Background
Contemporary TV broadcasting fuses entertainment, information and education on an unprecedented level, delivered immediately, with a global reach and at the highest possible quality. To stay ahead of this demanding game, the leading media company in the Bulgarian market, bTV Media Group, keeps up to date with every socioeconomic and technological trend. The successful management of its Satellite Ground Control Station equipment is crucial for bTV’s broadcast operations.
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bTV Media Group awarded Orbital Connect as a primary contractor to renew and upgrade its Satellite Ground System. The project aims to achieve two main objectives:
The replacement, installation and configuration of diverse RF components within the existing satellite ground equipment infrastructure; and
The setup of new Ku-Band satellite antenna systems.
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bTV Media Group is part of CME, a broadcast bTV Media Group’s portoflio of services includes television channels, readio stations, digital platforms and movie production distribution. It is one of the most trusted sources of inforamtrion and entertainment in the Bulgarian media market. |
Project Goals
1. RF Component Replacement and Infrastructure Upgrade
To achieve this goal, the company’s engineering team managed the complex technical tasks of replacement, installation, and configuration of the equipment, ensuring a synchronized supply of RF components from multiple world-leading manufacturers despite the challenges posed by the global supply chain crisis.
2. Installation of New Satellite Antenna Systems
The second objective was the installation of two new KU-Band satellite antenna systems. These antennas operate within the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and receive satellite signals including free TV, encrypted TV channels and date from predetermined space orbital slots.
The Challenge
The project’s technical complexity stemmed from the necessity to replace many diverse RF components and integrate them with existing infrastructure. Orbital Connect took a holistic approach to address the challenges and formulated a comprehensive technical execution plan based on an on-site survey and consultations with the client. Sound planning was the foundation of making the right decisions on specific product features and it significantly depended on the precise engineering knowledge and experience of the Orbital connect team.
Solution
The scope of the fieldwork involved the installation of 1.8m and 2.4m receive-only satellite antennas, replacement of actuators, low-noise block downconverters and RF feeds for existing 1.8m, 2.4m and 3m satellite antennas. Installation of de-ice system for existing satellite antennas. Pointing and precise positioning of the existing satellite antennas, installation of cable trays and conduits, configuration of the installed equipment, wiring power supply monitoring and testing.
“We successfully supplied all the items on time due to the professional support and cooperation with our partners. Companies like Norsat, Global Skyware and CPI kept their exact standards even during this challenging time,” said Krasimir Terziev, Director of Business Development of Orbital Connect.
Benefits
By awarding the primary contract to Orbital Connect, bTV Media Group benefited from a single sourcing solution that integrated all engineering, installation and testing . bTV Media Group was able to upgrade their systems with the latest technology from the world’s leading brands and seamlessly synchronized it with their existing infrastructure.
“bTV Media Group will continue to cooperate with Orbital Connect since the company offers a complete solution and participated actively in every phase of the project, from analysis and evaluation to implementation and configuration,” said a member of bTV’s technical department.
