1.

Adjacent Channel Interference

Unwanted electrical interference from signals that are immediately adjacent in frequency to
the desired signal. This can arise due to imperfections in the transmission channel and/or
equipment.
2. Antenna Alignment
The process of optimising the orientation of a satellite antenna's main direction of sensitivity
towards the satellite to maximise the received signal level and to minimise the chance of
receiving unwanted interference from other satellite systems. A commonly-used alternative
expressions is "antenna pointing".
3. Antenna Noise Temperature
A receiving antenna collects noise from radiating bodies falling within its radiation pattern.
For an on-ground receiving antenna, this includes contributions from the sky and from the
surroundings (the earth). The combined affect of these noise sources is modelled by an
equivalent noise temperature for the antenna, which varies with elevation angle and
antenna size.
4. Attenuation
The measure of the weakening of a signal (loss) that occurs as it travels through a device or
transmission medium (e.g. radio waves through the atmosphere, an electrical signal through
a cable). Attenuation is usually measured in decibels.
5. Availability
The amount of time that the quality of a telecommunication service or communications link
equals or exceeds a specified minimum value. For satellite communication links the
availability is usually expressed as a percentage of the average year. See also Outage.
6. Azimuth
The pointing direction of an antenna measured in the local horizontal plane in a clockwise
direction from north. It is the horizontal co-ordinate that is used to align a satellite antenna.
See also Elevation.
7. Top
8. Band Switching
The process of selecting one of two frequency bands (the "low band" or the "high band") for
reception of satellite signals. Frequency band switching is implemented in dual-band LNBs
by changing the frequency of the local oscillator reference signal that is used to
downconvert the received signals to an intermediate frequency (IF).
9. Bandwidth
The range of frequencies used for a particular radio transmission (e.g. 36 MHz). It is the
difference between the lowest and highest transmission frequencies used by a signal.
10. Beacon
A highly stable radio frequency signal, which is used by earth stations equipped with an
automatic (satellite) tracking system. Beacons can be generated on-board the satellite, or
transmitted from the ground and relayed through the satellite. When generated on-board the
satellite, they are also known as satellite or on-board beacons and sometimes carry
telemetry signals (seeTelemetry)
11. Beam
A unidirectional flow of radio waves concentrated in a particular direction. A term commonly
used to refer to an antenna's radiation pattern by analogy with a light beam. It is most often
used to describe the radiation pattern of satellite antennas. The intersection of a satellite
beam with the earth's surface is referred to as the (beam's) footprint.
12. Beamwidth
A measure of the ability of an antenna to focus signal energy towards a particular direction
in space (e.g. towards the satellite for a ground-based transmitting antenna), or to collect
signal energy from a particular direction in space (e.g. from the satellite for a ground-based
receiving antenna). The beamwidth is measured in a plane containing the direction of
maximum signal strength. It is usually expressed as the angular separation between the two
directions in which the signal strength is reduced to one-half of the maximum value (the -3
db half-power points).
13. Bit Error Rate (BER)
An overall measure of the quality of a received digital bit stream. It is the ratio of the number
of information bits that are received in error to the total number of bits received, averaged
over a period of time.
14. Boresight
The direction of maximum antenna gain. For a receiving antenna, the boresight is aligned
with the satellite as accurately as possible for maximum received signal strength.
15. Bouquet
A collection of digital multimedia services marketed as a single package, often transmitted
in a single data stream. See also Digital Multiplexing.
16. BSS
Broadcasting Satellite Service. Typically used to refer to a range of frequencies intended for
direct reception of satellite television and entertainment services. These frequencies are
subject to internationally-agreed regulations that govern their use and are designed to
ensure that all countries are able to offer services of this nature. In Europe, the BSS
downlink frequency range is 11.7 - 12.5 GHz.
17. Top
18. C/(N+I)
Carrier-to-Noise-plus-Interference-Ratio. A measure of the quality of a signal at the receiver
input. It is the ratio of the power of the carrier to the combined power of noise and man-
made interference, measured within a specified bandwidth (usually the modulated carrier's
bandwidth). It is usually expressed in decibels. The higher the ratio, the better quality of the
received signal.
19. C/I
Carrier-to-Interference-Ratio. A measure of the quality of a signal at the receiver input. It is
the ratio of the power of the carrier to the power of interference arising from man-made
sources, measured within a specified bandwidth (usually the modulated carrier's
bandwidth). It is usually expressed in decibels. The higher the ratio, the better quality of the
received signal.
