Footprint (satellite)
Encyclopedia
The footprint of a communications satellite
Communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...

 is the ground area that its transponder
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

s offer coverage
Coverage (telecommunication)
In telecommunications, the coverage of a radio station is the geographic area where the station can communicate. Broadcasters and telecommunications companies frequently produce coverage maps to indicate to users the station's intended service area. Coverage depends on several factors, such as...

, and determines the satellite dish
Satellite dish
A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts, such as satellite television.-Principle of operation:...

 diameter
Diameter
In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...

 required to receive each transponder
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

's signal. There is usually a different map for each transponder
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

 (or group of transponder
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

s) as each may be aimed to cover different areas of the ground.

Footprint maps
Coverage map
Coverage maps are designed to indicate the service areas of radiocommunication transmitting stations. Typically these may be produced for radio or television stations, for mobile telephone networks and for satellite networks. Such maps are alternatively known as propagation maps...

 usually show either the estimated minimal
Minimal
Minimal can mean:* In mathematics, see Minimal element.* In music, see Minimalist music.* In electronic music, see Minimal techno.* In art see Minimalism.* In computing, see Computing minimalism.* Names:...

 satellite dish
Satellite dish
A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts, such as satellite television.-Principle of operation:...

 diameter
Diameter
In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...

 required or the signal strength in each area measured in dBW.

External links

  • Interactive map by SES Astra
    SES Astra
    Astra is the name for the geostationary communication satellites, both individually and as a group, which are owned and operated by SES S.A., a global satellite operator based in Betzdorf, in eastern Luxembourg. The name is sometimes also used to describe the channels broadcasting from these...

     showing the footprints of their satellites serving Western Europe.
  • Links to interactive maps from Intelsat
    Intelsat
    Intelsat, Ltd. is a communications satellite services provider.Originally formed as International Telecommunications Satellite Organization , it was—from 1964 to 2001—an intergovernmental consortium owning and managing a constellation of communications satellites providing international broadcast...

     for their fleet of satellites.
  • Links to interactive maps for SES World Skies's fleet of satellites.
  • Link to maps for Russian Satellite Communications Company satellites
  • Link to satellite footprints from SatBeams for Geostationary satellites
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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