Autonomous Multiswitches (Star distribution)
The multiswitches are systems to be able to distribute the signal of the four polarities of the satellite to a multitude of users. In short, it is a signal matrix where each user receives the channel that he wants to see. This is possible because the multiswitch needs to receive the signal from the four polarities in four independent cables, for which quattro-type LNBs are used.
The main characteristics of multiswitches are two: the number of inputs and the number of outputs.
- The number of inputs indicates how many satellites it can receive. A 5-input multiswitch can receive a satellite (four polarities) plus the DTT signal that uses it to mix and distribute it together with the satellite signal. One with 9 inputs, can receive two satellites plus DTT, another with 13 inputs is for three satellites plus DTT, and so on.
- The number of outputs indicates how many users will be able to connect to the multiswitch. One of four outputs is for four satellite receivers, one of eight outputs is up to eight receivers, and so on.