20. C/N
Carrier-to-Noise-Ratio. A measure of the quality of a modulated carrier at the receiver input.
It is the ratio of the power of the carrier to the power of the noise introduced in the
transmission medium, measured within a specified bandwidth (usually the modulated
carrier's bandwidth). It is usually expressed in decibels. The higher the ratio, the better
quality of the received carrier.
21. Capacity
A proportion of the satellite's bandwidth and power which is used to establish one or more
communication channel.
22. Channel
A band of radio frequencies assigned for a particular purpose, usually for the establishment
of one complete communication link, or a path for an electrical signal. This term is often
used interchangeably with Transponder, but in general the channel bandwidth is less than
the transponder bandwidth.
23. Circular Orbit
A satellite orbit in which the distance between the centres of mass of the satellite and of the
primary body (the earth) is constant.
24. Circular Polarisation
A circularly-polarised wave, in which the electric field vector, observed in any fixed plane
normal to the direction of propagation, rotates with time and traces a circle in the plane of
observation. Unlike linear polarisation, circular polarisation does not require alignment of
earth station and satellite antennas with the polarisation of the radio waves.
25. Clarke Belt
The circular orbit at approximately 35,800 km above the equator, where the satellites travel
at the same speed as the earth's rotation (Geostationary Orbit) and thus appear to be
stationary to an observer on Earth. Named after Arthur C. Clarke who first postulated the
idea of geostationary communication satellites.
26. Clear Sky
A term describing the weather conditions encountered at the terrestrial end of an earth-
space path of a satellite communication link. It is used to describe the condition where the
attenuation of radio waves caused by precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, dew, etc.) is lowest
(i.e. cloud-free sky and good visibility).
27. Collective Reception
See Community Reception.
28. Collocated
Two or more satellites occupying approximately the same geostationary orbital position
such that the angular separation between them is very small when viewed from the ground.
The satellites appear to be exactly collocated to a small receiving antenna. In reality, the
satellites are kept several kilometres apart in space to avoid collisions. An example of a
collocated satellite system is the EUTELSAT HOT BIRD system located at the 13 East
geostationary orbital position.
29. Community Reception
The reception of satellite television and entertainment services for distribution to a group of
the general public at one location (e.g. in a block of flats), or through a distribution system
covering a limited area (e.g. a local cable network). The receiving system is usually more
complex with a larger antenna than that used for individual (Direct-To-Home) reception.
30. Conditional Access (CA)
A system for restricting access to a particular service to authorised users only (e.g.
subscribers to a particular digital bouquet, purchasers of individual pay-per-view events), by
means of encryption and authorised decoding.
31. Coverage
The geographical area in which satellite signals can be transmitted or received with
sufficient quality when using appropriately sized earth stations. Satellite coverages are
usually communicated in the form of footprints displaying satellite G/T, EIRP or other
quantity, such as the antenna size required for good quality reception of a particular service.
32. Cross Modulation
Interference caused by the modulation of one carrier affecting another signal. It is usually
due to nonlinear device operation, which can be caused by overloading an amplifier, and is
worsened by signal power level imbalances (e.g. at the receiver input in the head-end of a
cable distribution network).
33. Cross-Polar
Used to refer to a signal that has the opposite (orthogonal) polarisation to a given signal.
34. Cross-Polar Discrimination
(XPD). The ratio of the signal power received (or transmitted) by an antenna on one
polarisation (the polarisation of the desired signal) to the signal power received (transmitted)
on the opposite polarisation. This ratio is usually expressed in decibels. It is a measure of
the ability of the antenna to detect (emit) signals on one polarisation and to reject signals at
the same frequency having the opposite polarisation.
35. Cross-Polar Isolation
(XPI). The ratio of the signal power received (or transmitted) by an earth station on one
polarisation (the desired signal) to the signal power received (transmitted) on the same
polarisation but originating from a cross-polar signal. This ratio is usually expressed in
decibels. It is a measure of interference from cross-polar signals into the desired signal,
which occurs in all practical systems that exploit both orthogonal polarisation. Strictly
speaking, the terms "cross-polar isolation" and "cross-polar discrimination" have different
meanings but are often used interchangeably.
36. Top
37. DBS
Direct Broadcast Satellite. A general term that is commonly used to describe satellites and
satellite systems that broadcast information directly to individual end-users.
