Antennas for direct to home reception of DBS television

Outdoor units were required for domestic DBS TVRO stations. Satellites had been ordered to provide 59 dBW EIRP or more, as had receivers incorporating custom DMAC integrated circuits and eurocypher modules. It was established that an antenna aperture width of about one foot would be required and that the antenna could be either a parabolic dish or a flat plate array. Research confirmed that both flat plate arrays and offset-feed parabolic reflector antennas are acceptable to the market. Two Squarial arrays and two reflectors were made available by approved manufacturers in time for launch of BSB programmes. The antennas are designed to facilitate installation by professionals and by the DIY enthusiast. An installation display facility was incorporated in the receiver to monitor the DMAC bit error rate