Satellite reception and distribution system for use as a head end with programmable transponder conversion of transponder blocks

Abstract

Various designs of configurable multiswitch or multifeed satellite reception systems comprising switch-over matrices and transponder branches and 'one cable solutions' which allow or do not allow subsequent expansion with respect to the subscribers that can be connected thereto are known from the prior art. In general, the costs for such systems comprising frequency converters are primarily determined by the frequency converters and the associated filters. The aim of the invention is to devise inexpensive methods or devices which allow detection of the complete frequency spectrum—even after subsequent expansions—and which therefore do not involve any restrictions with respect to the program range. The device for the freely programmable conversion of 1 to m transponders in n transponder blocks (TBto TBn) of a satellite reception system comprises the following elements: a satellite antenna (S) comprising at least one LNB reception converter (LNB, LBN) to the outputs of which the respective satellite IF plane is applied; a multiswitch (MS) connected to the outputs of the one or more LNB reception converters (LNB, LNB); n converters (U) which are arranged in parallel to each other; mid a combinatorial circuit (VS) connected to the converters (U) to combine the n transponder blocks (TBto TBn) to an output spectrum, the device making all configured transponders available to every receiver in the manner of a satellite head end. The invention is used in the field of satellite reception and distribution systems as a head end.