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ACTUATOR
The running and returning system for controlling motorized antennas.

ADC
Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Process of converting analog signals to a digital representation. DAC represents the reverse translation.

AM
Amplitude Modulation---The baseband signal is caused to vary the amplitude or height of the carrier wave to create the desired information content.

AMPLIFIER
A device used to boost the strength of an electronic signal.

ANALOG
A form of transmitting information characterized by continuously variable quantities, as opposed to digital transmission, which is characterized by discrete bits of information in numerical steps. An analog signal is responsive to changes in light, sound, heat and pressure.

ANIK
The Canadian domestic satellite system that transmits Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (CSC) network feeds throughout the country. This system also carries long distance voice and data services throughout Canada as well as some transborder service to the U.S. and Mexico.

ANNTENA
Device that is used to send and receive signals that are passed on to the receiver.

APERTURE
A cross sectional area of the antenna which is exposed to the satellite signal.

APEX
Highest point. (i.e. on a motorized antenna the highest point in the satellite belt).

APOGEE
The point in an elliptical satellite orbit which is farthest from the surface of the earth. Geosynchronous satellites which maintain circular orbits around the earth are first launched into highly elliptical orbits with apogees of 22,237 miles. When the communication satellite reaches the appropriate apogee, a rocket motor is fired to place the satellite into its permanent circular orbit of 22,237 miles.

ARC
Satellite belt. A imaginary line that has the shape of half of a circuit and connects all satellites in the Clark’s belt.

ASPECT RATIO
The expected TV ratio. Standard TV has a ratio of 4:3, but widescreen TV uses a 16:9 ratio.

ASTRA DIGITAL RADIO
System for digital emitting of audio programs by using compressed signals. It is emitted on sound transponders and you need a special digital receiver to receive it.

ATTENUATION
The loss in power of electromagnetic signals between transmission and reception points.

ATTITUDE CONTROL
The orientation of the satellite in relationship to the earth and the sun.

AUDIO SUBCARRIER
The carrier between 5 MHz and 8 MHz containing audio (or voice) information inside of a video carrier.

AUTOMATIC FREQUENCY CONTROL (AFC)
A circuit which automatically controls the frequency of a signal.

AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL (AGC)
A circuit which automatically controls the gain of an amplifier so that the output signal level is virtually constant for varying input signal levels.

AV
Any equipment for video and audio.

AZ-EL MOUNT
Antenna mount that requires two separate adjustments to move from one satellite to another.

AZIMUTH
The ankle between the satellite and the geographic south (given by the compass) is expressed in degrees and can west or east, i.e. Astra 19.2°E.

B

BACKHOUL
A terrestrial communications channel linking an earth station to a local switching network or population center.

BACKOFF
The process of reducing the input and output power levels of a traveling wave tube to obtain more linear operation.

BAND PASS FILTER
An active or passive circuit which allows signals within the desired frequency band to pass through but impedes signals outside this pass band from getting through.

BANDWITH
The frequency width on which a signal is broadcasted or which allows devices to receive signals. It can be 18, 27, 36 or 72 MHz.

BASEBAND
This is the satellite TV signal from the receiver, which has yet not been transformed into a useful TV signal.

BAUD
The rate of data transmission based on the number of signal elements or symbols transmitted per second. Today most digital signals are characterized in bits per second.

BEACON
Low-power carrier transmitted by a satellite which supplies the controlling engineers on the ground with a means of monitoring telemetry data, tracking the satellite, or conducting propagation experiments. This tracking beacon is usually a horn or omni antenna.

BEAM
Signal transmission via satellite. The satellites signal beam emitted from the satellite to the earth. There are wide beams- covers a big area, narrow beam- covers a smaller area, pot beam- covers only a specific area.

BEAMWITH
The expected ankle of the satellite antenna.

BELLING-LEE CONNECTION
A connection that is used to connect TV antennas to the TV, receiver and video. In prior times it was used on the satellite receiver line in.

BER Bit Error Rate
The precision of a digital signal. Similar to the analogue S/N ratio.

BIRD
Bird is a word that is often used referring to satellites.

BIT RATE
The speed of digital transmission. Usually it is expressed in Mb/s. the higher the bit rate the better is the picture and sound since there are more data sent. I.e: 5Mb/s is approximately PAL quality and 2.5Mb/s is VHS quality.

BLANKING
An ordinary television signal consists of 30 separate still pictures or frames sent every second. They occur so rapidly, the human eye blurs them together to form an illusion of moving pictures. This is the basis for television and motion picture systems. The blanking interval is that portion of the television signal which occurs after one picture frame is sent and before the next one is transmitted. During this period of time special data signals can be sent which will not be picked up on an ordinary television receiver.

