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International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Electronics Engineering (IJARCSEE)
Volume 3, Issue 9, September 2014
Abstract-This technical paper describes Free-to-air satellite receiver system, and they are as follows:
(FTA) satellite for West Africa in Ku band. It allows • The satellite you want to track.
any user with the appropriate receiving equipment to • The satellite dish( parabola dish)
receive the signal and view to the content without • The LNB
requiring a subscription. Free to air also refers to • The decoder
channels and broadcasters providing content for which • Coaxial cable, F-connectors, splitters
no subscription is expected, even though they may be • TV set (or even a computer with a TV card).
delivered to the viewer by another carrier for which a
subscription is required, e.g. cable, satellite or the 1) The Satellite
Internet. These carriers may be mandated in some
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an artificial
environment to deliver FTA channels even if a
object which has been intentionally placed into orbit. Such
premium subscription is not present (providing the
objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to
necessary equipment is still available), especially where
distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon.
FTA channels are expected to be used for emergency
About 6,600 satellites have been launched. The latest
broadcasts, similar to the 112 emergency service
estimates are that 3,600 remain in orbit[1]. Of those,
provided by mobile phone operators and
about 1,000 are operational the rest have lived out their
manufacturers. This technical paper will x-ray the
useful lives and are part of the space debris.
state of art involved in the configuration of free to air
Approximately 500 operational satellites are in low-Earth
satellite reception for West Africa. [1]
orbit, 50 are in medium-Earth orbit (at 20,000 km), the
Keywords: Free to air (FTA), satellite, configuration rest are in geostationary orbit (at 36,000 km). Of all these,
and subscription our interest is in the communication satellite, which is
used for TV broadcast and hence FTA. Now the extent to
I. INTRODUCTION which you can receive the beam depends on how much
coverage the satellite has over your area. Basically,
Satellite TV has attracted the way people react to broadcasters aim at a particular region. For example, Hitv
information for years, as an avenue to watch 24hrs
broadcasts to Nigeria, while Gtv focuses on Ghana, and
television. This paper discusses free to air (FTA) satellite
TV as an alternative to commercial cable TV. Nilesat broadcasts to the Middle East and North Africa.
The advent of what is termed D.V.B (digital video Now it is impossible for the satellites transmission to be
broadcasting) helped spur satellite TV to new heights restricted to only a particular country or area, so it goes
.While making the content on most satellite television to without saying that viewers in Nigeria will receive Gtv
be of crystal clear quality and unbelievable diversity, it with some slight drop in signal level as you go away from
also makes it possible to broadcast several streams on one the intended broadcast region. That is what is behind the
„feed‟, so that one provider can pay for just one frequency
fact that people in the northern part of Nigeria can receive
on a satellite and then broadcast several channels
containing diverse programming, movies, music, news, Nilesat‟s broadcast with a little less effort than those in the
documentaries, e.t.c, you can have up to 40 frequencies southern part of Nigeria. [3]
from one particular satellite. However, most of these
broadcasts are actually pay-tv, but there are always a few
channels which are not encrypted so that one can get these 2) The satellite dish
at no cost. This paper lists the basic requirements for free
to air satellite reception, which includes the satellite, the A dish is a type of parabolic antenna designed to
satellite dish, the Low Noise Block (LNB), the decoder, receive (and/or transmit) microwaves from (to)
the set of wires and a visual display unit.[2] communication satellites, which transmits data
transmission or broadcasts such as satellite television. It
II. BASIC REQUIREMENTS essentially consists of Parabolic Reflector (dish), a Feed
Horn and a Low Noise Block Down-Converter (LNB).The
Receiving satellite streams is a relatively easy thing to do, parabolic reflector reflects the signal from the satellite and
but it requires the right knowledge, some money, the brings it to a focal point, ie the parabolic shape of the dish
