Chapter 2

Basic System Technology

16
Acronyms and Abbreviations

ATSC: Advanced Television Standards Committee

C-Band: 3.7 to 4.2GHz
DBS: Direct Broadcast System
DTH: Direct-To-Home
FSS: Fixed Satellite Service
FCC: Federal Communications Commission
HDTV: High Definition Television
High Power Ku Band: 12.2 to 12.7GHz

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

L-Band: 950 to 1450 MHz

LNB: Low Noise Block Converter
NTSC: National Television Standards Committee
TVRO: Television, Receive Only
UHF: Ultra High Frequency
VHF: Very High Frequency
MPEG: Motion Pictures Expert Group
DIRECTV: DBS System
DISH NETWORK: EchoStar DBS System

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DBS breakdown

The system technology is broken down

into 3 parts
n Program Platform Providers
n Satellites
n Customer Equipment

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Satellite System

20
Program Platform Provider

Originates programming and sends to uplink

n Providers include HBO, Showtime, ESPN etc
Programming Providers include:
n DIRECTV (Unit of GM Hughes Electronics) uplinks in
w Castle Rock, Colorado
w Los Angeles, CA.
n Secondary / Backup facility
n The DISH NETWORK (EchoStar) uplinks in
w Cheyenne, Wyoming
w Gilbert, AZ.
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Program Platform Provider
- Uplink Facility -

Receives signal from programmer.

Signal is compressed, encrypted, and
formatted into packets of information.
Data Packets are:
n Video
n Audio
n CA (Conditional Access to individual receivers)
n PC compatible serial data
n Program guide
Broadcasts signal to satellites. 22
Program Platform Provider
-Customer Service-

Interface with customer for program package

selection.
Processes pay-per-view orders.
Generates billing.

23
Satellites
- Communication Satellite Orbits -
There are three satellite
orbits for communications
satellites
n LEO – Low Earth Orbit
w 1100 miles above earth
n 90 – 120 minute rotation
around earth
n MEO – Medium Earth Orbit
w 6000 miles above earth
n 6 hour rotation around
earth
n Geo - Geosynchronous
Orbit
w 22,300 (approx) above earth
n 24 hour rotation around
earth
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Satellites
- Communication Satellite Orbits -

Geostationary Orbit
n A geosynchronous orbit with:
w Latitude is 0°, meaning it is located over the
equator
n This gives the satellite the appearance that it does
not move
w Circular orbit
n The orbit for all DBS satellites

25
Satellites

DIRECTV and the DISH NETWORK systems

currently have as many as Four satellites at
each location.
n DBS satellites must have 9° separation between
locations.
w Several satellites can be placed within the same location
keeping, in some cases, less than .2° apart
n Ex. DIRECTV has 4 satellites located at 101° W, 2 are located
at 101.0° and 2 are located at 101.2°
n .1° in geostationary orbit = appx. 80 miles

n Each satellite has either eight or sixteen, 120 or 240

watt transponders transmitting from 12.2 to 12.7 GHz.
n 24 MHz bandwidth per channel with channel spacing
of 14.58 MHz (with opposite polarization).
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Satellites
- Satellite Locations -

All satellites are over the equator and

thus are 0° Latitude
All US DBS satellites are marked in °
West Longitude
148º
61.50 – EchoStar III 119º 110º 101º 61.5º

1010 – DirecTV 1R, 2, 3 and 4S

1100 – DirecTV 1 and EchoStar 5 & 8
1190 – DirecTV 6 and EchoStar 4 & 6
1480 – EchoStar 1 & 2
For more information on the satellites, check
out www.lyngsat.com
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Satellites
- Signal Characteristics -

Digital format (DIRECTV uses MPEGII, Dish

Network uses DVB) that can be digitally
compressed and multiplexed allowing several
programs to share the same transponder.
Digital signal not affected by signal strength so
the picture and audio is either perfect or not
there at all.
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Satellites
-Transponders-

The hardware portion of the satellite that DBS

broadcasters use are called transponders
Transponders perform four functions
n Receive the signal from the platform provider

n Amplify the signal

w The signal is 1 trillion times weaker than originally
transmitted
n Down-converts the uplink signal frequency
w To avoid uplink interfering with downlink
n Usually 2.3 GHz down-conversion
n Re-transmit the signal
w Transmits at 12.2-12.7 frequency range

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Satellites
-Transponders-

DBS broadcasters can place multiple channels

on a transponder
n NTSC channels 12-14 channels per transponder
n ATSC channels (High Definition) 2-3 channels per
transponder
w As compression rates improve, the channel to
transponder rate will allow for more channels per
transponder
n Transponders use either left hand circular
polarization (LHCP) or right hand circular
polarization (RHCP) eliminating “skew” problems.

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 Satellites
-Transponder Polarization-
Right Hand Circular Polarized Transponders (odd #’s)

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 31

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 32
Left Hand Circular Polarized Transponders (even #’s)

Voltage to LNB determines transponder

set.
13 volts selects RHCP; 18 volts selects
LHCP.
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Satellites
–Spot Beam v. Full Conus–

Spot Beam Full Conus

Modified from National Rural telecommunications Cooperative

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Satellites
–Spot Beam v. Full Conus–

Spot Beam Full Conus

n Newer technology n Signal covers entire United
n May cause some States
transponders to show 0 n Standard DIRECTV and
signal strength. DISH NETWORK broadcast
w This is normal n Unable to prevent hackers
n Broadcasts signal to specific from illegally accessing local
regional areas into local markets from
n Prohibits hackers from anywhere in the United
acquiring local into local States
feeds from other regions in n Local into local borders are
the country controlled through zip code
n May prevent some when signing up for service
customers who live in fringe
areas from receiving the
particular signal 33
Satellites
-Signal Quality-

