Unicable

Unicable technology is a satellite TV technology that enables the delivery of broadcast programming over a single cable to multiple users and eliminates the numerous cables required to support consumer electronics devices such as Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and high end Set Top Boxes (STBs). The product allows consumers to easily upgrade their basic STBs without the need for a specialist installation engineer to visit the home. Unicable uses an integrated software and hardware solution that allows Unicable - certified Digital Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes to multiplex selected programming when using Unicable Low Noise Block (LNB) or Multiswitching products.The Unicable Interoperability Platform is open to companies designing and/or marketing satellite and other broadcast-related products. The platform is designed to facilitate the acceptance of Unicable-certified solutions in the consumer TV broadcast market.

Satellite channel router

(SCR) is a device that allows the distribution of DVB-S and DVB-S2 (satellite TV) signals to several users (4, 6, or more) using a single coaxial cable. It may be used to substitute a traditional multiswitch, that needs a dedicated coaxial cable for every set-top box (or tuner) connected.

Operations

The principle of working follows: each subscriber has a dedicated user band, whose bandwidth is approximately the same of a transponder. If a subscriber requires a particular transponder ("eg." 1550 MHz on vertical-low band), a mixer converts it to the correct user band center frequency. The converted transponders of various users are then combined, and downcasted towards the set-top boxes. Then, the signals are split again to reach every user, for example by using a power divider. The set-top box requests a channel via a DiSEqC-compliant command. Like a traditional multiswitch, an SCR needs to be fed with four cables carrying the four bands provided by a satellite. The SCR is useful if used with dual-tuner systems, as PVRs (Personal Video Recorders).

ee also

* Satellite television
* Satellite dish
* Microwave antenna

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