Up Converter

An up converter is a frequency-translation device that shifts a signal from a lower frequency to a higher frequency. In satellite communications systems, an up converter is used to translate a modulated baseband or IF signal to the assigned RF band for transmission over the satellite link.

Up conversion is typically achieved by mixing the input signal with a local oscillator and filtering the desired sum frequency. Up converters are used both in Earth stations, to generate the uplink carrier, and within satellite transponders as part of the frequency translation between uplink and downlink bands.