BLOCK DOWN CONVERTER
A device used to convert the 3.7 to 4.2 KHz signal down to UHF or lower frequencies (1 GHz and lower).

B-MAC
A method of transmitting and scrambling television signals. In such transmissions MAC (Multiplexed Analog Component) signals are time-multiplexed with a digital burst containing digitized sound, video synchronizing, authorization, and information.

BORESIGHT
The side of the antenna that is turned towards the antenna.

BUISINESS TELEVISION
Corporate communications tool involving video transmissions of information via satellite. Common uses of business television are for meetings, product introductions and training.

C

CAM
Conditional access module- systems that are used to decode encoded satellite programs.

CARRIER
The basic radio, television, or telephony center of frequency transmit signal. The carrier in an analog signal. is modulated by manipulating its amplitude (making it louder or softer) or its frequency (shifting it up or down) in relation to the incoming signal. Satellite carriers operating in the analog mode are usually frequency modulated.

CARRIER FREQUENCY
The main frequency on which a voice, data, or video signal is sent. Microwave and satellite communications transmitters operate in the band from 1 to 14 GHz (a GHz is one billion cycles per second).

CASSEGRAIN
A sort of parabolic satellite antenna that uses a convex hyperbolic secondary reflector.

C-band
Area of frequencies from 3.700-4.200 GHz that is used for satellite signal transmission, mostly in use in the USA.

CENTRE-FEED DISH
A satellite antenna with the focus in the centre.

CHROMINANCE
Part of the signals that carries the data for colour.

CI
Common Interface- the standard connection to connect additional equipment on the receiver. Mostly used by CAM’s. Basically it is the same system as the PCMCIA system used by computers and notebooks.

CIRCULAR POLARIZATION
Unlike many domestic satellites which utilize vertical or horizontal polarization, the international Intelsat satellites transmit their signals in a rotating corkscrew-like pattern as they are down-linked to earth. On some satellites, both right-hand rotating and left-hand rotating signals can be transmitted simultaneously on the same frequency; thereby doubling the capacity of the satellite to carry communications channels.

CLARKE BELT
Look geostationary orbit.

C/N (carrier to noise ratio)
An antenna performance measure. Refers to the ratio between received power and noise power. Is expressed in dB.

Co-Ax
Coaxial cables and connectors that are used for satellite and antenna equipment.

CO-LOCATED
Satellite that have the same positions (i.e. Astra and HotBird). Usually the distance between satellites is 0.2°.

COMPOSITE VIDEO
TV signal that contains data about colour, luminescence and synchro data. Used in scart-connectors.

COMPRESSED DIGITAL TV
TV signal that is digitised and compressed, because repeating signals are left out. It enables to send more programs via one transponder.

CONAX
A coding system for Scandinavian digital programs developed by Telenor.

CO-ROTOR
A device that unifies a feedhorn, depolarisator and a polarisator. Usually used in C-band LNB’s.

CRYPTOWORKS
A digital program coding system.

D

DBS BAND
Part of the Ku band 11.700-12.500 GHz that is used for direct transmission of satellite programs.

DECLINATION
The small ankle between the polarmount and the antenna that enables it to receive all satellites in the satellite belt.

DECODER
Device that enables you to watch encoded programs.

DE-EMPHASIS
A filter that is used with another one (pre-emphasis that is there when signals are sent) to decrease the rustling.

DEMODULATOR
This is a receiver part and it has the function of dividing audio from video signals in the incoming signal.

DEPOLARISER
Device that enables the changing of circuit polarisation into linear polarisation.

DIGITAL SATELLITE RADIO
System for digital radio program emitting, which uses 16 uncompressed stereo stations on one transponder.

DIGITAL TV
See compressed TV.

DiSEqC
Digital Satellite Equipment Control- it is a system that is made to control satellite equipment digitally. It is developed by Eutelsat for watching Astra and Hotbrid with one antenna by using universal LNB’s. the system is used to control peripheral equipment like LNB’s, rotors and switches with a digitised 22kHz signal from the satellite receiver.

DISH
Parabolic antenna that collects satellite signals.

D-MAC/D2-MAC
Two subversions of the Mac system.

DOWNLINK
The way from the satellite top the antenna.

DTH (Direct to Home)
Satellite TV for reception at home.

DUAL-FEED
Reception of two satellite’s signals by using one antenna on which are placed two LNB’s.