38. Direct-to-Home (DTH)
The process of delivering satellite signals directly to individual households, or receiving
satellite signals directly in the home via an individual reception system (dish).
39. Downlink
The part of a satellite communications link that involves signal (re-) transmission from the
satellite and reception on the ground. See also Uplink.
40. DVB
Digital Video Broadcasting. A coherent set of European standards for transmission and
reception of digital television signals via satellite, cable or terrestrial means, developed
under the auspices of the Digital Video Broadcasting project and formalised by the
European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI). Although European, the
standards have been adopted in many countries worldwide. There are many standards
within the DVB family, including specifications for satellite (DVB-S), cable (DVB-C) and
terrestrial (DVB-T) transmission and reception.
41. Top
42. Earth-Space Link
Any communications link between an earth station and a satellite (uplink or downlink).
43. Earth Station
An installation (antenna and associated equipment) located on the earth's surface and
intended for communication with one or more satellites. The term is usually understood to
refer to the ensemble of equipment that is needed to effect communications via satellite.
44. EBU
European Broadcasting Union. An organisation that brings together the main European
broadcasters and, amongst other things, works on new standards which then require ETSI
(European Telecommunications Standards Institute) approval.
45. Eclipse
The total or partial obscuring of one celestial body by another. The events that most affect
satellites are eclipses of the Sun by the Earth or the Moon, which deprive the satellite of its
usual source of power (solar energy) and cause it to cool down rapidly because it is no
longer heated by the Sun. The satellite is designed to cope with such extreme events.
Normally, there is no effect on the communications services provided by the satellite during
eclipse.
46. EIRP
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power. A measure of the signal strength that a satellite
transmits towards the earth, or an earth station towards a satellite, expressed in dBW.
47. Elevation
The angle measured in the local vertical plane between the satellite and the local horizon. It
is the vertical co-ordinate that is used to align a satellite antenna. See also Azimuth.
48. EPG
Electronic Programme Guide. A graphical user interface generated by a digital satellite
receiver and displayed on the user's television screen. It provides information on the timing
and content of television programmes, which is conveyed in the digital signals received from
the satellite. Its primary purpose is to help the user to rapidly identify and select
programmes of interest, but it may also support other interactive services.
49. Top
50. Figure of Merit
The ratio of the maximum gain of a receiving antenna to the receiving system's equivalent
noise temperature. This value is usually expressed in dB/K. It is a measure of the ability of
an earth station to receive a satellite signal with good quality (high carrier-to-noise ratio). In
general, the G/T increases with increasing antenna diameter.
51. Fixed Assignment
The assignment of fixed amounts of satellite capacity to particular earth stations regardless
of their traffic requirements, which may fluctuate over a period of time. See also On-
Demand Assignment.
52. Frequency Reuse
A technique for utilising a specified range of frequencies more than once within the same
satellite system so that the total capacity of the system is increased without increasing its
allocated bandwidth. Frequency reuse schemes require sufficient isolation between the
signals that use the same frequencies so that mutual interference between them is
controlled to an acceptable level. Frequency reuse is achieved by using orthogonal
polarisation states (horizontal/vertical for linear, or LHC/RHC for circular) for transmission
and/or by using satellite antenna (spot) beams that serve separate, non-overlapping
geographic regions.
53. FSS
Fixed Satellite Service. In general, this refers to any satellite communication service
between earth stations located at fixed geographic positions. However, this term is often
used to refer to the "unplanned" frequency bands that are not subject to the internationally-
agreed regulations that govern the use of the BSS frequencies. The downlink FSS
frequencies in Europe are 10.7 - 11.7 GHz and 12.5 - 12.75 GHz.
54. Top
55. G/T
See Figure of Merit.
56. Gain (Antenna)
A measure of the amplifying or focussing power of an antenna when transmitting to, or
receiving from, a particular direction in space. The gain of an antenna is the ratio of the
power radiated (or received) per unit solid angle by the antenna in a given direction to the
power radiated (or received) per unit solid angle by an isotropic antenna fed with the same
power. The gain is usually expressed in dBi.
57. Geostationary
An object orbiting the earth at such speed that it appears to remain stationary with respect
to the earth's surface. See also Clarke Belt.
58. Geostationary Orbit
The orbit of a geosynchronous satellite whose orbit lies in the plane of the earth's equator.
