Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Research Articles

A miniaturized left‐handed circularly‐polarized printed radiator for direct broadcast satellite application

SummaryThis article presents a highly compact printed radiator for direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems that exhibits good gain and left‐handed circular polarization. The inferred pattern is accomplished by etching two isosceles triangles, one from each of the four corners of a square. From the center of the newly acquired structure, a circular geometric design is made up of 16 isosceles‐scaled triangles has been etched. This arrangement induces resonance in the antenna, aligning it with the desired frequency. The proposed antenna is designed using PCB laminated Rogger 5880 material and simulated in a CST EM simulator. The antenna under consideration exhibits a significant size reduction, achieving a miniaturization ratio of 21.03%. The LHCP antenna resonated at 12.61 GHz and offered a decent LHCP gain of 7.95 dBic. It gives 0.56 GHz CP bandwidth, which covers the DBS service band entirely. It also provides 96.43% radiation efficiency and 44.27 dB/m correction factor, respectively. All the measured findings of the prototype agree with its simulated one.

Design of a wideband right‐handed circularly polarized array of miniaturized mushroom‐shaped antennas for direct broadcast satellite application

AbstractIn this study, a wideband right‐handed circularly polarized (RHCP) array of microstrip patch antennas, for direct broadcast satellite (DBS, 12.2‐12.7 GHz) services have been presented. The single element of the array is a two‐dimensional mushroom‐shaped fractal antenna of resonating frequency 12.49 GHz and an impedance bandwidth of 1.12 GHz. The proposed single element is designed by etching a pair of Minkowski square boxes in one of the two opposite sides of a regular octagon. Furthermore, a thin slot of length equal to one side of the regular octagon is placed in‐between the two Minkowski boxes, which results in the proposed mushroom‐shaped radiating element. The proposed four‐element linear array resonates at 12.47 GHz and gives an impedance bandwidth of 1.04 GHz. The feed network of the array is designed in such a manner to make the array structure very compact. The fabricated single element gives an RHCP gain of 5.25 dBic and its corresponding circular Polarization (CP) bandwidth of 200 MHz. The array gives an RHCP gain of 11.59 dBic and a CP bandwidth of 460 MHz. The measured CP bandwidth of the fabricated array prototype ensures 92% coverage of the entire DBS band with circularly polarized wave, and hence can be used for its related applications.

Design of a compact high gain printed octagonal array of spiral-based fractal antennas for DBS application

AbstractThis paper presents a compact octagonal array of microstrip patch antennas for direct broadcast satellite (DBS) (12.2–12.7 GHz) services. The proposed single element of this array is a new fractal antenna, having considerably high gain and can heavily suppress cross polarization along the main beam direction. The single element is derived from a 2D spiral geometry. The corporate feed network of the array is designed in such a manner to make the structure very compact. The fabricated single element resonates at 12.51 GHz and gives a gain and bandwidth of 9.32 dBi and 280 MHz, respectively. The array resonates at 12.46 GHz and gives gain of 17.67 dBi and a bandwidth of 506 MHz, which ensures a 100% coverage of the entire DBS service band. The measured cross polarization of single element and array along the direction of main beam are −45.50 and −43.35 dB, respectively. Both the single element as well as the array maintains a reasonably good radiation efficiency of 86.70 and 82.20%, respectively.

Competition between Cable Television and Direct Broadcast Satellite - It's More Complicated than You Think

Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) is often considered a substitute for basic cable service, but current cable subscribers may face substantial switching costs to move from cable to DBS services. We use aggregate firm-level price data and other related demographic variables to examine the cost of switching from cable to DBS and vice versa. We find some firm-specific attributes and demographic variables that influence consumer choice and switching costs that appear to affect consumers' desire to switch from one service to another. We then use observation-specific dummy variables that stratify cable price based on changes in the level of cable prices between two periods to examine whether consumer behavior varies depending on the size of price change. We find that when quality-adjusted prices for basic cable services increase substantially, subscribers will switch from cable to DBS, presumably at the point at which the price change is larger than the cost of switching.

Radiation Pattern of Patch Antenna with Slits

The Microstrip antenna has been commercially used in many applications, such as direct broadcast satellite service, mobile satellite communications, global positioning system, medical hyperthermia usage, etc. The patch antenna of the size reduction at a given operating frequency is obtained. Mobile personal communication systems and wireless computer networks are most commonly used nowadays and they are in need of antennas in different frequency bands. In regulate to without difficulty incorporate these antennas into individual systems, a micro strip scrap transmitter have been preferred and intended for a convinced divergence. There is also an analysis of radiation pattern, Gain of the antenna, Directivity of the antenna, Electric Far Field. The simulations results are obtained by using electromagnetic simulation software called feko software are presented and discussed

