Purchasing
What is the procedure for ordering equipment?
Can I order Stellar equipment using a credit card?
General
Are the Stellar modems FCC compliant?
Where can I get the modem user manuals?
Power
What are the power requirements for the DS100 and DS300?
RF
How can I determine which antenna to use for my application?
If the antenna cable is not long enough to reach my installation how do
I pick a suitable RF cable to reach it?
Installation
What should I consider when I mount my antenna?
Can the Stellar modems be mounted outdoors?
Modem Operation
What is the operating temperature range?
What are the dimensions and weights
of the Stellar modems?
What do the lights on the modem represent?
I cannot communicate with my DS300 through the serial port and the LED's
are ON.
Can I change parameters and control the modem over the air?
How do I send a message to my modem?
Why does the modem receive the satellite signal but can not transmit any
messages or reports?
Can a customer receive messages if the modem is powered off?
How do I check for messages that have been received by the modem?
How do I send messages/reports from my modem?
Stelcomm Version 3.1.X
How do I get the latest version of Stelcomm and modem
firmware?
How do I install Stelcomm?
What are the minimal requirements for installing and running Stelcomm Version
3?
Service and Support
How do I provision a modem?
Who do I contact to troubleshoot my hardware or network problem?
During the loading of the modem firmware, an interruption occurred, and
now my unit is not responding. What should I do?
Can I get replacement batteries?
Q: What is the procedure for ordering equipment?
A: Contact the Sales
Department at sales@stellar-sat.com or Fax to 703-657-6201.
Q: Can I order Stellar equipment using a credit card?
A: Yes, Stellar
equipment can be ordered using either Visa or Mastercard. Contact the
Sales Department at sales@stellar-sat.com
Q: Are the Stellar modems FCC compliant?
A: Yes. The DS100 and the DS300
have passed the type approval process and been assigned a Type Approval
Number (TAN) by ORBCOMM, DS100 (TAN: 100DSC), DS300 (TAN: 300DSC). ORBCOMM
is the certifying body for the FCC.
Q: Where can I get the modem user manuals?
A: You can download any of
the user manuals from the Stellar website.
(www.stellar-sat.com/downloads.htm)
The user manuals are located under the Documentation section.
What are the power requirements for the DS100 and DS300?
A:
- DS100 - The source of power is expected to be a regulated power supply, free from voltage spikes and noise, 8 to 16 Volts DC at 2 Amps. There is no battery charging circuit on the DS100.
- DS300 – Battery Input - 8 to 16 Volts DC at 2 Amps External Charging Input – 9 to 30 Volts DC Max current 1.3 Amps
Q: How can I determine which antenna to use for my application?
A: Stellar
carries a wide range of antennas to fit all application types.
- If the application is for a fixed site then an antenna element with a greater length could be used. The longer the antenna element the less a ground plane will be required.
- For a mobile application a shorter type or what is referred to as a rubber duck antenna element could be used. A metallic ground plane will be required.
- In some applications a flat plate antenna should be used where the application requires the antenna to be out of view.
Q: If the antenna cable is not long enough
to reach my installation how do I pick a suitable RF cable to reach it?
A: There are several types of RF cables that can be used to fit the application.
The amount of RF loss per 100 feet is the typical rating. The table below
lists the most common types of RF cable that should be used and the lengths
that are recommended.
| Cable | Diameter | Recommended | Maximum | Loss /100 ft |
| RG 174 | 0.110" ( 2.80mm) | 22 ft | 45 ft | 13.0 |
| RG 58A/U | 0.195” (4.95mm) | 50 ft | 100 ft | 6.2 |
| RG 8X | 0.240" (6.10mm) | 62 ft | 125 ft | 4.7 |
| LMR 195 | 0.195” (4.95mm) | 67 ft | 135 ft | 4.4 |
| RG 8A/U | 0.405" (10.3mm) | 85 ft | 170 ft | 3.5 |
| LMR 240 | 0.240” (6.10mm) | 100 ft | 200 ft | 3.0 |
Q: What should I consider when I mount my antenna?
A:
- The antenna should be mounted at the highest point possible. ·
- There should be no obstructions blocking the view of the satellites as they travel from west to east across the sky.
- If the antenna is a quarter-wave then a metal ground plane of approximately 2 square feet should be used. The center of a vehicle roof is an example of a good ground plane area. ·
- The antenna should be mounted three feet away from other antennas. ·
- For a listing of antennas for specific applications please use the following link: www.orbcomm.com/equipment/antennasAccessories.htm
Q: Can the Stellar modems be mounted outdoors?
A: No, the DS300 modem
has been designed for water resistant environments but it would best
if the modem were placed in an enclosure. The DS100 is a module and requires
a weather resistant enclosure.
Q: What is the operating temperature range of the DS100 and the DS300?
A: The operating temperature range is from –40°C to +85°C.
This specification is for the modems only. Battery temperature specifications
will be different. Please consult the battery manufacturer for details.
Q: What are the dimensions and weights of the Stellar
modems?
A: DS100
Dimensions: Length 102mm X Width 72mm X Height 15mm; Weight 1 lb
DS300
Dimensions: Length 203mm X Width 89mm X Height 38 mm; Weight 2 lbs
Q: What do the lights on the modem represent?
