Safe and Sound
PBS installs satellite uplink as a protective measure
By Ken Kerschbaumer -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/11/2004 8:00:00 PM
It's nothing but clear skies for PBS. Credit goes to a new system that will automatically switch to a backup transmission procedure in case the network's satellite uplink suffers from interference or rain fade.
ILC's MaxView network control software system will be installed in three locations: PBS headquarters in Alexandria, Va.; the network's main satellite interconnection system in Springfield, Va.; and a backup Earth station in Manasses, Va.
Rain fade, when heavy rain affects the quality of the signal being beamed to the satellite, is the most common problem. In the past, the public broadcaster turned to commercial TV to get its weather news, monitoring either The Weather Channel or the local news. It then switched to the remote station if necessary.
MaxView uses Internet Protocol to communicate with the remote location; the system instantly indicates any problems.
"We saw a need to improve our utilization of personnel, especially as our workload is expanding with new digital TV feeds," says Bill Hull, PBS director of satellite operations. "We realized we needed to automate the process as much as possible."
No related content found.
-
No Top Articles
Featured Company
-
Digital Rapids
Digital Rapids provides market-leading software and hardware solutions, technology and expertise for transforming live and on-demand video to reach wider audiences on the latest viewing platforms more efficiently, more effectively and more profitably. Empowering applications from..more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
