National Capital Region to become test site for new mobile digital television network

The Ottawa region will be the test site for a new generation of digital television that will give over-the-air broadcasters the option of using part of their channel capacity to offer TV programs and other data services to portable or mobile devices, including laptops and cell phones. Broadcasters and government regulators will likely have an opportunity to see a demonstration of the new technology at work. Led by Columbia MD-based Rohde & Schwarz, Inc. and Rohde & Schwarz Canada, in collaboration with Moseley Broadcast and the Communications Research Centre (CRC),the project will create one of North America’s first single-frequency network (SFN) test beds for both ATSC fixed and mobile digital television. The testing is expected to benefit both the U.S. and Canada, which have adopted the same format for digital television broadcasting. The technology would allow broadcasters to potentially increase viewers, offer more targeted local TV content and create new sources of revenue. Mobile DTV will likely be a feature in consumer devices ranging from smartphones to netbook computers, media players, and automotive “infotainment” systems. Rohde & Schwarz said the dedicated network, which will cover about 250 km2 in the Ottawa area, will allow for in-depth evaluation and development of this new mobile technology using an available TV channel in Ottawa. The headend for the network is located at CRC facilities, with one transmitter located on a communications tower at CRC and others on structures in and around the City of Ottawa. A wireless WAN was constructed in Ottawa to enable remote communications via Internet (VPN) for the remote labs, or field measurement vehicles for control and monitoring of all equipment in test bed. Rohde & Schwarz will provide both ATSC mobile DTV SFN transmission equipment and expertise. Moseley Broadcast will supply the point-to-point microwave communication systems that link the head-end to the SFN sites. The CRC, having designed the SFN topology for Ottawa, will provide the transmitter sites along with its extensive expertise in the area of DTV broadcasting research. The ATSC A/53 DTV standard implemented by the U.S. and adopted in Canada makes no provision for mobile reception. As a result, terrestrial over-the-air TV broadcasters cannot offer services to mobile receivers. The new emerging ATSC A/153 mobile DTV standard builds on the A/53 standard by adding capabilities required for mobile reception. An ATSC mobile DTV standard is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009. The technology is designed to enhance mobile and fixed DTV coverage, particularly in urban areas where signals can be impaired by buildings and terrain. In an ATSC mobile DTV SFN, multiple towers send the same program content at exactly the same time and on the same frequency. This makes efficient use of spectrum resources, and the resulting transmitter diversity can help mitigate the challenges associated with mobile and fixed reception.

National Capital Region to become test site for new mobile digital television network

News | 10/28/2009 6:16 pm EDT

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