B-MAC: An Optimum Format for Satellite Television Transmission

John D. Lowry

This article describes the B-MAC transmission format recently developed for direct broadcast by satellite (DBS) that meets both technical and commercial needs. The custom integrated circuits (ICs) necessary for decoding in this system are expected to be commercially available in the early part of 1985. Requirements beyond satellite transmission include capability of distribution on cable for single-family homes, through satellite master antenna TV systems for multiple dwellings, and via UHF terrestrial broadcast. Other considerations involve encryption of the material, scrambling of the video, teletext facilities, and potential expansion for extended-definition TV (EDTV). Several of the other systems investigated are discussed, together with the reasons for this choice.

Print ISSN
Published
1984-11
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J16834