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A
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Analog
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Comes from the word "analogous" to which means "similar to." A method of signal transmission in which information is relayed by continuously altering the wave form of the electromagnetic current. Now used in AM radio or most voice telephone circuits. |
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B
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Backhaul
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Point-to-point video transmission from a remote site back to a central site for further distribution. |
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Bandwidth
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Point-to-point video transmission from a remote site back to a central site for further distribution. |
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Bird
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Slang for communications satellite. |
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C
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C-Band
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Portion of the electromagnetic spectrum used heavily for satellite transmission. The uplink frequency is a 6 GHz and the downlink is a 4 GHz. Traditional applications included voice communications, videoconferencing, and broadcast TV and radio. The large dish size and associated high cost of such reception by dishes have contributed to their decline in popularity for TV reception by individuals; Ku-Band dishes largely have replaced them in support of DBS (Direct Broadcast Satellite) TV reception. |
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CEMA
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Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association. |
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Clarke Belt
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The name given in honor of Arthur C. Clarke to the orbit 22,300 miles directly above the equator where satellites can maintain a stationary orbit position in relation to the earth. Also called geostationary orbit. |
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Coaxial Cable
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A cable composed of an insulated central conducting wire wrapped in another cylindrical conducting wire. The whole thing is usually wrapped in another insulating layer and an outer protective layer. A coaxial cable has great capacity to carry great quantities of information. It is typically used to carry high-speed data (as in connections of 327X terminals to computer hosts) and in CATV (multiplexed TV stations.) |
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Common Carrier
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The FCC's class of transmission systems, such as telephone, telegraph and certain satellites, open to public use at uniform fees and generally not permitted to control content. |
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Compression
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A term used to denote reducing the amount of bandwidth needed to transmit video or audio, thus increasing the capacity of a satellite transponder. |
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CONUS
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Continental United States Continuous Wave |
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Copyright
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A copyright protects the original author of a story, program, song, movie, piece of sculpture, or other original work from direct copying. Copying may be inferred where alleged copyist had access to the copyrighted work. Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself. (In appropriate cases, patents can be used to protect the idea) |
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Curb Appeal
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Landlord's always want their properties to look their best. They perceive satellite dishes, television antennas, and extra wires as "not attractive" and do not want them in view of the public, either outside the buildings or inside the apartments. |
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D
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dB
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Decibel; an analog unit of measure of signal strength, volume, or signal loss due to resistance as expressed in logarithmic form. |
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DBS
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Direct Broadcast Satellite. A term for satellite which sends relatively powerful signals to small (typically 18-inch diameter) dishes installed at homes. |
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DBS, Direct Broadcast Satellite
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The transmission of audio and video signals via satellite direct to the end user. |
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Demodulation
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The process for retrieving an information signal that has been modulated onto a carrier. |
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Descrambler
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Set-top box. A device which corrects a signal (often video) that has been intentionally distorted to prevent unauthorized viewing. Used with satellite TV systems. |
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Digital
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In displays, the use of digits for direct readout. In telecommunications, in the recording or in computing, digital is the use of a binary code to represent information. Analog signals - like voice or music - are encoded digitally by sampling the voice or music analog signals many times a second and assigning a number to each sample. Recording or transmitting information digitally has two major benefits. First, the signal can be reproduced more precisely so digital transmission is much "cleaner" than analog transmission. The second major benefit of digital is that the electronic circuitry to handle digital is getting cheaper and more powerful. It's the stuff of computers. Analog transmission equipment doesn't lend itself to the technical breakthroughs of recent years in digital. |
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Dish
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Slang term for antenna. |
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Dish Cover
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a cylindrical weather protection device. |
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Dish Size
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Refers to the diameter of the dish, or antenna, used in satellite reception. |
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Downlink
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To receive from a satellite; also, the dish used for reception. |
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DSL
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Digital Subscriber Line. A generic name for a family of evolving digital services to be provided by local telephone companies to their local subscribers. Such services go by different names and acronyms - ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), HDSL (High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber line) and SDSL (Single Pair Symmetrical Services). Such services propose to give the subscriber up to eight million bits per second one way, downstream to the customer and somewhat fewer bits per second upstream to the phone company. |
