When your organization requires satellite broadcasting services, there are a number of ways to implement the service. To start, consider that you will need satellite related equipment at both the source and destination ends of the broadcast. The primary use of satellite broadcasting is typically to transmit one party's message to many and therefore the "source-end" equipment is likely to be needed only for one location while the "destination" equipment may be needed at many locations. Fortunately, the destination equipment is relatively low cost to install and maintain. In fact, it is similar to equipment used to receive satellite images on home televisions.

Broadcasting via Satellite
In order for a satellite broadcast to take place, the point of origin must transmit a signal to a satellite that it then relays back to Earth. One method to transmit the signal to a satellite is for an uplink truck equipped with audio and video control equipment, transmitters, and a satellite uplink dish, to transmit the source signal to a geo-synchronous orbiting satellite. Geo-synchronous orbit refers to a position in space, approximately 22,000 miles from earth, where the orbit speed of a satellite is equivalent to the speed of rotation of the earth. When a satellite is in this position, the satellite appears to "stand still" or remain stationary in orbit. This allows an uplink to be pointed at a fixed position above the Earth during the length of the broadcast. Most satellite broadcasting services use geo-synchronous orbiting satellites such as Telstar, Satcom and Galaxy series.

Satellite Teleports
Another path to the satellite is through a satellite teleport. Teleports are permanent satellite uplink facilities located throughout the world. These are facilities that are built just for the purpose of maintaining high quality communications with orbiting satellites. If fiber communications is available at the point of origin, the video signal can be transmitted via fiber to a teleport via carries such as AT&T^® or William's Vyvx^®. Many venues such as large hotels, stadiums and meeting centers have such fiber links to fixed teleports.

Satellite Downlink
At the viewing location (or destination) for the broadcast, a satellite downlink is required. A downlink can be a portable system that is used just for a specific event, or it can be permanently installed. A downlink consists of a small receiving dish, approximately 1.8 meters in diameter. The dish must have a clear view of the southern sky from its resting place. The exact angle of view from the dish to the satellite depends on the location of the venue within the Northern Hemisphere. The dish is connected to a satellite receiver and the receiver is then connected to a television monitor. The receiver "tunes" the signal in a same manner as a tuner on a home television set. If the signal is encrypted for private viewing, the receiver has a slot for a "smart card" that authorizes the reception of the signal. Without the smart card, the receiver will not receive the desired channel. In this way it and ensures that your program is viewed by authorized parties only.

The current series of digital satellite downlinks are small and unobtrusive. They are less expensive than analog receiving systems that were the standard a few years ago, and they provide a high-quality distribution broadcast channel. Even so, for commercial or government applications most organizations subscribe to some form of maintenance services on downlinks to ensure their continuous high quality operation and reception.

TKO Video Communications
TKO is an industry leader in providing reliable, high-quality video communications solutions for local, nationwide and worldwide organizations. Our services include audio conferencing, audio and video streaming, video conferencing software and equipment (Sony, Cisco Systems, Radvision, Initia, Tandberg and Polycom), satellite broadcasting and event management.

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