If you live in a flat then it is more difficult to have Digital satellite or Digital terrestrial reception than in a normal house as it is against planning regulation to have multiple satellite dishes on a single building and can ruin the appearance of the building. However a single dish can be installed in a discreet location to serve all the flats through a distribution system.
Digital services are in great demand. Already, over 10 million households have acquired digital reception equipment. The Government will progressively switch off analogue broadcast services in different parts of the country in a phased programme through to 2012. Households which do not already have access to digital services must be upgraded before analogue services cease.
IRS is the only communal aerial system that can meet the demand for access to the full range of digital services. It delivers everything to everyone and gives households connected to the system freedom to choose the services that best meets their requirements.
System Types
There are several ways of distributing TV signals in buildings with multiple receivers.
MATV – Master Antenna TV System
For many years communal aerial systems have been designed using a configuration known as “tree and branch” and a variant known as 'loop' In these systems, signals are received via a shared antenna, amplified by a head end amplifier and distributed through a distribution cable to sub-feeds connected to each system outlet. 'Loop' systems are similar in design except that cables are looped through the outlets.
Screening levels in older communal systems are often insufficient for consistently reliable reception of digital services.
SMATV – Satellite Master Antenna TV System
As MATV, but includes satellite signals from central satellite head end.
IRS – Integrated Reception Systems
IRS uses a system configuration known as 'star-wire'; co-axial sub-feeds run from each system outlet to one or more common locations, creating a direct connection between each outlet and the system electronics. For larger sites, a cabled backbone is used to extend the star wire configuration. Star-wired systems have fewer connections between each outlet and the system electronics than other system configurations and are typically more reliable and easier to maintain than systems built to older designs.
When planning a large scale commercial installation, planning the project is the key to success. RF digital has years of experience and knows the most efficient ways of developing multi-point aerial installations.
Networks throughout the system are integral, planning cable routes, containment, outlet locations, slave outlets, outlet types and in house networks. The location of the Antennae also requires great planning with both technical and mechanical requirements, safe access for installation and maintenance and the general aesthetics.
Network
When planning the network layout we need to consider several aspects of the layout to ensure it can work effectively. Our planning stage includes taking the fundamental design and applying it correctly based on the building layout.
- Cable routes
- Containment
- Outlet locations
- Slave outlets
- Outlet types
- In house network
Equipment
The equipment required for the installation of the satellite system includes a controlled power supply and connections to the main aerial from each of the receivers. It is stored in a location which is safe and accessible for maintenance.
- Location and Space
- Power and Earth
- Bonding
- Maintenance
- Switches and Taps
Location
When it comes to planning the location for your satellite aerial we ensure that certain standards are met so that it is accessible for maintenance, secure against weather damage and placed as aesthetically as possible.
- Technical and Mechanical requirements
- Safe access for installation and maintenance
- Aesthetics