DBS satellite signal

n Microwave digital signal
w Since it is a microwave signal, line of sight is required
w Digital signal is not affected by signal strength
n Picture is either perfect or not there at all
Off-air terrestrial broadcasts
n Overwhelming majority are analog
w Picture quality is directly related to signal strength
n Poor antenna alignment or low signal level on cable TV results in a
snowy picture and noisy audio.
w ATSC broadcasts are digital, but to date fewer than
25% of all broadcasts in the US are in ATSC format

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Customer Equipment
-DBS System-

Once the DBS signal has been sent

down from the various satellites, special
equipment is required to receive, and
decode the signal
A DBS system is comprised of:
n Satellite Dish
n LNB
n IRD

35
Customer Equipment
-Satellite Dish-

Also referred to as a
reflector
n Various size reflectors
Mast and foot assembly
22.5o offset to minimize
signal loss
LNB support arm
LNB
RG-6 cable carries signal
& polarization voltage
Hardware

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Customer Equipment
-Low Noise Block (LNB)-

Right Hand Circularly Left Hand Circularly

Polarized Wave Polarized Wave
+13 volts +17 volts
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Customer Equipment
-Single Output LNB-

Used with only one receiver

n Not currently manufactured
n Cannot be used with a multi-switch
Input frequency is 12.2 – 12.7 GHz
Down-converts output frequency to 950 –
1450 MHz 38
Customer Equipment
-Dual Output LNB-

Has two outputs

n Can be used with 2 satellite receivers or connected to a
multiswitch(s) for multiple satellite receivers
Outputs operate independently.
Input and output frequencies are the same as single LNB.

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Customer Equipment
-Stacked LNB-

Used with specific products such as DISHPRO-

500
Down-converts output frequency to 950 –
1450 MHz and 1550 to 2150
Requires products that have stacked LNB
capability 40
Customer Equipment
-Satellite Receiver-

Digital signal processor.

n Known as Integrated
Receiver/Decoder (IRD)
Tuner isolates a single transponder and
outputs a signal that all NTSC televisions
can display
Access or smart card dictates which
programming customer may view
Built-in Modem calls the program
provider for billing.
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 Customer Equipment
-Typical IRD-

On/Off TV/DBS Menu Select Smart/Access Card

Message

(Front Panel)

Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out

(Rear Panel) 42
 Customer Equipment
-Access Card / Smart Card-
On/Off TV/DBS Menu Select DBS
Message

• Resembles a standard size credit card.

• Self contained memory chip.
• Card contains an access code that allows decoding
of the digital signals.
• Pay-Per-View, sports programming, customer
program package, and other billing information is
stored in the card.
• Card and receiver are “paired” to each other when
services are activated.
• Receiver will not function without its assigned card.
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Customer Equipment
-Antenna and Satellite Inputs-
Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In (13/17V out)

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out

TV Ant/Cable In
n Allows user to connect cable or “Off-Air” signal directly to
the IRD.
n “TV/Sat” button switches signals between SAT and Off-
Air/Cable.
n Inputs can also be selected with the remote control.
Satellite In
n Dish input signal (950-1450 MHz) from LNB is connected
here.
n This terminal also feeds 13 or 17 volts to LNB for polarity
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selection.
Customer Equipment
-Modulated Output-
Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video
Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In
(13/17V out)

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out

Audio and video signals modulated onto channel 3 or 4.

n Menu driven on some newer model IRDs
Audio includes both left and right information.
Should always be connected to TV ant input in order to
have a point of reference with the customer.
CH 3/4 switch setting determines the channel on which
the TV will be receiving the SAT programming.

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Customer Equipment
-Audio Outputs-

Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video
Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In
(13/17V out)

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out

Fixed level which can be connected to TV, VCR, or

Stereo
n Some IRD’s have adjustable audio output
When left output is not used, some models reconfigure
the right output to supply mono audio
If dual outputs are present, signals are bridged to
provide outputs to two separate devices
CD quality audio is present at these jacks 46
Customer Equipment
-Audio Outputs-

Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video
Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In
(13/17V out)

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out

Dolby Digital 5.1 (also known as AC-3)

surround sound requires either an optical or
digital coaxial output located on the receiver

47
Customer Equipment
-Composite Video Output-
Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video
Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In
(13/17V out)

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out

• Provides excellent video performance

• Must be accompanied with the use of the audio
output jacks
• If dual outputs are present, signals are bridged to
provide signal to two separate devices.
• Do not connect S-Video and composite video at the
same time to the same input device.

48
Customer Equipment
-S-Video Output-
Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In (13/17V out)

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out

• Special video output that has separate color and

brightness signals
• Provides best video quality of all video outputs
• Must be accompanied by separate audio outputs
• For use only with S-Video compatible TV’s and
VCR’s
• Do not connect S-Video and composite video at the
same time to the same device
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Customer Equipment
-Phone Jack-
Ch 3
Ch 4 TV Ant/ R L Video Satellite In
UHF Ant Cable In (13/17V out)

TV Set
S Video Phone Jack
Out
• Provides connection from internal modem to phone line.
• Reports customer billing information to a central
computer.
• Monitors phone line and releases the line if another
extension is picked up or an “off-hook” indication is
detected.
• Makes outbound calls only (never answers phone).
• Activated approximately once a month or when triggered
by an incoming signal.
• Call usually last less than one minute
50
Review

How many channels can be broadcast

off 1 transponder?
13VDC selects _____ transponders?
The purpose of the access/smart card
is to:
When will the modem disconnect?
What actions will be taken, by the SBCA
and the government, by an installer
who is selling illegal access cards?
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