Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 18, 2026

SMATV

SMATV, is a system for supplying and controlling the number and type of communication channels, usually television channels and FM stations to multiple televisions. It provides reception of DBS TV/FM channels for hotels, motels, dormitories, schools, hospitals and commercial properties with multiple tenants. Using a master antenna system video signals, audio signals and decoder signals can be distributed.

Last revised
Jul 18, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Wikipedia ↗

SMATV (single master antenna television or satellite master antenna television),1 is a system for supplying and controlling the number and type of communication channels, usually television channels and FM stations to multiple televisions.2 It provides reception of DBS TV/FM channels for hotels, motels, dormitories, schools, hospitals and commercial properties with multiple tenants. Using a master antenna system video signals, audio signals and decoder signals can be distributed.

Design

It consists of single outdoor unit or antenna feeding multiple receivers.3 Accessible channels can vary by user. Maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio requires a larger antenna, typically 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) in diameter.

A QPSK Digital Satellite Headend by Fracarro. source ↗

A single SMATV headend receives and retransmits satellite television channels throughout a property.4

The system consists of a master antenna and a matching transformer to match the balanced antenna with unbalanced cable and amplifiers.5 Most antennas have an impedance of around 300 Ω. To convert it to 75 Ω, a matching transformer (or balun) is used. For trunk line isolation, a resistive inductive splitter is used. The amplifier output is fed to the splitter through coaxial trunk lines.6

Distribution

Several methods of distribution are supported via SMATV. These include:

The two main approaches for distribution of digital TV signals in SMATV installations are:

References

References

  1. EN 300 473: "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV) distribution systems" (PDF). ISBN 2-7437-1655-X.
  2. View Source vision and security: "Satellite Master Antenna Television System(S.M.A.T.V). Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2014-11-29.
  3. Dennis Roddy. Satellite Communications. pp. 569-. ISBN 978-0-07-007785-0. Retrieved 29 Nov 2014.
  4. Frank Baylin; Steve Berkoff (August 1992). Wireless cable and SMATV. Baylin Publications. ISBN 978-0-917893-17-9. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  5. RG Gupta. Television Engineering and Video Systems. ISBN 0-07-058596-2. Retrieved 29 Nov 2014.
  6. SK Bhattacharya. Electrical Engineering Drawing. ISBN 81-224-0855-9. Retrieved 29 Nov 2014.
  7. Wendy Van den Broeck; J. Pierson (2008). Digital television in Europe. Asp / Vubpress / Upa. pp. 241–. ISBN 978-90-5487-541-3. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  8. Mark Long (1999). Digital Satellite Television Handbook. Newnes. pp. 165–. ISBN 978-0-7506-7171-2. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  9. EN 300 473 V1.1.2: "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Satellite Master Antenna Television (SMATV) distribution systems" (PDF). ISBN 2-7437-1655-X.