Satellite Broadcasting

What Does Satellite Broadcasting Mean?

Satellite broadcasting is the distribution of multimedia content or broadcast signals over or through a satellite network. The broadcast signals usually originate from a station such as a TV or radio station and then are sent via a satellite uplink (uploaded) to a geo-stationary artificial satellite for redistribution or retransmission to other predetermined geographic locations through an open or a secure channel. Downlinks are then received by base stations such as small home satellite dishes or by base stations owned by the local cable network for redistribution to their customers.

Techopedia Explains Satellite Broadcasting

Satellite broadcasting is a system of content distribution using broadcast signals relayed to and from communication satellites, which are then received by parabolic antennae better known as satellite dishes. The signals are then passed through a low-noise block converter for conditioning.

A satellite receiver decodes the incoming signals and presents them to the user through standard television or satellite radio. In the case of satellite television, the signals coming in are encoded and digitally compressed so as to minimize the size and so that the provider can bundle more channels into the signal. The user can then select which channel to decode and view. The compression used for satellite digital TV is often MPEG compression so that quality can be retained.