This paper describes the first direct broadcast satellite system planned for the United States. The system would offer three channels of subscription television to the entire U.S. mainland and to the major populated areas of Alaska and Hawaii. It consists of four operating and two inorbit spare satellites, a large ground complex to uplink and control the satellites, and millions of receive-only terminals at homes, multiple-dwelling units and cable head-ends. The four operating satellites are spaced 20 Cel from each other along the geosynchronous orbital arc, each satellite serving approximately one time zone. One 200-watt spacecraft traveling wave tube amplifier is used per channel along with shaped-beam antennas. The home terminals are low-cost systems with hugh reliability and performance. They consist of an outdoor 'dish' antenna with a typical diameter of 0.75 meters (2.5 ft.), a 12 GHz microwave receiver attached to the antenna, and an indoor unit typically located above the TV set to descramble and process the signals for reception by a conventional TV set. The paper also summarizes the service (e.g., type of programming, cost), presents some of the system trade-offs, identifies the most critical aspects of the system, characterizes the television quality/availability expected through the U.S., and treats other related matters.
A direct broadcast satellite service for the United States - system description and trade-offs
Ein direkter Rundfunksatellitendienst fuer die USA - Systembeschreibung und Einschraenkungen
1982
11 Seiten, 5 Bilder, 6 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
United States direct broadcast satellite system development
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