Cable television operators can access two or three adjacent satellites simultaneously by equipping their existing antennas with Seavey Engineering multisatellite feeds. These feeds, which have been widely accepted by the industry, eliminate the need to purchase, install and maintain extra antennas. At crowded head end sites, multisatellite feeds make the difference, since in many cases, space for new antennas cannot be found. In addition, feed system acquisition costs are very small compared with multibeam torus antennas.
Seavey Engineering multisatellite feeds consist of two or three dual polarized scalar feeds integrated into an assembly. Feed aperture spacing is specifically designed for the site, for the reflector size and F/D ratio and for the desired satellite longitudes. A computer printout showing all necessary pointing and installation information is delivered with each feed system.
Each feed can be manually rotated for polarization alignment. The feed assembly is attached to the reflector using gain aluminum spar and flange, which fastens to the center of the reflector. Guy cables add support. To complete the system, the user attaches any standard LNB to each feed port and runs RF cables to the receivers.
Thousands of head-end sites have been retro-fitted with Seavey Engineering multisatellite feeds. Radiation pattern tests on 3.8 and 5.0 meter antennas have proven the effectiveness of this technique. Excellent performance is possible for satellites spaced up to 12° apart. Minimum satellite spacing of 2° can be accommodated when specified.
For access to Ku-band transponders, these units are available with either separate Ku-band feeds or with a dual band (C and Ku) feed placed at the focus and C-band feeds off axis. The former arrangement is useful for access to the AUSSAT Australian three-satellite constellation, for example. The latter arrangement may be used for reception of U.S. domestic hybrid satellites.
 Model ESA-2(44) |
 Model ESA-3(44) |
 Model ESA-3(44) in 5 meter Reflector |
