DirecTV and Satellite Radio

Direct Broadcast Satellite

DirecTV

Satellite Radio
Background
Common Technology
Competitors
XM
SIRIUS
WorldSpace

Direct Broadcast Satellite

Refers to either
Television Service
Satellites which deliver service

Mini-dish systems
Parabolic Surface
Focuses incoming signals into Feed Horn
Reflects outgoing signals into narrow beam
Main part Consists of Low Noise
Blockdown Converter (LNB)

Typical System
Operates in upper Ku Band (12 GHz to 14 GHz)
Legislation
C Band

Proprietary equipment needed

Encryption
Smart Card

Fixed Satellite Service (FSS)

Operates in C-Band
(3.4 GHz to 7 GHz)

Technology
Satellites
Three geostationary satellites
Two more to be launched

18 x 20 in elliptical dish
5 LNBs
High Definition

Access Cards
D2/P12 Current Issue
Law suits
ISO-7186 Smart Card Device

MPEG-II Compression
270 Mbps down to 10 Mbps

Satellite

Orbital slot

Launch date

Satellite type

DirecTV-1

110.0W

17 December 1993

Hughes Electronics HS-601

DirecTV-2

100.8W

3 August 1994

Hughes Electronics HS-601

DirecTV-1R

100.8W

10 October 1999

Hughes Electronics HS-601HP

DirecTV-4S

101.2W

27 November 2001

Hughes Electronics HS-601HP

DirecTV-5

72.5W

7 May 2002

Space Systems/Loral LS-1300

DirecTV-6

109.8W

9 March 1997

Space Systems/Loral LS-1300

DirecTV-7S

119.0W

4 May 2004

Space Systems/Loral LS-1300

DirecTV-8

101.0W

22 May 2005

Space Systems/Loral LS-1300

DirecTV-9S

101.1W

13 October 2006

Space Systems/Loral LS-1300

SPACEWAY-1

102.8W

26 April 2005

Boeing BSS-702

SPACEWAY-2

99.2W

16 November 2005

Boeing BSS-702

DirecTV-10, 11, 12

TBD

Est. 2007

Boeing BSS-702

Background
Digital Audio Radio Service
(DARS)
Established in 1992
Operates in S-Band (2.3 GHz)
4 Second Delay

Main Competitors
North America
XM and Sirius

Europe, Middle East, Africa

WorldSpace

Terrestrial Repeaters (Cell Towers)

Technology
Satellites
Two geostationary satellites
XM Rhythm at 115 west
XM Blues at 85 west
Replaced previous XM Rock and XM Roll

Third as a spare
Uses 12.5 MHz of S band: 2332.5 to 2345.0MHz
GM, Honda

Technology
Satellites
Three Medium Earth Orbit
Extremely Elliptical Path
At least one satellite for 14 hours per day.

Positions
Radiosat 1, Radiosat 2, Radiosat 3

Fourth as a spare

BMW, Daimler-Benz, VAG

Technology
Operates in L-Band (1.467 GHz to 1.492 GHz)

Satellites
AfriStar, AsiaStar, AmeriStar

Direct Broadcast Satellite

DirecTV

Satellite Radio
XM, SIRIUS, WorldSpace
Background
Technology
Satellites