What is a Block Upconverter?

A Block upconverter (BUC) is an electronic device that is used to transmit signals from the earth station to a satellite (uplink). It converts a low IF (intermediate frequency) input signal into a high-frequency RF output signal for signal transmission to the satellite. In addition to upconverting the input IF frequency, it also amplifies the transmitting signals. The BUC enables data to travel long distances to reach satellites in geostationary earth’s orbit without compromising the quality of data.

Block upconverter device consists of a mixer, phase-locked loop local oscillator, filter, solid-state power amplifier, and DC-DC converter circuit. In an up-conversion operation, an IF input signal (i.e., modulated signal that contain information to be transmitted) is applied to the block upconverter. The in-built phase locked loop local oscillator (LO) works as a stable frequency source and produces an LO signal. The phase-locked oscillator circuit uses a phase detector, a feedback circuit, and a stable reference frequency source (typically 10 MHz) to maintain the correct transmit frequency.

Block upconverters are ideal for use in satellite up-link applications such as SCPC, DAMA & TDMA VSAT, telephony, airborne  broadband such as DVB-RCS in the satellite IP network, video conferencing & data communications systems with different modulations techniques including BPSK, QPSK, QAM, etc.