Glossary of Terms

A/V Separation – the peak to peak difference between the Audio and Video signals, when balancing a SMATV
head end. Measured in dB, the Video signal is typically 15dB higher than the Audio signal

Agile Modulator – A modulator that can be adjusted, on-site, to a specific channel. It is always a good idea to
keep a spare agile modulator at the head end in case a modulator fails.

Amplifier – active devices that are used to overcome losses in a distribution system. Adds signal strength,
referred to as gain, that is represented in dB but also increases voltage drop in a system. Amplifiers also
increases the noise floor of the Carrier to Noise Ratio.

Antenna- Off Air – a conductive structure used to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals. It is also
referred to as an aerial.Typically used to receive local broadcasts and relay the RF signal, via coaxial cable, to
a reception device(i.e.: TV, VCR, IRD antenna input)

Antenna, Satellite – Parabolic dish antennas are directional antennas used for receiving broadcast signals
from orbiting satellites. The dish antenna consists of a parabolic concave reflector that collects microwave or
radio waves from a satellite, and directs them towards a receiving horn. The receiving horn then passes the
signal to a satellite receiver for decoding.

ATSC – Advanced Television Systems Committee. High Definition television using more video and audio
content, with better resolution.

Attenuator (or pad) – A device used to insert a predetermined amount of signal loss. Represented in dB.

Balancing – Adjusting the modulated signal of a head end so that there is no interference from surrounding
channels.

Band Pass – The specific range of frequencies passing through a device.

Base Band – Composite video, also called base band video or RCA video, conveys the image data in a
conventional National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal. Composite video contains
chrominance (hue and saturation) and luminance (brightness) information, along with synchronization and
blanking pulses, all together in a single signal.

Carrier to Noise – The difference of a signal between the Signal “Carrier” wave and the Noise “Floor”. If the
signal drops below the noise floor, the signal becomes useless

Coaxial Cable – Radio Grade cable (i.e.: RG-59, RG-6, RG-11) used to carry voltage to LNBs and Switches
as well as carry Signal to a reception device (i.e.: TV, IRD). Rated for 75ohms impedance

Combiner – See: Splitter

Composite Triple Beat – caused by the non-linearity of amplifiers, or over driving an amplifier, in the SMATV
distribution network. Composite triple beats (CTB) manifest themselves as horizontal streaking patterns on the
picture and are extremely irritating to viewers.

dB – Decibel is a measure of change at two points. Used as a reference of loss and gain

dBm – (decibels relative to one milliwatt) an expression of Absolute power levels, used to measure satellite
signal, and generally refers to input and output power levels. 0 dBm is equal to 1 milliwat across 75 ohms

dBmV – (decibels relative to one millivolt) is a measure of the signal strength in wires and cables at RF
frequencies. Used to measure SMATV Signal level. 0 dBmV is equal to 1 millivolt across 75 ohms
dBμV – (decibels relative to one microvolt) Typically used to measure off-air antenna signal. 0 dBμV is equal
to one millionth of a volt across 75 ohms.

Demodulator – Device to convert a specific RF channel to base band audio and video. Useful for isolating
single off air channels to be added to a SMATV system. A VCR is an example of a demodulator.

Diplexer - A three-port frequency-dependent device used to separate and combine dissimilar signals. It is
basically a splitter with band pass filters on 2 ports. This allows signal to travel to be joined on one line and
then pulled apart at the destination. One side is usually voltage passing to power an LNB

Directional Coupler – A coupler deigned to incorporate a predetermined signal loss through one port with little
insertion loss through another. Useful in efficient signal distribution and is necessary for Multi-level applications
(e.g.: Apartment buildings, Hotels.)

Dish – See: Antenna - Satellite

Distortion – Signal Interference

Electromagnetic Spectrum - The entire range of electromagnetic radiation. The spectrum usually is divided
into seven sections. From the longest wavelengths to the shortest: radio, microwave, infrared, visible,
ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma ray radiation. All communication services operate in unique frequency bands within
the electromagnetic spectrum

Fixed Modulator – A Modulator that is set to a single, specific RF output channel

Frequency – is a reference to the number of cycles per second (Hertz or Hz). Standard measurement
increments goes: Hz, KHz =1,000 Hz, MHZ = 1,000,000 Hz, GHZ = 1,000,000,000 Hz. The higher the
frequency the farther the signal has to travel to reach the same point.

Gain - The extent to which an analog amplifier boosts the strength of a signal. Amplification factors are usually
expressed in dB.

Grounding – A direct electrical connection to the earth. Grounding minimizes the susceptibility of equipment to
interference, reduces the risk of equipment damage due to lightning, eliminates electrostatic buildup that can
damage system components, and helps protect personnel who use, service or repair the equipment. Always
follow NEC AND Local codes

Head-end – Signal Processing location at the origination point of a distribution system. The head-end
includes a satellite dish antenna for receiving incoming programming.

Home Run Distribution – Any system that requires a dedicated line to the end user from the distribution point

HUM-AC Power HUM – is AC power distortion seen as a horizontal line rolling up through the screen and is
typically cause by bad power supply, faulty outlet or faulty power ground.