59. Geostationary Satellite
A satellite that appears to be located at a fixed point in space when viewed from the earth's
surface.
60. Geosynchronous
An object orbiting the earth at the earth's rotational speed and with the same direction of
rotation. The object will appear at the same position in the sky at a particular time each day,
but will not appear stationary if not orbiting in the equatorial plane.
61. Ground Segment
The ground segment consists of all the earth stations that are operating within a particular
satellite system or network. These can be connected to the end-user's equipment directly or
via a terrestrial network.
62. Ground Station
An alternative expression for Earth Station.
63. Top
64. High Band
The upper part of the Ku-band downlink frequency range, from 11.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz.
65. Horizontal Polarisation
Type of linear polarisation where the electric field is approximately aligned with the local
horizontal plane at an on-ground transmission or reception point. See also frequency reuse.
66. HPA
High Power Amplifier. A device that accepts a relatively weak input signal and boosts it to a
power level that is suitable for transmission over an earth-space link.
67. Top
68. IBO
Input Back-Off. The ratio of the signal power measured at the input to a high power amplifier
to the input signal power that produces the maximum signal power at the amplifier's output.
The input backoff is expressed in decibels as either a positive or negative quantity. It can be
applied to a single carrier at the input to the HPA ("carrier IBO"), or to the ensemble of input
signals ("total IBO").
69. Inclination
The angle between the plane of the orbit of a satellite and the Equatorial plane. A orbit of a
perfectly-geostationary satellite has an inclination of 0 degrees.
70. Inclined Orbit
An orbit that approximates the geostationary orbit but whose plane is tilted slightly with
respect to the Equatorial plane, with the consequence that the satellite appears to move
about its nominal position in a daily "figure-of-eight" motion when viewed from the ground.
Satellites are often allowed to drift into an inclined orbit near the end of their nominal lifetime
in order to conserve fuel on-board the satellite, which would otherwise be used to correct
this natural drift caused by the gravitational pull of the Sun and the Moon.
71. Individual Reception
The direct reception of satellite signals by simple domestic installations, in particular those
equipped with a small antenna. See also Direct-to-Home andCommunity Reception.
72. Interference
Any undesired signal that tends to interfere with the reception of radio waves. It can be
caused by transmissions within the same satellite system, by transmissions within other
satellite systems that use the same frequencies, or from ground-based sources (e.g. point-
to-point radio links, car ignition noise, etc.).
73. Intermodulation
Mutual interference between signals spaced apart in frequency after non-linear amplification
by a common amplifier. In satellite communication systems the phenomenon of
intermodulation is usually only significant after the high power amplifier in an earth station or
a satellite transponder. It is controlled by means of the IBO/OBO of the amplifier.
74. IRD
Integrated Receiver-Decoder. A indoor device accepting signals from at least one LNB,
which recovers the original signal from the signal delivered by the LNB. It includes a built-in
decoder for reception of services that are protected by a Conditional Access system,
subject to authorisation from the service provider. A plug-in "smart card" is often used for
authorisation purposes.
75. Top
76. Ka-Band
The range of frequencies that are available for use by satellite communication systems at
around 30 GHz for the uplink and 20 GHz for the downlink. The Ka-band is used in
particular for satellite internet services and regional broadcasting.
77. Ku-Band
The range of frequencies attributed to satellite communication systems, around 14 GHz or
18 GHz for the uplink, and 11 to 12 GHz for the downlink. The Ku-band is often used for
television services via satellite and for VSAT networks.
78. Top
79. LHC(P)
Left-hand polarised wave. An elliptically- or circularly-polarised wave, in which the electric
field vector, observed in any fixed plane normal to the direction of propagation, whilst
looking in the direction of propagation, rotates with time in a left-hand or anticlockwise
direction.
80. Linear Polarisation
Describes a wave in which the electric field vector, observed in any fixed plane normal to
the direction of propagation, maintains a constant direction with time. With linear
polarisation, the earth station and satellite antennas of a particular earth-space link must be
precisely aligned so that their reference polarisation directions coincide, in order to obtain
maximum reception quality.
81. Low Band
The lower part of the Ku-band downlink frequency range, from 10.7 GHz to 11.7 GHz.
82. Top
83. Margin
The difference in decibels between the C/(N+I) achieved at the receiver input under clear
sky conditions to the minimum C/(N+I) required for just acceptable transmission quality.
Also referred to as the "Rain Margin".
