A-VSB Single Frequency Network (SFN) Demonstrated for the First Time

NAB 2007, Las Vegas (Booth C2927) — Rohde & Schwarz will premiere a “live on the air” demonstration of the Advanced-VSB tool, Single Frequency Network (SFN). Together, Rohde & Schwarz and Samsung Electronics have developed A-VSB as a dramatic enhancement to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) digital TV transmission standard. During NAB 2007 live A-VSB content will be broadcast from a low power SFN consisting of three transmit sites. Antenna sites will be located on structures at the north and south ends of the Las Vegas strip area and also inside the convention center at the ATSC DTV Hotspot.

The SFN tool leverages the core elements in A-VSB to easily and effectively enable multiple synchronized transmitters to work together to provide an improved quality of service (a benefit of being digital). In a SFN instead of, or in addition to the main ATSC transmitter, several additional transmitters can be strategically located throughout a service area. On average one or several of the transmit antennas will generally be closer to the receiver (than in a normal single transmitter model). This fact coupled with the inherent SFN transmitter diversity helps mitigate normal terrain obstacles such as hills or buildings, etc. The end result will be a stronger more uniform signal strength throughout a service area. A SFN can be designed to supply adequate fade margin for future ATSC portable / mobile services. All normal and legacy ATSC receivers will also benefit from the attributes of SFN.

About A-VSB
Advanced-VSB (A-VSB) is a proposed open standard that broadcasters can implement at low cost, providing an all-new distribution channel through which broadcasters can reach consumers with live TV “on the go” via portable media devices, whether traveling by car / bus or walking down the street. The technology is being standardized in ATSC, and an ATSC-supervised lab test was conducted in November 2006, with successful field tests to be mounted in the first half of 2007. A completed standard is targeted for 2007, with implementation by broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers beginning soon afterward, aiming toward widespread commercial services before the February 2009 transition to all-digital TV broadcasting in the United States.
A-VSB technology builds on the current ATSC transmission standard to enhance the ability of receivers to display television broadcasts while in motion, both indoors and outdoors. It also allows broadcasters to include multiple “turbo-coded” streams within the current main stream, resulting in stronger, clearer signal transmission. In addition, A-VSB can ease the synchronization required to enable a Single Frequency Network (SFN).
Broadcasters can implement A-VSB technology with no impact on legacy (non-A-VSB) digital TV receivers. Existing legacy receivers (e.g. TV receivers not A-VSB enabled) will ignore the added information in the signal while continuing to receive the main TV stream (e.g., High-Definition TV programming). In addition, as A-VSB technology helps broadcasters deploy SFNs to improve quality of service, owners of legacy receivers may find their reception quality is also improved.

North American contact: Chris Petrole - 410-910-7836 e-mail: chris.petrole@rsa.rohde-schwarz.com
European contact: Patrizia Muehlbauer - +49 89 4129 13818 e-mail: patrizia.muehlbauer@rsd.rohde-schwarz.com

Rohde & Schwarz
Rohde & Schwarz is an independent group of companies specializing in electronics. It is a leading supplier of solutions in the fields of test and measurement, broadcasting, radiomonitoring and radiolocation as well as mission-critical radiocommunications. Established more than 70 years ago, Rohde & Schwarz has a global presence and a dedicated service network in over 70 countries. It has approximately 6400 employees and achieved a net revenue of $1.3 billion in the past fiscal year. Company headquarters are in Munich, Germany.