Legacy multiswitches operate in the 950 to 2150 MHz range and together with a Quatro LNB allow for distribution of DVB-S/S2 satellite programming, DVB-T terrestrial broadcasts, analog FM/digital DAB radio broadcasts from one master antenna set to many DVB-S/S2 receivers, TVs, stereos. The job of a multiswitch is to enable any satellite receiver in the system to tune to any satellite channel (polarization/band pair) across the whole range of satellite reception. For this purpose, such a receiver sends via its input and coaxial cable suitable commands (14/18 V supply voltage, 0/22 kHz switching tone, and, in the case of 9-input multiswitches, DiSEqC control signal). The result of the commands is the selection of the adequate input of the multiswitch connected to its output (connected with the input of the receiver).
The separation of the satellite and terrestrial signals is done by subscriber outlets with satellite (SAT), terrestrial (TV) and radio (R) sockets. The satellite path, including the outlet, has to pass 14/18 VDC voltage as well as 22 kHz and DiSEqC control signals from the satellite receiver to the multiswitch or LNB. In the case of twin-tuner receivers/DVRs, each LNB IN of such a receiver has to be connected to separate satellite path i.e. to two outlets or to outlet with two independent SAT sockets (using two outputs of the multiswitch).
The idea of legacy multiswitch systems
The typical multiswitches have 4, 8, 12, 16, 24 or 32 outputs. The outputs have to be directly connected (via individual cables and outlets) with inputs of the receivers/STBs - there is no possibility of splitting the signals due to the need for direct two-way communication between each receiver and multiswitch. Simply, to receive the required channel, the receiver has to control the multiswitch. In the case of twin-tuner PVRs or multi-room service, each tuner/receiver has to be connected to separate output of the multiswitch.
The new dSCR series of multiswitches from TERRA employs single-cables technology (Unicable) that allows for distribution of DVB-S/S2, DVB-T, DAB and FM signals via single coaxial cable. The dSCR acronym means digital Satellite Cable Router, sometimes called channel stacking switch, which converts the received satellite signals to so-called user bands (UBs) that can be received by the connected receivers compliant with the technology. The converted transponders are combined and sent via the single coaxial cable to all the receivers. The communication between the dSCR multiswitch and the receivers uses special protocol defined in the EN50494 (Unicable I) and/or EN50607 (Unicable II) standard, with DiSEqC commands.
So, the biggest advantage of the single-cable system, along with simpler installation of the cabling, is the ability to easily split the signals, similarly to terrestrial TV/radio signals. This also means the possibility to adapt installations distributing terrestrial television signals to the reception and distribution of satellite channels (the number of users connected to one dSCR multiswitch is limited by its characteristics).
Each satellite receiver in the installation has an assigned User Band (UB) with bandwidth approximately the same as a satellite transponder. The receiver determines which input frequency from the Ku band is selected and converted to the UB. The selection is performed with DiSEqC command from the receiver (from among up to 8 signals that can be delivered by one cable - EN50494, or from among up to 32 signals - EN50607.
Example installation distributing satellite and terrestrial programming, based on Unicable technology
In the diagram below, the master antenna set contains A2670 and A0140 terrestrial antennas. Of course, these can be replaced with any antennas receiving FM, DAB, DVB-T broadcasts. The MX-062 R82006 masthead amplifier has three inputs with individual gain adjustment: FM (88-108 MHz)/VHF (174-230 MHz) and 2x UHF (470-790 MHz). The UHF path is equipped with LTE 800 filter. Thanks to the application of the A98257 quatro LNB and TERRA SRM-521 R80521 multiswitch, the combined satellite and FM/DVB-T signals can be provided to all the 32 Signal R-TV-SAT R694100 outlets from a single coaxial line. The necessary condition for independent reception of satellite channels via each outlet is the use of satellite receivers supporting Unicable protocol defined in the EN50607 standard (in the case of a system with up to 8 outlets they should support at least the EN50494 standard).
Manufacturers of satellite receivers/STBs increasingly implement Unicable solutions. In many cases, legacy receivers/STBs which have not been originally provided with that option can be adapted to it by firmware update. The diagram above shows an example installation based on cascadable single cable multiswitches SRM-521 R80521.
