Hiltron Communications, one of Europes leading providers of satellite and microwave communication equipment and systems, reports the successful completion of a major project for Algerias state broadcaster, Télédiffusion dAlgérie (TDA).
p>Hiltron Communications, one of Europes leading providers of satellite and microwave communication equipment and systems, reports the successful completion of a major project for Algerias state broadcaster, Télédiffusion dAlgérie (TDA).
"This contract forms a key element of TDA's transition to digital satellite transmission," explains Michael Schiestl, Managing Director of Hiltron Communications.
"It includes the design, installation and implementation of a VSAT network with a 2.4 metre two-way antenna at numerous sites plus corresponding equipment at the Bouchaoui teleport near the capital city of Algiers. In addition to the antennas, we have supplied 4 W block upconverters, satellite modems and encoders/decoders including power supply units, RF accessories and signal monitors. Overall system control is based on the Hiltron HCS3 platform in conjunction with Visionic network management system. Algeria is a huge country, the second largest in Africa, so linking the various sites by satellite was by far the most practical and economical solution."
A modular system based on a 2 U chassis, Hiltron's HCS3 platform can be operated remotely or via an optional touch-sensitive LCD display mounted on the front panel for local control. It has two communication card slots (A1 and A13), one of which is normally equipped with a network interface card module providing an Ethernet interface. The remaining 11 interface connection slots (A2 to A12) can be equipped with hot-pluggable card modules currently comprising: Monitoring, control and power supply for fibre optic modules; fibre optic N:1 switchover systems; LNB redundancy systems for C-band and Ku-band; HPA redundancy systems; Redundancy systems for DVB MPEG encoders/modulators/IRDs; Other applications for monitor and control. The HCS3 can be equipped with single or dual AC or DC power supplies.
Algeria commenced colour television broadcasting in 1972, commissioning its first satellite earth station in 1990 for the exchange of programmes between fellow EBU members via Eutelsat. TDA itself was established in 1991. Its output includes three television channels (La Chaîne 1, Canal Algérie and A3) and four radio stations (Channels 1, 2 and 3 plus Radio Algérie Internationale). TDA plans to make its Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) service accessible both in the urban areas and in Algeria's most rural regions. Content is delivered to the DTT redistribution sites via Eutelsat's Atlantic Bird 3.
Hiltron Communications is a leading system-integrator, manufacturer and distributor in the field of broadcast-quality satellite and microwave communication. The company offers complete satellite-uplink systems, VSAT systems, TVRO systems for cable head-ends or terrestrial retransmission, IPTV head-end systems, DVB-T encoding and multiplexing systems, and mobile microwave links. In its manufacturing role, Hiltron produces L-Band splitters and matrix systems, antenna positioners, de-ice controllers, main/redundant system switches, fibre-optic and wave guide system controllers, remote monitoring system controllers (including SNMP), satellite uplink/downlink antennas, plus relevant electrical and mechanical subcomponents. Hiltron also distributes satellite modems, microwave amplifiers, transceivers, block upconverters, DVB codecs, multiplexers, LNAs and a range of wave guide equipment.
