Arctek Satellite Productions LLC recently placed an order with Frontline Communications for new C- and Ku-band satellite uplink vehicles designed for high-definition operations.
Designated "Arctek White," the C-band truck will be based around a Frontline Communications 2.4 meter antenna. The company is also acquiring a Ku-band vehicle, "Arctek Red." Both are expected to be completed in time for display at NAB2007.
"Digital transmissions with the associated lower power requirements and interference potential have made possible the use of the small C-band uplink antennas," said Ray Conover, Arctek engineering consultant. "It is impressive to transmit C-band HD from a small SNG-sized platform.
"No new territory is being blazed by merely using a 2.4-meter antenna to uplink digital C-band video," Conover said. "Other companies have used these antennas to successfully transmit digital TV events for years, most employing C-band amplifiers in the 400-plus watt range. But with waveguide losses and a back off required for optimum linear digital operation, the real power available to the antenna has been below the maximum the FCC allows for small C-band antennas."
The vehicles will feature HD monitoring at every level and will also utilize redundant Tandberg SD/HD encoders.
