and Ka bands exist in the 11 to 17 GHz, and 20 to 30 GHz frequency ranges respectively. There is a relationship between transmission frequencies, wavelength size, and antennas or dish size. The higher the frequency, the smaller the wavelength and accordingly, the smaller the dish. Conversely, a lower frequency corresponds to a larger wavelength which in turn requires a larger dish. C-band antenna size is generally 2-3 meters in diameter whereas the Ku-band antenna can be as small as 18 inches in diameter. Ku is the band of choice for many home DSS systems in use today.The majority of satellites presently circling the globe today are in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO). These satellites are positioned at a point 22,238 miles above the earth’s surface. As the Geosynchronous title implies, these satellites circle the globe once every 24 hours, completing one orbit for every earth rotation. In relative view from the earth, the satellites appear to be stationary, remaining in a fixed position. It is for this reason that these satellites are also occasionally called Geostationary Satellites. (There is a difference between the two terms, however. Geosynchronous orbits can be circular or elliptical, whereas Geostationary orbits must be circular and located above the earth’s equator.) This GEO orbit allows the satellite dishes located on the earth to be aimed at the orbiting satellite once, without requiring continual repositioning. A satellite in this type of orbit can provide a coverage footprint equal to 40% of the earth’s surface. Therefore, three evenly spaced Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellites (120 angular degrees apart) can provide complete transmission coverage for the entire civilized world. In recent years, technological innovations have paved the way for new types of satellite orbits and designs. One of these new orbits is called Medium Earth Orbit. (MEO) Satellites in this type of orbit are loca...
