Auton Clocks New Connected Car Achievements With ATSC 3.0 Standard

Pearl TV, a coalition of U.S. broadcasters transitioning to NextGen TV, today announced new field test data with Auton performed at the Motown 3.0 Open Test Track in Detroit that demonstrated how robust the transport layer and software applications of the ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV standard are in non-real time data delivery of streaming video and secure broadband files to vehicles. These results, the companies said, coupled with the previous physical layer testing programs conducted by both Pearl TV and Auton of ATSC 3.0 in mobile environments, “further demonstrate the standard’s relevance in providing an alternative and viable wireless distribution pipe to vehicles.”

Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, said: “The Motown Test Track continues to be a lead research and development environment for service providers, like Auton, automakers, OEM vendors, media distributors, and internet service providers of all types to convene and foster new application development.

“The innovation from the broadcast industry behind the NextGen TV standard is unbound and is reflective of its commitment to enabling a national wireless data distribution fabric for the automotive industry, which it needs to deliver mobile video, audio and digital content to the on-the-move public.”

Pearl TV added: “As the automotive industry faces a rapidly increasing demand for wireless connectivity to the growing market for connected and autonomous vehicles, it will require a digital operating environment with ubiquitous access to the internet, cloud and meta content. As 5G and other technologies gradually emerge, ATSC 3.0 uniquely offers a one-to-many delivery option, with a robust, fully scalable platform at a lower cost than other solutions.”

The testing was performed in concert with the E. W. Scripps Co.’s ATSC 3.0 Lighthouse station WMYD powered by the Triveni Digital Broadcast Chain. This collaboration proved the ability of the standard to deliver files in a wide range of urban, suburban and exurban environments, underscoring the diverse range of mobile use cases possible with broadcast internet.

Robert Foster, Auton CEO, said: “Auton continues to lead the way in developing an ATSC 3.0 mobility platform that is effective, secure and more cost-effective for delivery of essential software updates and infotainment to the connected and autonomous vehicle market.

“By pioneering the use of NextGen TV technology, we’re able to satisfy the growing demands of the automotive industry with the ultimate integration that will enhance access to mobile broadband services for consumers, enterprises, fleets and public transportation and personal portable devices.”

Ralph Bachofen, Triveni Digital vice president of sales and marketing, said: “Our Broadcast Chain provides many tools for optimizing data delivery from the physical layer via integrated FEC and ModCod settings through application layer mechanisms such as statistical multiplexing or opportunistic data insertion. These tools can be applied together or separately on each of the data services according to the business needs and use cases.”