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RKF has an ongoing contract with DirecTV in support of system engineering tasks such as software development and regulatory services. RKF developed the top level design for DirecTV 10 & 11 satellites for the delivery of high definition television. RKF also optimized the coverage of the Spaceway phased array antenna and channel allocation within current Ku-band satellites. In addition to television satellites, RKF provided system engineering support to DirecTV for the development of a national WiMax system by working on hardware systems and channel simulators to predict performance as well as attending IEEE 802.16 meetings in support of standards development. A detailed summary of task work RKF performed for DirecTV is provided in the table shown below:
| Task |
Description |
| Satellite Design and Optimization |
- RKF developed the top level design for DirecTV 10 & 11 satellites for the delivery of high definition television
- Optimized the coverage of the Spaceway phased array antenna
- Optimized the channel allocation within current Ku-band satellites
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| Reduced orbit spacing and DBS earth terminal pointing accuracy |
- RKF studied DBS earth terminal pointing accuracy as it affects spacing between satellites in the GEO arc
- National measurements of installed earth terminals were performed to verify analyses
- These studies led to the development of a new more accurate terminal pointing mechanism
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| MVDDS |
- Cost / benefit analysis of the technology for local broadcast
- Evaluation of potential interference to DBS service
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| SlimLine Pointing Error Measurement |
- Field testing and analysis of the Ka Band SlimLine antenna units to evaluate installation capabilities and error issues
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| UWB |
- Cost / benefit analysis of the technology for home video distribution
- Evaluation of potential interference to C-band satellite terminals
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| Terrestrial Interference |
- Evaluated potential interference to the DirecTV network from FS systems
- Assisted in planning and clearing efforts
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