First of all, it appears this is just a prototype, not a real product yet. But that said, it's an interesting idea. If I'm understanding correctly, they are proposing to do the conversion from satellite signal to IP stream right at the LNB. So rather than run something like an RG-6/U cable from the LNB to a receiver or tuner card, etc., the tuning functions would be built right into the LNB and the resulting stream would be send over (presumably outdoor-rated) Cat 5e or similar cable back to a network switch or router. This of course raises a couple of issues, such as how do you provide adequate lightning protection, and how do you move the dish (I'm guessing this is primarily designed for fixed dishes), but if this device is fully developed it could take satellite technology to the next level.
Read the rest of the press release here. I just thought this was really interesting, and maybe something to keep an eye on.
Quote:
New IP-LNB delivers satellite broadcast content to TVs, tablets, smartphones and PCs connected to the home IP network
LUXEMBOURG – SES Industry Days Conference - April 19, 2013 – SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), Inverto, Abilis and MaxLinear Inc. (NYSE: MXL) today announced that they have been jointly designing an essential component for cost-effective IP distribution of satellite television to the home – the first low-noise block down-converter (LNB) that will incorporate eight-channel satellite-to-IP bridging technology.
The IP-LNB is a prototype device that will deliver eight concurrent channels from any of the transponders of a satellite orbital position. These channels may be forwarded via IP unicast or multicast to fixed and portable devices. Satellite signals will be distributed via Ethernet, power-line communications (PLC) or a Wi-Fi local area network (LAN). The technology can be used for free-to-air (FTA) or pay TV applications.
“The IP-LNB will give satellite television providers and consumers new options for distributing unmatched quality satellite television to multiple TVs, computers and tablets over IP at the lowest cost,” said Thomas Wrede, Vice President of SES Reception Systems. “When we committed ourselves to making SAT>IP an open standard, we envisioned this type of innovation. It is exciting to see it now come to fruition.”
The LNB is a crucial element of a satellite system, receiving signals collected by the satellite dish, amplifying and converting them to intermediate frequencies to be carried to the set-top box (STB).
By locating the satellite reception and the IP bridging functions in the antenna, the IP-LNB will enable satellite content distribution to the home over a single Ethernet cable. The IP-LNB may be powered over that same cable through Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology, greatly reducing the overall system cost and power consumption.