The Market for Subscription Television Service in the United States

This study develops a simultaneous equations model of the market for subscription television service consisting of analog and digital cable service. Beyond modeling the market for subscription television service and identifying the factors that impact the demand and supply of analog and digital cable service, an effort is made to determine the extent to which direct broadcast satellite service competes with cable television for subscribers in this market. The model consists of four equations: demand equations for analog cable service and digital cable service and supply equations for analog cable service and digital cable service. The model is estimated using the full information maximum likelihood technique. A number of factors clearly impact the demand and supply of analog and digital cable service, and this impact is quantifiable. The size of the market measured as the number of households passed is, not surprisingly, a dominant factor in explaining analog and digital cable service demand and supply. Probably the most significant result is that the estimates indicate that while changes in the relative price of analog or digital cable service have no quantifiable impact on the demand for analog cable service, they do have a statistically significant effect on the demand for digital cable service. Finally, as the penetration of DBS service increases, the number of analog cable service subscribers is reduced.

Estimating the demand for cable service in the U.S. in the presence of measurement error in the data

This paper looks at the effect of direct broadcast satellite service on the demand for cable service in the United States. To measure the competitive influence of the noncable providers, the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) share of video subscribers in each franchise area is used in modeling the demand for multichannel video programming subscription service. After examining some important econometric issues including the appropriate functional specification, whether the error terms are homoscedastic, and the presence of outliers in the data, data from the 2002 FCC Annual Cable Price Survey are used to estimate the demand for analog and digital cable service. One anomaly arises in the measurement error associated with the DBS penetration variable.

Direct-To-Home (DTH) Radio: Technology and Prospects

Direct-To-Home (DTH) Radio is the nickname given to Direct Broadcast Satellite Service (DSS) for Radio. The technology provides CD quality broadcasts in the footprint of the satellite. This paper describes the technical detail of DTH Radio service launched by All India Radio and the prospects of the service.

Declaration of J. Gregory Sidak in Opposition to The Merger of EchoStar Communications Corporation and Hughes Electronics Corporation (DirecTV)

In this declaration, I evaluate the competitive consequences of EchoStar's proposed acquisition of Hughes Electronics, which markets its direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) service under the DirecTV brand name. Whether characterized as a merger to monopoly or as a merger to duopoly, the proposed merger would substantially injure competition. It would reduce competition in the sale of multichannel video programming distribution (MVPD) services to consumers by reducing the combined firm's incentive to compete on price and non-price terms.In Part I of this declaration, I analyze the effect of the proposed merger on competition in the sale of multichannel video programming distribution services to consumers. I first present analysis of the pre-merger and post-merger concentration in the MVPD market. Using both Bertrand and Cournot models of oligopolistic interaction, as well as a model of perfect collusion, I then calculate the price increase and the loss in consumer welfare that would result from the proposed merger. My estimate of the annual welfare loss ranges from $691 million to $1.77 billion per year, depending on the characterization of the strategic pricing interaction among firms. Next, I show why the single national price that EchoStar and DirecTV propose, so as to mitigate the consumer harm from the proposed merger, would still result in a higher post-merger price. I present evidence that EchoStar's own antitrust analysis shows that the proposed merger would harm consumers. Finally, I critique arguments made by Professor Robert D. Willig, who has submitted expert economic testimony on behalf of EchoStar and DirecTV in support of their proposed merger.In Part II, I analyze the effect of the proposed merger on one important aspect of non-price competition: the carriage of local broadcast stations. I show why the proposed merger would likely reduce the rate of growth in the number of DBS households with access to local broadcast stations.In Part III, I review the claimed efficiencies from the proposed merger. I show that those efficiencies could be achieved without the merger. I also show the magnitude of the claimed reductions in marginal cost that would be necessary to offset the consumer harm that the proposed merger would cause.I file this declaration in my individual capacity as a consultant to the National Association of Broadcasters and not on behalf of the American Enterprise Institute, which does not take institutional positions on specific regulatory, adjudicatory, or legislative proceedings.

What's behind DBS services: MMIC technology and MPEG digital video compression

This paper discusses recent developments in Direct-Broadcast Satellite (DBS) television systems, and specifically how these developments are implemented using today's MMIC technology. A brief review of Raytheon's experience in supplying low cost GaAs devices to the commercial DBS market place is included. A description of a dual-channel downconverter is provided as an example of applying GaAs MMIC technology to the advanced technical needs of the DBS market. A discussion of the MPEG-2 digital compression standard and its relationship to DBS is also included. >

The direct broadcast satellite industry in the U.S.: Development and economic concerns

Throughout 1992 and 1993, announcements by DirecTV and USSB promised the initiation of Direct Broadcast Satellite service in the United States would occur before the end of 1994. The two services were indeed launched in 1994 and a new industry is emerging. This industry is different from the traditional wire‐based and terrestrial broadcast means of television program delivery to individual homes since DBS is space‐based. DBS is also different from the TVRO industry which is space‐based since, unlike TVRO, DBS services are specifically and solely designed and intended for home reception. This paper first reviews the evolution of American DBS in the 1980s and 1990s. Later an analysis explores some economic concerns with respect to American DBS ventures. This paper concludes that key economic determinants of success include: 1) the presence of a large‐enough subscriber base to justify the investment of at least one DBS provider; 2) the absence of excessive and predatory barriers to entry created by the alter...

