POUSO ALEGRE, Brazil—GatesAir has opened GatesAir Brasil, a new office and operations center here in the state of Minas Gerais in the southeastern region of the country.

The facility establishes a presence for the company in Brazil for the first time in more than a decade and adds in-country assembly, service, repair and customer support capabilities for GatesAir television and radio transmission products. Now open, the facility will also support customer activities throughout the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) region.

Located within Brazil’s “Electronics Valley” region between São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, the new operation strengthens GatesAir’s ability to serve Brazilian broadcasters with faster delivery, localized technical support and expedited repair services. The move also allows GatesAir to assemble products in Brazil, creating operational efficiencies that will make its solutions more accessible to broadcasters across the country.

“Brazil is a cornerstone market for GatesAir and an important part of our long-term growth strategy across Central and Latin America,” GatesAir CEO Barbara Spicek said. “This investment strengthens our regional presence while bringing us closer to customers at a critical point in the industry’s evolution. With DTV+ creating new opportunities for broadcasters, GatesAir is uniquely positioned to support this transition through both innovation and experience.”

The investment comes at a pivotal moment for Brazil’s broadcast industry as it advances plans for DTV+, its enhanced implementation of the ATSC 3.0 standard. GatesAir is now shipping Maxiva transmitters for Brazil’s new 300-MHz broadcast spectrum allocation, leveraging GatesAir’s experience and expertise in ATSC 3.0 systems development. The country’s DTV+ transition is expected to drive substantial infrastructure investment over the coming years as broadcasters prepare to deploy advanced services and applications.

“Opening our new Brazil operation represents a significant strategic investment in one of the world’s most important broadcast markets,” said Antonio Satta, country manager for Brazil at GatesAir. “By establishing local assembly, service and repair capabilities, we can deliver meaningful economic advantages to broadcasters while providing the responsiveness and proximity they expect from a trusted technology partner. We are positioning ourselves alongside our customers as they prepare for the DTV+ transition, and our local presence ensures broadcasters have direct access to the expertise, products and support they need throughout this transformation.”

The facility will include dedicated service and repair resources to accelerate maintenance activities and spare parts availability. GatesAir customers will benefit from localized technical support, installation assistance, commissioning services and direct access to GatesAir engineering expertise.

As part of the expansion, GatesAir will also establish a regional AirWatch365 monitoring hub within the facility. Introduced globally at the 2026 NAB Show in April, AirWatch365 provides broadcasters with continuous monitoring, analytics and operational visibility across transmission infrastructure. The local monitoring capability will further enhance service responsiveness and system oversight for the company’s Brazilian customers.

LAS VEGAS—Wireless RF solutions provider Wisycom has announced a major firmware update for its MPR60 Wideband IEM/IFB Receiver. This release introduces a powerful new multichannel IFB mode designed to dramatically increase RF efficiency for large‑scale broadcast and live production environments.

The update will be highlighted by the company during the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas between April 18 and 22 at its Booth C4428.

“We have some of the most demanding customers, who are touring the world with their extensive and quite impressive broadcast solutions to ensure the events they are supporting can be watched by millions of people,” says René Moerch, group product director of Wisycom. “These clients will heavily benefit from the fact that this additional feature of the MPR60/MTK982 pair can minimize rack space and preserve the RF robustness required for such highly demanding and RF overcrowded events.”

The new MPR60 multichannel IFB mode allows up to three IFB audio channels to be transmitted over a single 200 kHz RF carrier, enabling unprecedented channel density within a minimal RF footprint. When paired with the Wisycom MTK982, the system can deliver up to 60 IFB audio channels within a standard 8 MHz TV channel or 45 IFB audio channels within a 6 MHz TV channel, offering one of the most RF‑efficient IFB solutions available today. With just one MTK982, users can send six audio channels, saving the cost and space of two additional transmitters and RF combiners or antennas.

The company reported that the update delivers exceptional RF efficiency by enabling high channel counts with a minimal spectrum footprint, while maintaining full wideband coverage from 470 to 1,260 MHz. Even in multichannel IFB mode, the MPR60 preserves RF robustness, ensuring reliable performance in challenging environments. This expanded capability gives broadcasters and production teams greater flexibility in system design, allowing them to deploy dense IFB configurations without compromising signal integrity or reach.

The multichannel IFB mode is engineered for productions that require multiple IFB feeds across expansive coverage zones, such as major broadcasts, racing format sports events, OB production units and global touring events. The MPR60’s newly confirmed IP65 rating further enhances its suitability for outdoor and mobile workflows, offering protection against dust and water while remaining lightweight and easy to integrate into existing setups.

The new firmware allows users to choose between several operating modes, including 1‑channel wideband IFB, 1‑channel narrowband IFB and the new optional 3‑channel IFB, each offering different audio bandwidth characteristics to suit various production needs. The MPR60 remains compatible with Wisycom’s MTP60, MTP61 and MTH610 transmitters for single‑channel IFB operation, while the 3‑channel IFB mode requires activation via a license on the MTK982. In addition to multichannel IFB functionality, the MPR60 update also introduces support for the ENR and ENC companders for enhanced backward compatibility with legacy Wisycom systems.

The optional multi-channel IFB license enables one instead of three MTK982 dual transmitters and supports two RF carriers and up to six audio channels. Apart from eliminating the need of two additional transmitters, the upgrade also saves the need of associated equipment like combiners and antennas.

The MPR60 and MTK982 hardware are immediately available, while the new functions will be available via a separate license, available for purchase on April 22, 2026. The firmware for existing systems must be updated to version 1.3.0 for the MPR60 and 2.6.0 for the MTK982, and Wisycom Manager should be updated to version 5.0.0. The complete, updated firmware/software package will be available on April 22.

For more information visit www.wisycom.com.

American Amplifier Technologies has released a vector network analysis module.

The company said that the new EmPower Controller VNA brings automated feedline and antenna evaluation to its existing remote-control suite.

“The system allows engineers to assess transmission performance in real time, without interrupting on-air operations,” AAT said.

The VNA module is designed for the broadcast and RF communications industries, measuring both time- and frequency-domain characteristics. AAT said this gives engineers two complementary perspectives on the same signal path, which can help identify where changes occur along the feedline and how they affect overall system performance across the band.

Using stored references and continuous monitoring, the EmPower Controller VNA identifies variances in antenna or feedline behavior, alerting engineers before the variance results in an outage or degraded signal quality, AAT said.

Through AAT’s EmPower Mobile App, users can access visual overlays, automated comparisons and historical trends. The VNA works alongside AAT’s RF power monitoring, control modules and cloud-based analytics.

AAT is the parent company to Shively Labs and Kathrein-Scala—a manufacturer of FM, VHF and UHF antennas, filters, combiners, coax and rigid line components.

TOMBOLO, Italy—Broadcast, film and live production RF solutions provider Wisycom SRL has announced a management transition, tapping Davide Morsiani as its new chief executive officer and Gerrit Buhe as chief technology officer.

The company also promoted Markia Stangherlin to chief sales officer. Andrea Bulfon will continue as the company’s chief operating officer.

Wisycom’s founders, Massimo Polo and Enzo Frigo, have stepped down from their respective roles as CEO and CTO. The moves were part of a business development plan that began in 2022, the company said.

“Wisycom has grown tremendously in recent years, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive business structure to continue to meet the commitments made to the industries we serve,” Morsiani said. “With reliability and sound quality at the core of Wisycom’s products and taking into consideration our rapidly expanding rate of innovation, all forthcoming development will be for the direct benefit of our trusted customers. We thank Massimo and Enzo for their decades of passionate leadership to the brand and look forward to honoring their legacy as we bring Wisycom into the future.”

New CEO Morsiani has been with Wisycom since June of 2023. He brings extensive experience across multiple operational roles to the company, including manufacturing and supply-chain operations, Wisycom said.

CTO Gerrit Buhe brings three decades of RF and wireless technology knowledge to his role, including 20 years of professional audio research and product development, Wisycom said.

Bulfon, who has been CEO since February 2021, brings a background in all of the company’s operational processes, including manufacturing, purchasing, logistics, and quality assurance, Wisycom said. His 35 years of expertise extends beyond pro audio and RF development to printed circuit board production, electronic engineering and medical devices, Wisycom said.

Stangerlin joined Wisycom in January of 2017 and, prior to her promotion to CSO, had been its first global sales manager. Her longstanding relationship with the company’s sales partners and distributors are a key to the brand’s future and will be a major emphasis in the company’s next chapter, Wisycom said.

“The road ahead is promising, and our customers can count on the fact that our commitment to excellence remains unchanged,” Morsiani said.

RAYMOND, Maine—At the 2024 NAB Show, Dielectric plans to unveil a new green, cost-reducing load solution featuring a closed-loop cooling system, protecting RF System components from failures that can cause extensive harm to the transmission system and shelter. 

OptiLoad uses programmable logic controls (PLCs) to sense rising RF power and temperature levels, awakening the system to take action, according to the company. OptiLoad’s PLCs also monitor the health of the demand-driven circulator pumps and fans that are activated to address RF flow and temperature rises.

The OptiLoad design includes a water column load that Dielectric has offered for two decades, with more than 5000 units shipped worldwide. Using the water column load as a building block, Dielectric has added a built-in heat exchanger responsive to PLC activations. The water column load can run without coolant flow or fans activated with powers up to 5kW. This ensures plenty of headroom when RF is detected and the coolant and fans start to operate prior to the load seeing 5kW.

The entire SNMP-enabled system is centralized to a compact cabinet with wheels that can be located quietly in the corner, and easily be moved to a new space in the facility as transmission systems are redesigned. The SNMP functionality will allow the transmitter to do a daily handshake. If that handshake does not occur the station will be notified to prevent failures.

“OptiLoad’s modern design is a true convergence of passive RF equipment, electronics and sensing that was brought to life by our engineering team,” said Keith Pelletier, President, Dielectric. “It speaks volumes to the future of the RF business. For our customers, it addresses the all-too-frequent failures in the RF chains and a peace of mind that they have a solution that they do not need to worry about. The OptiLoad was customer-driven and we listened to their concerns about reliability and required features.”

Pelletier explains the importance of the passive RF load and a closed loop system in the design of the OptiLoad.  This will prevent the coolant from getting contaminated and causing failures within the load that would eventually cause failures in the RF plumbing to the combining system.  Once the load fails, other components will as well if not caught soon enough. “Once the coolant  stops working or is no longer flowing through the pipes, failures and damage are imminent. Entire systems must be replaced in some cases, and cleanup services may be required to remove coolant from the floors. It can quickly turn very expensive.”

The OptiLoad can be used in multiple scenarios. For high-power TV systems, OptiLoad assumes the role of load solution for the transmitter combining rack. In this scenario, the typical RF power moving to the load is very small or non-existent. “OptiLoad brings value here because when amplifiers in a transmitter rack fail, it causes a power increase to the load,” said Pelletier. “The more amplifiers that fail, the higher the amount of RF power within the load.”

