MPH Mobile DTV System Demonstrated in Argentina

By Doug Lung
published

The ATSC-compatible “MPH” in-band mobile DTV system, developed by LG Electronics, Harris Corp. and Zenith, was demonstrated outside of North America for the first time at the CAPER 2007 International Broadcast Conference in Argentina. Of interest to U.S. broadcasters who will be returning to their VHF channels after the DTV transition, the demonstration was transmitted on 6 MHz-wide Channel 12, with an ERP of 25 kW. ARTEAR (Arte RadioTeleviso Argentino) provided the digital transmission facilities.

During the demonstration, Channel 12 transmitted two MPH streams and one ATSC HDTV program. One of the two mobile streams was a simulcast of the normal Channel 12 program. Prototype MPH receivers developed by LG Electronics were used to receive and display the MPH mobile programs.

“Demonstrating the robust capabilities of ATSC-compatible mobile DTV in South America underscores the flexibility of ATSC DTV for broadcasters and policy-makers,” said Robert Graves, chairman of the ATSC Forum.

Graves added that the MPH system’s ability to simultaneously deliver HD and multiple programming SD streams within the same 6 MHz ATCS channel would provide “exciting new programming options” for handheld and mobile receivers.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.