Echo Canceller, Ground Equipment, Communications Satellite

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Object Details

Manufacturer

COMSAT Laboratories

Summary

Early geosynchronous satellites, orbiting more than 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) above the Earth, faced a problem: a voice signal traveling from Earth to a satellite and back developed an echo, making phone conversation difficult. In the early 1970s, COMSAT Laboratories developed an "echo canceller" to correct this problem. This invention made communications via satellite similar in quality to local telephone calls and enhanced public acceptance of the new technology.

COMSAT Laboratories donated this artifact to the Museum in 1999.

Credit Line

Gift of COMSAT Laboratories

Inventory Number

A19990146000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

EQUIPMENT-Communications Devices

Materials

Aluminum

Ferrous Alloy

Plastics

Paper

Ink

Adhesive

Paint

Copper Alloy

Electronic Components

Dimensions

3-D (5k): 48.3 × 17.8 × 12.7cm (1 ft. 7 in. × 7 in. × 5 in.)

3-D: 5kg (11lb.)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Location

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Exhibition

One World Connected

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Metadata Usage

Not determined

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv99717134d-2aa3-4b9f-b917-bbfd2b15b407

Record ID

nasm_A19990146000