A Brief Introduction To Satellite Dish Antenna Types - Antesky

Satellite antenna is an important part of modern satellite communication system, used to receive various signals from various satellites. When it comes to it, what impressed us most is the antenna that looks like a huge “pot cover”. This is actually a classic parabolic antenna. Because of its dish-like shape, it is also called a dish antenna. This structure can focus weak signals from distant satellites, and the receiving efficiency is very high, so it has become the most widely used form of satellite antenna. Although parabolic antennas are mainstream, with the diversification of applications and the advancement of technology, satellite antennas have also derived many different structural forms to meet the needs of different frequency bands, polarization methods, beam control, etc. Today, Antesky briefly introduces several typical types of Satellite Dish Antenna.

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Receivable signal types

Satellite Dish Antennas can receive various types of signals, including video, audio, data, and internet signals. The most common are direct-to-home (DTH) signals, which homes use to watch television channels broadcast via satellite. These signals are usually transmitted in Ku-band or C-band frequencies, depending on the type of satellite used.

Satellite Dish Antennas are also used in other applications, such as military communications, to provide secure and reliable long-distance communication channels. They can also be used in scientific research such as astronomy, helping to study celestial bodies by receiving electromagnetic signals from space.

Types of Satellite Dish Antennas

Each type of antenna has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on factors such as location, the frequency range you need to receive, size, and the type of signals you want to receive.

1. Parabolic Antenna

The parabolic dish is the most common type of Satellite Dish Antenna and has been used for many years. It consists of a concave reflector that captures the signal reflected from the satellite in space and focuses it onto a receiver, which is usually called an LNB (Low Noise Block).

LNB (Low Noise Block downconverter, or LNB for short) is a key component for receiving satellite signals. It is installed at the “probe” position directly in front of the Satellite Dish Antenna (parabolic antenna). It has two main functions: (1) receiving high-frequency microwave signals reflected from the satellite antenna; (2) reducing the frequency and amplifying these signals (for example, from 12GHz to around 1GHz) to facilitate transmission to the satellite receiver at home via ordinary coaxial cable.

You can think of it as: “an ear + a voice changer”. It first “listens” to the weak signal sent by the satellite, then turns the sound into “bass” that is easier to transmit, and sends it to the TV box for decoding and playback.

Historical Development

The history of parabolic antennas dates back to the early 20th century, with significant advances in the s. The first patent for the technology was filed by Hidetsugu Yagi in , but Grote Reber is credited as the first person to build a parabolic antenna for radio astronomy in .

During World War II, parabolic antennas were used in radar systems, which led to further development of their design. After the war, advances in satellite communications further stimulated the use of parabolic antennas in communication systems.

The launch of the first commercial communications satellites in the early s sparked a surge in interest and investment in dish technology, which is now widely used to send and receive satellite signals for television and internet services.

Design and construction

A parabolic antenna consists of a curved surface called a reflector that reflects electromagnetic waves into a smaller area, called a feed horn assembly. The shape of the reflector is critical because it determines how well the signal is focused onto the feed horn assembly. Most reflectors are made of metal or composite materials and are carefully shaped using computer-aided design or hand-made manufacturing techniques.

The feed horn assembly is also an important component of the parabolic antenna as it captures the signal reflected from the reflector and feeds it to the electronics for processing before transmission or reception. Depending on the intended use, this assembly may contain other components such as amplifiers, filters, or modulators.

In some cases, multiple feed horn assemblies are used to capture signals from different angles or frequencies simultaneously. As technology continues to advance, companies are constantly looking for ways to improve these designs, such as using higher-quality materials that can handle higher frequencies and using larger reflectors that can better focus the signal onto the feed horn assembly.

Higher gain and simpler design than other types

One of the advantages of parabolic antennas is their high gain factor, which allows them to receive weak signals from distant satellites. In addition, they are easy to install and relatively inexpensive.

However, they also have some disadvantages. For example, they require precise alignment with the satellite to work properly.

Additionally, their size makes them unsuitable for certain applications, such as mobile or portable installations. Parabolic antennas are ideal for receiving television broadcasts from geostationary satellites or for two-way communications with low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

There are two types of parabolic antennas

• Center Focus : The antenna feed (i.e., the receiving or transmitting device) is located at the focus directly in front of the parabola. The structure is symmetrical, but the feed and bracket will block part of the signal, resulting in shielding loss.

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• Offset : The antenna reflective surface only captures a part of the entire parabola. The feed source is located off-center and does not block the reflective surface. It has higher gain and better efficiency and is often used for satellite TV reception.

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2. Loop Antenna

The loop antenna surface is elliptical, compared to the circular shape of a traditional parabolic antenna. The main selling point of the wide-angle loop antenna is that it can collect satellite signals up to 40 degrees apart with very similar gain throughout the entire angle range.

