Development of Dish Antenna Positioning System: Project Report

This report details the development of a dish antenna positioning system using an IR remote control and microcontroller. The project aimed to automate dish positioning, addressing the limitations of manual adjustments. The report outlines the project background, objectives, and the author's role as a telecommunication engineer, including responsibilities in design, installation, and maintenance. It explains the application of engineering knowledge, such as satellite TV systems and troubleshooting skills, and details the application of RC5 code from a TV remote. The report also covers the calculation of elevation and azimuth angles, the challenges of manual alignment, and the implemented solution using a GPS module to automate positioning. The collaborative effort within the team and the project's overall review are also highlighted, showcasing the author's contribution to the project's successful completion.

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project:Development of dish antenna positioning system using IR remote
Location of the project:(Please fill)
Project Duration:(Please fill)
Organization:(Please fill)
Role and Designation during the time: Telecommunication Engineer
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
In this particular project work, I had developed a dish antenna positioning system with
the use of IR remote. I had used the microcontroller for developing the proposed system. I had
analyzed that the dish antenna is used for receiving of signals from the satellites as well as
broadcasting sources. I had used of remote control for transmitter where the data are used to
receive by IR receiver interface to the microcontroller. I had analyzed that TV remote was acted
as transmitter where IR receiver was used for transmitter that was interfaced into the
microcontroller-8051. It sends of code data to the receiver where the output was being sent to the
microcontroller. It then sent the signal to motor throughout an interface defined as a relay driver.
I had observed that a dish position control system is made of two motors which enabled the dish
to rotate in horizontal as well as vertical direction controlled.

CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
Following were the objectives developed for this particular project study:
 To develop a dish antenna positioning system with use of IR remote
 To use of microcontroller (8051) for development of the proposed system
 To adjust the position of dish manually
CE 2.2.3 My Area of work
In this project, my area of working was as a telecommunication engineer to design and
configure of video furthermore with data communications systems. I had supervised the
installation as well as post installation of services and continuance work. I was concentrated to
apply of my technical knowledge into my project study. My technical aspect includes designing
as well as delivering solutions along with providing technical guidance. I had involved in
adjusting the position of dish manually. I had used two instruments for aiming the dish such as
angle finder as well as a compass. When I had installed a polar mount, the instruments were used
to aim mount towards the true south as well as a set of a polar axis with declination angles. At
the time of installation of a fixed dish, I had adjusted both azimuths as well as elevation angle for
the satellite. I had involved in calculating the value of elevation angle as well as azimuth.

Project Team MemberProject Team Member
Project Manager/ Supervisor
Project Team MemberProject Team Member
CE 2.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
As a telecommunication engineer, I had reviewed an evaluated request from the manager
as well as technicians for modifications into the dish positioning system. I had estimated the
system’s cost and implementation. I had prepared the performance report based on project
progress and current status. I had also supervised maintenance of the telecommunication
equipment. I had made me updated with current changes in the emerging telecommunication
technology by review the literature, talked with the colleagues, participated in educational
programs and attended workshops. I had provided user support to diagnose the network problems
and implement technical solutions.

CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of the project
The TV remote is sending coded data to a receiver where the data is being sent to the
microcontroller. The code which is followed by TV remote is standard of the RC5 code. I had
used of this code from the remote of TV for the microcontroller in order to widen an output
signal for the motor driver. I had used of remote control to improve of the advanced technology
along with microcontroller to build up of motor to maintain of the desired position. As I had
taken initial approaching step to control system, therefore it served to industrial controls. When
the power supply is on, then motor reached to some degree. I pressed the setting switch for
saving degree along with the count of motor, as well as it went to the lowest limit from current
degree. When it sent to lower limit, the motor stopped. I had then got zero degrees as well as
zero counts. Then, the motor went to highest limit. The dish position such as tuning is required to
get a standard broadcast signal from a satellite. I had pointed the dish at an accurate angle to get
a stronger signal as possible. I had adjusted the position of dish manually, and then one cannot be
able to direct dish towards accurate positions. The proposed system is used for adjusting the dish
position through use of remote of TV in order to get the direction of dish position. I performed
the changes into the dish for making perfect angle inaccurate directions.

Transmitte
r
Receiver
Wireless Power
Motor 1
Motor 2
Dish
Set-top box circuit
TV
Coastal cable
Figure 2: Block diagram of dish positioning system
CE 2.3.2 Engineering Knowledge and Skills applied in the project
I have current knowledge and skills of digital satellite TV systems, as well as equipment,
consist of telecommunication along with internet service links. I have better troubleshooting
ability along with good communication skills to work on the project. I know to use the
microcontroller for this project work to complete on time. I can provide solution methodologies
to the problems which were raised into the proposed system. I had also done some software
implementation of the system so that we delivered accurate work to the project supervisor.

CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I had analyzed that elevation angle is one which exists in the vertical plane of the satellite as
well as earth station antenna. I had calculated the value of elevation angle using the following
formula:
Elevation = tan-1 [ costLat cos L−0.15 1
√ 1−cos 2 Lat cos 2 L ]
Where,
Lat = Latitude f of the earth station
L = LE-LS = longitude of the earth station – longitude of the satellite
Azimuth is calculated as:
A = tan -1 [ tan L
sin Lat ]
“For southern hemisphere with earth station west of satellite, Azimuth = A
For southern hemisphere with earth station east of satellite, Azimuth = 3600°- A
For northern hemisphere with earth station west of satellite, Azimuth = 180°- A
For northern hemisphere with earth station east of satellite, Azimuth = 180° + A”

Figure 3: Dish alignment
CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
CE 2.3.4.1 Issues
I had faced different types of problems at the time of making manual modification into
the position of the dish. We had faced different human errors and misalignment while the manual
configuration of the dish antenna.
CE 2.3.4.2 Solutions
For manual alignment of the dish antenna, we had preferred hardware solutions for the
identified problems. In order to overcome this difficulty of manual alignment of the antenna, we
had decided to align the position of the dish with use of GPS module. The system used of GPS
module for retrieving latitude as well as the longitude of the preferred location. We had used a

formula to calculate elevation as well as an azimuth for locating the satellite. This proposed
solution allowed better placement of the dish antenna.
CE 2.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
We had used of automation of GPS module into the system for elimination of problem
regarding manual adjustment of the dish position. When we rest the GPS, it hit ping to find out
the particular location of the earth station and gave eight output strings that provided with
position details. The data strings gave different information from the system checked if the
received data was valid or not. After the validation, latitude and longitude were picked up and
implemented to measure elevation angle and azimuth for rotating dish antenna towards a
required direction.
CE 2.3.6 Collaborative work
Due to collaboration with my team members, I had completed the project work on time. I
had helped my team members into the project documentation which assisted me during the
preparation of testing the proposed system. My project supervisor provided me important
instructions regarding the right angle for positioning of the dish. Three of the most important
activities which I was conducted was a development of the system design, practical
implementation along with testing the system's efficiency. I had conducted daily meetings with
the team members and supervisor to update all of them about project progress.

CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.1 Project overview
In this stage, I had participated in developing of dish positioning system with the use of IR
remote. I had gained telecommunication experiences by working on this project. I had gained
knowledge and skills to work into a domain of telecommunication system, processing of signal
and calculation of elevation angle.
CE 2.4.2 My contribution to work
I had entirely supervised the entire development as well as maintenance work of the
proposed dish positioning system. I had updated myself with the current changes in the emerging
telecommunication technology.