Tutorial 2: Configuring the Satellite DVB-S2 Tuner(s)

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Tutorial 2: Configuring the Satellite DVB-S2 Tuner(s)

Post by The Professor » Sun Sep 17, 2017 4:29 am

Tutorial 2: Configuring the Satellite DVB-S2 Tuner(s)
This tutorial may be distributed freely if you acknowledge tvrosat.com as the source. :grin:

Note: Click on the images below for enlarged view.

___________________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS


2.0: Introduction

2.1: Feed Examples

2.2: Simple C Band Tuner Setup

2.3: Advanced Tuner Setup

[list]2.3.1: Ku Band Tuner Setup[/list]
[list]2.3.2: Multi-Feed Tuner Setup[/list]
[list]2.3.3: Switch Port Naming[/list]
[list]2.3.4: Tone Switches[/list]
2.4: Configuring Satellites

2.5: Second Tuner Setup

2.6: Motor Setup
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2.0: Introduction

The first thing you will probably want to do when you get your ZGemma 4K receiver is to configure the satellite tuner. Enigma 2 / Linux based receivers are a little different from other receivers when it comes to tuner configuration, but the tuner setup is much more powerful once you understand how it works.

2.1: Feed Examples

Before configuring your tuner, take a minute to figure out what kind of feed you are using on your dish. :thinking There are lots of different LNBs, LNBFs and switches on the market today. Some work in the C Band, others in the Ku Band and some some can combine both bands. There are also Linear and Circular feeds for both bands.

tuner_configuration_0.jpg

If you are using your receiver to tune a new dish installation, we strongly recommend you begin with the simplest feed possible and without any switches to simplify the tuner configuration and minimize any errors. A simple prime-focus dual-output Linear C-band LNBF is shown below. A single coax cable is connected from one of the LNBF outputs directly to the receiver LNB IN (Tuner A). Let's call this setup LNB 1.


FEED 1 EXAMPLE
tuner_configuration_1.JPG

The feed below is a prime-focus Linear Ku-band LNBF. Let's call it LNB 2.

FEED 2 EXAMPLE
tuner_configuration_2.JPG

The next feed example is a bit more complicated and combines both bands using a dual scalar ring. Here, LNB 1 is a Linear C-Band LNBF and LNB 2 is a Linear Ku-Band LNBF. The signals go through a 2x1 DiseqC switch which then connects to LNB IN (Tuner A) of the receiver.

FEED 3 EXAMPLE
tuner_configuration_3.JPG

The next feed is a combo C/Ku LNBF which is widely used by many satellite enthusiasts. The front part of this LNBF (with the larger waveguide) outputs Linear C Band signals, while the smaller waveguide at the rear outputs Linear Ku Band signals. Like before, let's call the former LNB 1 for the C Band and LNB 2 for the Ku Band. Once again, the signals go through a 2x1 DiseqC switch which then connects to LNB IN (Tuner A) of the receiver.

FEED 4 EXAMPLE
tuner_configuration_4.JPG
The last feed in our example is a very complicated one. With this feed we can receive both C and Ku band signals in both Linear and Circular polarities. We will label them as follows:

LNB 1 = C Band Linear
LNB 2 = Ku Band Linear
LNB 3 = C Band Circular
LNB 4 = Ku Band Circular

FEED 5 EXAMPLE
tuner_configuration_5.JPG

2.2: Simple C Band Tuner Setup

To configure your satellite tuner, start up your receiver and press MENU on the remote.

screen_1.jpg

Select SETUP.

screen_2.jpg

Select SERVICE SEARCHING.

screen_3.jpg

Select TUNER CONFIGURATION.

screen_4.jpg

Let's start by configuring TUNER A: Si2169D(DVB-S2).

screen_5.jpg

Pick a satellite to configure. In our case, we start with 125.0W C-Band AMC 21 & Galaxy 14.

screen_6.jpg

Let's configure the very first feed we discussed above, a simple prime-focus C Band LNBF which we called LNB 1. Where it says "LNB" and "not configure", right/left click with the remote until you find LNB 1. Your settings should be exactly as shown below.

Configuration Mode = Advanced
LNB = LNB 1
Priority = Auto
LOF = C-Band
Voltage Mode = Polarization
Increased Voltage = no
Tone Mode = off
DiseqC Mode = None


This is the simplest tuner configuration possible if you are using a prime-focus C Band LNBF. We highly recommend this configuration if you are just getting started and trying to align/tune your dish for the first time because it will minimize any problems you may encounter.

screen_7.jpg

Save your tuner configuration by pressing the OK button or green button on the remote. Let's exit and try testing the tuner configuration.

