ASC’s Next Generation Controller System
Image credit: ASC

[Via Satellite 09-12-13] ASC Signal Corporation has provided the first of several large gateway antennas with high-accuracy tracking for the Slovenia teleport of Satellite Telecommunication Network (STN). The first Ka-band gateway in that country, ASC’s 5.6-meter antenna system will incorporate ASC’s Next Generation Controller (NGC) and patented Sub-Reflector Tracking (SRT) systems to provide high levels of tracking accuracy for any antenna of this type.

The antenna system designed for STN uses ASC’s SRT to more accurately compensate for thermal effects on Ka-band antennas and ensure one one-thousandth of a degree tracking accuracy for Ka-band satellites. This level of tracking accuracy will enable STN to achieve the highest level of throughput per satellite transponder, allowing its customers to maximize the value of their satellite capacity and greatly improving the end-user experience.

In the initial project phase, STN will use the ASC gateway to uplink up to 120 SD format and 10 HD format TV channels over four Ka-band transponders. As the DTH platform grows to additional transponders over the next year, STN will expand its uplink capabilities with additional ASC Ka-band antennas to achieve a design goal of 180 SD and HD channels in MPEG 4, DVB-S2 standard.

“The higher-frequency Ka-band presents clear quality-of-service challenges for a rainy region like the Sub-Saharan,” said Keith Buckley, president and CEO of ASC Signal. “The high data rates it provides also offer exceptional throughput at a lower cost-per-bit.”

“We believe that the emerging Ka-band market will become more and more an attractive distribution solution not only for Africa but also in other regions,” said Mitja Lovsin, STN’s sales and marketing director, who is responsible for Africa DTH project.