DVB (Digital Video Broadcast)
European TV standard for digital program emitting. It is used everywhere except for the USA.

E

ECM (Electronic counter measures)
Electronic counter measures are signals that are sent via satellite to disable pirate cards.

EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power)
This is the measure of the power of satellite signals that is emitted to the earth.

El-Az (Eleveation-Azimuth) Mount
A simple fixed antenna that allows you to adjust it in horizontal and vertical directions.

ELEVATION
The ankle between the direction of received signals and the horizontal.

ENCRYPTION
The encoding of signals. You can’t receive encoded signals and use them if you don’t have the decoder. Also called scrambling.

ENCHANTED
Converter (9.750 GHz oscillator) or receiver that can receive signals in the frequency width of 10.700-10.950 GHz.

EPG
Electronic program guide- an on-screen graphical program view for digital satellite programs. The EPG is sent by the program itself and the receiver just displays it. If it is not sent the receiver display no Information or no EPG.

EUROCRYPT
A coding system used for programs emitted in the D-MAC and D2MAC system.

EVENT TIMER
A timer that is placed in the receiver. It enables the receiver to turn itself on or off when you are not at home so you can record programs.

EXTENDED IF
The frequency width of the receiver that allows you to receive all frequencies that receives a universal converter. Usually 950-2050MHz or 700-2150 MHz.

F

F-CONNECTOR
A connector used to connect converter and receivers.

FEC (Forward Error Correction)
Signals that are added to the main signal so that they can correct errors that may appear during emissions.

FEEDHORN
Signal collector. Collects signals into the focus of an antenna and send them to the LNB

FLAT-PLATE ANTENA
A flat, usually quadratic antenna that collect satellite signals on its surface and sends them to the LNB

FLYING FEED LNB
A satellite antenna that has a LNB that is placed on motor, which allows to move it lef and right so you can receive signals from more satellites.

FOCAL POINT
Area in front of the antenna where signals of the focus antenna are collected.

FOOTPRINT
Areas on earth where signals from one satellite can be received. Includes the power of the received signal.

FREE TO AIR (FTA)
Emitting satellite program without encoding them.

FSS (fixed satellite services) BAND
A part of the frequencies 10.700-11.700GHz that are in commercial use, but today they are mostly used for analogue programs.

G

GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT
The orbit used by TV satellites at a height of 36.000km. at this height satellite move with the same speed as the earth does, so this satellites are always visible on the same spot.

GEOSYNCHRONUOS ORBIT
See geostationary orbit

GHz
Gigahertz. 1 000MHz. One billion vibrations in one second.

GREGORIAN DISH
A subversion of satellite antenna that uses a concave hyperbolic reflector that points signals to the converter and that is placed opposite of the main reflector.

H

HALF-TRANSPONDER MODE
This is a method of sending two programs on one transponder by dividing the bandwidth. It decreases the EIRP for about 4dB. Therefore you need an antenna with a bigger scope.

HORISON TO HORISON
Device for the turning of antennas. It contains a motor and enables the antenna to receive all satellites in a belt of 180°.

HORN
A satellite antenna that uses a bigger feedhorn and no reflector.

HDTV (high definition Television)
A future TV system that has more lines that build the visible picture with more quality. PAL uses 625 lines and HDTV uses 1250 lines.

I

IF (intermediate frequency)
The signal in the cable between the receiver and the LNB. It’s also the reception frequency of a receiver. By standard it is 950-1750MHz.

IF SHIFTER
Devices that is inserted into the LNB cable. It enables the LNB to receive frequencies it normally couldn’t.

INCLINED ORBIT
The movement of satellites above and bellow the ARC. Satellites that are placed in this orbit usually have already come to their ends. To receive their signals a polarmount antenna is needed.

INCLINOMETER
Device for measuring of vertical angles.

INTERFERENCE
Disturbances in sound and picture caused by unwanted signals.

IRD (integrated Receiver Decoder)
Device that unifies a satellite receiver and a decoder.

IRDETO
A coding system used for digital programs by German, Italian, Greek and Arabic programs.

J

J17
It’s an audio de-emphasis system, which is used on some programs. It gives you a cleaner sound.

JACK
See actuator.

K

KHz
Kilohertz. 1000 waves in one second, a measurement of the frequency of electrons passing in waves through a system.

Ku-Band
Frequency width from 10.700-18.000Ghz that is used for satellite transmissions.

L

LATITUDE
Expressed in degrees. Refers to the geographical width. Distance south or north from the equator.

