The satellite transponder capacity, as well as the national operating system equipment located in Washington, DC, is a component of the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS) The PRSS includes more than 400 downlinks, and provides service to more than 200 program producers and distributors.
Many additional stations also receive programming sent over the satellite through local connections with downlink stations or through the ContentDepot portal. Located at NPR headquarters in Washington, DC, the Network Operations Center (NOC) is our state of-the-art system control and routing center for audio and data transmissions as well as the master uplink for PRSS programming.
Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) is a dependable satellite delivery system that was pioneered by NPR Distribution. SCPC includes many features such as audio, compressed video, and data capability as well as both digital and analog signals. Clients are able to uplink from anywhere in the US, providing greater flexibility, and manage the network from a single location. SCPC is advantageous because of the dedicated space segment a single channel provides.
Multiple Channels Per Carrier (MCPC) is a delivery technology that places multiple channels on a single satellite carrier. Clients who have MCPC networks can specify the bandwidth they need, providing more flexibility for their programs and channels. Stations and networks that use MCPC also save money by using just one carrier rather than multiple receivers.
MCPC can enhance your network through the use of "store/forward" technology. "Store/forward" technology saves audio, video, or data files at the centralized uplink until they are needed for use at a later time. Stored files are then automatically forwarded to the appropriate broadcasting location (or MCPC receiver).