Setting up your D9 correction data receiver with PointPerfect via L-band satellite has a lot of moving parts. This guide goes over some of the most common pitfalls that we hear from customers and puts you on the fast track with 5 pro-tips that will make it easier for you to get started.

*We recommend following the Pointperfect L-band Configuration guide first before reviewing this article.

Pro Tip #1 Check Coverage  

Check the PointPerfect Coverage Map and use the interactive map. The hero red areas cover L-band and IP, while the dark red areas cover IP only.

Pro tip #2 Activate your PointPerfect L-band Thing

You will need to activate or change to a PointPerfect L-band plan. See Thingstream Management Console guide for more info. If the PointPerfect plans are not listed please see: Can I have PointPerfect L-Band subscription access as an individual?

Pro tip #3: Check Antenna Specs 

Check if your antenna specs meet the NEO-D9S requirements. See: Integration Manual - Section 4.2

Pro tip #4 Check NEO-D9S Configuration 

Double-check that your CFG configurations such as PMP, UART2, and UART2OUTPROT match the configuration instructions we shared with you. More info here: L-band Configuration.

Pro tip #5: Ensure Line-of-sight  

PointPerfect utilizes a single geostationary L-band satellite per region, allowing the satellite to remain stationary relative to the Earth. The NEO-D9S antenna requires an unobstructed line of sight in an open-sky environment. It will not establish a connection if the antenna is indoors.

You can use Ground Control's web look angle calculator to determine the line of sight to the L-band satellite from your specific location. When using the tool, be sure to choose the appropriate Inmarsat satellite listed below that covers your region. The tool can also check for any potential obstructions such as trees or buildings using the obstacle line of sight checker. 

North America (NA) Satellite: 97.6º W INMARSAT 4-F3​
South America (SA) Satellite: 54º W INMARSAT 3-F5​

Verify Lock-on

NEO-D9S needs to be properly configured to receive the L-Band signal correction data.

To confirm the NEO-D9S signal lock-on, within u-center check the UBX-RXM-PMP message or the Binary Console output for continuous data flow. You can also verify the signal quality by examining the Eb/N0 value within the same UBX-RXM-PMP message.

This value measures the signal-to-noise ratio for a digital communication system. To ensure reliable and accurate data reception, the Eb/N0 value should be at least 9.5 decibels (dB) or higher, indicating a strong enough signal to overcome system noise. If your Eb/N0 values are lower, consider repositioning and verifying that the antenna meets the requirements. If no data is received, it means there is no satellite lock, and you should consult the Getting Started guide for further information.