necessary equipment and a great deal of patience. Now reflects the incoming signal to the dish focal point- the
there are several things you need before installing a
423
All Rights Reserved © 2014 IJARCSEE
ISSN: 2277 – 9043
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Electronics Engineering (IJARCSEE)
Volume 3, Issue 9, September 2014
424
All Rights Reserved © 2014 IJARCSEE
ISSN: 2277 – 9043
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Electronics Engineering (IJARCSEE)
Volume 3, Issue 9, September 2014
strong, humax, technomate, kaon. etc. menu, shift right under Installation to the fifth option
More recently, computer users have been provided with which is „manual scan‟. Pressing this will bring up a list of
what is known as a DVB-S card which can be satellites. Scroll laterally to Intelsat 7/10 Ku, there is
already a list of most of the available frequencies from
incorporated into the computer so it can be used as a
that particular satellite. The first frequency listed is 12722,
decoder among other things and it can serve the same with V polarity and a symbol rate of 26657, written in
purpose as a standalone decoder.[7] short hand as 12722/v/26657. Then back to the dish, use
the a compass to calculate 60ºE , twist your LNB so the
III. STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION AND point where the wire attaches points about 45 º to your
CONFIGURATION OF THE KU BAND OF right along a vertical axis. Then move the dish up and
SATELLITE down slowly and turning it right or left until the two red
signal indicators for level and quality turn green. Then try
In every installation, the set up processes remain the adjusting it by small degrees in all directions until you get
same. In either case, the installation equipments are the maximum signal levels. Try and aim for a signal level
conveyed to the location at least a day to the event to be of at least 80% to ensure that every available frequency
on the safe side and it is the duty of engineers/installers on from that beam will be at their maximum. The frequency
location to set up the facilities for installation. The stages used for tracking any satellite is usually that which has the
in the set-up include highest signal levels. By adjusting it to the best level you
can, you ensure that those frequencies which have a lesser
1) Set up the dish: After unpacking, the first thing to be intensity will also be at their peak.
done is to set up the dish. The dish is normally located After this go back up one level and you will see the
considering the position of the satellite to be tracked (i.e. option for blind scan, press this and wait, it will scan for
east for DSTV. For its SIGNAL, DSTV uses INTELSAT all available transponder frequencies from that particular
7 or EUTELSATW4/W7 at 24.5˚ east) and also, the satellite including those not included in the decoder but
potential obstruction (such as buildings or trees) to the are being broadcasted. After this, save and exit. You will
satellite signals which is so obvious at times when see a lot of channels, the ones with the dollar symbols are
installing. As such these factors are considered before the the encrypted ones, while those without are the FTA
side to be used is finally selected and the dish positioned. channels. [8]
In setting up the dish, the parabolic reflector commonly
known as the PAN is placed on its base and secured 3). Test Transmission: After the signal has been
tightly with bolts and nuts. The LNB is then tightly successfully tracked for maximum gain and every other
secured to its rightful position on supports placed at the equipment (such as audio sources and cables) has been
focal point of the dish with bolts and nuts. An RG-6 fixed in place, the next thing is to carry out a test
coaxial cable is then connected from the LNB to a transmission. In other to do so, the uplink equipments are
receiver/decoder (Universal Satellite receiver, IRD 2900). properly interconnected. In other to know if the signal is
[8] on-air, a Spectrum Analyzer connected to the receiver
shows a rise in the initial wave form it displayed when the
2). Track the Satellite: The next thing to do after the dish signal had not been transmitted. Also, the transmitted
has been properly setup is to track the satellite onto which signals can be viewed by configuring a receiver to the
the signals are to be uplinked. Tracking entails altering the appropriate downlink frequency.
azimuth and elevation of the dish till the satellite signals During this step the signals are monitored for picture
are finally „locked‟. In other to do so, certain parameters quality, audio level and more importantly freezing of
must be known and they include; Symbol Rate, picture to ensure that the transmission is successful.
