Satellite TV Terminology

Satellite TV Terminology

FTA: Free to air is a term for signal broadcast without encryption.
STB: Set top box is another term for receiver.
DVB: Digital Video Broadcast is a data compression technology for digital video.
MPEG2: is a data compression technology for digital video.
C band: 3-4 GHz of microwave.
Ku band 10-12 GHz of microwave.
LNB: Low noise block converter is a sensor device installed on the focus of the satellite dish to amplifier the received microwave signal and down converts it into intermediate signal feed into the receiver.
Dual LNB: A configuration of using two or even more LNB, such that it can supply signal to multiple receivers. In some cases, using different installation angle to achieve the same affect as multiple dishes.
DiSEqC: is a technology allowing single receiver to receive signals from multiple dishes or motorized dish pointing to different satellites.
DiSEqC 1 is a switching system to connect to different fixed position dish.
DiSEqC 1.2 is a manual pre-align satellite position control program for motorized dish.
DiSEqC 1.3 or USALS: Universal satellites automatic location system is a program, which can calculate the azimuth and elevation angle for the dish. This program will automate the process of aiming multiple satellites with single motorized dish.
22 KHz: A signal to control the switching of LNBs on different or on same dish.
Geostationary satellite: Satellites on the obit of 35,800 Km above the equator. These satellites orbit at the same speed of earth, therefore, it appears it is hanging on the sky. Most TV signal uses this orbit.
Leo: Low earth orbit is an orbit less than 2000Km above earth. Most mobile communication uses these orbits.
Transponder: Antenna.
Magnetic south: The polarity according to compass.
True south: The south polarity that agrees with the axis of the earth.