In traditional RF TV systems, the standalone load requires the consistent flow of coolant moving through the system to prevent catastrophic failure.  OptiLoad’s logic controls only apply power to the fans, releasing coolant flows through the load as required. This makes OptiLoad a very green solution, as the load remains turned off 95 percent of the time. When a power imbalance occurs, OptiLoad protects the entire RF chain until the amplifiers can be replaced or repaired.  Once repaired, OptiLoad goes dormant until called upon again, according to Dielectric.

OptiLoad is also ideal as a RF troubleshooting tool. In this second scenario, engineers can use OptiLoad as a station load when they need to test the transmitter or isolate the transmission line and antenna to identify and solve a problem. Same as the first scenario, OptiLoad only awakens and ramps up to full power if the load is being utilized, offsetting electricity costs and reducing power bills for the broadcaster.

OptiLoad further protects the broadcaster’s RF investment through several operating modes, the company said. It will transition to standby mode without RF power present when coolant temperatures are less than 130 degrees. OptiLoad initiates flow from the high-efficiency circulator pump when temperatures land between 130 and 150 degrees; fans are activated when the temperature rises from there.

“OptiLoad turns on the moment it senses the presence of RF, and ramps up from there utilizing variable speed fans and adjusting coolant flow rates,” said Pelletier. “This is the first system of its kind to recognize the presence of RF, which simply makes it the safest choice for protection in the market. As a closed-loop system, the coolant circulates strictly within OptiLoad to keep the liquid fresh. We have also simplified the overall design, favoring a minimal number of connections to ensure the coolant lines run consistently and without failure. We have essentially eliminated all leak points and addressed all necessary activations for system protection to ensure RF shelter floors remain dry and the passive RF parts remain intact for future use.”

The 2024 NAB Show takes place April 14-17 in Las Vegas. Dielectric will be in Booth W333 in the West Hall of the LVCC. 

WASHINGTON—After a four-year pandemic-driven hiatus, the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society’s Fall Symposium—a forum for the exchange of information about the latest developments in broadcasting technology—has re-emerged, with little indication that there had been an interruption in what has been a fall tradition since the 1950s. The Nov. 14-15 event, by the NAB at their new headquarters building, attracted nearly 90 engineers, equipment manufacturers and academics from 10 states and six foreign nations, with some travelling from as far away as Italy, Switzerland, and Argentina. 

Sessions covered a wide range of topics focused on the latest in content delivery technologies, as well as problems and issues challenging today’s broadcasters. While some subject matter—such as keeping a broadcast facility safe from hackers—was common to both sides of the aisle, television was definitely out in front in terms of the number of presentations, with more than half being TV-specific. And while ATSC 3.0 was a big topic of discussion, it was not the exclusive focus.

The Tale of Télé-Québec
Guy Bouchard, a broadcast consultant formerly in charge of the digital delivery infrastructure at Canadian broadcaster, Télé-Québec, addressed an issue created by the FCC’s reapportioning of C-band satellite spectrum used by broadcasters.

In February 2020, the FCC adopted new rules for the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz C-Band that allocated the lower 280 MHz of that band for terrestrial wireless use. This forced existing satellite operators to repack their operations into the upper 200 MHz of the band, from 4.0 to 4.2 GHz, according to Bouchard, who noted that this forced move created an operational problem for some broadcasters, including Télé-Québec, a public TV network in Montreal with a government-funded educational mandate to air all programming in French. 

Télé-Québec is available on cable, over-the-air, and now via OTT, covering 96% of the Quebec population and Bouchard said that although only about 7% of its viewers receive Télé-Québec via antennas, that audience was important. “That number is very stable; it hasn’t shrunk (and) we wanted to keep those who grew up watching us,” he said.

To serve the OTA audience, Télé-Québec uses 18 transmitter sites, all connected to the broadcast center by C-Band satellite, with two-thirds of those transmitters in remote locations without access to fiber or high-speed internet connectivity. All of the sites were equipped with 4.5-meter satellite antennas and that these had proved adequate until the C-Band repack. 

“The sites receive their feeds from Galaxy 19,” he said, adding that while Télé-Québec services shared a transponder with another user, the reduced power density had not really been a factor in delivering reliable signals to the OTA transmitters.

“We had a four to six dB link margin, which was acceptable under most conditions,” said Bouchard.

Télé-Québec’s studio-to-transmitter problems arose when the sharing of C-Band spectrum with 5G terrestrial wireless carriers began.

“Sharing bandwidth with a cellphone company is a bit like sharing a banana with a gorilla,” he observed, stating that to minimize interference from nearby wireless devices on adjacent frequencies, heavy filtering had to be added to satellite dish LNBs (low-noise block downconverters), and these filters considerably reduced the link margin.

“Ordinarily, there’s no real filtering at the input of an LNB,” said Bouchard. “That’s why you can get a really low noise figure,” he added, noting that while the 12-pole band-stop filters that were installed ahead of the LNBs were very effective in blocking 5G interference, they reduced the LNB gain by about a dB.

“This lowered the effective aperture of the satellite antenna,” he said.

While the performance reduction could be tolerated under most conditions, a wet snowfall was now the death knell when it came to delivering programming to the transmitter sites.

“Sticky snow is the worst factor affecting low-margin C-Band service,” he said. “It distorts the shape of the receive dish, lowering its gain and causes outages lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.” Bouchard said that while dish deicers worked, they could be overwhelmed by heavy snowfalls.

“While they reduced the duration of outages, the deicers didn’t eliminate them.”

SRT to the Rescue
Bouchard said that while the obvious solution would be to increase satellite delivery link margins by installing larger dishes, this was not a particularly viable option.

“We had 18 transmitter sites to consider,” he said. “And based on the relatively small audience served, the large expense associated with installing larger dishes would be difficult to justify.”

Bouchard said that after some investigation, Télé-Québec opted to try out a fairly new technology—secure reliable transport or “SRT”—as a more cost-effective solution. He explained that SRT, which combines low-latency streaming with advanced technology to handle missing packets to ensure data transmission quality and continuity of service, seemed ideal for delivering programming over the marginal internet delivery paths that existed at the majority of its transmitter sites.

“With SRT, the payload is sent via UDP (user datagram protocol) and flow control packets are sent via TCP (transmission control protocol),” he explained. “A flow control feature permits the use of error detection and provides retransmission of missing packets.”

Bouchard reported that in a trial implementation at Télé-Québec, SRT had proven to be very reliable as an alternative for delivering programming to transmitter sites. 

“We did have questions about how well it would perform, but after the initial trial no artifacts were reported and no alarms were received” he said, noting that reliability was proven even over the poorly performing Internet paths at some of the transmitter sites.

“Our solution to the reduced link margin issue was to continue to send programming via C-Band satellite, but to back this up with an SRT-encoded compressed feed going via the public Internet,” said Bouchard, explaining that the main delivery path continues to be via satellite, but when the dish signal becomes unstable, the transmitter feeds failback to the Internet-delivered video and audio.

He said that while more testing is needed, it seems that the SRT-encoded feeds are for now a viable alternative to retrofitting transmitter sites with larger satellite dishes.

Asked about whether he thought that Télé-Québec might eventually discontinue satellite linkage to their transmitter sites, Bouchard said that while this was not a consideration at present, given the success of the SRT-implemented delivery so far, it might be something to consider. 

“For now, SRT transmission is a viable option to improve low-margin satellite site reliability.”

Other television-related presentations at the symposium included the addition of DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) digital radio service to ATSC 3.0 television transmissions, methodologies for flash-cutting to NextGen TV delivery, seamless insertion of ads in streamed video, ATSC 3.0’s datacasting potential, considerations in retrofitting or replacing of transmission systems, and determining the impact of adjacent channel interference in ATSC 3.0 transmissions.   

Special Recognition
A special feature of all BTS Symposiums is the recognition of an individual who has made significant contributions in the industry, with the presentation of the Jules Cohen Award for Outstanding Broadcast Engineering. 

The 2023 recipient was H. Douglas (Doug) Lung, vice president of Broadcast technology for NBC Universal Local, and also a long-time TV Tech columnist. The award is based on an engineer’s integrity and professionalism, along with the quality and thoughtfulness of his or her work, and was established in 2015.

This is Lung's second industry recognition received this year; at the NAB Show, he received the NAB TV Engineering Excellence Award.  

PORTLAND, Maine—JS Engineering has partnered with Shulins’ Solutions to offer drone-based temperature measurements and visual inspections at RF sites.

Traditionally, these services are performed by trained tower technicians who carefully climb a tower to inspect its physical elements and make repairs.

“While nothing can fully replace a physical inspection, sUAS inspections bring new technology and capabilities, allowing for inspections that can be made more frequently, less expensively and, in many cases, with more detail than a physical inspection — often finding problems not obvious from the ground,” said Shulins’ Solutions on its website.

Leading the charge on this offering are two broadcast and RF consultants: Paul Shulins, president at Shulins’ Solutions, and Jim Stenberg, owner of JS Engineering.

“We obtain the necessary clearances and arrive on site to completely profile your tower and its antennas and transmission lines with both visible and infrared cameras,” said Stenberg in a LinkedIn post. “The high-power zoom visual camera provides details that even a knowledgeable tower climber might miss.”

The infrared profile is then reviewed on site and areas of concern can be highlighted and further studied, said Stenberg.

“By viewing all the antennas/transmission lines on a particular tower, and by performing several tower studies on one trip, we can efficiently share the costs of the service amongst a number of owners, tenants and services,” he said.

JS Engineering, based in Portland, Maine, was originally formed in 2005 to provide RF equipment field service and system testing to the broadcast industry. After a years-long hiatus, in which Stenberg worked for American Tower Corp., the company re-opened, offering its services to broadcast and wireless clients on a contract basis.

Shulins’ Solutions, based in Wickenburg, Arizona, provides monitor, control and protection solutions for transmission sites and broadcast antennas and sUAS drone-based tower inspections, among other broadcasting consulting services.

Click here for more information on the companies’ sUAS drone services.

This article originally appeared on TV Tech sister brand, Radio World. 

MANASSAS, Va.—Thermal cameras and contactless spot thermometers are increasingly being used at the station level to safely check electrical wiring, power systems, HVAC equipment, and transmitters. Camera-equipped drones (aka unmanned aircraft systems or “UAS”), have been found to be incredibly useful in documenting tower-mounted equipment and providing a “first look” at suspected antenna, tower, or transmission line problems, saving tower crew cost and time.

At Cavell Mertz, we have found thermal cameras to be helpful in spotting transmission line problems (with bullet junctions and elbows being the usual suspects) since the line can be thermally scanned while it is being fed by the transmitter at full power (Fig. 1). A network analyzer may sometimes not “see” a problem until it significantly worsens since the network analyzer operates at very low power. A problem or failure that is happening while in operation or under load may not be apparent unless it’s being stressed at higher powers. 

