What Is IRD ? How IRDs Works In Digital Headend System & Its Features ?

what is ird

Introduction

Although there are lot of equipemts used in Digital Headends they are increasing rapidly. New and compact devices are launching in the market which makes the headend architecture more compact.

Where IRD plays very important role in it when we talk about Digital Headend Equipments.

So today in this article we are going to cover What Is IRD ? What are its types, How It Works and Features of it .

What Is IRD ?

what is integrated receiver decoder harmonic ird

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IRD stands for Integrated Receiver Decoder. It is also called Integrated Receiver Descrambler. A IRD receives the RF Signal then Demodulate it and then Decode it.

A IRD can decode FTA and PAY channels both. For decoding of Pay Channels you need to use Professional CAM Module. You need to insert the VC Card in Professional CAM Module then insert the CAM Module in jack of IRD.

There are two types of IRDs,

(1) Professional IRDs

Professional IRDs are used in Headend Systems where received RF signal is demodulated and decoded then re-broadcasted for customers.

Professional IRD have various advanced features in it. It have various RF input ports and various output ports like HDMI, IP, ASI Signal and SDI Signal etc. It provides MPTS or SPTS IP output.

Previously IRDs were capable for 2 channel RF which can provide approximate 24 channels. But now 8 channel Capable IRDs also available in the market.

This 8 channel professional IRD can provide you 40 or more than that TV Channels. So it is compact and power efficient device for headend.

Professional IRDs are expensive.

(2) Consumer IRDs

Consumer IRDs represents the Set Top Boxes. These consumer IRDs are used by end users.

Consumer IRDs are cheaper than Professional IRDs. It have very less number of features comparative to professional IRDs.

How IRDs Works In Digital Headend System ?

how ird works

As shown above in the figure IRD receive the IF signal (950-2150 MHz) to its RF Tuner port.

After that the received signal is demodulated by demodulator. This demodulated signal goes into the decoder for decoding of signal. Thus tv channels are received by output port of IRD.

This output port can IP and ASI. You can also get MPTS or SPTS streams at output. That totally depends upon your headend configuration.

Its operating temperature can vary in between 0 degree Celsius to 45 degree Celsius. It consume power approx 70 Watt. It generally have 8 RF input ports and 8 Loop Out for them.

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What Are Features Of Integrated Receiver Decoder ?

(1) Large number of channels can be received by single IRD due to Multiple RF Input ports which can be 8 Channels RF port.

(2) MPTS or SPTS can be received Over IP

(3) HD & SD channels can be received.

(4) It does support PID Mapping.

(5) Compact and power efficient device

(6) FTA and PAY channels both are supported.

(7) ASI and IP both outputs are supported.

(8) Web Management Supported

(9) LCD panel is also available to configure it

(10) It does support Satellite Radio services

(11) It does support CBR & VBR

Conclusion Of IRD

A IRD is used for DVBS/S2 reception and provides FTA or PAY Tv channels with the help of IP , SDI or ASI Ouptut ports.

It is a single device responsible for receiving multiple number of channels which can be 40 or more than that. IRD is also capable of receiving Radio Channels.

One thing which we need to keep in mind that if you are using 8 channel RF port IRD then if in case any power fault is found in this IRD then your all 40 services will go down simultaneously.

We recommend that never put large number of services on a single device.

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