1. Satellite distribution of DTV and MobileTV content.
Presented at: Regional Seminar on DTV Broadcasting, Algiers, December 2007
By: Joost Verbrugge

2. Contents Why Digital Terrestrial TV ? The way to Analog Switch Off
Single Frequency Networks
The primary distribution network
Why Satellite ?
Application examples
What about Mobile-TV ?
What is mobile TV ?
Technologies and standards
Primary distribution of content for Mobile-TV
Conclusions

3. Why Digital Terrestrial TV ?
From analog to digital TV transmission: why?
Robustness of the signal
Constant picture quality
New applications come in digital version only:
Interactivity
High definition TV
Mobile TV
More efficient use of spectrum (4-6 times)
Savings in operational cost of network
Competitive with Cable, DTH, TelcoTV (IPTV)
Availibility of low cost Set Top Boxes/receivers.

4. The way to Analog Switch Off
Some definitions
Standards
DVB-T, ATSC-8VSB, ISDB-T
Digital Switch-0ver (DSO)
The start of digital transmission for public television
Analog Switch-Off (ASO)
The end of analog transmission for public television
Simulcasting
Period of simultaneous analog and digital transmission of the same TV programming
This period allows viewers to convert from analog to digital reception (Set Top Box, decoder, antenna)
Digital Dividend
Savings in spectrum thanks to conversion to digital transmission; can be re-used/sold for new applications.
Remember: dividend comes after investment...

5. The way to Analog Switch Off
Every country has to decide on timing of
Step 1: decide on standard (DVB-T ?)
Step 2: Digital Switch Over plan (DSO)
Including Frequency Plan, SFN/MFN, Capex plan...
Step 3: Decide on Analog Switch Off date (ASO)
Step 4: Build network with 95+% coverage
Simulcasting from DSO to ASO
Step 5: Decide on spectrum allocation after ASO
Step 6: Grant licences/spectrum for new services
Step 7: ASO
start of savings, start of new income
Step : license new services including mobileTV, HDTV, multiplexes of above, (Wimax), (DAB), ...

6. Single Frequency Networks
Digital TV using COFDM allows SFN operation
One frequency for all transmitters in large area
Saves on frequencies used
Allows other (better) network topologies
More transmitters with less power to cover area
Requirements for SFN operation:
Each transmitter must radiate:
On the same frequency
At the same time
The same data bits

7. Single Frequency Networks
Requirements for SFN Operation: implementation
Frequency and Time reference (e.g. GPS)
MIP specification and insertion by ‘SFN adapter’
Carefull design of network:
Guard time selection defines maximum distances between transmitters
Power levels should avoid intersymbol interference (noise)
Primary distribution network must deliver signal multiplex intact (bit by bit identical) and on time at transmitter.
Local content insertion per SFN area (market)
Allows local advertising in local language
Allows re-use of frequencies in non adjacent areas

8. Single Frequency Networks
Local markets served by several SFN’s
SFN 3
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-H
SFN 3
DVB-H
DVB-H
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-H
SFN 3
DVB-H
DVB-H
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-H
DVB-H
SFN 1
DVB-H
SFN 2
DVB-H
DVB-H
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-H
SFN 1
DVB-H
SFN 2
DVB-H
DVB-H

9. The primary distribution network
What? :
The Primary Distribution Network brings the signal stream (multiplex) to all transmitters in the DTT network.
How? :
Terrestrial :
fibre with SDH, ATM, ...protocols
Private IP based networks
Micro Wave : Point to point links
SATELLITE based primary distribution network
Combination of above (redundancy)

10. The primary distribution network
Why Satellite ?
Fast and reliable deployment possible
Once ‘on air’, the complete footprint has access to signal
High and constant signal quality over entire footprint
Integrity of original signal stream (SFN !)
No (re)multiplexers in network
Constant delay, no (variable) ‘latency’ (SFN!)
Full redundancy possible
Less or no service interruptions in primary network
No fiber breakdown, no power supplies, no equipment in signal path, ...
Long term committment possible (opex cost control)
Scalable with limited Capex (investment cost)

