One Media, the joint venture of Sinclair and Coherent Logix, is leading the effort to show benefits of the next-gen standard in a single-frequency network and to help finalize the standard.
ATSC 3.0, SFN Tests Underway In Balt.-Wash.
One Media, the joint venture of Sinclair Broadcast Group and Coherent Logix, and RF technology vendor TeamCast yesterday began experimental broadcasts in Washington and Baltimore using the ATSC 3.0 standard and a single frequency network (SFN), the companies announced this morning.
One of the purported benefits of ATSC 3.0 is that it will allow SFNs, which enable broadcasters to cover a market using multiple transmitters on the same frequency without the signals interfering with each other.
The SFNs also allow broadcasters to offer multiple streams of programming and advertising to different areas of their markets.
“[T]he SFN validates, in a real world environment, the operation and performance of new and innovative concepts relative to an ATSC 3.0 SFN deployment, such as deploying a full range of next-gen services, including fixed, portable and mobile capabilities,” the companies added.
The experimental SFN comprises two transmitters operating on ch. 43, one in Washington (GatesAir Maxiva Series ULXT-12), the other in Baltimore (Acrodyne 60 kW).
The broadcasts are more than a demonstrations, the parties said. “These specific coverage field-tests will be used to support the finalization of the ATSC 3.0 Studio Transmitter Link (STL) document, defining the stream interface regimens to feed ATSC 3.0 SFN transmitters,” they said.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
In addition to Acrodyne and GatesAir, the companies recognized the contributions of Comark Communications; the American Tower Corp, which provided the Washington tower; Signal Above LLC, the ch. 43 permittee in Washington; and LG, which provided the ATSC 3.0 receivers.
TeamCast, based in Rennes, France, provided the exciters to the project.
Comments (2)
Ellen Samrock says:
March 22, 2016 at 12:31 pm
We still don’t know how well ATSC 3.0 will work on Lo-VHF. But it may be that SFNs could be the strategy to make it work. Yet another reason why the FCC needs to approve 3.0. In fact, if they’re now working on a post-auction repack strategy (and Wheeler claims they are) then approving 3.0 needs to be part of it.
Amneris Vargas says:
March 22, 2016 at 1:22 pm
Roger is right on.