Satellite: what does "transponder" mean?

[d1abolic]

On the DishNetwork installation screen, there is a textbox with a number in it, it is labeled "Transponder". What does that do?

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Just think of a transponder as a TV channel... Waay back, c-band satellites had 24 transponders (channels), every other channel was vertically or horizontally polarized.. Then on top of that every other satellite was also polarized.. ahh I digress... just think "channel"..

 

[Ryan]

I haven't got the slightest idea

 

[johneetrash]

its what rachel thinks chandler does for a living

 

[Joemonkey]

johneetrash you're thinking of a "transponster"

cue monica "That's not even a word!!!"

 

[johneetrash]

i know.. i ahve it on dvd.. but it's close enough, no?

 

[Joemonkey]

hehe yeah, but how sad are we for actually knowing that... sigh...

 

[sohcrates]

Basically, a transponder receives incoming signals over a range, or band, of frequencies, and retransmit the signals on a different band so as to avoid intereference. think of a satellite as a repeater in the sky

each transponder can be divided up according to how much bandwidth the user needs

often, satellites will carry extra ones in case the primary transponders malfunction