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Technical Review | January-March 2012


Broadcasters have many ways to think green, providing more environmentally friendly implementations and reducing operating costs. Power can be optimised if the Modulation Dependent Carrier Level (MDCL) technique is utilised to reduce the transmitter’s carrier signal when the audio level is low. Other methods of reducing power is to use LED tower lights and strobe lighting.


Japan completed its ASO in July last year with a household digital TV penetration of 99%. To handle and address reception complaints and to assist viewers, the government created a support group called DEGISAPO. Specialised measurement vans were used to measure signal reception at hard-to-reach areas and special antennas were installed to cover shadow areas. An effective public awareness campaign was carried out together by the government, broadcasters and manufacturers. This played a vital role in the smooth transition.


Transmitter design and performance have improved drastically over the last couple of years, more importantly, advancement in technology and greener technical specifications. With the modern designs operational costs for transmitters will go far lower as high efficiency has become a key performance indicator for a good transmitter system. New standards have allowed further reduction in use of power and operational ease, with flexible set of parameters resulting in very cost- effective implementation.


Considering efficient TV network setups, five recommendations were offered. Firstly to establish a multi-stakeholder partnership among the regulator, network operator, service provider and manufacturer/retailers. Secondly to consider a common broadcast network operator, sharing a single multiplex for a more spectrum efficient approach. Thirdly, to think of ways to shorten the simulcast phase and consider digital dividend revenues to finance switch-over costs. Fourthly, to consider total impact on all areas while selecting the technology standard and finally, not to underestimate the long term benefits of proper network planning and parameter selection.


There is a significant impact in terms of time and cost on new installations in regard to additional loads on existing towers systems. With towers there is often limited capacity available and a tower may never have been designed to take the loads now being considered. One option now available for such situations is lower wind load versions of the same types of antennas. This offers significant benefits in tower capacity and may eliminate need to strengthen towers to accommodate new DTT antennas.


Digital Implementation by Broadcasters and Industry


The last session presented some of the success stories and challenges of ABU broadcasters and the industry, in digital implementation.


The digital switchover in France meant implementing six complete SFN networks within a short span of time. For the government, it meant a process that would ensure a smooth and seamless transition for all individuals. But the DSO did bring major changes in the audiovisual landscape, like the end of transmission monopoly, new licensing rules, wider opening of the free-to-air TV market, huge TV equipment sales, kick-off for a market of free DTH and auctioning of first “digital dividend”.


One of the world’s largest DVB-T2 rollouts with cross border regionalisation has been implemented in the heart of Africa, with the signal being distributed from a central location in Johannesburg, by satellite to DVB-T2 transmitter sites in 15 countries. The DVB-T2 signal is broadcast over a SFN employing Multiple PLP for local insertion of localised content.


In the UK, DRM+ was tested in a highly credible and realistic environment using the frequency and antenna previously used for an FM radio station. DRM+, it was found, provided excellent coverage in good quality at reduced power levels yet superior quality compared with FM.


K-Service or the K-player is the internet distribution platform implementation by KBS. The system encompasses live broadcast streaming, video on-demand, audio on-demand, visible radio services and other value added services like EPG, searching, voting and more. The service is optimised for different platforms automatically using adaptive bitrate streaming and can be accessed by computers, smartphones, tablets and set-top-boxes. It is currently only available in Korea with more than 5 million unique users as of January 2012. The proposed ‘Asia-Pacific View’ is a similar kind of implementation but targeted at the Asia-Pacific region with content from ABU members. This is intended to become a market place for the broadcasters’ content which be accessed by other broadcasters and users alike.


Similar to other digital radio systems HD Radio provides audio and data services in addition to improved audio quality, slide shows, EPG, traffic information, iTunes tagging and more. The technology has been adopted as the digital radio standard of USA, Mexico, Panama and the Philippines with many other countries like Brazil, Bangladesh, and China also operating HD-Radio services. A total of over six million receiver units is currently in operation. Thirty three vehicle manufacturers have also incorporated HD Radio technology in 190 models available in the market today.


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