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Vol. 2 No. 5 April 1-15, 2009

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Vol. 2 No. 9 June 1-15, 2009

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by Virgil Labrador Editor-in-Chief

Contents Contents Contents Contents Contents

From 2005 to 2008, the number of direct-to-home (DTH)satellite platforms grew over 49%, from 65 to 97 platformsworldwide, according to estimates by Euroconsult. At

least 10 new DTH platforms were announced in 2008. Despitethis dramatic growth in DTH platforms, the industry is facingpressure to reduce costs in the current global economicenvironment in order to maintain and expand its subscriberbase and to meet investor expectations for returns. Growth indemand for content also drives a continuous need forexpansion, upgrade and extension of both space and groundsegment systems for DTH providers.

High power amplifiers (HPAs) are one of the most criticalselections made in designing and upgrading DTH uplinks.Amplifiers not only affect link performance and availability,but are also one of the major components in installation andoperating costs. Leading manufacturers include ComtechXicom, CPI, and Miteq/MCL.

Traditionally, DTH uplinks have used rack-mounted Klystronvacuum-tube amplifiers to achieve the high transmit powersnecessary to ensure the very high availability needed for all-

weather operation. However, in the last five years, TWTA(traveling wave tube amplifier) solutions have becomeavailable at power levels that meet DTH uplink requirementsand offer multi-carrier operation through a single amplifier.This is a significant advance because use of TWTAs reducesthe cost to purchase, install, operate and maintain the HPAsby over 75% when compared to indoor klystron poweramplifiers (KPAs), according to manufacturer estimates. Andbecause the HPA is typically the single largest element inthe uplink system’s power consumption, using feweramplifiers with higher efficiency can also dramatically reducethe DTH ground segment’s power needs and carbonfootprint.

“...In most cases, a single TWTA oper-ating with multiple carriers can takethe place of multiple klystron poweramplifiers (KPAs), dramatically reduc-ing upgrade costs. System reliability isenhanced and power consumption isreduced dramatically, loweringongoing operating costs...”

©Reprinted with permission from Satellite Executive Briefing, June 1-15, 2009.

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Cover Story

Ground Equipment Market...from page 1

TWTAs present a unique opportunityfor cost-savings and reduced systemcomplexity for DTH operators in theseeconomically challenging times.

Reducing System Cost and Complexity

High power outdoor TWTAs, such asComtech Xicom’s new TWTAs designedfor direct-to-home, enable uplinkengineers to mount the HPA at theantenna, eliminating long waveguideruns and shelter requirements whilemaintaining high reliability (see sidebararticle ). In existing systems, movingfrom multiple (one per carrier plusswitched 1-for-N redundant) indoorrack-mounted Klystrons to a 1-to-1redundant multi-carrier outdoor TWTAsolution can free up valuable rack spacefor capacity expansion, withoutexpensive and time-consuming physicalbuild-outs. It can also dramaticallyreduce thermal/air-conditioningrequirements. This TWTA-basedapproach offers significant advantagescompared to earlier Klystronapproaches, reducing both systemcomplexity and the cost to install,operate and upgrade a system. Here’show:

Operational Flexibility: Growing anetwork using TWTAs is easy whencompared to a Klystron power amplifier(KPA) approach. Physical imple-mentation of the outdoor TWTAs ismuch simpler than providing additionalsheltered, air-conditioned rack space fornew Klystrons. Carriers can be addedwithout installing additional amplifiersas long as the system operates withinthe power and linearity requirements of

the TWTA. This gives an earth stationoperation critical flexibility compared tothe traditional approach of adding a newKPA for each added carrier. It alsoprovides flexibility in the link for changesin power and linearity requirements perchannel as transmission standardschange.

Cost Savings: Multi-carrier operationwith a single HPA dramatically reducesHPA installation and replacement costs.For example, a DTH provider with 4channels to transmit can multiplex thesewith a 1+1 TWTA solution, requiring only2 HPAs, compared with 4 onlineamplifiers and at least 1 spare for aKlystron solution.

Advantages with this kind of TWTAapproach include:

• Eliminating the need for multiplexersand simplifying switching systems,thus reducing acquisition costs andimproving system reliability.