84. MCPC
Multiple Channel Per Carrier. Refers to the multiplexing of a number of digital channels
(video programmes, audio programmes and data services) into a common digital bit stream,
which is then used to modulate a single carrier that conveys all of the services to the end
user. The single carrier supports multiple communication channels, hence the phase
"multiple channel per carrier". The term MCPC is frequency used in the context of DVB
systems, where the composite digital signal is referred to as a Transport Stream.
85. Multibeam
Generally refers to the use of multiple antenna beams on board the satellite to cover a
contiguous geographical area, instead of a single wide-area beam. Multibeam architectures
are often considered for satellites operating in the Ka-band, which is characterised by
narrower beamwidths with respect to the Ku-band. Single, wide-area beams predominate in
the latter.
86. Multicrypt
DVB conditional access option based on a detachable Conditional Access (CA) module,
which is supplied by the service provider to each subscriber. The CA module is connected
to the subscriber's IRD via a standardised interface (the DVB Common Interface). Multicrypt
has the advantage that the same IRD can be used to receive services from providers using
different and incompatible conditional access systems.
87. Top
88. Noise
Any undesired electrical disturbance in a circuit or communication channel. When combined
with a received signal, it affects the receiver's ability to correctly reproduce the original
signal. Also known as Thermal Noise.
89. Noise Figure
A method for quantifying the electrical noise generated by a practical device. The noise
figure is the ratio of the noise power at the output of a device to the noise power at the input
to the device, where the input noise temperature is equal to the reference temperature (290
K). The noise figure is usually expressed in decibels.
90. Noise Temperature
A mathematical convenience for predicting the influence of noise in a communications
system. It is a measure of the noise power generated by a practical device, expressed as
the equivalent temperature of a resistor which, when placed at the input of a perfect noise-
free device, generates the same amount of output noise. The noise temperature is usually
expressed in kelvin or dBK.
91. Top
92. OBO
Output Back-Off. The ratio of the signal power measured at the output of a high power
amplifier to the maximum output signal power. The output backoff is expressed in decibels
as either a positive or negative quantity. It can be applied to a single carrier at the output to
the HPA ("carrier OBO"), or to the ensemble of output signals ("total OBO").
93. OBP
On-board Processing. A general term that refers to signal processing functions
implemented on-board the satellite that go beyond the amplification and frequency
conversion performed in conventional, transparent satellite systems. On-board processing
is usually but not necessarily implemented digitally, and may or may not include signal
regeneration.
94. Off-Axis
Any direction in space that does not correspond to an antenna's boresight direction.
95. On-Demand Assignment
The assignment of variable amounts of satellite capacity to particular earth stations
according to their fluctuating traffic requirements (according to demand). See also Fixed
Assignment. On-demand assignment offers more efficient satellite capacity utilisation at the
expense of system complexity.
96. Orbit
The path described by the centre of mass of a satellite in space, subjected to natural forces,
principally gravitational attraction, and occasional low-energy corrective forces exerted by a
propulsive device in order to achieve and maintain the desired path.
97. Orbital Plane
The plane containing the centre of mass of the earth and the velocity vector (direction of
motion) of a satellite.
98. Outage
An outage is said to occur when the quality of a telecommunication service or
communications link falls below a specified minimum value for acceptable communications
performance. See also Availability.
99. Out-of-Band Emission
Any emission on a frequency or frequencies outside the bandwidth of a signal which results
from the modulation process. Out-of-band emissions are a potential source of interference
to other services and need to be carefully controlled.
100. Top
101. Payload (Satellite)
Refers to all equipment on-board a satellite that is dedicated to the reception, frequency
conversion, processing and retransmission of communication signals, including the satellite
antennas, but excluding support equipment such as the platform (physical structure), power
supplies and thermal control equipment.
102. Pay-Per-View
The purchasing of programmes and services by a television viewer or service user on an
individual basis (e.g. televised coverage of a sports event). Access to purchased material is
controlled by means of a Conditional Access system.
103. Pointing Angles
The elevation and azimuth angles which specify the direction of a satellite from a point on
the earth's surface.
104. Pointing Error (Antenna)
A value which quantifies the amount by which an antenna is misaligned with the satellite's
position in space (see Alignment). This is either expressed as an angular error, or as a loss
in signal strength with respect to the maximum that would be achieved with a perfectly
aligned antenna.