They capture the signal like a normal Satellite Dish Antenna by bouncing it off multiple LNBs or low noise block downconverters. These downconverters are mounted on rails that allow for fine left and right adjustment as well as tilt adjustment.

The dual reflectors of the loop antenna system maintain a nearly constant signal level over a wide reception angle. Normally, on a parabolic dish, if the LNB is mounted far from the center, the signal will fall off quickly toward the edges. With a loop antenna, all but the weakest satellite signals should be received at the edges of the dish.

The cost of the design is the relative size of the main reflector, which is 50% larger than the parabolic antenna.

However, this comes at the expense of less accurate signal reception compared to traditional parabolic antennas. Loop antennas are ideal for receiving signals from multiple geostationary satellites using an antenna in a fixed position.

3. Horn Antenna

Combine a horn antenna with a parabolic reflector to enhance directivity while minimizing interference from nearby objects, such as buildings or trees. One of the design advantages of the horn antenna is that it has higher gain than traditional parabolic antennas, which have lower side lobes (the part of the radiation that leaks out) and can cause interference problems near tall buildings.

However, this type of setup requires more technical expertise. Another disadvantage is that they are bulky, expensive, and require specialized equipment for installation and commissioning.

Types of Horn Antennas

Horn antennas are named for their shape and are used in microwave communication systems. There are many types of horn antennas, each with its own unique characteristics and applications. The pyramidal horn antenna is the most common type and is widely used due to its wide coverage. The sectoral horn antenna is another type of antenna used in satellite communication systems to transmit signals over long distances at high frequencies. The conical horn antenna is shaped like a cone and is often used in radar applications due to its wide bandwidth.

Design and construction

A horn antenna is a simple design consisting of a metal waveguide that is flared outward at one end to form an opening or mouth-like structure called an aperture. A feed element (which can be a dipole or monopole) is placed in the center of the waveguide to radiate energy into the waveguide. The shape and size of the aperture determines the radiation pattern produced by the horn antenna.

The material used depends on the application and the frequency range required. For example, a woofer can be made of wood or plastic, while a tweeter requires a metal structure that is precision machined for optimal performance.

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Applications of Horn Antennas

Horn antennas are widely used in modern communication systems, such as radar (radio detection and ranging) systems, satellite communication systems, and wireless local area networks (WLAN). Using different types of horn antennas allows signals to be transmitted better over longer distances with less loss due to attenuation. For example, pyramidal horn antennas are widely used in mobile communications because of their good radiation pattern and ability to cover large areas with uniform signal strength. Sector horn antennas have been successfully used in satellite ground station antennas because they can transmit high-frequency signals over long distances with minimal attenuation.

Horn antennas have proven to be vital components in modern communication systems due to their high gain, narrow beamwidth, and ease of integration with other components. Their unique design and structure make them ideal for a variety of applications in RF communication systems.

4. Cassegrain Antenna type

The Cassegrain antenna consists of two reflectors: a concave main reflector and a convex sub-reflector located near the focus of the main reflector. The sub-reflector is usually smaller than the main reflector and reflects the incident signal back to the main reflector through an opening in its center. The Cassegrain antenna has high gain and low sidelobe levels, making it ideal for applications requiring sensitive observations such as radio astronomy, satellite communications or radar systems.

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They are also less affected by atmospheric distortion than other types of Satellite Dish Antennaes. Cassegrain antennas are more difficult to manufacture and are therefore generally more expensive than other types of antennas, but despite this they are still popular among professional users due to their superior performance characteristics.

History and Development

Cassegrain antennas were originally invented by Laurent Cassegrain in the s. However, they were not used in communications technology until the 20th century. In , German engineer Heinrich Lamm built the first parabolic dish reflector with a Cassegrain feed.

The design became popular among radar engineers and was soon used in both military and civilian radars. In the mid-20th century, as miniaturized and efficient electronic devices developed, the demand for small satellite antennas increased. As a result, engineers began looking for ways to adapt the Cassegrain design for satellite communication systems.

Design and construction

The Cassegrain antenna consists of a primary reflector (usually parabolic) and a secondary reflector located at the focus of the primary reflector. The secondary reflector is usually hyperbolic or elliptical and is tilted at a certain angle to change the direction of the signal transmitted or received by the primary reflector.

The advantage of a Cassegrain antenna over other types of Satellite Dish Antennaes is that it can achieve a longer focal length without increasing the physical size of the antenna itself. This means that a larger signal can be received or sent without requiring a larger antenna.

Another advantage is that because the secondary reflector is located within the focal point of the primary reflector, there are no obstructions between it and the incoming signal. This results in less signal loss than with other types of antennas where the supporting structure or feed horn may block part of the incoming radiation.