Cost-Effective Solution
IR cameras are typically used at ground level for locations such as the inside of a transmitter building, along the transmission line trestle/ice bridge, at the tower base, and in the first few feet up the tower. Getting useful images further up the tower with ground-based cameras isn’t as feasible, as telephoto thermal lenses and camera equipment capable of providing usable, reliable information at longer distances (further up the tower) are extremely expensive to purchase or lease. Nevertheless, in the early days of doing IR scanning for clients, we leased nitrogen-cooled long lens systems in order to chase down problems on a tower that were evading diagnosis. 

As thermal cameras have become smaller, lighter, and (somewhat) more affordable, drone systems also became more reliable, precisely controllable, and able to lift heavier loads—all of which resulted in a “perfect marriage” of capabilities—airborne thermal cameras that can scan tower-mounted lines and equipment from more favorable vantage points.

Over the years, as we first built our own drones, then bought capable large commercial models to support our airborne antenna RF measurement work, we started experimenting with drone-mounted IR systems, finally settling on a camera system that provided dual IR/visual images while having lenses and sensors that permitted tower scanning from a reasonable distance from the tower. We ended up with three drones that can carry multi-use camera payloads. 

Plan Your Flight
Scanning a tower requires a bit of pre-planning and a careful preflight: guy wires, T-bars, and candelabra arms have to be avoided, and wind must be taken into account to prevent a collision (note: in a collision, the drone always loses, so inattention and distraction must be avoided during a mission). Some drones have a failsafe system, where it self-navigates to a safe place should it lose control telemetry.  Be sure that your ”fly-away” plan takes the drone out and away from the tower, and into a safe (guy wire-free) zone (Fig. 2).

Take a close look as to what is emitting RF energy on the tower, at what frequency, and at what power, especially in “tower farm” situations. Many drones don’t tolerate RF saturation or interference/overloading of their control and telemetry systems and some unlicensed microwave frequencies are close to the Wi-Fi telemetry frequencies used by drones. You could lose control and  have an un-commanded “fly away” event or crash.  

Since you want to see all systems being measured operate at full power for diagnostic purposes, plan to fly farther from the tower as the UAS flies through the elevations where high RF is expected. We typically fly close to the tower as we scan transmission lines, then back away to a calculated safe distance to transit a hot area (while still scanning the area of importance), then navigate back to the closer position once the UAV is out of the RF hot zone. Obviously, this is not a single operator event—you’ll want spotters to assist you. Understandably, this requires skill, planning, and satisfaction of certain FAA requirements.

Gathering and Analyzing Data
As for the practical side of gathering data, if your drone system doesn’t have the ability to record height as it ascends to correlate a height with a hotspot, look at the tower drawings and note vertical benchmarks, such as known guy wire and antenna heights. This way, if a thermal hot spot is noted, you can tell a tower climber to start checking for issues at a particular height range, saving some of their time.

Since the sun can thermally “load up” the tower, we prefer to do thermal scans at night, allowing time for the tower to cool down; otherwise, the solar loading can make temperature differences difficult to spot. Wind speeds and temperatures can differ, often significantly, as the height above ground changes. Having access to good weather information and on-board sensors can be helpful as you evaluate the resulting images and data.  

As for interpreting the information, training and experience are key. From a thermography standpoint, operating IR equipment from a drone is similar to operating IR equipment on the ground—the same data interpretation principles apply, even though the environment and considerations differ. Thermal camera suppliers such as FLIR have training programs and videos (including IR drone training) available. From experience, we know that small differences in temperature gradient generally are normal—it is the big differences that are telling. Reflected heat and light, paint color, and even material type and finish can give a false indication of high, or even normal, temperatures. 

Finally, if an anomaly is suspected from the imaging (Fig. 3), some people skills are needed to discuss what was observed and as a plan of further investigation is being developed. After all, thermal imaging is an interpretative art as much as it is a science. Approaching a possible problem in a non-confrontational manner with the suppliers and installers can go a long way toward gaining cooperation and a resolution. 

RAYMOND, Maine—Dielectric has launched a new filter for broadcasters deploying ATSC 3.0. The new Single Mode Filter targets high-power, single-channel applications and adjacent channel combining. Used as a combiner, the new high-power UHF filter is built for two adjacent TV transmission systems with a capacity of 60 kW TPO per channel and supplies additional power capacity for broadband applications. It can also be used as a single-channel 80 kW reflective filter, making it an economical alternative to the traditional dual-mode Constant Impedance Filter (CIF ) or the repack waveguide tunable CIF. The first orders are in production and ship in October.

The Single-Mode Filter reduces the number of components required for 80 kW applications, according to the company which notes that the innovation uses a reflective design approach versus the CIF approach, which requires two filters and input and output hybrids. The reduction in hardware also reduces the installation footprint — a substantial benefit for broadcasters with limited RF facility space. The fact that the filter is single-mode means it requires very little parts to make it work, which yields reliability for broadcasters.

The timing of the innovation is helpful for broadcasters planning their ATSC 3.0 systems. According to Cory Edwards, Director of OEM, Distributor and Southeast Asia Sales, broadcasters are looking for solutions that can handle more average and peak powers. 

“The ATSC 3.0 standard adds a stronger vertical polarization element than ATSC 1.0 to deliver NextGenTV broadcasts more effectively to mobile devices,” said Edwards. “That ‘V-Pol’ element requires the broadcaster to send more power through the transmitter, which results in a much higher amount of voltage in the first filter cavity. That problem escalates when you start to combine adjacent channels.”

Edwards notes that while the single-mode filters optimize power efficiency for ATSC 3.0 systems, they share the same performance efficiency as Dielectric’s waveguide dual-mode filters.

“The losses in our reflective and waveguide filters are very low across the board,” said Edwards. “The single-mode filter provides a more economical option for very high-power UHF broadcasters, and a more robust solution for ATSC 3.0 systems.”

As I approach my 300th RF Technology column for TV Tech, I thought it might be useful to describe some of the things I’ve learned in more than 50 years of working with broadcast transmitters. Throughout my career, I worked with concepts and systems that were difficult to understand, but through experience and help from experts I was fortunate to meet I was able to understand them better.

You’ve probably had similar experiences, from things as basic as learning to drive to creating spreadsheets on a computer or configuring an IP network. One element of this is being able to understand how these systems or tasks work on an almost intuitive level. That provides the basis for additional learning and expertise even across different fields. 

I’ve found many people who have built a good understanding of IT are also quick learners when it comes to RF systems. Over the years, I’ve noticed more of my readers are not engineers with RF backgrounds, but people, often with experience in other fields, who are interested in RF. This month’s column is for them, as I’ll be covering some basic principles. If you have had experience with RF, I welcome your comments on other RF topics non-engineers would find useful.

One thing that helps in gaining an understanding of how RF works is finding ways to see it work. Radio frequency electromagnetic fields are similar in many ways to much higher frequency energy, such as light. Just as buildings block some light and create shadows, they also block RF. 

However, the shadows are not completely dark, as some light finds its way in by reflection from other objects and scattering in the atmosphere. RF behaves the same way, although the amount of reflection and scattering in the atmosphere will vary with frequency and wavelength, which is the frequency divided by the speed of light. 

Comparing RF to Light
Like light, RF energy can be focused. In transmit antennas, this concentrates the power on the ground and can be used to target specific areas while avoiding others where coverage isn’t needed or interference has to be reduced. In receive antennas, the focusing provides gain, which, like a telescope, increases the intensity of the signal coming from one direction and reduces signals from other directions that may cause interference. 

As RF frequencies increase and wavelength decreases to a millimeter or less, antennas can even start looking like optical devices. At satellite and microwave frequencies, parabolic reflectors are commonly used. These also turn out to be quite effective at light and infrared wavelengths, as anyone who has had an LNB cover melt when the sun moved behind the satellite the dish was looking at knows.

Antennas and Wavelength
Keeping in mind the relationship between frequency and wavelength can also help in evaluating antennas. Antennas that have to work on lower frequencies, like low-band VHF-TV (54–88 MHz), FM radio (88–108 MHz), have to be larger than those used for high-VHF TV (174–216 MHz) or UHF TV (470–608 MHz) to work efficiently. This doesn’t mean small antennas won’t work at the lower frequencies for reception, just that the antenna itself will be less efficient. 

One solution is to add an amplifier. However, the amplifier will add its own noise, reducing sensitivity, and because the small antenna will be less directional (focused) it will pick up more surrounding noise and interference. For best results, a low-noise amplifier should be located at the antenna where it can offset the loss in the line to the TV and provide a good match to the line. 

On the transmit side, matching the resonant frequency and impedance of the antenna to the transmitter is more important. Without getting into the math, matching the impedance is like connecting two pipes of the same diameter together with the faucet on one end supplying water at the optimum rate for the pipe and the device (say, a turbine in this analogy) at the other end. The water flows smoothly with the least amount of loss. 

The same analogy applies in a system with a transmitter, transmission line and antenna. However, if the impedance of the components isn’t matched, it will lead to excessive current (causing heating) and voltage (potentially causing arcing) at different points in the system, depending on wavelength. 

Most broadcast systems are well-matched, unless the antenna is damaged so problems are more likely to occur when a connector starts to lose contact, increasing loss and heat leading to contamination in the line, perhaps due to carbon created by overheating from a bad contact. 

In most cases failures will create a mismatch in the line, which can be located at the base of the tower either by sending a very short pulse up the line and looking for the time it takes for the return reflection, or sweeping the frequency across a band of frequencies (and different wavelengths) and looking at the time domain response across the frequencies. Because these measurements involve “sweeping” between frequencies, this is often called “sweeping the line.”

TV Antenna Specs Debunked 
One of the things that bugs me when reading reviews for TV antennas or looking at ads is comparisons based on range in miles or antenna gains that include a built-in amplifier. More responsible manufacturers will include the gain of the antenna at different channels. Most are based on gain above an isotropic antenna (without going into details, a “perfect” antenna) as “dBi” rather than gain above a dipole or “dBd” (like a set of rabbit ears with total length of half a wavelength). Gain in dBi will be 2.15 dB higher than gain in dBd. Ideally the specifications will specify whether the gain is in dBi or dBd. 

The range numbers in antenna ads should be ignored, as they eliminate too many factors, such as the height of the transmit antenna above ground. Just as light diminishes quickly after the sun sets, when the transmitter’s antenna is below the radio horizon the signal will drop off quickly. Read my TV Tech column “Estimating Coverage: Quick Analysis for Facility Mods,” for more information. 

For a transmit antenna 2,000 feet above average terrain, the radio horizon is 63.3 miles away. As the signal drops off quickly beyond this distance (as with light past sunset) ranges of more than 70 miles only would apply from mountaintop to mountaintop or for very high transmitter sites. 

Experimenting With RF
The best way to get comfortable with RF is to experiment with it. While difficult to do on the transmitter side (unless you are a licensed amateur radio operator) there is a lot that can be done on the receive side. Check out my article “Inexpensive Tools for RF Field Measurements” for more information. 

The Airspy Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a great way to explore the RF spectrum. It cannot demodulate broadcast TV signals, but it will show the TV signal’s spectrum and signal strength. A handheld spectrum analyzer like the TinySA (read my column “tinySA: Finding Interference and Aiming Antennas”) is a great way to explore RF spectrum. 

