Satellite Communications Glossary

Fixed-assigned multiple access (FAMA).  Fixed-assigned multiple access (FAMA) in satellite communications is one of the two main techniques for allocating satellite channels to users. In satellite communications FAMA, each user is allocated a channel permanently, whether they use it or not.

Fixed Satellite Service (FSS).  Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) satellites are employed to relay signals between large, complex and expensive Earth stations.

Footprint.  The area of the Earth covered by the radiation from a satellite is called its footprint.

Forward Error Correction (FEC).  Using forward error correction the satellite communications receiver is able to correct errors itself without reference to the transmitter. It does this by using additional information transmitted along with the data and employing one of the error detection and correction techniques.

Foxtel Satellite.  Foxtel provides a satellite television service in Australia.

Foxtel Satellite Dish.  A Foxtel satellite dish antenna is used to receive Foxtel signals.

Foxtel Satellite Receiver.  A Foxtel satellite receiver takes the signal from a Foxtel satellite dish.

Free Satellite.  A range of free offers are available for satellite services, mostly as incentives to sign up to paid services.

Free-space loss.  In satellite communications, free-space loss is the major loss suffered by signals in travelling over the Earth-satellite path.

Frequency-division multiple access (FDMA).  Frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) in satellite communications divides a satellite communications channel amongst users who are each given their portion of the available channel bandwidth for their permanent use.

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