Multiswitch


A multiswitch is a device used with a dual or quattro LNB to distribute satellite TV signals to multiple receivers from a single dish and LNB.
A typical Ku band universal LNB designed for the European market can be switched between four modes selected by signals from the receiver. This means that each receiver needs a separate feed and twin-tuner receivers need two separate feeds. For small numbers of receivers a multi-output LNB is used and all the feeds are taken straight from the LNB but there is a limit to the number of outputs that can reasonably be placed on a LNB.
So for larger installations a quattro LNB is used in conjunction with a multiswitch. The quattro LNB provides the signals for all four of the modes at the same time. The multiswitch then selects which of these signals to send to each receiver. For very large installations the signals from the LNB can be split and fed to more than one multiswitch. Typically a larger dish is used to make up for the extra losses in the longer cable runs and the multiswitches.
Some multiswitches can also mix in terrestrial TV and FM radio signals which can then be split out again by a special faceplate. Such Integrated Reception Systems allows satellite, TV and radio service to be supplied down a single cable saving on installation costs.
Multiswitches are commonly installed on or in blocks of flats to allow all the residents to receive satellite TV without having to have a separate dish for every resident.

Variations

Some multiswitches only have two inputs, in this case, depending on the voltage supplied by the receiver; either horizontal or vertical polarisation is selected.
North American frequency assignments differ from those used in Europe and other countries. Typically, the lower half of the Ku band contains communications satellites and free-to-air or ethnic-language programming, using linearly-polarised LNBs; the upper half of the Ku band contains circular-polarised direct broadcast satellite signals.
As North American DBS providers are notorious for forcing proprietary "package" receivers on their subscribers, often with no ability to tune outside the one pay-TV package, the wideband "quattro LNB" able to tune multiple distinct Ku band frequency ranges is uncommon. Most LNB's only have the frequency range needed to tune one DBS provider's signal.
The common LNB types are:
The implications for North American DBS multiswitch selection are: