What is a SATCOM Transceiver?

SATCOM transceiver is used for both transmitting (uplink) and receiving (downlink) operations of satellite-based applications. The transceiver provides a bi-directional communication link between the user terminal and the satellite.

SATCOM transceiver consists of block upconverter (BUC), low-noise block (LNB), and DC power supply. The BUC is the uplink (transmitting) part of the transceiver. The BUC circuit consists of an upconversion mixer, local oscillator, filter, and solid-state power amplifier. The BUC converts a low IF (intermediate frequency) modulation input signal (which contains information to be transmitted) into a high-frequency RF output signal. The BUC also amplifies the transmitting signals, and the amplified signal is transmitted to the SATCOM antenna for signal transmission to the satellite.   

Low noise block (LNB) is the downlink (receiving) part of the transceiver. The LNB circuit consists of filters, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a mixer, a local oscillator, and an IF power amplifier. The LNB receives the microwave signal (a low-power signal) from the SATCOM antenna, amplifies it, and downconverts the received high-frequency RF signal frequency into a low-frequency IF signal.