A cross sectional area of the antenna which is exposed to the satellite signal.

The loss in power of electromagnetic signals between transmission and reception points.

The orientation of the satellite in relationship to the Earth and the sun.

The angle of rotation (horizontal) that a ground based parabolic antenna must be rotated through to point to a specific satellite in a geosynchronous orbit. The azimuth angle for any particular satellite can be determined for any point on the surface of the Earth given the latitude and longitude of that point. It is defined with respect to due nort [..]

Contiguous United States. In short, all the states in the U.S. except Hawaii and Alaska.

The upward tilt to a satellite antenna measured in degrees required to aim the antenna at the communications satellite. When aimed at the horizon, the elevation angle is zero. If it were tilted to a point directly overhead, the satellite antenna would have an elevation of 90 degrees.

This term has at least two key meanings within the field of satellite communications. It is used to describe the transmission of video programming from a distribution center. It is also used to describe the feed system of an antenna. The feed system may consist of a subreflector plus a feedhorn or a feedhorn only.

Adds unique codes to the digital signal at the source so errors can be detected and corrected at the receiver.

One billion cycles per second. Signals operating above 3 Ghz are known as microwaves. Above 30 GHz they are know as millimeter waves. As one moves above the millimeter waves, signals begin to take on the characteristics of Iightwaves.

The angle between the orbital plane of a satellite and the equatorial plane of the Earth.