Nice work, photoman76!
So it is DBS and circular polarization, and not reverse DBS nor FSS. Must be you can't get a digital lock either because of modulation or a new form of encryption.
Ciel 2 Tracking
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So it is DBS and circular polarization, and not reverse DBS nor FSS. Must be you can't get a digital lock either because of modulation or a new form of encryption.
You can still lock a signal even if it is encryption. Just like when they tested E11 at 138 they weren't using a DVB-S signal for testing purposes.
The total E7 downlink load is 5.04 kw with 3.84 kw on Conus and 1.2 kw on spots so Ciel should be fairly robust.
I suspect that Dish planed another satellite at 129 to cover the CONUS. Before the failure of AMC-14 and E2 Dish would have this capacity. Now they have to wait for the replacements at 72 and 77.
I suspect those number represent the actual power being radiated by the sat. Anyone know the efficiency of a satellite?
If their is spare power on E7, why not run the TPs with boosted power (multiple TWTAs)? Or is E7 not configured for such operation?
Expect Ciel 2 to start transmitting to homes in late January, or early Feb at worst. I suppose the earliest date would be 1/15/09. I'd bet later.
They do not control (can not use) all the transponders frequencies at 119. If they moved it to a location where all 32 tps could be used, it would increase the load significantly (the Conus transponders are the ones that suck up power).
I do know that, but can't multiple TWTAs be put in series on each TP they do have to boost power? Maybe they are already doing that. Just seems like a shame to have a 13kw sat using only 5kw of power. Would be nice if that extra power was put to use.
It looks like a carrier without modulation. It would be highly unusual for them to have any digital signals on this "test" of the satellite.
The 16 CONUS TPs on the E-7 satellite are run in double power mode at 240 watts. E-7 has the capability to use all 32 DBS TPs but that would be at 120 watts. In terms of E-7 using only 5.04 kW, that is only the downlink load. There is a significant load running the satellite including the attitude control system, computers, uplink systems etc.
In regards to the Ciel-2 satellite, here is a quote from the FCC filing on it"
"The Ciel 2 satellite includes 48 active and 18 spare linearized TWTAs: Of the active TWTAs, 16 are capable of 110W at saturated power and are dedicated to the spot beams; 16 are 130W saturated power and are dedicated to either the spot beams or the Canadian wide area beam, and 16 are 240W saturated power, dedicated to either the Canadian or CONUS wide area beams."
This gives a total of (16)(110) + (16)(130) = 3840 watts or 3.84 kW possible for spotbeams. For 145 spotbeams this would only allow about 26.5 watts per spotbeam. I was under the impression that DBS spotbeams usually take about 50 - 65 watts each but perhaps they can be done with less or maybe redundancy was built into the satellite with extra spotbeam TPs. I am surprised that the 240 watt TWTAs can not be used for spotbeams as well.
Break it down ever more for us that have no clue what you are saying, how many channels is that per transponder? 
Break it down ever more for us that have no clue what you are saying, how many channels is that per transponder?
Nothing new...the same as before. 7 MPEG4 HD's per TP. Back off on a HD or two and they can add a few SD's to the TP too.
The best thing goings is that it's going to be a big number , both for Conus and spotbeam and the West will no longer be a stepchild.
TWTA Output vs Input Power
The power figures (120 Watts, 240 Watts, etc) being quoted is OUTPUT power from the TWTA’s. I guessing the TWTA’s are about 50% efficient, so for 120 Watt OUTPUT, the required DC INPUT power will be 240 Watts. If the total output power from all the TWTA’s is 5kW, the DC input power from the batteries and solar panels needs to be 10kW. Assuming the total output power of the solar panels is 13kW, that only leaves 3kW to run the other systems on the satellite (uplink receivers, TT&C transponders, on-board computers, attitude control, etc). Not a lot left over.
The power figures (120 Watts, 240 Watts, etc) being quoted is OUTPUT power from the TWTA’s. I guessing the TWTA’s are about 50% efficient, so for 120 Watt OUTPUT, the required DC INPUT power will be 240 Watts. If the total output power from all the TWTA’s is 5kW, the DC input power from the batteries and solar panels needs to be 10kW. Assuming the total output power of the solar panels is 13kW, that only leaves 3kW to run the other systems on the satellite (uplink receivers, TT&C transponders, on-board computers, attitude control, etc). Not a lot left over.
Just took a look at tonight's TLE update and nothing new popped up. That's 15 days since the last one. Ciel should start moving on to 129 anytime now.
Whelp... I have a service call into Dish to repoint my 61.5 to 77 to pick up my HD locals (minus FOX...Bummer...). Going to hook up the 129 LNB Sunday when they arrive to see what happens... Will report the results..
Everyone should be able to check out the signals on 129 from Ciel-2 once it is at 129 and lit up, right? If so what TPs to look for?
I highly doubt they will transfer traffic before then.
Watch the uplink report for any shuffling of channels. They are going to move them out of the way for the spotbeam testing.
