With satellite radio playing in thousands of cars across North America at the touch of a button. One might be inclined to believe that some voodoo magic is involved.
Obviously, that’s not the case. We actually have a few satellites, signals, and radio receivers to thank for the luxury of listening to our favorite songs and shows on the road anywhere and anytime we want.
Satellite Radio Nitty Gritty
In the early 2000s, SiriusXM® sent two Boeing HS 702 satellites and then two BSS 702 satellites into orbit. All the satellites were placed in parallel geostationary orbit approximately 22,000 miles from Earth. They’re positioned in such a way that there’s a satellite above the continental United States at all times.
Today, the two BSS 702 satellites are the primary satellites while the Boeing HS 702 satellites serve as backups.
Here’s what happens when SiriusXM®‘s ground station in the Washington, DC area transmits a signal to the satellites:
- The satellites automatically bounce the signal back to all the radio receivers on the ground, including the one in your car
- Using a small antenna, your receiver picks up the signal, decodes the data stream in the signal, and converts it into over 170 channels
- Your receiver also decodes additional information from the signal. Including the show/song title, the host’s/artist’s name, and the show/music genre, and displays the information on your SiriusXM radio screen.
SiriusXM satellite and streaming audio
SiriusXM’s satellite and streaming audio platform is the home of Howard Stern’s two exclusive channels. Its ad-free, curated music channels represent many decades and genres, from rock to pop, country, hip hop, classical, Latin, electronic dance, jazz, heavy metal, and more. SiriusXM’s programming includes news from respected national outlets. A broad range of in-depth talk, comedy, and entertainment. SiriusXM is the ultimate destination for sports fans, offering listeners live games, events, news, analysis, and opinion for all major professional sports, full-time channels for top college sports conferences, and programming. Covering other sports such as auto sports, golf, soccer, and more. SiriusXM is also the home of exclusive and popular podcasts including many original SiriusXM series and a highly-curated selection of podcasts from leading creators and providers.
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