What is Satellite Radio?

Overview

1worldspace uses its two satellites, AfriStar™ and AsiaStar™, to broadcast digital-quality audio channels to people around the world who want world-class programming that is not available or rarely found on local regional or national terrestrial radio. Each satellite has three beams and each beam is able to send up to 80 channels directly to portable satellite radios. Inside each 1worldspace digital satellite radio is a proprietary chipset designed to lock onto the 1worldspace satellite signal in your region of the world.

No other option provides the variety of programming that 1worldspace offers. Also, each 1worldspace satellite radio is equipped with a data port that transforms it into a wireless modem able to download data to personal computers at rates of up to 128kbps. Thus, the 1worldspace satellite radio can also broadcast multimedia content.

The 1worldspace digital satellite signal means no fading, noise or interference. The system delivers high quality digital sound in a coverage area of 14 million square kilometers. As long as you're in line of sight with the satellite, you'll never lose the 1worldspace signal.

1worldspace Satellites

1worldspace broadcasts from two satellites- AfriStar and AsiaStar, which were successfully launched in October, 1998 and March, 2000, respectively.

1worldspace satellites are "geostationary", orbiting over the globe in fixed positions more than 35,000 kilometers above the equator. Using powerful spot beams, the satellites transmit to three overlapping coverage areas approximately 14 million square kilometers each.

Back on the ground, each satellite is supported by three major components: the Regional Operations Center (ROC); Telemetry, Command and Ranging (TCR) Stations; and Communications System Monitoring (CSM) Stations. Each component plays a major role in ensuring the best possible digital signal is received throughout the 1worldspace System. Twenty-four hour monitoring by our dedicated team of professionals further ensures uninterrupted signal quality.

1worldspace Earth Stations

1worldspace satellites use on-board processing to enable program reception from many stations. Content providers on the 1worldspace system can uplink their programs via the traditional hub method, sending broadcast signals to a central location for transmission to the satellite. A second mode enables use of smaller, more mobile Feeder Link Stations (FLS). Onboard processing technology converts these multiple signals at the satellite, combining them into a single downlink signal before transmitting them back to earth.

1worldspace has engineered the entire infrastructure with redundant systems to ensure consistent and reliable service for our customers.