Intellian i4 Satellite dish: Difference between revisions
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=== Antenna Control Unit (ACU) === | === Antenna Control Unit (ACU) === | ||
* RS-232 serial interface (19200 baud, 8N1) | * RS-232 serial interface (19200 baud, 8N1) | ||
* Ethernet port (TCP/IP, <code>10.208.2.223:4002</code>) | * Ethernet port (TCP/IP, <code>10.208.2.223:4002</code>) (preferred for scripting) | ||
* Official control software: '''Aptus''' (Windows-only; works via Wine) | * Official control software: '''Aptus''' (Windows-only; works via Wine) | ||
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A future goal is to replace the ACU signal level readout with a modified satellite finder connected to an Arduino + ADC for more direct RF power measurement. | A future goal is to replace the ACU signal level readout with a modified satellite finder connected to an Arduino + ADC for more direct RF power measurement. | ||
[[File:Sky scan 20260126-013235.png|thumb|center|Clarke Belt sky scan | [[File:Sky scan 20260126-013235.png|thumb|center|Clarke Belt sky scan geostationary arc, azimuth 140°–230°]] | ||
== Goals == | == Goals == | ||
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=== Move the dish === | === Move the dish === | ||
The dish's current position on the roof might not be the optimal location, we might have to move the dish. | <s>The dish's current position on the roof might not be the optimal location, we might have to move the dish.</s> | ||
Dish has been moved and we now can get a good lock on Astra 1 | |||
=== Pretend-to-be-a-boat === | === Pretend-to-be-a-boat === | ||
Latest revision as of 02:08, 16 April 2026
| Intellian i4 Satellite dish | |
|---|---|
| Participants | Melan |
| Skills | |
| Status | Active |
| Niche | Sdr |
| Purpose | |
| Tool | No |
| Location | the roof |
| Cost | |
| Tool category | |
Intellian i4 Satellite dish Property "Tool Image" (as page type) with input value "File:{{{Picture}}}" contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process. {{{Picture}}} {{#if:No | [[Tool Owner::{{{ProjectParticipants}}} | }} {{#if:No | [[Tool Cost::{{{Cost}}} | }}
Intellian i4 Satellite Dish
The Intellian i4 is a motorised Ku-band maritime satellite TV antenna system installed on the NURDspace roof. Acquired secondhand via Marktplaats, it functions as a fully steerable ground station capable of pointing at any satellite on the geostationary arc on command.
Hardware
Antenna
- Model: Intellian i4 (compact motorised VSAT-style pedestal mount)
- Band: Ku-band (10.7–12.75 GHz receive)
- LNB output (IF): 950–2150 MHz
- Mount: Full azimuth + elevation motorised pedestal (designed for maritime/land-mobile use)
Antenna Control Unit (ACU)
- RS-232 serial interface (19200 baud, 8N1)
- Ethernet port (TCP/IP,
10.208.2.223:4002) (preferred for scripting) - Official control software: Aptus (Windows-only; works via Wine)
Control Protocol
The ACU speaks a straightforward ASCII framed protocol over serial or TCP. Commands are wrapped in curly braces with a checksum suffix.
Key Commands
| Command | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
{QP} |
Query current antenna position | Returns azimuth + elevation |
{AP az el} |
Send antenna position response | az/el in ×100 format (e.g. 18000 = 180.00°) |
{GO az el} |
Go to position | az/el in ×100 format |
{SH heading type} |
Set heading reference | type 7 = Ground Test |
{GN} |
Gyro/heading query | Returns heading in ×100 format |
Azimuth and elevation values are always ×100 integers (e.g. 16250 = 162.50°).
Demonstrated Uses
Watching Chinese Propaganda Beamed from Astra 1L
One of the first use cases was watching CGTN HD via Astra 1L.
Clarke Belt Sky Scan
The dish has been used to produce 2D heatmap images of the geostationary arc by sweeping azimuth 140°–230° at elevation ~20–33° while logging RF signal level. Multiple satellites are clearly resolved as distinct bright blobs.
Signal level was read from the ACU's internal AGC output (not via SDR), building up a power-vs-position map as the dish swept. A future goal is to replace the ACU signal level readout with a modified satellite finder connected to an Arduino + ADC for more direct RF power measurement.
Goals
Auto-Skew
It might be interesting to add auto-skew control to the LNB.
dontlookup Integration
The plan is to use the dish with the dontlookup project to capture and analyse satellite internet traffic.
IRC Plugin
It would be cool to have an IRC plugin showing the coordinates the dish is currently pointed at, and optionally signal levels.
Move the dish
The dish's current position on the roof might not be the optimal location, we might have to move the dish.
Dish has been moved and we now can get a good lock on Astra 1
Pretend-to-be-a-boat
Add a MCU + RS422 to the NMEA IN on the ACU and pretend our heading is 0° so the dish can calculate the correct offsets.