I got an email from a reader who was seeing some odd behavior picking up distant stations in Chicago. He was interested in trying out different antennas and locations, so I suggested he get a tinySA. He did and is now able to see how antenna type, orientation and location impact the signal. He noticed the ripple (“spikes”) and I explained those were due to reflections. With a bit of time and tinySA, he now understands more about TV reception than many people today who work in broadcasting.

A clarification: In my article “RF at the NAB Show—ATSC 3.0, Part 1” I said Saankhya Labs developed their multi-standard ATSC 3.0 tuner in cooperation with Coherent Logic. Vasanth Shreesha from Saankyha said, “The Saankhya ATSC 3.0 receivers use our own chipset (SL3000 or SL4000)” and they were not developed by Coherent Logic.” 

Email me at dlung@transmitter.com. I try to answer all emails promptly, but if I’m busy and the email gets buried, I might miss it. If you don’t get a response within a week or so, email me again.

Lately I’ve seen a number of discussions about adding a frequency offset to an ATSC 1 signal to reduce interference. The issue came to light when it was discovered that at least one major manufacturer’s transmitters do not meet the manufacturer’s FCC emission mask test when the recommended co-channel ATSC offset is added. 

This month I’ll look at what ATSC has to say about frequency offsets and how they work. The ATSC 3.0 standard also includes options for not only frequency offsets but bandwidth reduction as well. 

Finally, I’ll report on my recent testing of the Hauppauge WinTV quadHD USB ATSC tuner. It uses a different tuner/demodulator chip than I’ve seen used with any other ATSC USB tuner. 

REDUCING CO-CHANNEL INTERFERENCE

I’m often asked what the tolerance is for the ATSC 1 pilot frequency. Many assume it is the same ±1 kHz tolerance that was used for analog TV, not including the 10 kHz offset the FCC specified in some cases. 

The correct answer is that the FCC does not specify a frequency tolerance for digital TV (ATSC 1 or 3.0) transmissions except in relation to lower adjacent analog TV stations. Excluding that case, the only requirement is that the emissions from the transmitter comply with the mask requirements in Section 73.622(h) (see sidebar). 

Back in 1998, I wrote about frequency offsets for ATSC 1 in my column; most related to analog stations. The FCC rules mandate an ATSC station must have its pilot carrier 5.082138 MHz above that of the lower adjacent NTSC station’s visual carrier. This is 22.697 kHz above the normal 309.440559 kHz offset from the channel edge, assuming the DTV signal is centered in the 6 MHz TV channel. The tolerance is ±3 Hz. (This offset won’t be relevant after July 13, 2021, when all LPTV stations must cease analog broadcasting.)

One of the offsets remains relevant—between two ATSC 1 stations operating on the same channel. This offset is defined in ATSC Recommended Practice A/64B, (section 5.1.6.1). It states:

“In the DTV co-channel interference condition, it has been found that a DTV pilot frequency offset that is an odd multiple of half the DTV segment rate provides improved interference rejection. There are several choices that meet this requirement. An offset of 1.5 times the segment frequency (i.e., 19,403 Hz) appears to provide the best performance. The frequency tolerance of the DTV transmitters should be ±10 Hz.” 

This ensures the frame and segment syncs of the two signals don’t line up. With this offset, they will alternate and be averaged out in the receiver.

Will a transmitter meet the requirements of FCC 73.622(h) with a 19,403 Hz offset? It seems it should, since when analog stations were on the air, some DTV transmitters had to meet this requirement with an even greater offset, 22,697 Hz, to comply with FCC 73.622(g). A number of devices, including transmitter exciters and external devices like the Avateq receivers display the 500 kHz shoulder levels in dB. 

However, I suspect these are referenced to the pilot carrier frequency, which, if offset, may not represent the 6 MHz channel spectrum and could show compliance when the transmitter’s emissions are actually outside that allowed by 73.622(h), which only references channel edges. 

I welcome comments from transmitter manufacturers on this question and also would be interested in any studies that show how much a precision offset reduces co-channel interference. With the repack complete, we now have stations on the same channel closer together, particularly LPTV stations, so it is important to see if offsets are worth employing to reduce interference.

ATSC 3.0 BANDWIDTH, FREQUENCY OFFSET OPTIONS

The ATSC references frequency offsets to avoid interference between ATSC 3.0 stations. According to the A/324 standard, section 10.3.3.1:

“Pilot pattern overlap always occurs when neighboring co-channel stations use the same FFT sizes, guard intervals, and pilot patterns. Even when neighboring co-channel stations use some different Physical Layer parameters (FFT sizes, guard intervals, or pilot patterns), there may be partial pilot overlap, depending on the choices of pilot patterns. Such pilot pattern overlap (both full and partial overlap) causes the sorts of channel estimation errors described above, which result in reception failure or performance degradation. To avoid overlapping pilot patterns, offset of Transmitter Center Frequencies shall be used.” 

The offset is zero or ± the 8K carrier spacing, which is 843.75 Hz. This is more important than the ATSC 1 co-channel offset because the ATSC 3.0 configurations can allow reception at low signal-to-noise ratios, which makes interference more likely where signals overlap. Obviously this will require coordination between stations, possibly over a wide area. 

If required by the ATSC 3.0 transmitter and filter, the overall occupied bandwidth can be reduced from 5.832844 MHz to as little as 5.508844 MHz (see the ATSC A/327 Physical Layer Recommended Practice section 4.2.2 for details). 

Bandwidth reduction is unlikely to be needed to handle a less than 1 kHz offset but may be needed to work with existing filters or in adjacent channel interference situations when combined with an offset. 

HAUPPAUGE WINTV QUADHD USB TUNER

After seeing support for the Hauppauge WinTV quadHD ATSC tuner was in Linux, I ordered one so I could put it to the test.  Fig. 1 shows what's inside. I haven’t had a chance to test it on the road yet so I didn’t want to risk removing the RF shield.

All that’s visible is the EM28274 Empia controller and the Maxlinear/Exar XR22404 4 port USB hub, which is connected to a USB-C connector. While Hauppauge says USB-C is required to supply the power and speed for the quad tuners, the supplied cable has a USB 3 type A connector on one end and worked fine on my laptop’s USB 3.1 port in limited testing. 

Unlike most ATSC USB ATSC receivers that have a separate tuner (such as the Si2157) and a separate demodulator (like the LGDT3306), the MxL692 chip includes both, taking an RF input and producing an ATSC transport stream output. Maxlinear says the tuner has integrated channel filtering and “excellent immunity to LTE and Wi-Fi interference.”

Installation on Ubuntu requires installing the Hauppauge media tree. I had no issues with Ubuntu 20.04 and following the instructions on the web page, but note there are different instructions if Ubuntu’s hardware enhancement (hwe) kernel is installed. I recommend using the hwe kernel to get support for the latest devices. 

The good news is that the tuner works great in Kaffeine (a Linux TV viewer and recorder) and, with four tuners, multiple channels can be recorded simultaneously. 

The bad news is that the current quadHD driver does not provide usable statistics with the DVB utilities dvb-fe-tool and dvbsnoop for measuring channel power and SNR limiting usefulness for signal monitoring. I’ve listed this as an issue on the Hauppauge Ubuntu-media-tree-kernel-builder Github page. You can monitor it for updates. 

My WinTV dualHD with the Si2157 tuner required a –80 dBm UHF input level to deliver an error-free picture with an SNR of about 17.8 dB. Without changing the attenuation, I switched to the quadHD and Kaffeine did not display a picture. After reducing attenuation to get stable reception on the quadHD I found it required –77 dBm, 3 dB more than that needed by the WinTV dualHD. This is likely due to the additional losses splitting the signal to twice as many tuners. 

The tests were performed with an outdoor nondirectional vertically polarized antenna so signal quality was not pristine—I’ll be doing more testing next time I’m in Los Angeles. One plus is scanning the post-repack TV band with the quadHD takes seconds compared to minutes with the dualHD.  

The quadHD works with TSReader in Windows 10 after installing the quadHD driver available on the Hauppauge support web page. I prefer TSReader to Hauppauge’s WinTV software. Broadcast engineers will want it to check ATSC PSIP. 

The WinTV quadHD USB should appeal to enthusiasts who want to record program streams from more than two channels at the same time and to broadcast engineers that want to monitor multiple stations at the same time, perhaps using multiple instances of TSReader. I look forward to doing more testing with it and hope that, at some point, the driver will support the dvb utilities. 

As always, I welcome comments and questions. Email me at dlung@transmitter.com. I try to answer all emails promptly, but if I’m busy and the email gets buried I might miss it. If you don’t get a response within a week or so, email me again.

SIDEBAR: FCC DTV Table of Allotments (FCC Section 73.622) 

(h)(1) The power level of emissions on frequencies outside the authorized channel of operation must be attenuated no less than the following amounts below the average transmitted power within the authorized channel. In the first 500 kHz from the channel edge the emissions must be attenuated no less than 47 dB. More than 6 MHz from the channel edge, emissions must be attenuated no less than 110 dB. At any frequency between 0.5 and 6 MHz from the channel edge, emissions must be attenuated no less than the value determined by the following formula:

Attenuation in dB = −11.5(Δf + 3.6);

Where: Δf = frequency difference in MHz from the edge of the channel.

(2) This attenuation is based on a measurement bandwidth of 500 kHz. Other measurement bandwidths may be used as long as appropriate correction factors are applied. Measurements need not be made any closer to the band edge than one half of the resolution bandwidth of the measuring instrument. Emissions include sidebands, spurious emissions and radio frequency harmonics. Attenuation is to be measured at the output terminals of the transmitter (including any filters that may be employed). In the event of interference caused to any service, greater attenuation may be required.

MONTREAL—ETL Systems has announced that CBC/Radio-Canada’s new state of the art production center in Montreal has been equipped with ETL Systems’ RF distribution equipment.

The Canadian public broadcaster is using the equipment to ensure the reliability of RF signals being carried from the rooftop antenna park to the satellite reception facility.

The new 420,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Maison de Radio-Canada will broadcast 13 radio stations and CBC’s French-speaking arm with 20 TV channels and 80 radio channels operating out of the hub. The new center is completely fiber-based and will help the broadcaster move towards IP.

ETL’s RF distribution equipment was supplied through its partner Consultation Pefau Consulting, which it has worked with since 2016.

The broadcast center has included ETL’s Hurricane 64x 64 RF switch matrix (HUR-10) equipped with active fiber optic input modules, L-band Alto line amplifier and 8, 16 and 32-way single L-Band Active Dextra splitters.

Bill Pryle, RF consultant at ETL Systems noted in a statement that broadcasters are having to upgrade infrastructure to meet the ever-growing demand for news, information and entertainment. 

“During the last 5 years, lots of broadcasters, especially in North America, have either upgraded or moved broadcasting facilities to expand, improve or ensure the quality of service being provided,” Pryle said. “In CBC/Radio-Canada’s case, its new facility in Montreal is state-of-the-art and has moved the broadcaster towards IP, which will support its broadcast of huge one-off events or regular local ones, as well its ability to essentially transmit channels and information anywhere at any time."

