[Via Satellite 09-15-2015] General Dynamics Satcom Technologies has received a contract from Pascom, a satellite communications integrator in Chile, for an advanced Earth station antenna reflector and communications signal feed design that both transmits and receives Ku- and Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS)-band communications simultaneously. The Earth station comprises a 9 meter antenna and a six-port feed. Pascom will integrate and install the new dual-band Earth station for Claro, a multimedia entertainment and service provider that delivers Direct-to-Home (DTH) programming throughout Latin America.

Developing the new dual-band Earth station came down to solving a physics principle that simultaneous transmission of Ku- and DBS-bands causes intermodulation or interference on the Earth station’s receive band, according to General Dynamics Satcom Technologies. The company solved the problem by creating a new design with low passive intermodulation capabilities, accomplished by redesigning the antenna reflector and adding a six-port feed.

“The result is a sophisticated Earth station antenna that can simultaneously support direct broadcast satellite transmissions as well as fixed satellite transmissions over the Ku-band,” said Tim Shroyer, chief technical officer for General Dynamics Satcom Technologies. “This new design permits Claro to save a considerable amount of money by installing a single, more capable Earth station rather than the previous approach of using two less capable Earth stations to support both requirements.”