User Interface
Remote Control for Nextmove Positioners
Nextmove provides a web-based user interface that is hosted by each LinkAlign or LinkaSat antenna positioner. The web hosted control comes installed on the positioner’s embedded controller. Open a web browser and type in the IP address to remotely connect and control from anywhere on your network. This full-featured control suite provides many tools that are outlined below for the creation of a directional radio link. If preferred, Nextmove also provides a software ICD which allows our customers to develop their own control suite for more complex integrations.
Features
The main control page of a LinkAlign or LinkaSat positioner is divided into specific control or status tools. Details on the individual tools are provided below.
Manual Controls
The Manual Controls provides Step and Slew functions. In “Step Mode” the positioner will move in the direction the operator specifies by pressing the arrow keys. Each time the arrow is pressed the unit will move by the operator specified amount. In this example the step size is set to 5 degrees. Switching to slew, the operator may press and hold the arrow button and the unit will move until the operator releases from the arrow. Manual controls also offers speed control and an emergency stop button.
Pedestal Position
Pedestal Position displays the current azimuth, elevation, and polarization if applicable on the left side of the box. Entry of commanded position may be applied by the operator in the Target field box. To carry out a target command press the “Go” button. Switch between Pedestal and GEO displays to view data with reference to pedestal or GEO angles. You may also use the “Store” button to place a current position into the Stored Locations database.
Stored Locations
The Stored Locations database allows an operator to place important locations of interest for recall. The database stores 4 types of inputs for recall. Azimuth and Elevation pedestal angles are shown in green, Latitude and Longitude are shown in blue, Azimuth and Elevation in GEO angles are shown in yellow, and satellite Slot locations for satellite applications is shown in black.
GPS
The GPS tools provides the current Latitude, Longitude, and Altitude that the on board GPS is reading and a field to enter a target Latitude, Longitude, and Altitude. Once a target is entered the software will auto calculate a bearing and distance between the two ends. You may press the “Go” button to move to that heading or store the location into the Stored location Database. The GPS tool also provides the ability to download current location to share with the opposite end of the link and apply a GPS override if your GPS is compromised.
Auto Peak
The Auto Peak tool provides an SNMP interface between the radio and Nextmove positioner with “seek and peak” algorithms that provide auto point to point radio link optimization and monitoring of radio link with re-peak thresholds that will auto trigger peaking. Manual re-peak and scans are also supported.
Auto Peak Settings
The Auto Peak Settings window provides tools for easy setup and connection to any commercial line of sight radio and many satellite modems such as iDirect or Hughes. Additional tabs are provided for setup and configuration of your scan and peak parameters to meet a specific application.
Map
The Map is a visual tool that displays the location of the LinkAlign positioner in the center of the map. The current heading is displayed as a blue line. You may right click anywhere in the map to auto populate a target location for the LinkAlign Positioner to establish a point to point radio link. There is also a compass digital heading readout and a tool to calibrate the embedded on board magnetic compass that comes with most models.
System Settings
The settings page allows setup of your IP Address, system limits, management of users and passwords, software updates to download the latest versions of our user interfaces, and allows for customization such as providing each system a unit specific name or switching between meters and feet in displays.
RF Mapping
The RF mapping tool works with the Auto Peak tool. Record heat maps by scanning a given area and record energy at all points. The heat map displays energy from blue as the lowest signal level to red as the hottest. Right click over any place on the map to add to the pointing database or immediately move to a location of interest. The Map tool also allows you to download the data collected during a scan for recall at a later date.
Program Track
The software also allows for the upload of NORAD Two Line Element files also known as TLE files. Upload, store, and execute a program track of any satellite constellation such as 03b, Starlink, Weather Satellites, and many other LEO or moving satellite target that you may want to track.
