A
Access - The general term for the ability
of a telecommunications user to make use of a network.
Ad Hoc Network - A group of stations that
are formed for a special purpose.
Analog - A signal, which can take on a
continuous range of, values between some minimum and some
maximum. Opposite of digital.
Antenna - A metal structure or wire that
picks up or transmits electromagnetic energy through space.
B
Backhaul - Original transmission before
network re-broadcasts.
Bandwidth - Gamut of frequencies used.
Beta - A type of "1/2 tape used for editing
and recording video.
Bird - Slang term for satellite Broadband
Referring to a bandwidth greater than the base band or greater
than a voice frequency band.
Broadcast Service - Radio Communications
service in which the transmission is intended for direct
reception by the general public. This service may include
sound and television transmissions.
C
C-Band - Frequencies in the 4 to 6 GHz
range used both by terrestrial microwave links and for satellite
links.
Cable - One or more conductors contained
within a protective insulating cover.
Carrier - A continuous (usually high frequency)
electromagnetic wave which can be modulated by a signal to
carry information.
Character Generator - (Trade name Chyron)
a unit that enables the creation of letters, numbers, or
other characters for use with videos.
Closed Circuit Television - Television
signal carried, usually via microwave or coaxial cable, between
two or more locations, but not broadcast for general reception.
Codec - Coder/Decoder. A device which converts
an analog signal into and/or from a digital signal.
Common Carrier - A regulated telecommunications
company which will carry messages for anyone for a fee.
Communications Satellite - An artificial
satellite, usually placed in geostationary orbit used to
relay radio transmissions.
Cross Talk - The unwanted leakage of signal
between supposedly independent channels.
D
Data Communication - Transfer of digital data
by electronic or electrical means.
Decoder - Device that reconstructs an
encrypted signal so that it can be clearly received.
Domsat - Domestic communications satellite.
Downlink - Signal sent from a communications
satellite to the earth satellite Dual Path Ability to transmit
two signals to a satellite at the same time.
Dual Polarity - Ability to transmit on
two polarities at the same time (horizontal and vertical).
Duplex - Mode in which there exists two-way
communications satellite transmission systems.
E
Editing - To "cut", alter, correct or
revise video.
Encryption - The process of encoding or "scrambling" television
signals. Used in business and broadcast television so that
unintended audiences are unable to view the signal.
F
Fiber Optics - Technology in which a modulated
beam of light carries information through a thin glass or
plastic fiber.
Footprint - The geographical range of
reception of a satellite signal, usually given with signal
strength.
Full Duplex - Circuit which carries information
in both directions at the same time.
G
Geostationary Orbit - Special geosynchronous
orbit which is circular and lying over the equator such that
the satellite seems to remain stationary in the sky as seen
form a location on the surface of the Earth.
Geosynchronous Orbit - Orbit around the
Earth, with an average distance from the center of the Earth
of about 26,000 miles in which a satellite would have a period
equal to the rotation period of the Earth.
Gigahertz (GHz) - Unit of frequency equal
to one billion cycles per second.
I
Integrated Receiver Decoder - Satellite
receiver which contains a decoding circuit for scrambled
signals.
IFB - Interruptible Feedback Line allows
producer, director, talent, etc. communicate with each other
during a program.
Intelsat - International Telecommunications
Satellite Organization, a body that handles international
telecommunications traffic. via satellite placed over ocean
regions.
K
KU-Band - Frequencies in roughly the 10
to 20 GHz range.
M
Mobile Earth Station - An earth station
in the mobile satellite service intended to be used while
in motion or during halts at unspecified points.
Mobile Satellite Service - Radio communications
service between mobile earth stations and one or more space
stations. This service may also include feeder links necessary
for its operation.
N
Net Return - Downlink used by networks
so that they can see their transmission.
O
Orbit - The Path relative to a specified
frame of reference, described by the center of mass of a
satellite or other object in space subjected primarily to
natural forces, mainly the force of gravity.
P
PAL - Phase Alteration by Line; the color
television broadcast standard for the UK, Germany and many
other nations.
R
Real-time - A term used to describe any
system which operates such that input, processing, and output
take place over a short period of time and without any long
delays or storage of input or of intermediate or final results.
RF Signal - Signal sent via radio frequency.
S
Satellite Link - Radio link between a
transmitting earth station and receiving earth station through
one satellite.
Satellite Network - Satellite System or
part of a satellite system, consisting of only one satellite
and the cooperating earth stations.
Secam - Color television broadcast standard
of France and several other nations.
Simplex - Transmission in only one direction.
Skyswitch - GE Americom product which provides
voice and data communications via satellite; used in some
SNG switches.
SNG - Satellite News Gathering (vehicle),
Also referred to as SNV.
Spot Beam - Focused high-power satellite
signal that covers only a small region. Outside that area
the signal is undetectable, and will not interfere with other
use of the same wavelength.
T
Tariff - Established rate for and specifications
of a telecommunication service.
Teleport - Stationary earth station. Used
for turnarounds as well as up and downlinks
Transponder - Satellite Transponder picks
up signals from earth, translates them into a new frequency,
amplifies them, and transmits them back to earth. One can
use a half transponder, as well.
Turn Around - Act of downlinking a satellite
signal, altering that signal, and uplinking it again right
away. Often used to change the signal from KU-Band to C-Band.
U
Uplink - Signal sent by and earth station
up to communications satellite.
V
Videoconferencing - Linking of two or
more groups via closed circuit satellite television. |
