Small Earth Stations for Broadcasting Satellite Systems

Abstract

Typical parameters for individual and community earth stations capable of receiving TV transmission from a Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) (which is to use a 200-W traveling-wave tube) are considered in order to determine what is now feasible and what may become so over the coming decade. The state of the art in broadcasting-satellite ground receivers is reviewed in regard to antennas, microwave integrated circuits, surface-acoustic-wave devices, field-effect transistors and parametric amplifiers. Receiver models considered are of a type suitable for Canadian application, i.e. one or two television channels selectable by tuning, plus one of two audio channels (switched) in the case of individual receivers, and up to six simultaneous television channels, each with two audio, in the case of community receivers. It is concluded that, for economic reasons, direct-to-home broadcasting from satellites will not be a commercial proposition by the early 1980s although some forms of satellite-to-community broadcasting could be operating.