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DTH, Direct-To-Home
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Official term used by the Federal Communications Commission industry to refer to the satellite television and broadcasting industries. |
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DTV
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Acronym for "digital television." Also the stock symbol of DBS provider, DIRECTV. |
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E
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Encryption/ Decryption
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Encryption is the process of electronically altering a video and/or audio from its original condition. Decryption is the process of returning the video and/or audio to its original condition. |
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F
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Feedhorn
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The part of the satellite system that collects and focuses satellite signals reflected by the antenna. |
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Fiber Optics Fibe
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A shortened way of saying "fiber optic." Fiber is made of very pure glass. Digital signals, in the form of modulated light, travel on strands of fiber for long distances. The big advantage that fiber has over copper is that it can carry far, far more information over much, much longer distances. |
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Franchise
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The exclusive right to operate telephone or cable service in a community. This right - also called the franchise - is granted by some government agency. |
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FSS
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Fixed Satellite Service. |
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G
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GHz
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One billion, or one thousand million, hertz, or cycles per second. |
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GSO
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Geosynchronous Orbit; satellites in geosynchronous orbit travel around the earth in an area approximately 22,300 miles from the surface at the same rate that the earth turns, therefore completing one revolution every 24 hours. |
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H
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Headend
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The originating point of a signal in cable TV systems. At the head end, you'll often find large satellite receiving antennae. Now increasingly spelled headend. A central control device required within some LAN/MAN systems to provide such centralized functions as remodultaion, re-timing, message accountability, connection control, diagnostic control, and access. |
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High Definition Television
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Technology which significantly increases the resolution of video signals offering vastly improved picture quality over the current NTSC standard. |
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Homerun Wire
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The Homerun Wire is most often a single wire (usually an RG6 or RG59 coaxial cable) that runs from each apartment building's meter room to each apartment and is designed to deliver television or telephone services. Some of the modern day Homerun Wires are being used to deliver all services, cable and satellite television, telephone and fax and high-speed internet connections. |
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Hybrid Satellite
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A satellite which carries two or more different communications payloads (i.e., C-band and Ku-band). |
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Hz
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Hertz; Cycle per second; a measure of electromagnetic frequency that represents the number of complete electrical waves in a second. One kilohertz (KHz) is one thousand cycles per second; one megaHertz (MHz) is one million; one gigaHertz (GHz) is one billion. |
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I
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ICTA
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Independent Cable & Telecommunications Association. |
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Impulse Pay-Per-View
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Technology which allows the consumer to purchase a movie or special event instantly via a computerized order processing center. This technology allows for the processing of a high volume of orders in a short time period. |
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INMARSAT
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International Maritime Satellite Organization. |
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Inside Wiring
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That wiring located inside your premises or building. Inside wiring starts at the telephone or cable company's Demarcation Point and extends to the individual extensions. Traditionally, Inside Wiring was installed and owned by the installing company. |
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INTELSAT
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International Telecommunications Satellite Organization. |
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IPG
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Interactive Programming Guide. |
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IRD (integrated receiver decoder)
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A device capable of receiving and tuning satellite signals. The output of the receiver can be either baseband video for use with video monitors or RF for use with standard TV sets. |
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ISP
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Internal Service Provider. A vendor who provides access for customers (companies and private individuals) to the internet and the World Wide Web. The ISP also typically provides a core group of internet utilities and services like e-mail, news group readers and sometimes weather reports and local restaurant reviews. The user typically reaches his phone line, or over a dedicated line installed by a telephone company. An ISP is also called a TSP, for Telecommunications Service Provider, and ITSP, for Internet Telephony Service Provider. |
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ITU
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International Telecommunications Union. |
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K
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Ka-Band
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A higher frequency than Ku-Band, operating from 18 to 31 gigaHertz. |
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KHz
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KiloHertz. |
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Ku-Band
