earth Station (TFES), which customers must agree to abide by, prior to the installation or use of transportable VSAT equipment. Please see Appendix E, for the full text of the TFES rules. In this context, installer refers to the StarBand ® mobile user. Here is a summary of the rules:

• The antenna may only be operated while it is stationary. This is what is meant by “ fixed ” wireless technology.
• The installer must ensure that the antenna is stabilized during transmission, to prevent movement of the antenna for any reason.
• The installer shall be liable for all damages, if they fail to comply with these rules. This includes, but is not limited to, damages caused by improper installation.
• The installer will be deemed directly liable for any damages resulting from failure to comply with the above rules. Your StarBand ® SMSN dealer reserves the right to suspend or cancel the Installer Certificate of any installer that has not fully complied with these requirements.
• The installer may be directly liable for any damages resulting from any change undertaken, including but not limited to, any modification of any part of the hardware, software, specific operational frequencies, the authorized satellite, or the size or other characteristics of the antenna supplied to them by their StarBand ® SMSN dealer.

StarBand ® Customer Contacts

In Customer Contact Information below are some phone numbers and URLs, where you can get help in the form of StarBand ® customer service, technical support, or documentation.

StarBand ® Telephone Support Options

For StarBand ® Telephone Support, the following menu options are available:

• Option 1 - Current customer non-technical support and billing issues
• Option 2 - Customer technical support
• Option 3 - Purchase StarBand or learn more about it

StarBand ® Dealer Direct Telephone Support Options

For StarBand ® Dealer Support, the following menu options are currently available:

• Option 1 - CVACS: This is the option you will be using.
• Option 2 - Non-technical dealer questions
• Option 3 - Dealer and installer technical support for new installations
• Option 4 - Dealer and installer technical support for maintenance issues - This is an option you may use, if you need to deal directly with StarBand® technical support, to troubleshoot a problem. Remember that your dealer should always be your first line of support. You will need an installer ID to use this option.

Vacation Hold

Vacation hold can be requested after one year of the current service contract has been completed. It can be requested for up to 6 months in a year. The account can be completely deactivated. In this case, no monthly charges accrue, but there is a $49.99 activation fee, to again activate the service. When the account is reactivated, the monthly charge will be the same as before it was put on hold. The other option is to keep the email account and web site active and pay a minimal monthly charge of $15.00. There will be no activation fee when returning to full service.

Networking and StarBand ® Support

You can directly connect a StarBand ® 481 or Nova modem to a wireless router. There is lots more information on setting up your network in Chapter 3, Help & Troubleshooting Information .

StarBand ® wants you to know that attaching too many computers can cause a site to use more bandwidth than expected. This could lead to issues, though this typically only affects the top 1/2 to 1% of members. See StarBand ® Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), below, for more details.

Online User Groups

There are many online user groups available, which focus on traveling with two-way satellite. Several such online user groups are discussed in Chapter 3, Help & Troubleshooting Information .

StarBand® Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

The acronym FAP stands for Fair Access Policy and AUP for Acceptable Use Policy. Regardless of what you call it, what is important is that there is a reasonable, but limited amount of total bandwidth you can use each week. And, if you use more than your “fair share” you will be slowed to a crawl until your usage falls below a certain threshold (the Exit threshold).

StarBand’s complete policy is at http://www.starband.com/acceptableuse.html. Here is a quote from this policy:

“ ... To help ensure that all members have fair and equal use of the benefits of the Service and to protect the integrity of the Service, StarBand reserves the right, and will take necessary steps, to prevent improper or excessive consumption of bandwidth used to provide the Service. You should be aware that the networking of additional computers to access the Service may result in such excessive bandwidth consumption. The action that StarBand may take includes, but is not limited to, limiting any excessive throughput, discontinuing service via specific ports or communication protocols, and a complete discontinuation of service to the member with improper or excessive bandwidth consumption. This policy is effective and will be enforced for intended and unintended (e.g., viruses, worms, malicious code, or otherwise unknown causes) bandwidth consumption. Your on-line activity will be subject to the then-current bandwidth, data storage and other limitations of the Service, which StarBand may, from time to time, revise in its discretion and without providing advance written notice.”

The official published values are shown in the table below. However, in some cases, enforcement doesn’t occur at the Max Down and Up thresholds shown, but after a larger amount of bandwidth has been used.

StarBand Official FAP/AUP Thresholds

Here is the meaning for each of the columns in the table:

• Modem - The modem type and service plan
• MaxSpd - The maximum download and upload speeds for the service plan, in “bps”
• MaxDn - The weekly download allocation/threshold
• Recovry - The speed you will experience during the recovery period. If you are not using your connection, this is the speed at which your total usage for the week decrements.
• D Exit - When your weekly download usage falls to this level, you will stop being throttled.
• MaxUp - The weekly upload allocation/threshold
• Recovry - The speed you will experience during the recovery period. If you are not using your connection, this is the speed at which your total usage for the week decrements.
• U Exit - When your weekly upload usage falls to this level, you will stop being throttled.