“That’s why CBC/Radio-Canada wanted to ensure all RF equipment used in its new facility met stringent requirements around reliability and could work hand-in-hand with IP,” he added. “ETL’s RF matrices, RF amplifiers and RF splitters met these criteria and will play their part in distributing the satellite signals to the satellite receivers - to ensure continued quality coverage.”

The installation is the second time that the broadcaster has used ETL’s RF distribution equipment. It also worked with the manufacturer on the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto in 2016, where ETL’s StingRay RF Over Fibre equipment is installed.

Long time readers know I like to test compact and, where possible, low-cost equipment. Recently I found another tool to add to my backpack when I get back on the road. 

Seven years ago, wanting a spectrum analyzer I could throw in my laptop bag, I spent around $500 (I don’t remember the exact price) for a 5 GHz spectrum analyzer a bit bigger than a USB flash drive from Triarchy. The company is still around selling miniature USB spectrum analyzers that can cover frequencies up to 8.15 GHz. I’m sure the analyzer and associated software have improved since I bought my unit.

Recently we’ve seen the introduction of a number of innovative, low-cost, RF instruments. The NanoVNA, which I’ve written about before, is one of those and the basic design has been improved to where the performance is now close to units costing orders of magnitude more. 

It seemed to me that with the right firmware, the NanoVNA could be turned into a spectrum analyzer. As far as I know, that hasn’t happened, but I found the tinySA spectrum analyzer for around $50! Details can be found at www.tinysa.org/wiki. 

The unit is sometimes available in the U.S. from R&L Electronics or direct from China at the Zeenko Store on AliExpress. I ordered mine from another store I trusted on AliExpress and it took a month to arrive. Half that time was spent making it through USPS mail after it arrived in the United States.  

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS

Before you get too excited, this unit, like the first NanoVNA units, has limitations. However, within its primary frequency span from 0.1 to 350 MHz and even the expanded “high” range that goes to 950 MHz, it is quite usable and offers some features not present in my older Triarchy analyzer. While it is not much bigger than a USB ATSC tuner, it includes a rechargeable battery and a tiny 2.8-inch (diagonal) LCD touchscreen.

The tinySA low input for frequencies below 350 MHz has filtering and adjustable attenuation in 1 dB steps between 0 dB and 31 dB. It includes a built-in level calibrator for this input and after calibration specified accuracy is +/–1 dB. With a resolution bandwidth of 30 kHz it can detect signals down to –102 dBm. Spur-free dynamic range is 70 dB at that resolution bandwidth. Frequency accuracy is specified as the selected resolution bandwidth, which can be set to 3, 10, 30, 100, 300 or 600 kHz or set to “auto.” Not bad for $50.

I know many, if not most, readers will be interested in how it performs using the “free” high input that covers from 240 MHz to 950 MHz. The first thing to know is there is no filtering on this input and no internal attenuation. Filters and attenuators can be obtained from RF component manufacturers like Mini Circuits and added externally. While the input impedance of the low input is 50 ohms if 10 dB internal attenuation is added, without an external attenuator the impedance of the high input will vary. The high input also does not work with the internal level calibrator, so for calibration an external reference is needed.

Since there is 100 MHz of overlap between the low and high inputs, you can use the low input to measure a signal in the overlap band and then switch it to the high input and manually adjust the level calibration to match (at that frequency). Without the filtering, the high input is also subject to images. The firmware includes an option to mask nearby “mirror images.” When using this to look at DTV signals in the UHF TV band I did not find images to be an issue.

Fig. 1 shows a screenshot of the FM band as seen at my house. The third signal from the left (90.7 MHz) is coming from Maui, which is 94 miles away with at least one obstruction. The four stronger signals are from a site only 2.4 miles away, with one obstruction.

Fig. 2 shows a scan of the UHF TV band. The Channel 36 signal (far right) is from a 213-watt ERP translator 5.5 miles away and line of sight. The tilt is due to roll-off from the Antra ATF-600 LTE filter. The Channel 28 signal is interesting as the K28JV transmitter site is in the opposite direction (in Hilo) and blocked by terrain. None of the other Hilo stations are visible in the plot. Even with the compromises on the high input, the performance isn’t bad.

The high input should work fine at UHF for things like tracking down interference to wireless microphones or aiming TV antennas, but it is probably a good idea to add a 10 dB attenuator or two to the high input if working in a strong signal environment. I have not had a chance to test the tinySA at a broadcast site such as Mount Wilson. I fear the plastic case will lead to problems even with input attenuators. The tinySA wiki warns about this in its “limitations” section.

AVAILABLE SOFTWARE 

The 320x240 pixel screen will limit measurement resolution but some early software is available for using the tinySA with a PC. The page also has a link to a version of tinySA-Saver based on NanoVNA-Saver that will run in Linux or Mac OS. The instructions, however, appear to be written for use with a NanoVNA, not a spectrum analyzer and unfortunately most of the tinySA settings are not available in tinySA-Saver, at least that I could see in the version tested in early January. The tinySA-App for Windows worked quite well and was used to generate the screenshots for Figs. 1 and 2. The app can switch between the low and high modes.

There is obviously room for improvement here. In the FAQ section of the wiki the designers indicate more advanced (and expensive) units may be offered if there is enough interest in the $50 unit to justify production. Considering the size and cost of a signal meter for aiming a TV antenna or a larger portable spectrum analyzer, it was an easy decision to spend $50 for a device that not only provides an amplitude indication but also a spectrum display and can fit in my shirt pocket. I wouldn’t mind spending $150 for a unit with wider frequency range, a metal case and perhaps a 4-inch screen.

As always, I welcome comments and questions. Email me at dlung@transmitter.com. I try to answer all emails promptly, but if I’m busy and the email gets buried I might miss it. If you don’t get a respond within a week or so, email me again.  

RAYMOND, Maine—Dielectric has made a list that it wants broadcasters to check twice when it comes to transitioning to the new ATSC 3.0 standard. 

The “RF Systems Considerations for ATSC Change” is meant to check every box as part of a thorough evaluation of RF systems for their readiness for NextGen TV, which Dielectric describes as significantly different from the process of transitioning to ATSC 1.0.

The checklist addresses two major consequences of transitioning to ATSC 3.0: the increase in occupied bandwidth and the increase in peak power. Other elements touched on in the checklist are the removal or replacement of old RF equipment; RF system service, including sweeps performed by Dielectric engineers to improve overall VSWR performance; and compatibility of components, including acceptable filtering levels and the presence of appropriate interlock and RF monitoring points.

Dielectric does acknowledge that many broadcasters may have critical components in place because of RF upgrades made during the repack.

“[W]e will work with transmitter vendors and broadcasters to ensure that their elbows, switches, transmission line and other RF systems inside the shelter are primed and ready for NextGen TV performance,” said Cory Edwards, Dielectric sales manager.

The Dielectric whitepaper checklist is available on the technical resources page of the company’s website. 

INDIANAPOLIS—The Society of Broadcast Engineers has announced that it has reached an agreement to provide spectrum coordination services for the Department of Defense in the 2025–2110 MHz/2 GHz range. That range is a slice of the Broadcast Auxiliary Service. It also includes some civilian mobile, military and other federal activities such as NASA communications.

The DoD is developing and deploying training systems that will be active in that range in a number of locations across the country. Since it is shared spectrum, the department wanted to avoid disruption of the services as well as disrupting civilian and commercial services also using that range.

That particular range is used by radio and TV stations, notably STLs/TLSes, auxiliary broadcasting such as translators, cable TV relays and more. After consultation with the SBE along with the National Association of Broadcasters the department has entered into an agreement with the SBE for the broadcast engineering association to provide nationwide frequency coordination services.

According to a release the SBE board of directors approved the agreement in April. The association has selected the broadcast consulting firm Technical Broadcast Solutions. Its principal is R.J. Russell, CPBE, a 20-year member of the SBE. He was most recently also SBE national vice president and chair of its Frequency Coordination Committee.

SBE President Jim Leifer said, “Part of the SBE’s mission is to create working alliances within the broadcast industry and with those who work in our space. Entering into this agreement serves to protect broadcaster’s use of spectrum and provides a needed service to our government. I am pleased that we are able to partner with the DoD’s prime contractor in this effort.”

IBC 2019, 13-17 September, Hall 10 Stand C25: DTC Broadcast will feature its entire wireless AEON transmitter range, including the acclaimed AEON Lite transmitter and the PRORXD-AEON receiver, all at a new location during IBC 2019 in Amsterdam from 13–17 September.

DTC Broadcast has relocated to Hall 10 this year to ensure the highest visibility for its AEON transmitter range as well as the latest developments for other new DTC Broadcast products.

According to DTC Vice President, Broadcast Sales, JP Delport, “A few years ago the SNG market was core business for us, but bonded SIM technology has changed the game for newsgathering. However there has been growth in OB and live event production, so overall we have seen an increased requirement for our technology and our move to Hall 10 reflects the shift in our customer base.”

DTC’s AEON Lite is the lightest and smallest HEVC 4K transmitter currently on the market and is highly regarded for exceptional RF and picture performance. Designed to offer future-proof connectivity, the unit supports quad 3G-SDI video inputs which enable the user to transmit up to four simultaneous HD signals over a single RF channel.

AEON Lite will be demonstrated with the PRORXD-AEON, an integrated eight-way diversity 4K receiver/decoder that includes maximum ratio combining across all eight RF inputs.

DTC will also feature its industry-leading IP Mesh technology. Multiple RF nodes serve as both transmitters and receivers and are combined into a wireless ad-hoc IP network – DTC’s fluid, self-forming, self-healing mesh. Unlike other wireless options, Mesh constantly readjusts itself as nodes move, working out which are in range to determine the best route to send data between them. With genuine non-line-of-sight coverage, superb penetration, and wide bandwidth in difficult environments, the system is truly mobile. It supplies a network with extended range – one which will deliver in environments too tough for other radio solutions to cope with.

Finally, yet important to professionals in the video assist market, is the introduction of DTC’s CineVue, which combines DTC’s Nano HD camera-back transmitter with a purpose-built handheld visual receiver. The CineVue system takes an HD-SDI video feed from a film camera; encodes the signal to a low bitrate; modulates that signal on an RF spectrum; and transmits it to the handheld monitor to provide high-quality visibility of what is taking place on a shoot in real-time, including highly valuable metadata such as colour lookup tables, lens data, and time stamps.

###

About DTC Domo Broadcast - Broadcasting without boundaries

DTC Broadcast (Domo Tactical Communications) is at the forefront of wireless broadcast communication technologies. DTC has developed its cutting edge technologies for the broadcast market providing real technical and operational benefits that empower users to broadcast without boundaries.

A world-class supplier of wireless links globally and a leader in the MPEG4 wireless technology revolution, DTC offers high-quality, DVB-T low-delay broadcast transmitter/receiver systems and IP solutions designed specifically for electronic news gathering, outside broadcast, satellite newsgathering, motor and extreme sports coverage, portable field monitoring and video assist applications.