105. Polarisation
The phenomenon in which radio waves are restricted to certain directions of electrical and
magnetic field variations, where these directions are perpendicular to the direction of wave
travel. By convention, the polarisation of a radio wave is defined by the direction of the
electric field vector. Four senses of polarisation are used in satellite transmissions:
horizontal (X) linear polarisation, vertical (Y) linear polarisation, right-hand circular
polarisation and left-hand circular polarisation.
106. Polarisation Alignment
The process of aligning the reference polarisation plane of an linearly-polarised antenna
with a particular reference direction. For individual and collective systems receiving linearly-
polarised signals, this consists of rotating the LNB about the feed axis so that its radio wave
detector is aligned with the electric field vector of the incoming signal (to achieve detected
signal strength).
107. Polarisation Switching
The process of selecting one of two orthogonal polarisations (e.g. linear horizontal or linear
vertical) for reception of satellite signals. Polarisation switching is implemented in the LNB
or, more rarely, in a separate device inserted between the feedhorn and the LNA/LNB or
integrated with the feedhorn.
108. Polar Mount
A mechanical support structure for an earth station antenna that permits all satellites in the
geosynchronous arc to be scanned with movement of only one axis.
109. Top
110. Radiation Pattern
A three-dimensional representation of the gain of a transmit or receive antenna as a
function of the direction of radiation or reception.
111. Rain Margin
See Margin.
112. Receiver Noise Temperature
The equivalent noise temperature of a complete receiving system, excluding contributions
from the antenna and the physical connection to the antenna, referred to the receiver input.
113. Regenerative
A term used to describe satellite systems/transponders that recover the original signals from
the modulated signals received from the ground, process them in some way, then use them
to modulate carriers for retransmission at the downlink frequencies, possibly with a different
format. Regenerative repeaters are complex are often feature in the designs of future,
advanced satellite systems.
114. Repeater
A device that amplifies or augments incoming electrical signals and retransmits them
towards the earth station(s) at a different frequency. In the satellite context, the term
"repeater" usually refers to all Payload equipment, with the exception of the satellite
antennas.
115. RHC(P)
Right-hand polarised wave. An elliptically- or circularly-polarised wave, in which the electric
field vector, observed in any fixed plane normal to the direction of propagation, whilst
looking in the direction of propagation, rotates with time in a right-hand or clockwise
direction.
116. Top
117. S/N
Signal-to-Noise Ratio. A measure of the quality of an electrical signal, usually at the receiver
output. It is the ratio of the signal level to the noise level, measured within a specified
bandwidth (typically the bandwidth of the signal). It is usually expressed in decibels. The
higher the ratio, the better quality of the signal. See also C/N.
118. Satellite Link
A radio link between a transmitting earth station and a receiving earth station through a
communications satellite. A satellite link comprises one uplink and one downlink.
119. Satellite Network
One or more communications satellites and the cooperating earth stations.
120. Satellite System
A space system using one or more artificial satellites orbiting the earth.
121. Saturation
The operation of a power amplifier, most often a satellite TWTA, at its maximum output
power level ("saturated" power level).
122. SCPC
Single Channel Per Carrier. In SCPC systems, each communication signal is individually
modulated onto its own carrier which is used to convey that signal to the end user. A
number of similar carriers share a common satellite transponder and use a unique portion of
its bandwidth. Each carrier supports a single communication channel only (e.g. one-half of a
voice circuit), hence the phrase "single channel per carrier".
123. Shaped Beam
The radiation pattern of a satellite antenna that has been designed so that its footprint
follows the boundary of a specified geographical area (the area of service provision) as
closely as possible. Shaped beams maximise the antenna gain over the service area and
reduce the likelihood of interference into systems serving other geographical areas.
124. Sidelobe
Part of an antenna's radiation pattern which can detect or radiate signals in an unwanted
direction (i.e. off-axis), which can produce interference into other systems or susceptibility to
interference from other systems. The larger the side lobes, the more noise and interference
an antenna can detect. Sidelobe levels are determined by the design of the antenna.
125. Simulcast
Simultaneous transmission of an identical programme or service using two or more
standards or transmission media. Used to refer to a technique pioneered by EUTELSAT for
transmitting one broadcast analogue FM television carrier and one digital television carrier
in a single satellite transponder that would normally only support the FM TV carrier.