LOCAL OSCILATOR
Device ina LNB that receives satellite signals and transforms them into frequencies that can be used by the receiver. Mostly used are 10.000GHz for FSS ban, 9.750GHz for enhanced FSS band, 10.750 for DBS band, 11.475 GHz for telecom satellites, 10.600 GHz for the upper band of a universal LNB and 5.150Ghz for C band.

LONGITUDE
Distance to east or west from the 0th meridian. Geographical length.

LOOPTHROUGH
Pairs of incoming and exiting connections on a receiver that enable adding other equipment into the TV signal.

LNB (Low noise block)
LNB, converter. Device that receives and enhances incoming satellite signals and then transforms them into electric signals of a lower frequency so that they can be used by a receiver.

LUMINANCE
Part of the TV signal that carries information about the luminance of the picture. More specifically Luminance is a measurement of light output.

M

MAC (Multiplexed Analogue Components)
Divided transmission of analogue components. This system was especially developed for satellite TV. It is replaced by the digital standard MPEG 2!

MAGNETIC POLARISER
A polarisation chooser that is controlled by the receiver’s power.

MARCONI TYPE LNB
Device that unifies LNB and polariser. Polarisations are chosen by using voltages of 13V and 18V. Most of today’s LNB’s are of this kind.

MCPC (Multi Channel Per Carrier)
Most digital programs are transmitted so that there send more programs on one transponder. All these programs have the same frequency but they differ in video and audio by their PID.

MECHANICAL POLARISER
It’s servo polariser that is controlled by electric impulses from the receiver.

MEDIAGUARD
Coding system for digital programs that is used by the Canal Plus Group and some other stations.

MHz
Megahertz. 1,000,000 waves in a second. Equal to 1000 KHz.

MICROWAVE
Electromagnetic waves at frequencies from 1-30 GHz.

MODULATOR
This device forces TV picture and sound on a radio carrier for ground emitting or on a looprthrough.

MOUNT
It is the carrier of an antenna. It is used for the installation and stabilisation of an antenna.

MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group)
International group for achieving standards in digital TV. MPEG 1 – picture quality of VHS and CD-Video, MPEG 2- picture quality useful for satellite transmission.

MULTIFEED
An unmovable satellite antenna that has two or more LNB and is therefore enable dto receive signals from more satellites.

N

NAGRAVISION
A coding system that is used for analogue and digital programs.

NOISE
Unwanted signal in a wanted one.

NOISE FIGURE
This is the rustling that a LNB adds to a signal. It expresses the quality of LNB and is written in dB, i.e. 0.7 dB. The lower it is the better the LNB. Today we have LNB’s with a noise figure of 0.4dB.

NTSC (National Television Standards Committee)
System of television transmission mostly used in USA and Japan. On a Pal receiver there will be no viewable picture at all or there will be a b/w picture with many disturbances. In jokes this system is called Never The Same Colour.

NVOD (Near Video On Demand)
Emitting programs, mostly movies, with a time delay of mostly 15 minutes to half an hour, so you can always watch the movie with only little waiting times.

O

OFFSET
Type of satellite antennas with the focus somewhat bellow the centre.

OMT (orthogonal mode transducer)
Device, which enables two LNB’s to receive horizontal and vertical polarisations at the same time.

ORBIT
The orbit of a satellite around the world.

P

PAL (Phase Alternate Line)
TV system that is used for ground and TV emission in most parts of the world.

PANDA 1
Noise reduction system that is used for audio signals and was developed by Wegener Corp.

PARENTAL LOCK
Encoding of programs or menus to prevent uncontrolled watching or adjusting. A security number of 4 digits is used.

PHONO
Connectors that are mostly used for audio, video and baseband.

PIN
Personal Identification Number- this number serves the purpose to give the users of original satellite cards access to information about their subscription, ordering of PPV programs and sometimes some menus on the receiver.

POLARISER
Devices that is put in front of LNB and serves the purpose to divide vertical and horizontal polarisations.

POLARMOUNT
Device that is used to turn the antenna. This movement allows to watch more satellites and to receive every satellite in the band.

POSITIONER
Device used to control the motor that is connected to a satellite antenna and makes it possible to choose positions of where to stop the antenna. This can be a separated device but it can be also a part of a receiver.

POWERVU
Coding system for digital programs.

PPV (Pay per View)
This system enables you to watch exclusive emissions, but you have to order them and pay for them. Mostly it’s abut movies or sport events.

PRIMARY FOCUS
Subversion of satellite antennas that have the focus and the feedhorn in front of them antennas centre.

PRO LOGIC (Dolby)
System for recording and reproduction of sound, which is developed by Dolby Laboratories Corp. It is used to give you the sound reproduction of a cinema at home.