Setup of TERRA SRM-521 single-cable multiswitch
The SRM-521 R80521 multiswitch has 5 inputs (four polarization/band pairs (VL–HL–VH–HH) plus passive terrestrial TV) and 2 outputs: dSCR OUT (allowing for independent operation of up to 32 SAT dSCR receivers/STBs fed via one coaxial cable) and Legacy OUT (typical SAT output like in Universal LNBs or standard (legacy) multiswitches for connecting a legacy SAT TV receiver). By default, the SRM521 R80521 multiswitch is configured in dynamic mode, with dSCR OUT operating as Unicable port and Legacy OUT as universal (legacy) port that switches into Unicable mode after receiving DiSEqC command from a receiver/STB (compliant with EN50494 or EN50607 standard). It means that each of the two outputs of the multiswitch can independently feed up to 16 receivers (in the EN50607 standard). The default settings of the SRM-521 R80521 multiswitch are presented in the table below.
The table shows the default settings of the SRM-521 multiswitch (operation mode - DYNAMIC, 16+16 User Bands, Bandwidth, Level), which can be modified by the dedicated PC102W R80561 programmer.
Wireless access via WiFi from any device (tablet, smartphone, laptop, PC) with a web browser allows for quick and intuitive configuration of TERRA dSCR multiswitches (selection of static or dynamic mode - Type, User Bands - UB, Bandwidth, Level , PIN).
Configuration of a satellite receiver for Unicable (EN50494) system (DVB-S/S2 receiver Ferguson Ariva 103)
There are many models of satellite receivers available on the market today. Not all of them support SCR/UNICABLE system compliant with EN50494 and/or EN50607 standard. In the case of implementing solutions based on the standards, all receivers that will be used by subscribers must support SCR/UNICABLE technology. A list of popular satellite receivers available on the Polish market and supporting single-cable multiswitches is provided below:
Ferguson:
- Ferguson Ariva 53
- Ferguson Ariva 103
- Ferguson Ariva 203
- Ferguson Ariva 153 Combo
- Ferguson Ariva 253 Combo
- Ferguson Ariva 4K Black
- Ferguson Ariva 4K Combo Black
- Decoder HD 5000
- Decoder
- EVOBOX PVR
- BOX+
- mediaBOX+
- turboBOX+
- wifi Premiumbox+
The following example illustrates the configuration of the Ferguson Ariva 103 A99371 receiver allowing for operation in installations with single-cable multiswitches of TERRA dSCR series.
The user interface of the DVB-S/S2 receiver Ariva 103 provides a wide range of settings and functions. Some functions can be activated directly by pressing suitable keys of its remote control. The main function keys are described (e.g. Guide, MENU, OK) or marked with colors. The operations described below should be performed with the use of the remote control.
Press MENU key and select the Installation menu (see below).
The Installation menu is used for antenna system adjustments and searching for satellites and transponders.
Select the appropriate kind of antenna with left/right arrows (here: Fixed Antenna, typical for one satellite position).
Select the desired satellite(s) by scrolling the list with up and down arrows and marking your choice(s) with green key (Add). Further operations will apply only to the selected satellites.
With BACK key return to the Installation menu and select Antenna Setup item. This position is used to set antenna parameters for the previously selected satellite(s), depending on the antenna system. Select the Satellite with left/right arrows.
Installation --> Antenna Setup menu (in the LNB Freq position select the Unicable(9750-10600) option)
By default, there is Universal (9750-10600) option there, so it has to be changed to (Unicable 9750-10600). Two additional options, Unicable IFs (green key) and Unicable IF, allow for configuration of User Bands.
Press the red key to display the Centre Freq of User Bands. The possibility of adjustment of SCR/Unicable User Bands is not always available in other receivers. In such a case, suitable changes have to be made in the multiswitch(es) to achieve conformity with the receivers.
In the case of Ariva 103 receivers, the Unicable IFs option (access via green key) allows for selection of SCR/Unicable IF Channel for each of up to eight receivers in the system (EN50494), from among twelve available channels.
Signal Intensity and Signal Quality indicator lines show whether the signal ensures stable reception. By using Transponder option, check all signals and polarizations. Return to Installation menu with Back key.
Select Installation --> Single Satellite Search menu. Choose the desired satellite (with left/right arrows) from among the previously selected ones.
Installation --> Single Satellite Search menu
The menu provides options for searching FTA or all available channels, TV or Radio, or TV + Radio channels. There are three scanning modes:
- Blind Scan – automatic scanning of available satellite band and automatic channel search,
- TP – scanning by transponder list (the list for a given satellite is editable in a separate menu),
- Fast Scan – the receiver searches for channels of a selected service provider. New channels can be added to an existing list or the old can be replaced by new ones. Please note that the search result and the functionality of this feature are completely dependent on the provider.