Space projects

Two high‐powered satellites built by Hughes Space and Communications Company (HSC) will bring true direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service to homes throughout North America starting in early 1994.

Adjacent Satellite and Ground Station Interference

An overview of adjacent satellite interference is presented, including a discussion of national and international regulatory activity, methods of coordinating systems, and the four basic ways of reducing interference. A typical link assessment shows how this interference is included with other interference and noise sources. A comparative evaluation of systems operating in different frequency bands and within different satellite spacing environments is given as an example of the potential effect of adjacent satellite interference on satellite and ground station design. The article concludes that in the Ku-band, satellites providing a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service in the fixed satellite service (FSS) bands require significantly larger receive antennas on the ground than Ku-band satellites in the broadcasting satellite services (BSS) bands.

Experience on operating a DBS system (BS-2) in Japan

In Japan, the direct broadcasting satellites BS-2a and BS-2b were launched in 1984 and 1986, respectively by NASDA (National Space Development Agency of Japan). Using the BS-2s, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is gaining experience with direct broadcasting satellite service including high-definition TV coverage of the Seoul Olympics in 1988. The second generation satellite, BS-3a, is planned for launch in the summer of 1990. The authors discuss their four years of experience with operating satellite broadcasting carried out by NHK in collaboration with TSCJ (Telecommunication Satellite Corporation of Japan) and NASDA. Future plans are also outlined.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Some ionospheric factors affecting the coverage of an HF/VHF direct broadcasting satellite service

A study has been undertaken to assess the effects of the ionosphere on the performance of a direct broadcasting satellite service operating in the high frequency (HF) band. Results relating to two issues of performance are presented: 1) determining under what conditions a frequency allocated to the broadcasting service can be expected to reach the surface of the earth from a satellite and 2) the loss of signal strength due to passage through the ionosphere, it was found that if high frequency broadcast services are to be provided on a worldwide basis using satellite platforms, the satellites need to be optimally configured for the intended service area. Also, a 3 dB loss of signal strength is expected due to ionospheric absorption.

Direct Broadcast Home Terminals — A Status Report

This article examines the rapidly emerging direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service as a medium which promises to deliver not only consumer satellite service but a host of new technologies as well. Various aspects of the new technology are discussed, including the development of antennae, the role of gallium arsenide in the low-noise converter for satellite reception, and the practical considerations of interfacing with a growing number of home video services. The practical applications of the service are reviewed as DBS affects the future of the broadcasting industry.

The Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program (SOUP) Used for DBS Plan Analysis at RARC '83

This paper describes the history, functions, and usage of the program that was used to analyze the plans for direct broadcast satellite service developed in the course of the 1983 Regional Administrative Radio Conference for ITU Region 2. Given the requirements for direct broadcast service by the administrations, the conference delegates 1) developed the appropriate technical parameters; 2) made tentative assignments to the orbit locations, frequencies, and polarizations of space stations; 3) calculated the interferences and margins of such assignments through the use of the Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program (SOUP); and 4) iterated this procedure until an acceptable plan was found.

The Flexible Domestic Regulatory Approach for Direct Broadcast Satellite Systems in the United States

Of the eight direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system applicants originally granted conditional construction permits in 1982 for service within the United States, four have made sufficient progress in construction or contracting for construction to warrant the awarding of launch authority by the Federal Communications Commission. Action will soon be taken that could allow up to seven additional applicants to begin construction of their systems. As a result, satellite direct-to-home service could be available across the continental United States to home receiving dishes as small as 2-3 ft by early 1986. In the meantime, Congress has legalized home earth stations in bands allocated to the fixed-satellite service (FSS) under certain conditions. This paper describes the domestic regulatory policies and procedures, both technical and nontechnical, governing the DBS service in the United States. Consideration is also given to related regulatory matters which affect the future of DBS, such as technical standards, the growth of DBS-like services in fixed-satellite service bands, and frequency sharing between DBS and terrestrial systems.

Direct broadcast satellite service by direct broadcast satellite corporation

Direct broadcast satellite service by direct broadcast satellite corporation

Direct broadcast satellite service by satellite television corporation

Direct broadcast satellite service by satellite television corporation