Backed by more than 50 years' experience in the military and surveillance market, DTC’s broadcast portfolio benefits from the ultra-high build quality and ruggedness these markets require.

For more information www.domobroadcast.tv

Media enquiries

Manor Marketing
Kara Myhill
+44 (0) 789 9977222
kara@manormarketing.tv

Videosys Broadcast is a leading supplier of quality camera control systems, RF links and camera backs to outside broadcast providers. At the forefront of technological innovation, Videosys Broadcast has successfully partnered with leading technology companies including, DTC, Wave Central, Hitachi, Panasonic, Ikegami, and Grass Valley . The company manages projects and design from concept to the finished article from its UK head office.

Launching at IBC 2019:
NEW: Epsilon - 4K integrated Camera Control System - Launching at IBC 2019, Epsilon is a multi-function broadcast RF camera control system that includes a fully integrated 4K decoder and receiver. Comprised of base and head modules, Epsilon is an ideal solution for HD and 4K live sports and music events. Significantly reducing rig time and equipment count, Epsilon delivers wide area coverage in stadia, large studio environments, houses of worship and educational centres, simplifying set-up and reducing production costs. The system works seamlessly with the 4K Aeon-CC TX digital video transmitter to provide the complete 4K wireless RF system.

NEW: Stagebox – Also launching at IBC 2019 is Videosys Broadcast’s Stagebox solution. Stagebox enables the delivery of video, audio and data from A-to-B, over fibre. Using an ad-hoc commentary position as an example, Stagebox enables all the audio and video components (microphone, monitors, talkback panel) to be multiplexed onto a single SMPTE fibre cable and powered remotely. Traditionally, operators would have to run a cable for each feed. Stagebox provides crews with a swiss army knife style production tool enabling all the feeds to be connected to the base unit in the OB truck and multiplexed onto the single SMPTE fibre cable. This reduces significant rigging time and costs. Stagebox can also be used for the lighting director’s position or in a small remote studio.

The system can manage four video and four audio signals in each direction, which can be selected from a small screen, providing confidence to the operator that the correct signal has been selected. Additional features include a monitoring output so the operator can check individual video and audio signals without interrupting the main feed. Stagebox also includes talkback to the OB truck or studio again adding an extra layer of confidence for operators.

Also showing:
Camera Control (CC) System – The Videosys Broadcast Camera Control System is comprised of three units, Indoor Unit (IDU), Outdoor Unit (ODU) and Camera Receiver (RXSM-E). The CC system provides an end-to-end solution from RCP to camera for the outside broadcaster, allowing them to seamlessly control their camera settings no matter what their location. Videosys’ CC system works with cameras from all the major camera manufacturers and has over 500 deployments worldwide. 

BORDEAUX, France—As broadcasters continue to deal with the repack, Sutro Tower in San Francisco is collaborating with two WorldCast Group companies to update its equipment. WorldCast Systems and CONNECT are the two selected to develop and supply an Antenna Switch Controller System and a unified monitoring platform for RF operations.

As part of its repack process, the 977-foot Sutro Tower, which handles both radio and television in San Francisco, is replacing several antennas, adding additional RF feeds and replacing its existing antenna control system. The WorldCast product that will be installed incorporates hardware and software from both the Eresco (RF) division and CONNECT.

Based on the new Eresco Switch Controller, the system is designed specifically for the Sutro Tower and is responsible for moving the RF switches as commanded by customers. The system monitors/records data for real-time display and analysis. Each ESC can manage five motorized RF switches and is built on FPGA hardware that will link the controllers to a network to manage connections. One controller will be installed in the suite for each broadcaster customer at Sutro Tower.

Initially, Sutro Tower has ordered 10 controllers for TV and five for radio, which will control approximately 35 motorized RF switches. The expected product delivery is some time in 2019.

For more information on the repack, visit TV Technology's repack silo.

LAS VEGAS—The number of TV broadcast-related items on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has decreased over the last 10 years, but I was able to find a few RF items of interest to TV Technology readers in Las Vegas this year.

One technology I didn’t find in the main exhibit halls was ATSC 3.0 (often shortened to just ATSC 3), as most engineers still call it, or Next Gen TV, the more modern name used by people promoting the new standard to a wider audience. This wasn’t because manufacturers had given up on ATSC 3, rather the technology had matured enough that the next move will be the launch of real ATSC 3 products.

The integrated circuits needed for ATSC 3 receivers have been designed and it appears they will be available from multiple sources. There was an ATSC 3 signal available over-the-air and ATSC 3 devices were on display at CES 2019, but most were shown only by appointment off the convention floor. Channel Master was showing an ATSC 3 gateway at the Luxor. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get an appointment to see it.

When will ATSC 3 receivers become available? That will likely depend on when there are enough ATSC 3 broadcasts to justify a nationwide rollout of devices. This rollout could be through one or more “lighthouse” ATSC 3 stations in market carrying some major network programming, ideally in a format that shows off the potential of ATSC 3.

Could this happen in time for manufacturers to show devices at CES 2020 for distribution by Christmas that year? Perhaps. Broadcaster support for ATSC 3 is growing and the Phoenix ATSC 3 model market is providing an example of how ATSC 3 can be launched if stations cooperate.

There was one ATSC 3 demonstration being exhibited for all at CES. It was in the Westgate Pavilion, not the Las Vegas Convention Center, but it showed a practical example of ATSC 3 software that could be used to implement ATSC 3 reception now with currently available devices such as the Airwavz USB dongle.

The Wipro demo consisted of a Dektec software defined RF/modulator generating an ATSC 3 signal connected to an Airwavz Redzone USB receiver dongle hooked up to an NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV box running the Wipro software (Fig. 1). I saw the setup displaying video and a program guide and some other interactive functions.

It seems likely Airwavz will offer a version of the Wipro software to purchasers of its Airwavz ATSC 3 dongles, but I don’t have any information on pricing or availability at this time. I did learn Airwavz will be switching to a different demodulator at some point for future versions of the Airwavz dongle. USB ATSC 3 receivers may also be available before too long from other companies in China and possibly Korea.

ANTENNAS

Voxx’s RCA brand had some new antennas at CES 2019 that included elements for VHF, even low VHF. A representative said these were added as a result of more stations moving to VHF during the FCC incentive auction. There are two versions—the smaller amplified ANT850E and the larger unamplified ANT950E (Fig. 2) both designed for outdoor or attic installation and VHF and UHF reception. I wasn’t able to find an engineer to talk to, but it appears the VHF elements are single dipoles at least in the ANT850E, although the flat, enclosed elements in the ANT950E appear large enough to provide some benefit at high VHF. The tags for both antennas said, “Receives TV broadcasts including 4K and 1080 HDTV when available for highest quality picture and sound, both UHF and VHF stations.” Yes, make sure you don’t get stuck with an analog or standard-definition-only TV antenna. (Of course, I’m kidding—while antenna characteristics can affect the quality of digital TV reception, it has absolutely nothing to do with resolution.)

Now that TV broadcasting has switched to digital, the “cliff edge” effect where the signal goes from perfect to nothing with a small change in signal level makes antenna aiming difficult. RCA’s solution is to include an LED signal meter with some of its antenna products.

The representative I talked to said that it only works at UHF, but didn’t have details on exactly how it works. The bandwidth would have to be narrow enough to reject strong 700 MHz (and now 600 MHz) LTE wireless signals, but wide enough to catch at least one of the channels operating in a market. At the time this article was written, the company’s website did not have any information on these antennas.

In a previous column I mentioned how impressed I was with the performance of the small Antop indoor antenna with preamp. I had a chance stop by the Antop exhibit at CES. They didn’t have an open version of the antenna I was using but it appears the preamp was installed at the antenna and not in the coax line, as I suspected, which helped improve the performance of the small antenna. One similar model had two telescopic “rabbit ears” added for VHF.

OTHER ITEMS

3D was back with StreamTV Networks’ display showing “Glasses-Free 3D” with 8K panels. The images were simple but it seemed to work (Fig. 3). To learn more about it, see www.streamtvnetworks.com/ultra-d/.

The last item has no relevance to RF or broadcasting, except perhaps as a new ENG or camera platform, but Bell was showing their Nexus “air taxi,” a helicopter like transport that had six large rotors (like a drone, but rotors could be oriented horizontal or vertical). Bell had a computer-generated video on a large screen showing a flock of these air taxis flying through a city, landing and taking off from roof tops. People were lining up to have their picture taken inside the thing (Fig. 4). More info at www.bellflight.com/company/innovation/nexus.

What did I miss? Comments and questions are welcome. Email me atdlung@transmitter.com.

MONTREAL–Euro Media Group (EMG) has selected Grass Valley’s LDX 86 4K HDR RF camera heads for its sports and live events coverage worldwide. The cameras will form part of EMG’s upgraded, RF high-speed wireless solution.

According to Grass, the camera heads are the industry’s only wireless, shoulder-mounted 4K RF head, offering EMG a single solution for transmitting HD, 4K and HiSpeed HD over the same link while covering sporting events such as international road cycling and marathons in UHD.

“We’ve developed unique wireless solutions to provide our clients with the best coverage of their projects, and we always aim to deliver the highest frame rate possible with the highest quality imagery,” said Ronald Meyvisch, chief technology officer, EMG. “To complement our UHD wireless technology, we were looking for a lightweight, robust and native 4K HDR RF camera. We have been a Grass Valley customer for many years – their solutions are unmatched and we had full confidence that they could meet our requirements for this project. The new LDX 86N4K RF camera head was the perfect solution for what we needed. With no compromise on image quality, we have the agility we need to successfully operate in an RF broadcast environment. Grass Valley has consistently worked hard to address today’s market challenges head on, making them the perfect technology partner for us.”

In my last column I described measurements I made on some indoor TV antennas. The “Spectrum Spy” software and Airspy SDR I used for those measurements can also be used as part of a very portable, simple, inexpensive field measurement setup.

This setup is not a replacement for professional field measurements done using a 30-foot mast, precision test equipment and a cluster of measurements in each location. The lower antenna height will be more affected by ground reflections and local obstructions and the accuracy of inexpensive consumer devices can vary.

This simple setup will provide some confidence the transmission facility is working and provide a comparison with stations at the same location on channels close to the one being measured.

The procedure is similar to one I described several years ago for measurements in Philadelphia (“Using TVStudy To Map Coverage, Interference,” June 26, 2013), except that a full-size spectrum analyzer is not required. Given a suitable laptop for the programs, the entire package can be put together for under $200 using a $70 Hauppauge WinTV dualHD USB tuner, the $28 RTL-SDR dongle, a $40 antenna, a length of RG-6 coax and a $34 extension pole.

ANTENNA SETUP

For field testing, I prefer the Winegard FreeVison FV-HD30. While too large to pack in a carry-on bag, it is readily available at Home Depot and other retailers. It doesn’t require a power supply, is reasonably sturdy and provides acceptable reception at VHF. A log-periodic antenna, like the Blonder Tongue BTY-UHF-BB or Scala CL-1469B will have flatter response across the UHF band, but is larger, heavier and much more expensive. The FV-HD30 is cheap enough to leave at the station when measurements are completed.

