Spaceborne Transmitter for Direct Color Television Transmission from Satellites

The proposed VisTa satellite and transmitter design is based on a modest extension of present-day technology in order that an operational system could be realized by 1970. The transponder configuration is similar in concept and design to those traditionally used in standard broadcast transmitters. Consequently, the performance in terms of bandwidth, linearity, and distortion will be similar to terrestrial equipment for monochrome and color transmission. Although the transmitter power is limited by the capability of the Titan III-3 launch vehicle, the minimum SNR at the prescribed home receiver will be 33 dB for a monochrome signal and 1 or 2 dB less for a color signal.