IF Signal – Intermediate Frequency Signal: a signal translated to a different frequency. A LNB down converts
the incoming satellite signal to an IF Signal for easier distribution with coaxial cable making it more
manageable as well as cost effective

IF SAW Filter – Intermediate Frequency Surface Acoustic Wave Filter. Modulator filters desired channel to
prevent adjacent channel interference. If using unfiltered modulators place channels on odd or even
channels only to prevent interference.

Input Signal – Signal at point of entry into a device. Satellite Signal and TV Signal inputs are different.
Satellite signal operating range is -28 dBm to -55 dBm with a optimal input being -40 dBm.
TV signal operating rage is +10 dBmV to -10 dBmV with optimal input at 0 dBmV
IRD – Integrated Receiver/Decoder. Satellite Receiver. Isolates a single satellite transponder and decodes the
digital signal to a NTSC Signal

L-Band Distribution - transporting the switching 950-1450MHz satellite signal to IRDs at each location

LNB – Low Noise Blocker – receives and down converts incoming satellite RF signal (12.2 to 12.7 GHz) to an
Intermediate Frequency range for distribution to an IRD. IF output depends on the LNB

LNB- Bandstaked – down converts incoming Satellite RF to IF of 950 – 2150 MHZ (the Odd transponders at
950 – 1450 MHz and the Even transponders at 1650 – 2150 MHz). This type LNB can transmit over longer
runs of coaxial cable as it doesn’t use voltage switching.

LNB – Conventional – down converts incoming Satellite RF to IF of 950 – 1450 MHZ for both the Odd and
Even transponders. This type LNB requires voltage from the IRD to determine which transponder set to send.
16 VDC is required at the LNB to switch to the even transponders.

Loop Resistance (DC Loop Resistance) the combined resistance (in Ohms) of the center conductor and
shield/braid of a coaxial cable.

MATV – Master Antenna Television is an antenna system that is usually used in multi-unit buildings, such as
hotels or apartment blocks. It allows various occupancies to receive broadcast signals without needing their
own antenna.

Modulator – A device used to convert base band audio and video signal to a specific RF output channel.
Useful in SMATV applications.

Noise Floor – Electromagnetic interference occurring on a frequency. If Signal falls below this “Floor” it
becomes unusable. Signal amplifiers also add an increase to the noise.

NTSC – National Television Standards Committee. Standard Definition Television

Ohm's Law - The law which relates current measured as Amps (I), voltage (E) and resistance measured as
Ohms (R). The law is E = Ix R. It can also be expressed as I = E/R, or R = E/I. good for calculating voltage loss
in distribution designs.

Polarity Locking – Using volage to lock the polarity of a LNB port to get a desired transponder set. Usually 14
VDC for odd transponders or 18 VDC for Even transponders. The LNB Switches to Even transponders at 16
VDC.

Power Inserter – Device used to lock the polarity of a LNB port by supplying voltage to the line. Usually 14
VDC for odd transponders or 18 VDC for Even transponders. The LNB Switches to Even transponders at 16
VDC.

Processor – Device used to provide the best quality off air signal by demodulating a specific off air channel
and then modulating to the desired channel. This filters out unwanted channels and their interference.

QAM - SMATV/QAM distribution involves transporting the processed signal and transcoded satellite signal in
the 150-860 MHz

RF Signal – Radio Frequency Signal: signal at the transmitted or received frequency. Made of two parts, the
carrier and the information

RF Signal Carrier - The Second part of a RF Signal. The information is added to the
carrier using a technique known as modulation.
RF Signal Frequency - The frequency of the carrier gives the signal placement. When the
modulated signals are added together leaving the proper spacing, they don’t interfere with each other

RF Signal Information - The first part of a RF signal. The information can be

video, audio, or data as in the case of satellite or computer modems.

Signal Loss – The extent to which the strength of a signal decreases through coaxial cable and passive
components (i.e. splitters, taps, and switches). Loss is usually expressed in dB.

Slope/Tilt – the difference, in signal strength, between high and low frequencies. Signal is lost faster at higher
frequencies and, though they may start at the same level, over distance, higher and lower frequencies will
have a gap in signal strength. The Lower frequencies will be stronger. If we equally amplify the both signals
(high and low) to compensate for loss due to cable length and passive devices (i.e.: splitters, Taps, etc..) we
will find that the lower frequencies will be considerably stronger at the device input. So it is important to use
slope compensating amplifiers. These will amplify higher frequencies more to bring signal strength levels
closer

SMATV – Satellite Master Antenna Television. A miniature cable system that receives programming by
satellite, isolates individual station though a modulator and transports the processed signal through radio grade
cable at 50 – 550 MHz. Usually serves a housing complex or hotel.

Splitter/ Combiner – Coupler with equal signal loss on each port. Used to split one signal to various devices
or combine multiple signals.

Stacked L-Band Distribution - involves transporting 250-2150MHz satellite signal

Dish Network uses 950 – 2150 MHz
Direct TV uses 250 – 2150 MHZ for its KA-KU Band set up

Switching Threshold - The minimum voltage for the conventional LNB to switch to the even transponders.
This is 16 VDC.

Tap – See Directional Coupler

Terminator – a Signal blocker. A cap for unused ports in a distribution system. Per FCC all unused ports must
be terminated with a 75Ω terminator (if DC Voltage is present use a voltage blocking terminator) to prevent
signal interference.

Trunkline Distribution – Using directional couplers from a main line (Trunk) to tap signal throughout the
Distribution system.

VDC – Volts Direct Current