[Satnews] Hiltron has commenced a satellite newsgathering vehicle project for one of the largest public-service television and radio broadcasters in southern Germany.
This project centers on the integration of a complete satellite communications system which will allow news or outside broadcast crews to deliver video and audio content to the network's main studios from practically any location.
HILTRON HMCS - DSNG Monitor & Control Software Design.
The Hiltron HMCS antenna controller provides a highly efficient line-up procedure for professional satellite systems. This includes full control of contribution encoders. Operation is via an intuitive graphical user interface with color-coded alarm message handling. An integral database stores specific satellite transponder and encoding profiles. The HMCS can also control additional customer-specified satellite communications and video equipment. Authored in Java, the HMCS is compatible with Linux, Apple OSX, and Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is supplied with a drive for the Hiltron HSACU SNG antenna control unit. Alternative ACU drives are available.
The Hiltron HSACU SNG controller provides fully-automated satellite auto-acquisition and is compatible with all leading motorized satellite newsgathering antennas. Designed for integration into SNG trucks or for refurbishment of existing SNG antenna control systems, it is housed in a compact rack-mountable chassis.
The HSACU provides easy and efficient control of three-axis motorized antennas of up to 2.4 meters diameter. Azimuth, elevation and polarization control are performed entirely in software. Local control is achieved via front-panel push buttons and a color touch-panel graphic display. In IP remote control mode, the entire system can be controlled from wherever is convenient to the SNG workflow. Fully automated acquisition of accessible satellites can be achieved within less than 2 minutes. An internal DVB-S/S2 tuner is provided for satellite verification. Heading determination is performed using a GPS and/or a fluxgate compass.
The HACU-DSNG includes dual-axis compensation of truck inclination and is compatible with resolvers, potentiometers. inclinometers and direct-current drive-motors.
"The order is our first of its kind for this client," said Hiltron Managing Director Jan Molter. "We have designed a complete system including a routing matrix and dual 250 watt solid state microwave power amplifiers feeding a 1.8 meter diameter dish antenna which we will be mounting on the vehicle's roof. We will also be providing and integrating a microwave receive channel. The entire system will be operated via a Hiltron HMCS monitoring and control unit in conjunction with a Hiltron HSACU antenna controller which is designed specifically for satellite newsgathering applications. Installation, technical integration cabling and testing will also be completed ahead of scheduled delivery in Q3."