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The 11.7 -12.7 GHz (Gigahertz) frequency band. This band has been split into 2 segments by the FCC. The first is the 11.7-12.2 GHz band known as FSS (Fixed Satellite Service). There are 22 FSS Ku band satellites in orbit over North America today. They range in power from 20-45 watts per transponder, requiring a 3-5 foot antenna for clear reception. The 12.2 - 12.7 GHz segment is known as BSS (Broadcast Satellite Service). Satellites in this band range in power from 100 - 200 watts per transponder, allowing the use of receive antennas as small as 12-18 inches. |
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L
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L-Band
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Potion of electromagnetic spectrum commonly used in satellite and microwave applications with frequencies in the 390 MHz to 1550 MHz range. The GPS (global positioning system) frequencies are in the L-Band. GPS uses 1227.6 Mhz and 1575.42 MHz. |
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LEO
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Low Earth Orbit; satellites placed in orbit less than 22,300 miles above the earth. |
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LMDS
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Local Multipoint Distribution System. Developed by Bellcore for Wireless Local Loop (WLL) applications. These high-frequency signals, transmitted via microwave installations, can send small receiver dishes, typically installed on the top of apartment buildings or on homes. Because of the high frequency, line-of-sight is required for maximum signal performance. There are actually all sorts of variations on the LMDS theme. In one trial, the service was used for highspeed Internet downloads to LMDS subscribers - the Internet downloads coming from LMDS, the command to initiate those downloads being sent from the subscriber's PC over his local phone line. |
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LNB
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Low Noise Block convertor. System devise used to amplify and convert satellite signals into frequencies sent to the tuner. |
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M
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MDU
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Multiple Dwelling Unit: Condominiums, Apartments, Townhomes and more... |
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Merchant Builder
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When properties are first constructed, many times the initial landlord is a Merchant Builder. Their motives are to build and rent a property then sell it immediately for a profit. To do this, many look to short-term profits and cost reducers. A good example would be in the area of television signal. Cable operators often pay substantial per-door fees above and beyond satellite providers. This results in Merchant Builders granting the cable provider the exclusive Right of Entry agreement. These motives are not often consistent with typical MDU operations. They are interested in overall profits, and this often requires high monthly income rather than large lumps. This is especially true when dealing with real estate investment trusts. |
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MHz
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MegaHertz. |
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MMDS
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Microwave Multi-point Distribution System or Multipoint Multichannel Distribution Service. Nobody seems to know which MMDS means. But, irrespective of what the acronym means, the definition is the same. MMDS is a way of distributing cable television signals, through microwave, from a single transmission point to multiple receiving points. Often used as an alternative to cable-bases cable TV. According to an April, 1995 press release from Pacific Telesis, which was starting an MMDS service, "in digital form, it will provide more than 100 channels to a radius of approximately 40 miles from the transmitter. The MMDS transmitter delivers video to homes that are in its 'line of sight.' MMDS transmissions are limited by the terrain and foliage of a given market. The microwave signal is received by an antenna on the subscriber's home, then sent down coaxial cable to a box atop the customer's TV set. the box decodes and decompresses the digital signal." MMDS is increasingly being called "Wireless Cable." |
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Modems
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Acronym for Modulator/DEModulator. Conventional modems comprise equipment which converts digital signals to analog signals and vice versa. Modems are used to send digital data signals over the analog PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). Although the carrier switches (e.g., central offices and tandem offices) are typically digital, as is the backbone transmission network (e.g., T-carrier), the local loop always is analog unless the user orders more costly digital loop (e.g., ISDN or T-1). therefore, the PSTN is analog as far as most people are concerned. Conventional modems work like this. Your PC outputs data in the form of "1's" and "0's" which are represented by varying levels of voltage. The modem converts the digital data signal into variations of the analog sine wave so the data can be transmitted over the device with a digital bit stream. The modulation techniques include some combination of Amplitude Modulation (AM), Frequency Modulation (FM) and Phase Modulation (PM), also known as Phase Shift Keying (PSK). Used in combination, these techniques allow multiple bits to be represented with a single (or single set) OF SINE WAVES). In this fashion, compression is accomplished, which allows more data to be transmitted in the same period of time and which therefore reduces the connect time and the associated cost of the data transfer. Contemporary, conventional modems are standardized by the ITU-T as part of the "V" series of standards. Such modems are characterized by error detection and correction mechanisms, adaptive equalization, internal dialing, and numerous other sophisticated capabilities. 56 Kbps modems are the latest development in the world of conventional modems; they remain to be standardized. The term "modem" also is applied (and correctly so, in the purely technical sense) to ISDN TAs (Terminal Adapters), ADSL TUs (Terminal Units), line drivers and short-haul modems. The last two, in fact, are voltage converters. |
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Modulation
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The process of superimposing an information signal onto a carrier for transmission. |
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MPEG
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Motion Pictures Experts Group. |
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MSO-SO
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Multiple System Operator. A company that operates more than on cable TV system. SO Serving Office. Central office where IXC (IntereXchange Carrier) has POP (Point Of Presence). |
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MVPD
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Multichannel Video Program Distribution. It is provided by cable and satellite. See IB docket No. 95-168 or PP docket No. 93-253. In the matter of Revision of Rules and Policies for the Direct Broadcast Satellite Service before the FCC. |
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N
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NAB
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National Association of Broadcaster |
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NCTA
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National Cable Television Association. |