Factors to consider when choosing a Satellite Dish Antenna

Please note that the antenna is only responsible for transmitting the signal, not audio, video or data, encrypted or clear text, SD, HD or UHD resolution. The antenna can be a fixed mount or a motorized mount, as long as the sky is clear in the desired direction.

Satellite antennas are usually made of metal and have a parabolic shape to help focus the incoming signal onto the feed horn. The main purpose of a satellite antenna is to receive the radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted by the satellite and convert them into electrical signals that the receiver can process.

When choosing a Satellite Dish Antenna, you must consider several factors to ensure that you receive the signal quality you need. A Satellite Dish Antenna is a significant investment, and choosing the right type of dish for your specific needs is essential. Here are some key factors that must be considered:

(1) Installation location of Satellite Dish Antenna

Where you mount your Satellite Dish Antenna is a key factor affecting signal strength and reception. Typically, a line of sight between the satellite and the terrestrial dish is essential for optimal signal reception. This means that if you live in a mountainous area or are surrounded by tall buildings, you may need to mount your antenna on a high pole or even on your roof to get a clear line of sight.

On the other hand, if you live in an area with fewer obstructions, such as flat terrain without tall trees or buildings blocking satellite signals, you may be able to get better signal reception with a smaller antenna. Location can also affect which satellites you can receive, as some satellite signals are only available in certain geographic locations.

Choose a solid wall, brick or concrete walls are ideal. Installing on an unstable wall or any flexible pole will cause unstable or even interrupted signals.

(2) Frequency range required for reception

Different types of satellites operate at different frequencies, which means that the Satellite Dish Antenna you choose should match the specific frequency range you need for reception. Satellites can transmit low-frequency (L-band) or high-frequency (Ku-band) signals. The L-band spectrum has a lower bandwidth but can penetrate opaque objects such as trees and walls, while the Ku-band has a higher bandwidth but is susceptible to weather conditions such as rain fade.

(3) Determine the required satellite antenna size based on regional signal strength

The size of your Satellite Dish Antenna is also important. Generally speaking, larger dishes receive stronger signals than smaller dishes. So if you live in an area with weak satellite signals, you may need a larger dish to receive a clearer signal.

It’s important to note that installing a dish that’s too large may result in excessive signal gain, which could create interference and affect other nearby satellite services. On the other hand, installing a smaller dish may result in poor signal reception, leading to frequent dropped calls or complete loss of signal.

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Satellite antenna equipment is an integral part of communications in the commercial and defense industries. Over the past few years, more and more companies have purchased satellite dishes from Chinese manufacturers. So far, China has been the top choice for companies looking to outsource manufacturing. Historically known as the world's manufacturing center, it has a huge range of capacities, capabilities and products. So we have summed up a few points about the benefits of purchasing satellite dishes from China.

Here are four reasons why sourcing satellite dishes from China is increasingly popular:

Skilled Workforce

One reason to source satellite dishes from China is the skilled workforce that exists in the country. China is good at manufacturing, so it can produce a lot of high-quality products in a short period of time. China has a labor force of nearly 900 million, which can quickly organize manpower for production. Improving your speed to market can help your company maintain a competitive advantage. There’s no other place on earth with so many factories (and workers) ready to prototype and produce new products at the drop of a hat.

Reduce Manufacturing Cost

One of the most well-known advantages of Chinese manufacturing is that it is cheaper than satellite dish products from many other countries. Lower manufacturing costs in China translate into higher profits and lower prices for end users. Your brand's gross profit can increase as production costs decrease.

When your satellite dish product competes with other products on physical or digital shelves, a lower price can convince many people to buy. Even accounting for shipping costs, it's usually still cheaper to make in China.

International Expansion

The Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from to , showing strong demand for satellite antenna equipment in the region. If you want to expand in the Asian market and offer satellite dish products to buyers, what better way than to start a manufacturing business in China? Done right, the expansion of the Chinese market can increase opportunities for companies. The logistics of bringing products into China and other Asian countries are also simplified when you use a Chinese factory.

Higher Quality

The "Made in China" label has long been associated with cheap and low-quality products, however, this reputation is not entirely accurate. Many high-end companies also manufacture many products in China. Compared with other countries, the quality of satellite antenna products produced in China is more guaranteed.

Advice for Choosing a Chinese Satellite Antenna Supplier

When you need to buy antenna satellites in China, you should choose a reliable manufacturer. Newstar has been China's leading satellite antenna manufacturer. Newstar has been providing high-quality satellite antenna products to the global satellite market. All product quality has passed international certification, in line with the certification of various countries. So when you want to choose a Chinese satellite dish supplier, then you should consider choosing Newstar.

Conclusion

If your business can benefit from lower manufacturing costs, Made in China may be the best move your company can take. Established hundreds of quality suppliers with real factories in China. Consider outsourcing your ideas or products overseas to get the most out of your business and boost your profits.

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