An outdoor satellite receiving unit (ODU) receives several independent
satellite signals, selects two signals with a switch matrix, downconverts
the two signals to a bandstacked signal with a high and a low band
signal, and outputs the bandstacked signal on the same cable to receiver
units. Several satellite signals can be selected in groups of two or more
and output to independent receiver units. Signal selecting is performed
at the received radio frequency (RF) and bandstacking is performed with a
single downconversion step to an intermediate frequency (IF). Channel
stacking on the same cable of more than two channels from several
satellites can be achieved by using frequency agile downconverters and
bandpass filters prior to combining at the IF output. A slow
transitioning switch minimizes signal disturbances when switching and
maintains input impedance at a constant value.