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Sat-IP

Sat-IP is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Sat-IP rather than just read about it. In short: SAT>IP (or Sat-IP) specifies an IP-based client–server communication protocol for a TV gateway in which SAT>IP servers, connected to one or more DVB broadcast sources, send the program selected and requested by a SAT>IP client over an IP-based local area network in either unicast for the one requesting client or multicast in one datastream for several SAT>IP clients. While the system, originating from the DBS satell…

Sat-IP — main illustration
Sat-IP — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Sat-IP belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Sat-IP to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Sat-IP from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

SAT>IP (or Sat-IP) specifies an IP-based client–server communication protocol for a TV gateway in which SAT>IP servers, connected to one or more DVB broadcast sources, send the program selected and requested by a SAT>IP client over an IP-based local area network in either unicast for the one requesting client or multicast in one datastream for several SAT>IP clients. While the system, originating from the DBS satellite operator SES, is originally geared towards receiving and distributing satellite broadcasts in DVB-S or DVB-S2 encoding, SAT>IP also specifies formats for the SAT>IP client request to specify programs broadcast via DVB-C and DVB-T. Only the SAT>IP servers need tuning hardware and software specific to the DVB-broadcast system(s) being used; SAT>IP clients can be any IP-enabled client multimedia device – Tablets, PCs, laptops, Smartphones, “connected” TVs, video game consoles, media players or others. The main difference of SAT>IP to other IP-based multi-media distribution systems such as IP-TV and DLNA is that the SAT>IP client does not select a program from a server specific list, but has to specify the DVB reception parameters such as the signal source (typically the satellite number in a DiSEqC switch), frequency, polarisation, Modulation system and type, the wanted PIDs and others. The SAT>IP client would rely for this on an Extended M3U Channel list. The SAT>IP protocol is standardized as CENELEC EN50585.

History SES unveiled and demonstrated SAT>IP at the fifth annual SES Industry Days conference 2012, showing the distribution of satellite programmes over CAT5 Ethernet, Power Line, plastic optical fibre and WiFi networks. The first devices implementing the SAT>IP protocol became available in 2012. In February 2021 the alliance announced it was putting activities on hold. As of July 2024 the official SAT>IP website has gone offline along with its services providing metadata to SAT>IP clients.

Overview SAT>IP is particularly aimed at satellite TV distribution in the home but can be applied to large multi-dwelling and hospitality reception systems too. Conventional satellite TV reception systems convert the received transmissions to an intermediate frequency (IF) for distribution via dedicated coaxial cables to one or more satellite tuners and demodulators in set-top boxes. SAT>IP allows the satellite TV distribution to share a data network and enables display and viewing of the signals on any multimedia IP device equipped with suitable software. Multiple SAT>IP servers and clients can operate on the same network with both free-to-air and encrypted pay-TV transmissions. The intention of the SAT>IP Project is to make SAT>IP an international standard that can be widely implemented worldwide and compatible across manufacturers and operators. The SAT>IP protocol was developed jointly by the SAT>IP Project partners, satellite operator SES, UK broadcaster BSkyB, and Danish TV software company Craftwork. Prototype SAT>IP equipment and the first certified SAT>IP converter was developed by Inverto Digital Labs, a Luxembourg-based Set Top Box and software designer. SAT>IP is a license free technology available to all manufacturers.

SAT>IP Alliance In April 2015, at the Las Vegas NAB Show, six satellite operators and equipment manufacturers announced the formation of the SAT>IP Alliance, a coalition to develop compatible hardware and software for SAT>IP technology. At this time, the SAT>IP Alliance founding members were SES, Hispasat, Panasonic, Nagra, ALi Corporation, and MaxLinear. In September 2015, Eutelsat joined the SAT>IP Alliance as a founder member and the third satellite operator. In May 2017 Irdeto and Verimatrix joined. As of April 2019, the SAT>IP Alliance members are:

satellite operators: Eutelsat Hispasat SES Conditional access system vendors: Irdeto Nagra Verimatrix other: Arcadyan MaxLinear Panasonic Zinwell The SAT>IP Alliance's declared aim is to an open, non-profit industry alliance to promote and further develop SAT>IP. In September 2017, the DVB consortium of broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators, software developers, and regulators announced an agreement with the SAT>IP Alliance on the future development of the SAT>IP specification and that future promotion of the technology will be conducted jointly, allowing the overall DVB community to contribute to SAT>IP features and services. In February 2021 the SAT>IP Alliance announced that as the SAT>IP technology is well established and technical development now forms part of the DVB Home Broadcasting Standard, it has "put its activities on hold", although the SAT>IP Alliance website would remain open as an information resource for manufacturers and operators.

SAT>IP server

The SAT>IP server removes the RF tuner and demodulator from the client device, providing their functions as a common resource of the IP network. The server will typically contain two or more tuners to serve several clients with different channels simultaneously. It converts the satellite TV signals to IP in their broadcast quality, transparently without any transcoding, effectively removing the DVB-S/S2 layer and replacing it with an IP transport layer. This process can happen in a master STB (even as an addition to conventional receiver operation), in a distribution device analogous to an IF multiswitch positioned close to the antenna, or even at the antenna itself in the LNB (an IP-LNB).

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Sat-IP: Example of a SAT>IP server: Telestar R1 A connecting to four satellite LNB feeds and an Ethernet connection to distribute satellite TV programs around the network.
Example of a SAT>IP server: Telestar R1 A connecting to four satellite LNB feeds and an Ethernet connection to distribute satellite TV programs around the network.
Sat-IP: SAT>IP reception over a Wi-Fi home network from a Telestar R1 server and fixed dish on a Nexus 7 Android tablet using Elgato SAT>IP app.
SAT>IP reception over a Wi-Fi home network from a Telestar R1 server and fixed dish on a Nexus 7 Android tablet using Elgato SAT>IP app.
Sat-IP: The Telestar B1 client receiver displays SAT>IP channels from a SAT>IP server as well as acting as a media player for data from the USB and SD sockets in the side of the unit.
The Telestar B1 client receiver displays SAT>IP channels from a SAT>IP server as well as acting as a media player for data from the USB and SD sockets in the side of the unit.
Sat-IP: The rear panel of the Telestar B1 client receiver showing the HDMI, S/PDIF, and AV jack outputs, USB for PVR recording and the Ethernet connection to the IP network.
The rear panel of the Telestar B1 client receiver showing the HDMI, S/PDIF, and AV jack outputs, USB for PVR recording and the Ethernet connection to the IP network.
Sat-IP: The Android Elgato SAT>IP app running on a Nexus 7 receiving channels and EPG data from a Telesar R1 SAT>IP server.
The Android Elgato SAT>IP app running on a Nexus 7 receiving channels and EPG data from a Telesar R1 SAT>IP server.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Sat-IP

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Sat-IP claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Sat-IP before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Sat-IP ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Sat-IP

In research
Sat-IP appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Sat-IP in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Sat-IP is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Audiovisual introductions in 2012, Communications protocols, Consumer electronics, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Sat-IP outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Sat-IP in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Sat-IP means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Sat-IP out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sat-IP in simple terms?

SAT>IP (or Sat-IP) specifies an IP-based client–server communication protocol for a TV gateway in which SAT>IP servers, connected to one or more DVB broadcast sources, send the program selected and requested by a SAT>IP client over an IP-based local area network in either unicast for the one reques…

Why does Sat-IP matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Sat-IP?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Sat-IP.

Tags

  • Audiovisual introductions in 2012
  • Communications protocols
  • Consumer electronics
  • Satellite broadcasting

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