Analog - 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.
Backhaul - Point-to-point video transmission from a remote
site back to a central site for further distribution.
Bandwidth - A range of frequencies on the electromagnetic
spectrum.
Common Carrier - The FCCâs 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.
Compression - A term used to denote reducing the amount
of bandwidth needed to transmit video or audio, thus increasing
the capacity of a satellite transponder.
CONUS - Continental United States Continuous Wave.
C-Band - The 3.7 - 4.2 GHz (Gigahertz) frequency band
which is used for the distribution of programming by virtually
all satellite/cable networks. There are 22 C-Band satellites in
operation over North America today. They range in power from 5-11
watts per transponder, requiring receive antennas of 5-12 feet
in diameter. Beginning in 1992, the fleet was gradually replaced
with higher powered (10-17 watt) satellites. This allows the average
size of a C-Band installation to be reduced to 90 inches in diameter.
Clarke Belt - 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.
dB - Decibel; an analog unit of measure of signal strength,
volume, or signal loss due to resistance as expressed in logarithmic
form.
DBS, Direct Broadcast Satellite - The transmission of
audio and video signals via satellite direct to the end user.
Demodulation - The process for retrieving an information
signal that has been modulated onto a carrier.
Digital - A method of storing, converting and sending
data in the form of binary digits; i.e., 0 or 1.
Dish - Slang term for antenna.
Dish Cover - a cylindrical weather protection device.
Downlink - To receive from a satellite; also, the dish
used for reception.
DTH, Direct-To-Home - Official term used by the Federal
Communications Commission industry to refer to the satellite television
and broadcasting industries.
DVR - Digital Video Recorders (same as PVR).
Encryption/ Decryption - 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.
Feedhorn - The part of the satellite system that collects
and focuses satellite signals reflected by the antenna.
FSS - Fixed Satellite Service.
GSO - 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.
Headend - A cable TV systems control center where incoming
signals from satellites and other sources are put into the system.
High Definition Television - Technology which significantly
increases the resolution of video signals offering vastly improved
picture quality over the current NTSC standard.
Hybrid Satellite - A satellite which carries two or more
different communications payloads (i.e., C-band and Ku-band).
Hz - 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.
INMARSAT - International Maritime Satellite Organization.
INTELSAT - International Telecommunications Satellite
Organization.
IPG - Interactive Programming Guide.
ITU - International Telecommunications Union.
IRD (integrated receiver decoder) - 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.
Impulse Pay-Per-View - 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.
Ka-Band - A higher frequency than Ku-Band, operating
from 18 to 31 gigaHertz.
Ku-Band - 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.
KHz - KiloHertz.
LEO - Low Earth Orbit; satellites placed in orbit less
than 22,300 miles above the earth.
LNB - Low Noise Block convertor. System devise used to
amplify and convert satellite signals into frequencies sent to
the tuner.
MHz - MegaHertz.
Modulation - The process of superimposing an information
signal onto a carrier for transmission. Packet Data - A
process where stored data is transmitted in discrete units, called
packets, allowing for more efficient use of channel capacity and
reliability of transfer.
MPEG - Motion Pictures Experts Group.
NAB - National Association of Broadcasters.
NCTA - NCTA National Cable Television Association.
Packet Data - A process where stored data is transmitted
in discrete units, called packets, allowing for more efficient
use of channel capacity and reliability of transfer.
Pad - 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.
PCS - Personal Communications System.
Personal Video Recorder (PVR) - Product that tracks viewing
habits, records programs and has other interactive features such
as pause and rewind.
QPSK - Quaternary Phase Shift Keying; a digital modulation
scheme used in transmission communications that allows increased
sending capacity.
RPM - Revolutions Per Minute.
RBOC - Regional Bell Operating Company.
SBCA - Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association.
SCPC - Single Channel Per-Carrier; an economical way
to get multiple signals on one transponder.
Scrambling - Altering a video signal transmission so
it can not be received without an authorized operating decoder.
Satellite Antenna (Dish) - 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.
Satellite Programmer - A company which produces, packages,
or distributes video, audio, and/or data services for distribution
to the home satellite dish and cable markets.
Smart Card - Technology which allows for the upgrade
of encryption security through the use of a consumer-installable
card containing a new computerized security code.
SMATV - Satellite Master Antenna Television; or private
cable; a miniature cable system that receives programming by satellite
and serves a housing complex or hotel.
SNG - Satellite Newsgathering.
Spread Spectrum - 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.
Superstation - A local TV station whose signal is satellite
delivered to cable systems and backyard antennas across the country.
Sun Outage - 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.
Tariff - The usage fees charged for any given service.
Terrestrial - In communications parlance, this refers
to earth, land or ground-based telecommunications systems.
Transceiver - A combination transmitter and receiver.
Transponder - A satellite component that receives and
retransmits a TV signal or perhaps many narrower-band data or
audio channels.
TVRO (Television Receive-Only) - An industry term used
to describe a home satellite system which only receives and does
not transmit satellite television signals.
Transponder - A device located on board the satellite
which receives signals uplinked by a programmer and transmits
them back to earth on a different frequency. Most satellites carry
24 transponders.
UHF - Ultra High Frequency; the band in the 500 to 900
MHz range, including TV channels 14 through 83.
Uplink - To transmit to a satellite for relay; also,
the dish used to transmit.
Value Added Service Provider - In satellite communications,
can refer to a third party who leases capacity for resale.
Video Compression - Technology which significantly reduced
the bandwidth required to transmit a video signal, making possible
the carriage of numerous NTSC quality signals satellite transponder.
VHF - Very High Frequency; the band in the 30 to 300
MHz range, including TV channels 2 through 13.
VSAT - 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.
Zapping - Changing the channel by remote control during
a program to avoid a commercial.
Zipping - Fast-forwarding through commercials when playing
back a program on a VCR.
