The footprint of a communications satellite is the ground area that its transponders offer coverage, and determines the satellite dish diameter required to receive each transponder's signal. There is usually a different map for each transponder (or group of transponders) as each may be aimed to cover different areas of the ground.
Footprint maps usually show either the estimated minimum satellite dish diameter required or the signal strength in each area measured in dBW.
Famous quotes containing the word footprint:
“Tom: Well, tell me, Gusto, you’re so smart. How could I erase a footprint that looks as if it was left by a heel?
Augusta: Well, that sounds almost human.”
—Billy Wilder (b. 1906)