126. Simulcrypt
DVB conditional access option based on a commercial agreement between service
providers, which allows access to a common population of proprietary IRDs. The IRD
hardware is usually specific to the conditional access system and cannot be used to receive
services delivered by service providers that are not party to the agreement.
127. SMATV
Satellite Master Antenna TV. Collective television reception and distribution system serving
a local population of users collocated in a block of flats, a hotel or other group-housing
complex. SMATV systems use one or more high quality, centrally located antenna to
receive the satellite signals, plus UHF and/or VHF antennas to receive local terrestrial
broadcast services. The satellite and terrestrial signals are distributed to the end-users via a
dedicated cable distribution network. Several different cable distribution architectures are
possible.
128. Space Segment
Commonly used to refer to the satellites of a particular satellite communication system.
129. Spot Beam
An antenna radiation pattern designed to serve a relatively small or isolated geographic
area, usually with high gain. The radio frequency equivalent of a spotlight.
130. Spurious Emission
Any emission on a frequency or frequencies outside the bandwidth of a signal including
harmonic emissions, parasitic emissions, intermodulation products and frequency
conversion products. Spurious emissions are a potential source of interference to other
services and need to be carefully controlled.
131. Steerable Beam
An antenna beam that can be repointed by mechanical and/or electrical means. Usually
used to refer to relatively narrow satellite beams that can be steered over a part or the
whole of the portion of the earth's surface that is visible from the satellite's orbital position.
132. Sun Outage
Sun-Satellite Conjunction can cause a large increase in the noise received by an earth
station that is pointed towards the satellite, which degrades the signal quality and can even
cause the signal to be lost for a short time. Whilst this is an unavoidable physical
phenomenon, it does not affect the relatively small antennas that are used for individual and
collective reception of broadcast television and entertainment services.
133. Sun-Satellite Conjunction
The alignment of the Sun with the satellite as seen from an earth station, which takes place
twice a year for several minutes around local midday. This event can affect the performance
of receiving earth stations. See Sun Outage.
134. System Noise Temperature
The equivalent noise temperature of a complete receiving system, taking into account
contributions from the antenna, the receiver and the transmission line that interconnects
them, referred to the receiver input.
135. Top
136. Telecommand (TC)
The transmission of coded signals towards a satellite to initiate, modify or terminate
equipment functions on-board the satellite.
137. Telemetry
Coded radiocommunication from the satellite to the ground for the transmission of data
relating to the functioning and configuration of the satellite.
138. Thermal Noise
Any undesired electrical disturbance in a circuit or communication channel. The term
"thermal" refers to the fact that the magnitude of the noise generated by an object is
dependent upon the object's physical temperature.
139. Tracking
The process of continuously adjusting the orientation of an antenna so that its boresight
follows the movements of the satellite about its nominal position. Used in earth stations
equipped with large antennas and earth stations operating to satellites in inclined orbit.
140. Transparent
A term used to describe satellite systems or satellite transponders that do not alter the basic
format of the signals they receive before retransmitting them. A transparent transponder
simply converts signals to a lower frequency and amplifies them prior to retransmission, as
opposed to regenerative transponders or on-board processing
(see Regenerative and OBP respectively).
141. Transponder
A transmitter-receiver device that transmits signals automatically when it receives pre-
determined signals. The term "satellite transponder" refers to a transmitter-receiver
subsystem on-board the satellite that uses a single high power amplification chain and
processes a particular range of frequencies (the "transponder bandwidth"). There are many
transponders on a typical satellite, each capable of supporting one or more communication
channels.
142. TVRO
Television Receive-Only. An earth station incapable of transmitting to the satellite and
intended for the individual or collective reception of television (multimedia) services from the
satellite.
143. Top
144. Uplink
The part of a satellite communications link that involves signal transmission from the ground
and reception on-board the satellite. See also Downlink.
145. Top
146. Vertical Polarisation
Type of linear polarisation where the electric field is approximately aligned with the local
vertical plane at an on-ground transmission or reception point. See also frequency reuse.
147. Top
148. X-Polarisation
A more precise definition of horizontal linear polarisation. X-polarisation is defined with
respect to a particular direction from the satellite towards the earth, allowing precise
calculation of the polarisation alignment angle for any given geographic location.
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150. Y-Polarisation
A more precise definition of vertical linear polarisation. Y-polarisation is defined with respect
to a particular direction from the satellite towards the earth, allowing precise calculation of
the polarisation alignment angle for any given geographic location.