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O
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Occupancy
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Occupancy is the single most important term to a rental community MDU operator. Maintaining maximum occupancy at the highest possible rent is the landlord's primary mission. There are two types of occupancy: 1. Physical Occupancy: This is the total percentage of apartment units rented. Example: If there are 100 apartments in the community and 95 are occupied, there is a 95 percent physical occupancy rate. 2. Economic Occupancy: this is the true number most properties operate by. It reflects the percentage of actual dollars collected in rent compared to what a 100 percent occupied property would be if rented at the maximum listed rental price. Example: If there are 100 apartments and they are suppose to be rented for $1,000 apiece, $100,000 a month would represent 100 percent economic occupancy. If 95 units are occupied but the total rent collected is reduced due to discounts and move-in specials, and is only $90,000, the economic occupancy is only 90 percent even though the physical occupancy is 95 percent. |
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Overbuild
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A term which means just what you think it does: to build more capacity into a network than you really need. Overbuilding has several potential benefits, depending on which side of the equation you find yourself. First, it provides for anticipated growth in traffic requirements. Second, it yields greater revenues for the vendor, although at the expense of the customer. ILECs (Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers) long have been accused of overbuilding their networks, as the total investment goes into the rate base, on which the carrier realizes a rate of return guaranteed by the regulator. Overbuilding is also known as "gold-plating." |
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OVS
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Open Video Systems, the successor to Video Dialtone. |
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P
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Packet Data
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A process where stored data is transmitted in discrete units, called packets, allowing for more efficient use of channel capacity and reliability of transfer. |
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Pad
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Slang for transponder channel attenuation, it is an electronic device that adds electrical resistance to a circuit to protect a transponder from signals that are too strong. |
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Passing
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A home or building "passed" by a multichannel video system is deemed able to receive the system's signal. |
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PCO
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Point of Control and Observation: A place (point) within a testing occurrence of test events is to be controlled and observed as defined by the particular abstract test method used. |
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PCS
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Personal Communications System. |
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Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
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Product that tracks viewing habits, records programs and has other interactive features such as pause and rewind. |
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Plant
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A general term for all equipment used by a telephone or cable company to provide telecommunications services. Usually divided into inside and outside plant. Inside plant: Everything inside the company central office. Thus, electronic equipment in buildings. |
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Programmer
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A company which produces, packages, or distributes video, audio, and/or data services for distribution to the home satellite dish and cable markets. |
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Q
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QPSK
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Quaternary Phase Shift Keying; a digital modulation scheme used in transmission communications that allows increased sending capacity. |
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R
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RBOC
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Regional Bell Operating Company |
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REITs
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The term means Real Estate Investment Trust. They are specially designed corporations that the IRS grants a special taxing method that avoids double taxation usually associated with paying dividends to individuals. The IRS's intention is to offer incentives for investing in real estate in America. Due to several stringent rules, REITs are sensitive to the type income they receive, as most of it must be derived from rents. Not more than 5 percent of income may be from "other than rent". When applied to receiving payments from television revenues, the IRS has issued at least one letter ruling declaring proceeds from monthly television revenues as "not" other than rent, allowing then to apply it to the 95 percent category. If this is the case, REITs may have motivation to conform to the conditions of the IRS's Private letter Ruling and receive monthly residuals from television and Internet services. |
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ROE
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Regulatory commission authorized allowed rate of return on equity. |
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RPM
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Revolutions Per Minute. |
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S
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Satellite Antenna (Dish)
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A parabolic antenna which collects satellite signals. C-band antennas range in size from 5-12 feet in diameter; K-band antennas range from 18 inches to 6 feet. |
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SBCA
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Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association. |
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SCPC
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Single Channel Per-Carrier; an economical way to get multiple signals on one transponder. |
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Scrambling
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Altering a video signal transmission so it can not be received without an authorized operating decoder. |
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Signal Leakage
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(Leakage) is a cable TV term. Leakage occurs when certain radio frequencies ooze out of the CATV's coaxial cable in such strength that they are evident outside the home. They might be sufficiently strong to interfere with aircraft navigation. Leakage is really a shielding problem. |
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Single Wire Solution