Select SIGNAL FINDER.
screen_8.jpg

Here you want to select the tuner that you just configured (TUNER A) and the satellite we were working on (125W C-Band AMC 21 & Galaxy 14). Now enter the frequency, symbol rate and polarity of a transponder that is active on this satellite. In our case we chose

04080
30000
Horizontal


If your dish is properly aimed at this satellite and the tuner configuration is correct, the satfinder should detect a locked signal and display the SNR for this signal. Press OK on the remote (or press the green button) to scan the available channels.

screen_9.jpg

The service scan will look something like the one below. Press OK on the remote to save the service scan.

screen_10.jpg

Exit the SERVICE SEARCHING menu by pressing EXIT on the remote several time. You should now be able to channel up/down and view all FTA channels.

screen_11.jpg

2.3: Advanced Tuner Setup

Let's go back to the Tuner Configuration and configure FEED EXAMPLE 1 and FEED EXAMPLE 2 together using a 2x1 DiSEqC switch. LNB 1 settings need to be modified from before so the tuner knows about the switch. You can do this by enabling the DiSEqC Mode. This part gets tricky. You can enable DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1 or 1.2 depending on the switch you have (check your switch).

For your reference, a number of versions of DiSEqC exist:

DiSEqC 1.0, which allows switching between up to 4 satellite sources
DiSEqC 1.1, which allows switching between up to 16 sources
DiSEqC 1.2, which allows switching between up to 16 sources, and control of a single axis satellite motor
DiSEqC 2.0, which adds bi-directional communications to DiSEqC 1.0
DiSEqC 2.1, which adds bi-directional communications to DiSEqC 1.1
DiSEqC 2.2, which adds bi-directional communications to DiSEqC 1.2



The label on my 2x1 switch said DiSEqC 2.0, which is really just bi-directional DiSEqC 1.0

So in my case, I would select DiSEqC 1.0 and the port being used by LNB 1 which was PORT A. However, I prefer to enable the highest DiSEqC protocol, in this case DiSEqC 1.2 and then turn off what I won't be using. The reason for enabling DiSEqC 1.2 is to allow for motor control which will be covered later. Remember, only DiSEqC 1.2 and 2.2 allow motor control.

It is important that you turn off DiSEqC commands that you aren't using to minimize problems and help with troubleshooting. If your switch only understands DiSEqC 1.0 commands, be sure to turn off DiSEqC1.1 commands. Also, be sure to turn off Toneburst (this is a 2x1 switch enabled by a 22kHz tone instead of DiSEqC commands).

Your settings will look something like mine below.

screen_12.jpg

Now let's setup our Ku Linear LNBF which we called LNB 2. First, you need to find a Ku satellite with linear signals. In our example, we chose 125W Ku-Band AMC 21 & Galaxy 14. For LNB, select LNB 2 since this is a different LNBF. For LOF, select Universal LNB (9750 / 10600) or scroll through the list to find a better match or to enter your own LOF settings.

We also need to enable DiSEqC 1.2 like before, but this time, the Ku Band signal is on PORT B of our 2x1 switch, so we need to enter PORT B. The setting will look something like the screenshot below. Save it by pressing the green button on the remote.

You should now be able to test your tuner configuration for FEED EXAMPLE 3 discussed earlier. This tuner configuration will also work for FEED EXAMPLE 4 which is a C/Ku combo LNBF with 2x1 switch. You should be able to scan both C Band signals and Ku Band signals from SIGNAL FINDER. Be sure to switch between the C Band and Ku Band configure satellites when doing this.

screen_13.jpg

2.3.1: Ku Band Tuner Setup


Tuner setup for C Band is relatively simple because the LOF (Local Oscillator Frequency) is always understood to be 5150 MHz (or 5.15 GHz). Some specialty LNBFs have an LOF of 5750 MHz for tuning the upper C Band frequency spectrum of some South American (e.g. 40.5W) satellites. If you are using one of these LNBFs, you need to manually enter 5750 for the LOF.

