Antenna Control Unit (ACU) — Basic and Advanced
The bridge between the stabilized antenna and everything downstream on board.
- Manual setup on both Basic and Advanced
- Advanced adds webpage configuration, cloud monitoring and route tracking
- Rack-mounted, sits with receiver and multiswitch
- Pairs with V Series and X Series antennas
The ACU is the controller that powers the antenna, holds the satellite parameters and hands the L-band signal to the receiver. Two versions are offered, Basic and Advanced, and both are configured manually; the Advanced unit adds three functions on top.
The Advanced unit adds a web interface, cloud data monitoring and vessel route tracking. On a single boat the difference is convenience; across a fleet it is the difference between sending an engineer to a vessel and changing a setting from the office.
Mechanically the ACU is a rack-mounted unit that sits with the TVRO receiver and multiswitch. In a dual-antenna installation it is the device that decides which antenna feeds which receiver, which is why the wiring diagram matters more than the datasheet when you plan a two-dish vessel.
Full specification
ACU data sheet
| Function | Basic ACU | Advanced ACU |
|---|---|---|
| Setting manually | Yes | Yes |
| Setting by webpage | No | Yes |
| Data monitoring in cloud | No | Yes |
| Vessel route tracking | No | Yes |
TVROVSAT catalogue, page 3 — ACU function comparison table.
Drawings and detail
Mounting envelope
Buyer questions
ACU
The two questions that come up most often on this platform. Anything else — write to sales@tvrovsatantenna.com.
Do I need the Advanced ACU on a single vessel?
Not strictly. Basic supports manual configuration, which is enough for a boat that stays on one footprint. Advanced is worth it when the vessel changes region, when you want remote monitoring, or when the same office looks after several ships.
Can one ACU drive two antennas?
Dual-antenna systems on the reference wiring diagram use a switch between the antennas, the ACU and the receivers, so each receiver can be pointed at either dish. Specify the switch with the ACU so the harness arrives complete.
Selection guide
Basic vs Advanced ACU: what the upgrade is worth
Also in the range