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There are many aspects to the term "single wire solution": 1. In the world of digital satellite signal, the best definition is: the placement of all signal from analog and digital video (television), 1 or 2 way-data (Internet), and telephony (phone and fax service) on a single homerun wire leading from the meter room to each apartment. 2. Another prospective on the words is the landlord's prospective: Landlords do not want more wires on their property than absolutely necessary. This has to do with "Curb Appeal". They want a single wire solution: One wire that feeds everything to each apartment. 3. This is also the term, though misused, but now becoming accepted, that is used to refer to the stacked LNB that DSS signal into a format that can be transmitted, tapped and split over a single one-way coaxial cable, allowing multiple television receivers to independently receive signal. |
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Smart Card
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Technology which allows for the upgrade of encryption security through the use of a consumer-installable card containing a new computerized security code. |
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SMATV
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Satellite Master Antenna Television; or private cable; a miniature cable system that receives programming by satellite and serves a housing complex or hotel. |
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SMATV Dish & DBS Dish
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The dish-like antenna used to receive satellite signals. |
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SNG
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Satellite Newsgathering. |
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Spread Spectrum
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A means of transmission in which the information is carried encoded into discrete packages of information, then spread over a wide bandwidth for transmission to specific receivers which filter out the coded material. |
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Subscriber
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A person or company who has video service provided by a satellite or cable or other multichannel provider. |
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Sun Outage
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When the sun passes behind a satellite in relation to the earth and the suns energy momentarily interferes with the satellite signals. Happens two times each year during spring and fall equinox. |
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Superstation
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A local TV station whose signal is satellite delivered to cable systems and backyard antennas across the country. |
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T
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Tariff
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The usage fees charged for any given service. |
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Telephony
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The science of transmitting voice, data, video or image signals over a distance greater than what you can transmit by shouting. |
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Terrestrial
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In communications parlance, this refers to earth, land or ground-based telecommunications systems. |
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Transceiver
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A combination transmitter and receiver. |
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Transponder
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A satellite component that receives and retransmits a TV signal or perhaps many narrower-band data or audio channels. |
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Turn
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Turn is when an apartment becomes empty and must be readied for the next resident. Every time an apartment has to be turned usually results in the loss of two to four months rent. The carpet replacement, cost to clean, paint and ready an apartment is usually in the area of one month's rent. The unit may lay available for 30 days or longer before a resident moves in. The landlord may have to grant a move-in discount that cuts into the first month's rent. Advertising and commissions are other considerations. Landlords would much rather retain occupancy and reduce Turn. |
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TVRO (Television Receive-Only)
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An industry term used to describe a home satellite system which only receives and does not transmit satellite television signals. |
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U
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UHF
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Ultra High Frequency; the band in the 500 to 900 MHz range, including TV channels 14 through 83. |
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Uplink
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To transmit to a satellite for relay; also, the dish used to transmit. |
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V
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Value Added Service Provider
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In satellite communications, can refer to a third party who leases capacity for resale. |
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VHF
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Very High Frequency; the band in the 30 to 300 MHz range, including TV channels 2 through 13. |
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Video Compression
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Technology which significantly reduced the bandwidth required to transmit a video signal, making possible the carriage of numerous NTSC quality signals satellite transponder. |
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VOD-NVOD
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Video On Demand. Video which a subscriber can call up at will, or "on demand". Such systems are just beginning to be introduced. NVOD Near Video On Demand. Providing a consumer a multimedia item - movie, TV program, etc. - on a rotating schedule, thus giving the appearance of an on-demand system (i.e., VOD). |
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VSAT
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Very Small Aperture Terminal; a means of narrowcast transmission of video, voice and data by SCPC means to a satellite, typically used in business applications. |
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W
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Wireless
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A system without outside wires, for example cellular telephony or satellite television. |
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X
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xclusive Contract
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When a multichannel provider has the exclusive right to serve a MDU complex. |
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Z
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Zapping
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Changing the channel by remote control during a program to avoid a commercial. |
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Zipping
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Fast-forwarding through commercials when playing back a program on a VCR. |