The LOF for Ku Band LNBFs is all over the place. First, most of these LNBFs have a low LOF (LOF/L) and a high LOF (LOF/H) for tuning the Ku Band spectrum. Second, these local oscillator frequencies vary by the manufacturer, so you MUST read the label on your particular LNBF carefully. The most common Ku Band LNBFs (also known as Universal LNBFs) use the following:

LOF/L = 9750 MHz
LOF/H = 10600 MHz


To enter these numbers, change your LOF setting to "User defined" as shown below. If you make a mistake with your LOF settings, you may find the tuner can still scan transponders, but it will give you unexpected transponder frequencies. In such a case, you would simply edit the LOF/L and LOF/H to fix the problem.


screen_21.jpg



2.3.2: Multi-Feed Tuner Setup


Let's continue with the tuner configuration for our most complex setup: FEED EXAMPLE 5. Here we have a 4x1 switch and need to add LNB 3 and LNB 4. The procedure is just like before. Since LNB 3 is for Circular C Band signals, we selected satellite 40.5W C-Band SES 6 and PORT C. See below

screen_14.jpg

Finally, for LNB 4, we selected 119W Ku-Band Anik F3 & Echostar 14 DirecTV 7S which broadcasts Circular Ku signals and is connected to PORT D of our 4x1 switch. The configuration is shown below.

screen_15.jpg

We won't bore you with the details, but you can continue in this manner and add more settings for larger switches (e.g. 8x1 or 16x1). Keep in mind that DiSEqC 1.0 only supports up to 4 ports, whereas DiSEqC 1.1 supports up to 16 and they are called Input 1, Input 2, Input 3, ....Input 16. An example configuration for DiSEqC 1.1 with Input 1 is shown below. Notice that we turned off DiSEqC 1.0 commands to avoid any confusion.

screen_18.jpg

2.3.3: Switch Port Naming

It is worth noting that some receivers use a different method (AB method) of naming ports on a 4x1 switch. If you encounter such a receiver, the meaning of the AB port method is as follows:

AA = PORT A = PORT 1
AB = PORT B = PORT 2
BA = PORT C = PORT 3
BB = PORT D = PORT 4



2.3.4: Tone Switches

Besides DiSEqC switches, there are also 2x1 tone switches, which open Port A or Port B depending in the presence or absence of a 22kHz tone produced by the tuner. If you have a 2x1 tone switch, your tuner configuration would look something like the example below. Notice how DiSEqC 1.0 and DiSEqC 1.1 have been disable to avoid problems and make troubleshooting easier.

screen_19.jpg

2.4: Configuring Satellites

Once you are finished configuring the various LNBs you have on your dish (e.g. LNB 1, LNB 2, LNB 3...) for a single satellite, you now need to go through the entire list of satellites and assign each to the LNB it should use. For example, we assigned LNB 1 to 125W C Band Linear signals. Since 123W also has C Band Linear signals, we can assign it to LNB 1 too.

screen_16.jpg

123W C-Band Galaxy 18 has now been assigned to LNB 1.

screen_17.jpg

2.5: Second Tuner Setup

Some receivers, like the ZGemma 4K receiver, have a 2nd DVB-S2 tuner and are known as dual-tuner satellite receivers. You can use the 1st tuner to record a program and the 2nd tuner to watch a different program on the same (or different) satellite. You can an also use the PIP (picture-in-picture) feature of your receiver if you have a dual tuner. You can even connect two DIFFERENT satellite dishes to your dual-tuner receiver and easily switch between them.

Of course, the 2nd tuner must also be configured before it can be used. To do this, you can follow the same steps that were outlined for the configuration of the original tuner. In most cases, however, the 2nd tuner is configured exactly like the original and you can save time by simply copying or making it Equal To the original tuner configuration as shown below.

screen_20.jpg


2.6: Motor Setup


If you are using a motor or an actuator to move your dish, you can store the position of each satellite used by your controller within the tuner configuration. This will let your receiver communicate with your controller when changing channels and automatically move your dish to the required satellite.

Do the following:

A) Change "Use USALS for this sat" to no.
B) Set the "Stored Position" to the same position used by your controller. For example, if you stored satellite 125W as "25" in your controller, you would enter "25" here.
C) Save the changes.
screen_22.jpg

You have to do this for every satellite you want the receiver to move the dish to. For satellite 127W, I used "27" as shown below.

screen_23.jpg

And for satellite 131W, I used "31".

The reason I use two digits for my stored positions is because my controller only has 99 positions. If you have a controller that stores up to 999 positions like the SkyTracker, you can use 3 digits!

screen_24.jpg

:grin:
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Re: Tutorial 2: Configuring the Satellite DVB-S2 Tuner(s)

Post by The Professor » Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:19 pm

...
PhD in TVROSat

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