Controllers

Box "D"

A Controller fully controllable via RS232

A short story about this new antenna rotator controller..

After five years of successfully experience with the previous B and C controller models, that where already
advanced in features and technology, we decided to put together in one new controller the greatest features
of both versions.

A last generation's CPU with a new software, allowed us to manufacture a fully computer
programmable/controllable antenna rotator. You can configure it as you need for your antenna system.
It can became a controller for azimuth or elevation rotator or something else.

Having the new CPU an excellent PWM, to have it working with all rotators model than we decided to switch the rotor AC motors to DC motors, easily controllable with a PWM.

It looks like the previous B, but internally it has a new electronic board/circuits with RS232 built inside.

During controller alignment and quality tests, the controller has default configuration, such configuration can be reprogrammed using the "tool software" series supplied.

Customers that don't have a PC, can change most controller features using some on board dip switches.

By this re-styling operation we no only produced a new product with greater features, but even were able to take out some l production costs, so now you can get an improved antenna rotators with a lower price.

"D" controller is available in desk top or 19" rack version.

Features

(only the main features are listed below, there is not enough room to explain all of them)

Features programmable manually or via RS232:

South or North Stop (default = south stop, selectable by on board dip-switch or PC)

Soft Start-Soft Stop (10 degree starting-stopping soft ramp is provided. On -Off, selectable by on board dip-switch or via PC)

Rotation range (360° or 500° selectable travel limits by on board dip-switch, programmable by PC, between 1° & 500° with 1° steps Any limit you want even less then 360 degrees.)

Calibration and off-set. (manual calibration and off-set is provided, both are programmable by PC)

Features programmable via RS232 only:

Reverse delay (do not allow the immediate antenna revers rotation, default = 3 second, programmable)

Preset delay (delay time after a preset input command, default = 3 second, programmable)

PWM on--off (allow soft start-stop ramp, programmable)

PWM duty cycle (allow to control starting -stopping ramp and motor speed, programmable)

Optimizer (if extra over 360 degree range travel is selected, the rotor will go to the commanded bearing via the shortest way, programmable)

Rotor safety watchdog (verify if the rotor feed back position decoder is there and acting correctly, if not it will stop the rotor within 5 seconds, programmable saving you a catastrophy)

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Control boxes are manufactured with the highest-quality components. The circuit is powered via an AC filter and a large transformer that provides the operating voltages for the controller and rotator motor. Two 10A long-life relays energize the rotor motor.

Another feature of the control box circuitry is the special way in which rotation limits are implemented. No limit switches are used in the rotators but the limits are controlled electronically from within the control box.

This permits travel much greater than 360 degrees.

Each Controller has 70° extra range on the left and right side, for 500° total. If the antenna is in 70° extra range, the display will show it.

The digital display shows the antenna bearing in degrees, true to 1 degree, as the rotor shaft has no play or backslash.

Control boxes and rotators are individually calibrated and checked before shipping.

User's manual:

Manual is composed by three sections, one printed, for all users. Two parts are available as .PDF documents on CD or diskette, enclosed with rotator,

The Software tools are also on the CD for user's that want to set-up and use the controller with a PC's com port RS232 interface.

If you are a software writer or a commercial customer , you will also find the software code to be able to write rotator control software for your custom application on this CD.

click here to Get the manual in pdf format

The front panel and manual commands:

On the front panel are placed: power switch, CW and CCW toggle switches, Preset knob and display.

The Preset encoder allows precise 1 degree selection of desired heading. It allows you to choose an antenna direction in the 0-360 degree range, by just rotating the knob. As you turn the preset knob, the digital display will change the degrees displayed until you reach your new heading. When you stop turning the knob to select the desired direction the rotator will start turning after a short time delay. It will stop when it reaches the preset heading. The display will show the heading progress as the rotator turns.

The delay time is provided to allow you to change your mind before that rotator start and than you can input a new heading.

While the rotor is running after an input preset command or via RS232 you can stop it just pushing one of the toggle switches.

A waterproof transparent door is provided for 19" inch rack mount version.

Specifications subject to change without notice. Pictures and texts are exclusively owned by Prosistel.

Controller most used by DX'ers and Contesters

Preset with true 360 degrees rotary encoder (you can select your antenna heading simply turning the preset knob,

in the meantime the display will show you the selected degrees. Leave the knob and the rotator will start automatically

along the shortest way in it's 500° range)

Selectable South or North stop (a simple jumper will select them. South is default)

Soft Stop (selected the antenna heading with the preset, the rotator will soft stop)

Paddle key (used for manual control, provided 3 seconds of reverse delay )

Large digital green display

Voice synthesizer (the only one talking controller in the world) a voice will confirm each operation.

Key board entry commands

9 Read/Write memories

Manual Controls (multifunction keys let you use it in CW and CCW manual way)

RS232 Computer controllable (free software driver available)

Selectable North or South stop (a simply deep switch let select them. South is default)

Soft Start and Soft Stop (4 different times can be selected. Soft start works with manual way too.)

Large digital green LCD display

Control boxes are made with the highest-quality components. The circuit is powered via an AC filter and a 250 VA

transformer that provides the operating voltages for the controller and rotator motor. The 48V AC rotators use TRIACs

to energize the motors. 12V DC version use 10A
long-life relays for this purpose.

Another feature of the control box circuitry is the special way in which rotation limits are implemented. No limit switches

are used in the rotators but the limits are controlled electronically from within the control box. This permits travel much

greater than 360 degrees. Each Controller has 70° extra range on the left and right side, for 500° total. If the antenna

is in 70° extra range, the display will show it. The digital display shows the antenna bearing in degrees, true to 1
degree, as the rotor shaft has no play or backslash.

The B version and the Black Line controllers have a DB9 connector and may be controlled with computer interface boards

Control boxes and rotators are individually calibrated and checked before shipping.

Specifications subject to change without notice.
Pictures and texts are exclusive Prosistel owner.
Copyright@Prosistel 2001

Big Boy Rotator Controllers

D Controller