Transponder Frequency, polarization and Forward Error It should be noted that DSTV has one frequency (12.245)
Correction (FEC), they are normally pre-configured on the on EUTELSAT (W4/W7) or INTELSAT7
receiver/decoder before tracking begins.
Table 1. shows some channels under Eutelsat W4/W7 and
For tracking DSTV signal, Intelsat 710
Transponder frequency = 27500 MHz
FEC = 3/4
Symbol Rate =12.245MS/s (Mega
Symbols per second)
Polarization = LHCP
Tracking the signal is not just enough, the dish must be
aligned in such a way as to maximize the gain of the
received signal as can be seen on the receiver/decoder,
which should not be less than 5dB
Now it is time to do the actual tracking. This is done
outside the house. Use a long extension cable to bring a
power point outside and attach your TV and decoder to it
and power up. Next, attach the LNB to the dish at the
focal point and connect it via a cable to the decoder. To do
this, press the menu button, this will bring up the system
425
All Rights Reserved © 2014 IJARCSEE
ISSN: 2277 – 9043
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Electronics Engineering (IJARCSEE)
Volume 3, Issue 9, September 2014
Table 1.-Channels under Eutelsat W4/W7 and Intelsat Alternatively, a Satellite Finder could be used. Some
710[9] models produce a beep when the satellite signals have
been locked.
Eutelsat W4/W7 Intelsat 710 Ku
5). Sound or Picture goes off during Transmission: In
10990 / V / 27500 3768 /H / 26657 most cases, somebody has accidentally tripped over a
AL JAZEERA Zee Network cable run. To prevent this from occurring, all cable runs
AL JAZEERA MUBASHER Zee Cinema Africa from the dish to the room should be laid in such a way that
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH Zee TV Africa they would not be tripped upon by a passerby.
AL JAZEERA DOCUMENT 12522 / H/ 26657-1/2
Qatar TV NTA Plus V) PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING
11560 / V / 27500 France 24 English INSTALLATION
MBC 1 12562 /H/ 26657-1/2 Ensure that a good gain is gotten while tracking the
MBC Drama God TV Africa satellite signal. Successful signal tracking can be made
MBC 4 3 ABN International with a gain of 8dB.
MBC 3 Press TV A site survey should be carried out before the
MBC Action 12628/H/ 26657 commencement of the installation.
MBC 2 Daystar TV Preventive maintenance should be carried out regularly on
MBC Max Love World all the equipments, cables and connectors to be used in an
MBC Bollywood Emmanuel TV installation.
11785 / V / 27500: Adonai Broadcast Cable installations should be properly laid and
Dubai one Network covered/protected at the venue of the installation.
Dubai Sport Ensure that the satellite unto which the signals are to be
transmitted to has a footprint at the location of the
installation.
IV. PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Ensure that the LNB is properly fixed and well tightened.
ASSOCIATED WITH SATELLITE INSTALLATION This is to prevent it from falling off whenever there is
heavy storm. [10]
During an installation, certain problems might be
experienced but most of these can be detected and CONCLUSION
possible solutions made even before the commencement Free-To-Air (FTA) satellite television programs have
of the installation. Some of them include; given audiences another choice besides cable and paid
1). Freezing of Picture: This is in most cases caused by satellite companies. The price of FTA receiver systems
the LNB not properly aligned to the focal point of the dish has become affordable in recent years, while their
thus, reducing the gain of the antenna. If however, the capabilities have improved dramatically. With knowledge
gain of the antenna is verified to be okay (at least 5dB of the transponder frequency and Azimuth, several
though preferably at 8dB), one can manually adjust the satellite channels can be tracked without having to pay
LNB till the freezing stops. monthly or weekly subscription fees.
426
All Rights Reserved © 2014 IJARCSEE
ISSN: 2277 – 9043
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Electronics Engineering (IJARCSEE)
Volume 3, Issue 9, September 2014
AUTHOR
427
All Rights Reserved © 2014 IJARCSEE