Antenna Controls Calibration Software

Calibration software is required for the installation and maintenance of the 8861/62 Antenna Position Controllers. The primary purpose of this software is to calibrate the angular data for each of the position transducers: Azimuth; Elevation; Feed 1; and Feed 2 and to set the position of the electrical limit switches. This calibration data is stored in EEPROM on the Antenna Positioner Logic Board.

Earlier versions of the calibration software also attempted to perform a dynamic calibration of the positioner to allow the antenna to stop more accurately when moved to a target position. While this dynamic calibration worked fine for relatively large antenna movements, it created problem with the finer movements required for step-tracking. This older calibration software was DOS based and somewhat difficult to use.

This new Windows-based software eliminates the need for dynamic calibration and improves the user interface. In addition, this new software can be used as a means of monitor and control of the antenna movement, in the absence of an 8860 Antenna Tracking Controller. The current production release revision is 3.2.

Print these Instructions for reference.

To Create Setup Disk For Installation on Another Computer

Download Instructions:

• Click on CalDisk1.zip and CalDisk2.zip
• Save these file to a hard disk directory
• Calibration Software manual (PDF)

Creating Setup Disks:

• You will need 2 blank 1.44M floppy disks
• Label the first disk as Setup1 and the second Setup2
• Insert the blank Setup1 floppy in the a: drive
• Run the CalDisk1.zip to extract files to the Setup1 floppy
• Remove the Setup1 floppy and insert the blank Setup2 floppy
• Run the CalDisk2.zip to extract files to the Setup2 floppy

To Install the software:

• Inset Setup1 disk into a: drive
• Run the a:\setup.exe program
• Follow the screen instructions
• Insert Setup2 disk when prompted
• Run software by double-clicking the 886x icon

To Download and Install Directly:

• Click on Cal3_2.zip to download to your hard drive
• Run the cal31.exe program and follow the on screen instruction.