A trip to Home Depot provided a good antenna support—the Wooster 6- to 12-foot “Sherlock” extension pole. It is quite sturdy and the FV-HD30 antenna mounts to it securely.

MEASURING SIGNAL LEVELS

There are many instruments available for signal level measurement, but are they small enough to fit in your shirt pocket? Two Hauppauge USB tuners provide readings accurate enough for the comparison testing described here. The HVR-955Q and WinTV dualHD use Silicon Labs Si2157 tuners, which report signal strength in dBm, and LG LGDT3106A demodulators that report MER (modulation error ratio) in dB x 10.

Obtaining this data is simple using the Linux programs dvb-fe-tool for signal level measurements and dvbsnoop for MER after tuning to the desired station using the Kaffeine media player. These tools can do a lot more than I’ve described here. (See their main pages or the links above for info.) Channel scans can be done within Kaffeine or using the wscan program.

All of these programs are available and easy to install on the various Ubuntu Linux flavors. There may be comparable tools for signal measurement available for Windows, but I haven’t run across them.

Software-defined radios (SDR) can also be used to measure signal levels, but absolute signal power measurements may not be accurate without considering device gain settings. The rtl_power program measures channel power over a defined spectrum from inexpensive Realtek SDR dongles. A modified version of the program, rx_power, uses SoapySDR and Soapy_power to measure power from other devices such as the Airspy SDR.

COMPARING SIGNAL LEVELS

The easiest way to compare multiple channels is to use the Airspy SDR and its Spectrum Spy software to grab a screenshot of spectrum to a file tagged with the date and time. This was what I used to generate the spectrum plots I outlined in last month’s article. Unfortunately, Spectrum Spy only works in Windows and only works with Airspy devices, which means switching between two operating systems during measurements or using two laptops. As noted, signal level readings depend on the RF gain setting.

QSpectrumAnalyzer, a spectrum analyzer program for Linux, can plot data from Soapy_power, rx_power, or rtl_power by taking individual power measurements in the bandwidth specified over the frequency range entered. Be sure to set the interval long enough to allow gathering all the samples for the frequency range and set an appropriate “crop” to limit the SDR bandwidth. Too little crop and variations in response over the SDR sample bandwidth will cause ripple in the display. Fig. 1 shows a QSpectrumAnalyzer plot from 470 to 700 MHz and the settings used with the Airspy SDR. I found QSpectrumAnalyzer also works quite well with the inexpensive RTL-SDR dongle.

Earlier I mentioned using the rx_power and rtl_power programs. They can also be used to record power in a .csv file over a frequency range up to the limits of the device. The results can be converted to a graph using the flatten.py program to convert the measurements to a 2D csv file and graphed in a spreadsheet program. Fig. 2 shows the output from a scan of the entire UHF TV band using 1 MHz samples.

The data from these programs can be graphed as signal level versus time in a waterfall type display using the heatmap. py program. While it may not be useful for field measurements, hours of measurements can be stored and graphed to catch intermittent interference problems or to measure spectrum use over time. For more information on these programs, see http://kmkeen.com/rtl-power and https://github.com/rxseger/rx_tools. Search Google for “rx_tools” and “rtl_power” for additional information and alternative versions.

TABLET/SMARTPHONE/TV

This isn’t a measurement tool, but if you have an older tablet or Android smartphone, the iview Air Stick provides a way to tune in over-the-air ATSC broadcasts using a small dongle. I found it worked on my Samsung S7 phone, but not on a Samsung S8 with USB-C connector and Anker USB-C to micro-USB adapter. It worked fine on my Asus P01M tablet using Android 5.0. The tuner is quite sensitive. A channel scan with the included whip antenna with no particular care for placement near my desk in Los Angeles brought in 124 major/minor channels.

While the hardware performance is excellent, the software is severely lacking. After a scan it only displays the channel name, not the major channel or minor channel, even though it appears to sort results by major channel number. Relative signal quality information is displayed during the scan but is not available after the scan to help with antenna position. Perhaps future software versions will work better. In any event, at a list price of $39 and the size of a postage stamp it is an easy addition to my road kit.

As always, your comments and questions are welcome. Email me atdlung@transmitter.com.

SALT LAKE CITY— In March 2017, DTV Utah began plans on repacking six of its eight DTV Utah Stations that were required to change frequencies as a result of the spectrum auction. DTV Utah, LLC is a television transmitter site located in the Oquirrh Mountains above Salt Lake City, Utah, and was the location of a complex, channel repack project involving nine UHF television stations, with eight of the transmitters combined into a community antenna.

DTV Utah, LLC was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit corporation that owns and operates the community television facility. Greg James of Bonneville International originated the concept of a community site for the new digital service.

“The discussion revolved around the problem created for viewers, if stations were dispersed over a wide geographic area,” James said. “As I thought about multipath in the mountainous area we live in, it made a lot of sense to broadcast from a single location.”

[Read: Eight TV Stations On One Stick Ponder Repack]

Other benefits of co-locating the markets transmitters include economies of scale and reduction of intermodulation interference.

The television stations currently in the DTV Utah group include:

• KSL (Bonneville International)
• KUTV and KJZZ (Sinclair Broadcasting)
• KTVX and KUCW (Nexstar)
• KUED and KUEN (University of Utah)
• KBYU (Brigham Young University)

The DTV Utah site is located 9,000 feet above sea level, with limited access via a 10-mile single-lane dirt road, limited space for construction and a limited seasonal construction window of four months due to weather conditions and road access.

The original DTV Utah site consisted of two four-channel Dielectric combiners, connected to either the main Kathrein antenna, or to an auxiliary antenna through a complex waveguide switching network with five modes of operation. In addition, all eight stations could be combined together and routed to any of the three antennas.

COMPLICATIONS ARISE

It was soon discovered that the original WR 1500 waveguide was not going to pass the new frequencies. The existing Kathrein community antenna also required evaluation to determine if it would perform under the new parameters. The repack design was also complicated by the frequencies that were assigned. Channel 34 (KUTV) and Channel 36 (KUEN) did not require change, but as fate would have it, Channel 35 was assigned to KUCW, creating three adjacent channels and potential intermodulation issues.

Other challenges included transmitter cooling at the thin air of 9,000 feet, transmission line performance, and the requirement to stay on the air while creating a seamless transition to the new channels.

The repack design included a patch panel that provided a path for the N+1 transmitter to replace any of the eight transmitters at the input of the combiner.

Marsand Inc.'s Matthew A. Sanderford, Jr. PE and David Sanderford installed the transmitters while Legacy Electric of Salt Lake City did the electrical work. Tower and antenna work was performed by GTI, America and Burk Technology designed the control system. Climate Control (CCI) handled HVAC.

TRANSMITTERS AND COMBINER

Each station decided on the make and model of the eight new transmitters; Five Rohde and Schwarz THU9evo transmitters and three Gates Air Maxiva UXLT transmitters, including the N+1 transmitter were installed along with one Dielectric combiner and six Dielectric WR1800 waveguide switches for nine different combiner/antenna/test load modes.

Each station purchased their own transmitters based on their own evaluations. “Given the complexity of the project, I suggested one installer for all of the transmitters,” James said. “It would have been a nightmare to schedule different crews on each transmitter. The same was true for electrical, HVAC, and so on.”

The new Dielectric, dual four-port combiner was installed in a very tight 20 x 17 x 9-foot space.

How do you keep your station on the air, while removing your old transmitter and installing the new one? All eight stations were operated at lower power into the auxiliary community antenna through the period of construction and transition. The GatesAir N+1 transmitter was delivered with broadband power amplifiers. As the N+1 was placed on the air, the old transmitter was decommissioned and the new transmitter installed, tuned to the original frequency and tested through the combiner/mask filter to a load.

SEVEN-DAY PROCESS

Each transmitter switch-out took about seven days and the process of bringing each transmitter on line was complex. First, engineers had to run transmitter power at the level that delivered the power calculated to meet ERP requirements of the station, when measured at the dummy load at the output of the combiner. They then had to measure the input power to the combiner hybrid; measure transmitter power out, and calibrate that as 100 percent power. This had to be repeated for each of the four profiles in each transmitter.

A spectrum analyzer was used to perform a power-band measurement on the four combined channels to verify spectrum compliance. As a final step, each station’s reflected power spectrum was recorded to determine a baseline for monthly performance tests.

COMMUNITY ANTENNA REBUILD

The original Kathrein antenna (two Kathrein eight tier by three bay antenna systems—48 panels total), was selected because of the extensive use of the antenna in the Swiss Alps. The temperature extremes at the DTV Utah site are very similar to the Alps, with a thermal swing of over 100 degrees winter to summer (-18F to +85F) Grundy Telecommunications Inc., America, was asked to review the existing Kathrein community antenna system and Kathrein Antenna Works sent an engineer who helped in the evaluation. After band sweeping and physical inspection, engineers determined that the existing antenna system would not perform well for the repack system.

The original tower was custom-built to support the Kathrein 70 x 6-foot radome cylinder. DTV Utah considered replacing the antenna with a different make and model, but structural modifications to the tower would have made replacement cost prohibitive. Kathrein was asked to develop a replacement antenna system … since the radome cylinder supported the antenna, it seemed possible to remove the old antenna system and replace it with a new one.

The next step was demolition and rebuild of the antenna system. Grundy removed main power dividers, cabling harnesses, tier power dividers and panel mounts—some three tons of it—in less than a week. The crew then began installing the new antenna, and six weeks later the rebuilt antenna system was ready for testing.

Katherine field engineers did a proof-of-performance; results were good with the lower antenna showing 28 dB return loss on the lower antenna and 30 dB return loss on the upper; this equates to a VSWR on the upper in the 1.08:1 and the lower antenna at 1.1:1.

OTHER SYSTEMS

For the Burk remote control system, equipment was specified and truth tables developed for interlocking. In some of the modes, reduced power is required. The Burk unit can talk to the transmitters based on the selected mode and ensure that their power levels are correct. If not, the it will shut the offending transmitter down and alert the operator.

Transmission line arc protection was provided by South-Tek Systems, N2-GEN, nitrogen generators.

RESULTS

After a month and a half of construction, all transmitters were installed and operating on the old frequencies. Once all transmitters were installed, commissioned and tested, the new transmitters were retuned to the new frequencies and switched into the refurbished community antenna.

Mario Hieb is a professional broadcast engineer based in the Salt Lake City area.

For all the latest news and insight on the repack, visit our repack silo.

The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to come down hard on a manufacturer whose devices could potentially transmit without authorization in certain radio frequency bands.

The FCC proposed a $2.8 million penalty against HobbyKing, a provider of audio/video transmitters that are intended to relay video to unmanned aircraft systems and other devices. According to the commission, 65 of these devices have the alleged capacity to transmit in unauthorized radio frequency bands, including some models that could allegedly operate at what the FCC called “excessive transmission power levels.”