11. The primary distribution network
Why (not) Satellite ?: challenges and solutions:
Cost ? (perception of cost...?)
Initial (opex) cost an be an issue (first DSO phase)
Break-even between 50 and 100 sites
Opex cost under control by long term agreements
Save cost by efficient modulation schemes (S ->S2)
Availability ?
New possibilities coming (Arabsat, NileSat, ...)
Ground equipment standardized from multiple vendors

12. The primary distribution network
Why Satellite: network operator considerations:
Fast network deployment possible
SFN operation easy to implement
Flexibility in network build-up
Additional repeaters can be added when/where needed
No additional (distribution) cost when adding sites.
Full coverage (ASO!) at limited cost
Most equipment centralized at one site (playout/uplink)
Network management & control easier/lower cost
Limited maintenance (transmitter sites only)
Only one service operator

13. Application examples:
Integrated tranceiver possibilities:
Small power gap-filler
Medium power tranceiver
High power transmitter
Horizon - Amplifier
+ 3rd party amplifier
without COFDM
+ 3rd party Transmitter

14. Application examples:
Local markets served by several SFN’s
SFN 3
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-T
SFN 3
DVB-T
DVB-T
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-T
SFN 3
DVB-T
DVB-T
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-T
DVB-T
SFN 1
DVB-T
SFN 2
DVB-T
DVB-T
SFN 1
SFN 2
DVB-T
SFN 1
DVB-T
SFN 2
DVB-T
DVB-T

15. Application examples:
Concentrator Deconcentrator for DVB-T (Newtec-Technology):

16. Application examples:
Local market content insertion

17. Application examples:
Basic primary distribution concept
One transport stream includes national and all local channels
COFDM
&
up conv
Sat demod
Local drop
Transmitter site
Ampli & filter
National and local feeds
Encapsulator into TS
Satellite modulator

18. Application examples:
Sat3play modem
NM station
Management plane
S3Play Hub
Network monitoring & control
Broadcast TS
Remote site
Sat demod
Local drop
DVB-H SSPA
DVB-H mod
Central Hub

19. “Television wherever you go”
What about Mobile-TV ?
What is Mobile TV ?
Old dream of
“Television wherever you go”
Casio 1983
Sinclair 1977
RCA 1963
Seiko 1984
Sony 1982
Sony 1990

20. What about Mobile-TV ? What is Mobile TV anno 2008? TV on your mobile
TV in your car
TV on the go
(PSP, iPod, etc...)

21. What about Mobile-TV ?
Dream of “Television wherever you go” Mobile TV at this moment is:
High quality TV for small screens on the move
Broadcast network with indoor coverage
Large number of channels instantly available
Choise of handsets, in-car sets, etc. ...
Personal Phone + TV integrated
Includes ESG, radio, VoD possibilities
Provides regional/local content (?)

22. What about Mobile-TV ?
Dream of “Television wherever you go” Still some challenges to face/solve:
Agree on standards
Have frequency spectrum available
Combine telecom and TV worlds to realise personal TV handset.
Create working business models
Adjust regulation (must-carry, protection of minors, content rights, etc...)
Build/adapt transmission networks
Increase battery lifetime

23. What about Mobile-TV ? Technologies and standards: overview
Announced
CMMB
DVB-SH
MBMS
A-VSB
ATSC-M/H
Wimax
Existing
S-DMB
T-DMB
DVB-H
MediaFLO
DAB-IP
ISDB-T
Bold = Satellite Delivery

24. What about Mobile-TV ?
Additional information on standards and technology:
DVB info on and
Standards on
Comparison of bearer technologies by bmco-forum on
Link budget paper on
Paper on MediaFLO at

25. Delivery of Mobile TV by Satellite
What ?
Direct reception of satellite signal by handset
Used in Korea (S-DMB)
Announced in China (CMMB), Europe (DVB-SH) and Middle East (S2M)
All systems use dedicated beams in S-band
All systems need terrestrial transceivers for indoor reception in S-band, synchronized with direct beam.
Tranceivers need signal stream from primary distribution (=satellite) ahead of direct beam.