R

RECEIVER
This device receives signals from a LNB and transform them into signals that can be seen on a TV set in form of a picture and sound.

REFLECTOR
A shape of an antenna-reflector that collects signals.

S

SECA
Societe Europeenne de Controle d`Access – SECA. System for encoding of digital programs. This system is mostly used by the Canal Plus Group.

SECAM (Sequence a memoire)
TV system that is used in some countries like in example France. On Pal TV’s the picture of this system will be display black and white.

SKEW
Fine tuning of polarisation that has the different ankles of incoming signals from different satellites in mind.

SCART
Scart connectors are a European norm for connectors that uses 21 pin. Each pin transmits different signals.

SECONDARY FOCUS
A secondary focus receives signals from another satellite. This is used on dual and multi feed antennas.

SLOT
The position of satellites in the Clark’s belt which is described in degrees east or west from the south (0°)

SMART CARD
This is a plastic card the size of a credit card. It contains the electronic key ro decode encoded programs. It is used with according decoder.

SMATV (Satellite Master Antenna Television)
Satellite system for buildings and neighbourhoods, which use one antenna and the programs are distributed via existing antenna cables.

S/N (signal to noise) ratio
The ration between signal power and noise power. Expressed in dB.

SNG (satellite news gathering)
Sending of materials via movable uplink stations.

SOFT SCRAMBLING
Decoding method that uses no subscriber card, but only a decoder.

SOUND IN SYNC
Type of emitting where information about sound a put into the synchro impulses of the TV picture. Without the according decoder this picture is instable and has no sound.

SCPC (single channel per carrier)
Some digital programs send information via special frequencies on a transponder and they are independent from all other signals.

SPARCLES
Picture disturbances in form of little black and white sparks, caused by weak signals or by using antennas of a smaller scope than it is recommended.

STATISTICAL MULTIPLEXING
Compression technique that enables to put more programs on one transponder.

SUBCARRIER
Auxiliary signal that is combined with the TV signal and is used for sound and radio transmission.

S-VIDEO
Video format that uses independent emitting of luminescence and chrominescence information.

SYNC
Signal that synchronizes the TV picture with the emitted picture. If they aren’t the same the picture will be shaky.

SYSTER
Coding system that is used for analogue programs.

T

TELECOM BAND
Part of the frequency width of the Ku band 12.500-12.750 GHz. First used by the French satellites telecom. Also called BBS (broadcast satellite services) band.

TRESHOLD
Minimal C/N that is need for a picture without disturbances. Refers to the sensitivity os a satellite receiver expressed in dB. The lower the better.

TRESHOLD EXTENSION
Method used to lower the existing treshold of a receiver.

TRANSCODER
Device that is used to translate one TV standard into another one (i.e. PAL into NTSC)

TRANSPONDER (transmitter-responder)
Device in the satellite itself. It’s used to receive signals from earth and to reemit them to earth.

TRIPLE BAND LNB
LNB that is enabled to receive signals from FSS, DBS and Telecom band in two areas that are chosen by changing the voltage sent by the receiver (13 or 18V).

22kHz SWITCH
his switch uses a 22kHz sound signal to switch between the upper and lower band on a universal receiver and to control other equipment, i.e. DiSEqC switches.

U

UHF (ultra high frequency)
Signal that uses frequencies from 300-890MHz and is used to emit ground programs.

UNIVERSAL LNB
This LNB uses two local oscillators and has two frequency bands: 10.700-11.700GHz, lo.9.750 GHz and 11.800-12.750GHz l.o.10.600GHz. to switch between them a 22kHz sound signal is used.

UPLINK
The way of the signal from the station on earth to the satellite.

V

VIACCESS
Coding system used for digital emitting

VIDEOCRYPT
Coding system that was first used by BSkyB and is today no longer in use.

VIDEOGUARD
Coding system for digital programs that is used by Sky Digital and lately some others too

VOD (video on demand)
Programs are emitted directly after they were order in this emitting system.

VOLTAGE SWITCHED LNB
Combined LNB with a polariser, which is mostly used on Astra systems where the polarisations are chosen by using 13 an 18V voltages send by the receiver.

W

WAVEGUIDE
Precisely made channel for microwave signals

WEGENER
See Panda1

WIDESCREEN
TV programs and receiver that do not use the conventional ratio 4:3 but they use the cinema ratio 16:9 or sometimes 14:9 and 21:9

WIDEBAND
Large frequency width for satellite receivers that is usually 700-2150MHz.

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