special report
valuable airtime for broadcasters, so when interference occurs the ID enables operators to identify and stop the interference quickly and effectively, since they can see the carrier ID of both signals. This system will make a huge
difference to the efficacy of carrier ID, although it isn’t likely to become a specification in time for the Olympics. Therefore the industry is working towards integrating the existing network information table (NIT) carrier ID technology in time for the Olympics and then upgrading to newer technologies when available.
The data
One of the key factors to ensuring the effectiveness of the steps being taken by satellite operators is having a good carrier ID database in place, where the data within the ID code can be referenced, thus enabling operators to deal with the interference quickly and efficiently. In this way, the carrier ID needs only to include a code as all additional information, such as name & contacts, would be in the database. The sIRG has been working hard to establish that database and at the
recent sIRG conference, a group of experts from every part of the industry, including the Space Data Association (SDA), discussed exactly what needs to be included in the database and how it can be rolled out in time for the Olympics. It was agreed that the most important aspect for any database would be that it is secure and encrypted and the SDA is ideally suited for this role. In order to get this to happen in time for the Olympics, it should start simple but effective. It can then be enhanced at a later date, using lessons learnt from the Olympics. Another aspect will of course be
motivating end users to sign up to this database in time and this is something for operators to decide upon and, in a joint effort, devise the best way to motivate people to do just that. Our colleagues in the RFI-EUI and WBU- ISOG are already working with broadcasters and satellite operators to make this happen, although exact details are yet to be determined. The other important aspect is making customers aware that carrier ID benefits them. We are currently working with all the major satellite operators to help them educate their customers.
olympics everywhere supplement The final hurdle
I am confident that with so many people working towards a common aim, we can make the Olympics as interference free as possible, giving viewers worldwide the chance to watch the action uninterrupted.
We have come a long way in establishing carrier ID and the recent developments do certainly make our goal of getting it rolled out in time for the Olympics possible. The NIT carrier ID system is already established in a number of encoders and other satellite equipment, and many of the major broadcasters already have the means to handle it - although some are not yet aware that they have the equipment to implement carrier ID! The challenge remains that not
every broadcaster globally has the means to do this just yet and NIT carrier ID is not integrated by all equipment manufacturers. That said, we are working closely with companies right through the chain and the sIRG conference saw a number of representatives from all of these strategic areas discussing how they can best work together to achieve this goal. I am confident that with so many people working towards a common aim, we can make the Olympics as interference free as possible, giving viewers worldwide the chance to watch the action uninterrupted.
www.ibeweb.com l olympics everywhere supplement november/december 2011 l ibe l 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60