Fallen Angel
09-28-2008, 09:38 PM
Transponders: What are they, and how do they work?...
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What is a transponder ?
A transponder is:
a broadband RF channel
an individual of a fixed bandwidth
a translater
a repeater found in a satellite, a transmitter
What does a transponder do?
It is used to:
amplify a signal at the satellite, toward the down-link side
Located within the satellite, a transponder is one of three re-processing centers in a satellite communication system. The first processing center is located where the original signal is broadcast. The second, the satellite, with it's transponders. The third processing center is the equipment from your dish unit on the roof, to your receiver in the home.
repeat the signal
The transponder constantly receives the incoming signal and repeats it, to the down-link side of the broadcast from the satellite.
translate or convert a signal to a second frequency for sending
As the transponder receives the incoming or, up-link signal, it not only amplifies the signal and repeats it, but it converts the frequency to a second frequency for re-broadcast to earth, the down-link side. It is at this time that the channels are determined. Channels are assigned to transponders and transponders just deliver information to us.
transmit one or more channels
Each transponder can transmit multiple channels of audio and video information at a fixed bandwidth.
What effect can I have on a transponder?
When viewing transponders, we are either checking the signal meter on the television screen, or you're an installer and you've made enough money to purchase a Super Buddy meter. (This is where the Super Buddy meter can really shine. With a Super Buddy meter, it not only identifies the satellites, but you can check specific transponders strengths!)
As an installer or home user, we can only view a transponders' "relative" strengths on a signal meter. The channels they represent are beyond our control, except...when we change the channel. You pick the channel and then the receiver picks the corresponding transponder to use.
Can I increase the signal of a transponder?
Yes, in terms of satellite signal received at the dish. When viewing the transponders on a satellite system's television, you are only able to view their signal strength.
A signal meter can be used to peak a SINGLE transponder for signal strength, but, you must know which transponder to peak on. Just like a multi-satellite dish, maximizing signal from one source, (one transponder or one satellite) can ruin your signal for other satellites or transponders.
There is one absolute peak built into a dish and, when achieved, you will have the best signal available at all satellites, on all transponders, even though the signals from each transponder will differ.
The transponders are used by installers to have a frame of reference of "relative" signal strength. They all vary in signal strength, so some transponders are used as the reference transponders for signal strength
Transponders (Dish Network)
A transponder is the part of the satellite used to send a signal to the earth using a specific frequency range.
DISH Network satellites use one transponder to transmit several channels - up to six video channels and four audio channels.
On average, each of our satellites has 32 transponders.
Every satellite has a home transponder. A home transponder is a designated transponder which only transmits system information; i.e., Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data, system software, etc.
Reference Transponders
Check transponder 11 for satellites 110 and 119 to determine relative signal strengths
Check satellite 118.7 on transponder 18 for best peak of the Dish 1000+
Why do transponders have different signal strengths?
At the heart of why transponders have different signal strengths is in the balance of micro-volts, amplification, and bandwidth. As each frequency is processed and converted, radio physics determine the balance of good signal at the best strength that the limitations allow.
I hope this will give people a better understanding of whats going on when they get their programming from a Satellite......
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is a transponder ?
A transponder is:
a broadband RF channel
an individual of a fixed bandwidth
a translater
a repeater found in a satellite, a transmitter
What does a transponder do?
It is used to:
amplify a signal at the satellite, toward the down-link side
Located within the satellite, a transponder is one of three re-processing centers in a satellite communication system. The first processing center is located where the original signal is broadcast. The second, the satellite, with it's transponders. The third processing center is the equipment from your dish unit on the roof, to your receiver in the home.
repeat the signal
The transponder constantly receives the incoming signal and repeats it, to the down-link side of the broadcast from the satellite.
translate or convert a signal to a second frequency for sending
As the transponder receives the incoming or, up-link signal, it not only amplifies the signal and repeats it, but it converts the frequency to a second frequency for re-broadcast to earth, the down-link side. It is at this time that the channels are determined. Channels are assigned to transponders and transponders just deliver information to us.
transmit one or more channels
Each transponder can transmit multiple channels of audio and video information at a fixed bandwidth.
What effect can I have on a transponder?
When viewing transponders, we are either checking the signal meter on the television screen, or you're an installer and you've made enough money to purchase a Super Buddy meter. (This is where the Super Buddy meter can really shine. With a Super Buddy meter, it not only identifies the satellites, but you can check specific transponders strengths!)
As an installer or home user, we can only view a transponders' "relative" strengths on a signal meter. The channels they represent are beyond our control, except...when we change the channel. You pick the channel and then the receiver picks the corresponding transponder to use.
Can I increase the signal of a transponder?
Yes, in terms of satellite signal received at the dish. When viewing the transponders on a satellite system's television, you are only able to view their signal strength.
A signal meter can be used to peak a SINGLE transponder for signal strength, but, you must know which transponder to peak on. Just like a multi-satellite dish, maximizing signal from one source, (one transponder or one satellite) can ruin your signal for other satellites or transponders.
There is one absolute peak built into a dish and, when achieved, you will have the best signal available at all satellites, on all transponders, even though the signals from each transponder will differ.
The transponders are used by installers to have a frame of reference of "relative" signal strength. They all vary in signal strength, so some transponders are used as the reference transponders for signal strength
Transponders (Dish Network)
A transponder is the part of the satellite used to send a signal to the earth using a specific frequency range.
DISH Network satellites use one transponder to transmit several channels - up to six video channels and four audio channels.
On average, each of our satellites has 32 transponders.
Every satellite has a home transponder. A home transponder is a designated transponder which only transmits system information; i.e., Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data, system software, etc.
Reference Transponders
Check transponder 11 for satellites 110 and 119 to determine relative signal strengths
Check satellite 118.7 on transponder 18 for best peak of the Dish 1000+
Why do transponders have different signal strengths?
At the heart of why transponders have different signal strengths is in the balance of micro-volts, amplification, and bandwidth. As each frequency is processed and converted, radio physics determine the balance of good signal at the best strength that the limitations allow.
I hope this will give people a better understanding of whats going on when they get their programming from a Satellite......