• Reducing a DTH uplink’s HPApower consumption by about 90%in most cases due to the reducednumber of HPA’s required andhigher TWTA efficiency. Thisdirectly lowers recurring operatingcosts.

• Reducing the size and cost of theemergency backup generator (orincreasing backup operation time byup to a factor of 10)

• Eliminating the need for a fastchannel changer for the backup HPAsince transmit frequencies are easilychanged on a TWTA by modifying

its input frequency; klystrons mustbe mechanically tuned, increasingoperational manpower requirements.

Moving the HPAs to the antenna from thetransmission room provides still morebenefits:

• It eliminates the need for longwaveguide runs between thetransmission room and antenna - andassociated losses. In many cases, asingle TWTA, with its higherinstantaneous bandwidth, canprovide much more power at theantenna compared to KPAs in thetransmission room.

• It also reduces space requirements forthe transmission room facility, saveson new installations, and frees upspace needed for upgrades.

• In addition, it can reduce airconditioning costs by eliminating a

TWTA vs. KlystronAdvantages

••••• Reduced system costs

••••• More bandwidth peramplifier

••••• More operational flexibility

••••• More redundancy

••••• Less electrical powerconsumption

••••• Less space

••••• More antenna flange power

••••• More supplier options

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significant portion of the thermaldissipation in a transmission room.

DTH providers usually plan to operatepermanent carriers for as long as possible,even for decades, over which time thetubes, a component in the amplifier, maybe replaced without a need to retire thewhole HPA. Using Klystrons that rely ona single tube supplier for that componentputs all of a DTH uplink’s “eggs in onebasket.” In replacing klystrons withTWTAs, DTH operators can choose aTWTA product that is compatible withmultiple supply sources of tubes,reducing their long-term dependency ona single supplier for replacement parts.

Overall, the business case for outdoorTWTAs in DTH uplinks is compelling:DTH networks benefit from a reliablesolution offering reduced amplifier costs,lower electricity consumption and areduction in facilities and ancillaryequipment cost. That should make bothengineering and financial managementhappy.

North American Direct-to-Home Providers

HPA Upgrade Choice: TWTAsIn recent years, HPA manufacturers, antenna manufactures and NorthAmerican Direct-to-Home operators have been coming to the same conclusion:system expansion using klystrons is expensive, impractical and unsustainable.With the growth of HD and local channels via spot beams, facilities becamestretched to their capacity.

Klystron amplifiers have narrower bandwidths, and require indoor facilities,multiplexers, tuners, rotary joints, and other parts. Broadband amplifiers(TWTAs and SSPAs) enable rapid re-configuration, making it easy to add orchange channelconfigurations. MajorNorth American Direct-to-Home operators saw thefundamental superiority ofmigrating to a broadband,outdoor architecture,sources say. By movingamplifiers into the antennahub, these operators havesaved on facility expensesand power. A singleTWTA, operating withmultiple carriers, took theplace of multiple klystronpower amplifiers (KPAs),dramatically reducing theirupgrade costs.

These are no doubt key reasons why TWTAs from Comtech Xicomhave made big inroads with the major direct-to-home providers in NorthAmerica. Comtech Xicom is a leading worldwide manufacturer of high poweramplifier products for satcoms markets, including TWTAs, SSPAs and KPAsfor a wide range of frequencies and applications. Xicom’s 750 Watt XTD-750DBS has been the amplifier of choice in North American direct-to-homeuplinks, changing how the industry operates. At Ka-band, where greaterbandwidth availability enables new HD capability, Xicom’s 250 Watt XTD-250Ka TWTA has set the standard, with a new 500 Watt unit now available.For DTH operators using the Ku satcom band, a new 1250 Watt XTD-1250KuTWTA is making the case for the outdoor TWTA approach even moreattractive for their DTH uplinks.

Comtech Xicom’s amplifiers have proven tobe an amplifier of choice in direct-to-homeuplinks in North America. (photo: ComtechXicom)

Virgil Labrador is theEditor-in-Chief ofSatellite Markets andResearch based in LosAngeles, California. He

is the author of two books on thesatellite industry and has been coveringthe industry for various publicationssince 1998. Before that he worked invarious capacities in the industry,including a stint as marketing directorfor the Asia Broadcast Center, a full-service teleport based in Singapore. Hecan be reached atvirgil@satellitemarkets.com

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