A: There
are two lights or LED’s on the DS100 and the DS300.
| LED Status Indicator | Indication |
| LED #1 | Illuminates in amber color while there is a message in the SC-Originated
message buffer, waiting to be transmitted to the network. Note: There is no indicator for Terminated or Received messages. |
| LED #2 | Flashes red while the unit is searching for a satellite downlink. |
| Steady Green once a downlink is captured. | |
| Flashes Green for the duration of the transmission of a report or message. |
Q: I cannot communicate with my DS300 through the
serial port and the LED's are ON.
A: The DS300 serial port
baud rate has been changed. The DS300 power must be cycled before any
serial port settings are accepted by the modem. The same is true for
the DS100.
- Change the modem settings through the serial port then cycle the power.
- Change the port settings in the interface application and the modem will be able to communicate.
Q: Can I change parameters and control the modem
over the air?
A: Yes,
all of the application and configuration parameters that are accessible
through Stelcomm, can be changed over the air. Please refer to the Stellar
DS100 and DS300 User Manuals
(www.stellar-sat.com/downloads.htm) The
manuals are under the Documentation section.
Q: How do I send a message to my modem?
A: Create a
standard email using the surname or serial number of the modem. The email
can be sent from any computer or server. For instance, if the modem uses
the surname of testunit1 then the email address would be testunit1@orbcomm.net.
Fill in the subject field and body of the email and hit send. The ORBCOMM
network can deliver any SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) compliant
email to a modem. An email that is delivered to a modem is considered
a Terminated Message. A customer, connected to the modem, using a computer
and an interface program (such as the Stellar program Stelcomm V 3.1.X)
can decipher the email.
Q: Why does the modem receive the satellite signal
but can not transmit any messages or reports?
A: The modem may not be provisioned on the ORBCOMM
network. Send the provisioning request to ORBCOMM Customer Service (customer_service@orbcomm.com)
or call 1-800-672-2666.
Q: Can a customer receive messages if the modem
is powered off?
A: No,
the modem must be active for message receipts.
The customer could program the DS300 modem to wake up according to predetermined time intervals. Built in applications in the DS300 can be developed to control events such as wake up intervals. The DS300 has an Application Processor which can use stand alone applications to perform a wide variety of tasks.
The DS100 would require a customer defined application processor that would control the DS100. The standard interface to the DS100 would be through the RS-232 port using the ORBCOMM Serial Interface Protocol. Consult the User Manuals at the link www.stellar-sat.com/downloads.htm
Q: How do I check for messages that have been received
by the modem?
A: Using Stelcomm V3.1.X, when a new message has been
received, the Status screen will indicate Incoming Messages. Select
the Message Queues tab and highlight the message. Hit the View button.
The user will be asked to move the message to the Inbox tab in the
Messages screen (Message Button). The message can then be displayed.
If the Stellar Interface program Stelcomm is not being used, the ORBCOMM Serial Interface protocol and the DS100 and DS300 User Manuals define the packets to be used to check for messages that have been received by the modem.
Q: How do I send messages/reports from my modem?
A: Stellar provides
a program called Stelcomm which can be used to create a message or report.
The message or report can be sent to a default address or the user can
send to anyone with a valid email address. This type of message or report
is considered Originated. Reports are six bytes in length and Messages
can be up to 8 KiloBytes. Typically messages are shorter in length. Customers
can develop applications that create messages or reports using the ORBCOMM
Serial Interface Protocol.
Q: How do I get the latest version of Stelcomm
and modem firmware?
A: You can download them from the Stellar Download section
of the Stellar web page. The firmware is located under the Firmware section
and Stelcomm is located under the Tools section.
(www.stellar-sat.com/downloads.htm)
Q: How do I install Stelcomm?
A: Download the Stelcomm
software from the Stellar website (www.stellar-sat.com/Download). The
file is compressed into a ‘zip’ file that needs to be decompressed.
Later versions of Windows will do this automatically. If the user is
using an older version of Windows a separate program will be required
to uncompress (unzip) the file.
Q: What are the minimal requirements for installing
and running Stelcomm Version 3?
A: Stelcomm was developed to run
using Windows XP.
Q: How do I provision a modem?
A: A provisioning form
will need to be completed and then emailed to ORBCOMM Customer Service
(customer_service@orbcomm.com). An ORBCOMM sales representative should
provide the form when the account is created. ORBCOMM Customer Service
can provide the form as well. The modem must
be provisioned before it is connected to an antenna.
Q: Who do I contact to troubleshoot my hardware
or network problem?
A: For hardware problems contact Stellar
Customer Service at 1-703-657-6200 or email Customer_Service@stellar-sat.com for
ORBCOMM network problems contact ORBCOMM Customer Service at 1-800-672-2666
or email Customer_Service@Orbcomm.com.
Q: During the loading of the modem firmware, an
interruption occurred, and now my unit is not responding. What should
I do?
A: Try cycling the
power to the modem. The LED’s will flash when the modem powers
on. If they do not flash at Power Up then the modem will need to be sent
to Stellar. Contact Stellar Technical Support at 1-703-657-6200.
Q: Can I get replacement batteries?
A: No, Stellar does
not supply batteries for the modems. Stellar can provide contact information
for battery suppliers.
Phone: (703) 657-6200 FAX (703) 657-6201