26. Delivery of Mobile TV by Satellite
Advantages
Country wide coverage from day 1
Uniform reception performance
S-band: antenna diversity techniques possible
Disadvantages:
Dedicated satellite needed (+back-up?)
No direct indoor reception possible
Challenges:
Dense terrestrial network needed for indoor reception
S-band: propagation more difficult for indoor than UHF/L
Limited number of handsets available (except Korea?)

27. Primary distribution for mobile TV
What ?
Signal distribution to transmitter towers, gap-fillers, transceivers for mobile TV
Needed with all standards/technologies
Identical stream to all transmitters (SFN)
Mostly Ku-band, C-band also possible
Alternatives ?
Terrestrial distribution over fiber
Existing backbones, ATM, IP-networks
Microwave

28. Primary distribution of mobile TV
Advantages
Rapid deployment/extension of network possible
Most cost-effective for larger number of towers (>100)
Easy implementation of SFN network
Easy network management possible
Disadvantages
(perception of initial) cost
Challenges
Integrated transceiver availability
Local content solutions
Network management solutions
Back-up questions/solutions

29. Primary Distribution network :
Differences DTT versus Mobile TV :
For DVB-T versus DVB-H:
Technology: almost identical
Network: requirement for indoor coverage !!!
More signal strength needed
More tranceivers/gapfillers needed (deep indoor)
SFN operation required
Satellite requirements for distribution:
Less bandwidth for DVB-H bouquet (5-8 Mbit/sec)
More gapfillers for DVB-H -> smaller receiver dishes

30. Application examples: DVB-T and H combined
Combine multiple bouquets (=multiplexes) in one saturated transponder
DVB-H can be added in second phase

31. Conclusions for Mobile-TV :
Good Mobile-TV reception ...
Means good indoor coverage …
Means many transmitters (1000+…)
transceivers
gap-fillers
Means Single Frequency Network Operation…
Means exact frequency/timing requirements…
…means Satellite distribution to transmitters !

32. Conclusions for DVB-T and H:
Digital Terrestrial TV needs large broadcast network with full (outdoor) coverage to allow ASO. ( sites)
Mobile TV needs broadcast network with good outdoor and indoor coverage. (1000+ sites)
Satellite distribution is cost effective for 100+ sites and allows rapid deployment of network
Flexible local content distribution possible
SFN and MFN operation possible
More channels/lower cost with DVB-S2
Centralized monitoring and control possible
Solutions for different standards, markets.

33. Satellite distribution of Digital-TV and Mobile-TV content
Thank You !
Questions ?
Mail to :

34. Newtec’s solution combines a solution for the hub and the remotes
Highly efficient DVB-S or DVB-S2 based modulation
Newtec’s unique Stream Concentrator technology
Local Drop enabling equipment (IPE / Adapter)
Remote: integrated Horizon unit
DVB-S or DVB-S2 Demodulator (S to S2 upgrade possible)
Multi-stream function
Local Drop function DVB-T/H modulator
MFN and SFN operation
Internal GPS reference clock (high stability)
Up conversion to VHF / UHF / L-band
Low or medium power amplification (1-200W RMS, typical < 30W)

35. NTC/10100 - Flexible and integrated DVB-H/T transceiver
Eth
GPS antenna
M&C
GPS
DEMOD
INTERFACE
LOCAL DROP
SFN ADAPT
COFDM MOD
UP CONV
LNB in RF
IP / ASI out
IP / ASI in IF
STANDARD FEATURES
DVB-S2
30Mbd
QPSK / 8PSK
Up conversion to VHF / UHF
MFN operation
SNMP
OPTIONAL
45Mbd
16APSK/QAM
Multi-stream reception
Local Drop function
Digital pre-correction
SFN operation
Internal GPS reference
OPTIONAL (PROJECT ONLY)
DVB-S only
No COFDM
COFDM only version
No Demodulator
NM transmission channel via SatFlow