Which device is used in satellite communications?
Love watching movies or series on your TV? Well, who doesn’t? Thanks to the satellite equipment which has indeed made our life much more relaxing and entertaining than ever.
But, have you ever thought about which device is used in satellite communications? A single component can’t make this possible. Many devices come into the roleplay with their function to serve.
Want to know in detail? Let’s begin with the basics before jumping straight to the answer:
What is meant by satellite communication?
A satellite communication system is a combination of communication systems launched into orbit. In other words, satellite communication refers to using artificial satellites to establish communication links between different locations on earth.
Satellite communications play quite a big role in the global communications network. Without them, the existence of this international communication would have been impossible to even think about. They are widely used for conventional point-to-point communications, mobile applications, and TV and distributing radio signals.
Which device is used in satellite communications?
Satellite communications is a vast area consisting of several types of equipment in various forms. It isn’t just one or two things usage that made this magic. Instead, it combines several things put together, performing their own function.
The following pieces of equipment work together to ensure proper satellite communication.
Amplifiers
An amplifier is an electronic device used to generate and amplify signals in satellite communications. They use electric power from the power supply to increase the strength of the signal. This is known as amplification, and a power amplifier makes this happen.
Apart from the power amplifier, another term used in satellite communication technology is the Solid State Power Amplifier, short for SSPA. It refers to the amplifiers directly used to enhance the amplitude of the radio frequency received by the satellite antennas.
Antennas
To convey signals to the earth’s antennas, satellites use radio waves as their primary means of communication. The antennas subsequently pick up these signals, which then process the data they contain.
Antennas are categorized into two types, receiving antenna and transmitting antenna. Receiving antennae is used for receiving electromagnetic radiation while the transmitting antenna is used for broadcasting the waves.
Block upconverters (BUC)
Signals from satellites are transmitted (uplinked) using block upconverters (BUC). As their name implies, they change a band or block of frequencies from lower to higher frequencies. Apart from the conversion of the frequency, they also amplify the signals.
Low noise block converters (LNB)
Your satellite dish’s job is to direct as much of that signal as possible into the LNB, which amplifies and transmits it through the cable to your TV. The LNB’s “low noise” feature to how the signal is amplified, resulting in more signal and less background noise.
In a word, low-noise block converters (LNB) are also called Downconverters. These low-noise block converters (LNB) are employed to receive (downlink) satellite signals.
Equalizers
Equalizers in satellite communication change or modify a device’s frequency response. Their job is to ensure a good transmission is maintained within the channels.
Frequency Converters
Integrated component assemblies, known as frequency converters, are necessary to transform microwave data into the lower, middle, or higher frequency ranges for further processing.
It often consists of an input filter, a local oscillator filter, an intermediate frequency (IF) filter, a mixer, and, frequently, a LO frequency multiplier, in addition to one or more stages of IF amplification.
RF Receivers
Radiofrequency (RF) receivers separate radio waves from one another and transform particular waves into audio, video, or data formats. Every satellite-to-satellite communication uses a specific portion of the RF spectrum.
Satellite modems
A satellite modem is also known as a Satmodem. It establishes data transfers using a communications satellite as a relay. The main job of a satellite modem is to convert an input bitstream into a radio signal and vice versa.
Splitters
Splitters split satellite dish signals into two parts. It remains connected to two receivers. However, the signal loses more than half its strength in each direction. Another splitter will reduce the signal power by another 50%.
Switchover units
Signals are routed into multiple directions or pathways using switches. Besides, a device’s status is checked using switchover or redundancy switching units (RSU).
Transceivers
A transceiver is an electronic device with a combination of a transmitter and a receiver. Using an antenna, it can communicate by sending and receiving radio waves.
Translators
Translators convert transmitter bands to the reception band. It consists of receivers coupled to a low-power transmitter for rebroadcasting.
Transmitters
A transmitter is a satellite communication device that sends signals into the air or across a network (wireless).
To Conclude
Sattelite communication has revolutionized the overall data and communication system of the world. It has made our life much more simple, informative, and convenient. From watching the news from all over the world to research about space and the outer planets, it has made many things possible that were beyond imagination a few decades ago. And all these aforementioned equipment are the backbone of this satellite communication.
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