According to the commission, transmissions such as these could potentially interfere with key government and public safety services like aviation systems and weather radar systems.

The FCC did not detail any specific incidents in its announcement.

Through its website HobbyKing.com, the Hong Kong-based company markets devices that the commission said provides a video link between transmitters that are mounted on unmanned aircraft systems and users who are flying drones. According to the commission, HobbyKing represented that its transmitters operated in designated amateur radio bands; an investigation by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau found that 65 models could also apparently operate outside those bands.  

[Read: Court Strikes Down Drone Registration Rule]

FCC authority is required for users operating a radio frequency-emitting device that could potentially operate outside of the designated amateur-use radio frequency bands. The commission said that none of the devices in question marketed by HobbyKing were certified by the commission. In addition, the FCC said that all amateur equipment used to telecommand model crafts are limited to 1000mW of power. The commission said in its announcement that three HobbyKing transmitter models allegedly operate at 1500 mW and 2000 mW.

Following complaints to the FCC, the bureau opened an investigation in 2015 into the company’s marketing of radio frequency devices and issued a formal citation in 2017 to warn the company that it must comply with FCC requirements.

The steep proposed penalty is not only for marketing noncompliant radio frequency devices but also for failing to comply with commission orders. According to the commission, HobbyKing failed to respond to the enforcement bureau’s previously issued a citation notifying HobbyKing of its legal and regulatory obligations. The company also failed to stop marketing the alleged noncompliant equipment despite a cease and desist order from the FCC. Current law requires companies to respond to requests from the FCC after being warned of possible violations.

The FCC said that HobbyKing has an opportunity to respond to the proposed assessment, and reminded the public that the commission will consider submitted evidence and legal arguments before taking further action.

Throughout the 35-year history of this magazine, there have been numerous contributors who have put the “technology” into TV Technology. Perhaps no other writer exemplified this fact than Charles W. Rhodes.

“Charlie,” as he was known to friends and colleagues, passed away on March 20 from complications after a fall in his home. He was 88. When the news hit, the tributes came forth. Calling him one of “television’s great engineers,” the NAB said that “Charlie had a tremendous role in leading the transition from the analog system of the 1950s to the digital television system we know today.”

Mark Aitken, vice president advanced technology for the Sinclair Broadcast Group and recipient of this year’s NAB Television Engineering Excellence Award (which Charlie received in 1996), said, “the industry just lost one of its greatest friends and valiant warriors. Charlie was a friend and a mentor.”

[Read: Charlie Rhodes' "Digital TV" columns]

For more than 30 years, Charlie wrote about, analyzed and offered his keen insight into the broadcast television engineering issues of the day in the pages of TV Technology. His first article for the magazine appeared in August 1985 on the European MAC standard. During his time with TV Technology, he covered the entire course of the digital TV transition from its beginnings all the way to interference issues resulting from the current channel repack. He was truly an “engineer’s engineer” and his influence on the television industry was felt from the local station all the way to the halls of the FCC.

Charlie got his start at Tektronix where he was responsible for numerous products including the RFA 300 8VSB measurement set. In 1987, he was hired as the Chief Scientist by the board of the newly formed Advanced Television Test Center and this is perhaps where he made his biggest impact on our industry.

Peter Fannon, former president of the ATTC and recently retired from Panasonic, called Charlie an “extraordinary scientist and just the right one at an extraordinary time, helping write the future of television and speeding the onset of the digital communications age.”

Fannon remembered how Charlie’s influence extended worldwide. “When visiting equipment vendors and development labs in Japan and China before the ACATS testing had begun, he was treated as a ‘rock star’ by scores of TV and RF engineers in those countries, most of whom had watched and learned from Charlie on a series of instructional tapes about TV test and measurement tools and techniques,” Fannon said. “Some of the asked him to autograph their treasured copies.”

Fannon said that Charlie’s tests were rarely ever wrong, but that he was “old school in his approach, rigorously probing any and all areas of uncertainty—yet totally open-minded to new information and so always ready to recognize and accept it.”

Charlie’s work over the years was deservedly recognized, with a Technical Emmy for his efforts in developing vertical interval test signals as well as the SMPTE David Sarnoff Award in 1992.

Charlie never really retired, conducting interference tests in his lab in Washington state and reporting on his results in the pages of TV Technology right up until last year. Last November, he notified me of his decision to end his column.

“At the end of 30 years writing for TV Technology, I have decided not to continue writing. One reason is that for the next three years, I believe that there will be very little to report to broadcasters. Furthermore after July 2020 when all stations will be settled in new channels, whatever interference is discovered, there will be nothing to be done about it that I have not already covered.”

That was typical of him—testing and analyzing right up until his final days.

Farewell, Charlie. TV Technology is immensely proud to have given you the opportunity to share your engineering genius with the television industry for so many years.

RAYMOND, ME– Antenna and RF systems provider Dielectric has landed several key TV and FM radio deals in the Philippines in partnership with 90 Degrees North, Inc., a video and audio production, broadcast equipment supply and systems integration firm based in Manila.

90 Degrees North struck a partnership to sell and install Dielectric products last year to address a gradual DTV transition that is scheduled for completion in 2023, and a renewed investment in FM radio infrastructure by many broadcasters.

[Read: 2018 NAB Show: Dielectric Highlighting ATSC 3.0-Compatible Spectrum Repack Antennas]

Since striking the partnership, 90 Degrees North has landed several large RF contracts in the country. The most recent contracts include a Dielectric UT8D4-50 filter, Branch Combiner, Constant Impedance Filter (CIF) and Combiner, and transmission line deal with Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media (BEAM), a subsidiary of the Globe Telecom conglomerate; and a turnkey FM radio deal with government broadcaster Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) covering antennas, filters and accessories.

The BEAM project will leverage Dielectric filters and combiners to simplify their DTV transition, allowing the customer to simultaneously broadcast analog and digital signals without requiring a complete tear down and rebuilding process along the way. 

Illustration is a visual pun.WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission today did away physical labels and a customs requirement affecting “most radiofrequency devices, such as cellphones or TV receivers, that are imported, marketed, or operated within the United States,” the FCC said.

First, the unanimous approval of this First Report and Order means device makers no longer have to etch or otherwise permanently affix required labeling information such as the FCC ID number, “any other statements or labeling required by the rules governing the operation of the specific class of equipment, according to a July 2015 NRPM on the same docket, No. 15-170. That information can now be displayed electronically, consistent with the “E-LABEL Act.”

The commission’s action allows required labeling information to be provided to the consumer via the device’s electronic display. This provides an alternative to the requirement for etching or permanent labels on the exterior of devices, and manufacturers expect the use of electronic labelling rather than permanent physical labels to result in a measurable reduction in costs. This action is consistent with the objectives of the Enhance Labeling, Accessing, and Branding of Electronic Licenses Act of 2014 or the E-LABEL Act.

The commission also eliminated the requirement to file its Form 740 with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

“Because of the exponential increase in imported RF devices, this filing requirement has become an unwieldy tool for the FCC and it has placed an increasingly substantial burden on importers,” the commission’s announcement said. “At the same time, the CBP’s revised database and the increasing availability of product information on the Internet and through other means have reduced the practical need for the form.

The commission also combined two separate self-approval processes into the “Suppliers Declaration of Conformity,” and it updated its compliance procedures.

Google, Apple and Intel were among supporters of the changes.

Hitachi Kokusai Electric Comark LLC has a long standing history in the broadcast TV market. COMARK started more than 45 years ago manufacturing RF components for UHF transmitters and branched out to design and deliver full TV transmission systems. Hitachi-Comark has been involved in many innovations that have revolutionized the market. They are the only transmitter manufacturer to win multiple technical Emmy awards including for the Klystrode tube transmitter and for Digital Modular Adaptive Precorrection (DAP).

Over the last 24 months Hitachi-Comark has been preparing for the FCC repack with a full portfolio of equipment and services. For DTV transmitters, Hitachi-Comark and its sister organization Hitachi Kokusai Linear have introduced two highly efficient Doherty solid state transmitter designs: Parallax liquid cooled and E-Compact air cooled. Both products utilize “repack optimized” broadband Doherty RF amplifier designs.

Beyond amplifier technology, what else should broadcasters look for when evaluating their repack DTV transmitter needs? The FCC has indicated that they will replace “like-for-like” in terms of equipment. Below is a quick list of questions that all broadcasters should be asking before purchasing their DTV transmitters.

UPGRADABLE RF OUTPUT POWER
Does your current or future repack transmitter provide the ability to upgrade/increase the RF output power easily and cost effectively? It should if you are migrating from a horizontal polarized antenna to a newer model with elliptical polarization (adding a vertically polarized component). E-Pol provides added benefit of improved indoor and mobile coverage through its higher power density. Systems like the Parallax utilize a modular design to accommodate customer requirements to increase their power by providing upgradability in terms of adding additional amplifiers or cabinets. Flexibility in design is critical, be sure that your new transmitter is easily upgradeable and expandable and cost effective.

SOFTWARE UPGRADABLE FOR ATSC 3.0
The ATSC has done a tremendous job of bringing ATSC 3.0 from concept to standard in record time. Repack does not mean that stations will start off immediately broadcasting ATSC 3.0; there will be a transition from ATSC 1.0 to 3.0 in the future. The Hitachi-Comark Exact-V2 exciter platform is IP Optimized that features seven Gigabit Ethernet ports. The exciter is compatible with the STL interface (A/324) plus it offers (optional) built-in ALP encapsulation. It features “DualCast” technology, which is easily upgraded from ATSC 1.0 to 3.0 protecting investment today for use tomorrow by a simple software upgrade, no hardware required. Be sure you understand the impacts of upgrading to ATSC 3.0 but also the cost implications (hardware, software, or both). 

AIR OR LIQUID COOLING
There are practical limits to air cooled transmitters due to size and waste heat load. However, if your TPO is between 5 and 10kW, either an air or liquid solution can be utilized. Generally, an air cooled transmitter will be quicker to install but they use the room’s air conditioning (and associated HVAC capacity) to keep the transmitter cooled. Beyond 10kW, liquid cooled DTV transmitters are more practical since the waste heat is moved outside of the transmitter building with an external liquid to air heat exchanger. Consider possible implications that liquid cooling brings to installation and site work including cooling system component location (indoor and outdoor), interconnect plumbing routing and building penetrations.

RF MASK FILTER FOR ADJACENT CHANNELS
Moving from your current RF channel to a new one is cumbersome enough. However, have you considered what RF channels your in-market neighbors will be using? And are these channels adjacent to your new channel? If so, then you should be working with your transmitter supplier to be sure that the proper filter is used and rated for both adjacent channel operation (typically 8-pole filter) but also for future ATSC 3.0 operation. Also, if you have been allocated channel 14, there will likely be additional RF mask filtering requirements to protect adjacent wireless services.

SYSTEM DESIGN REVIEW/SITE SURVEY
No one knows your transmitter site like you do. However, it’s a good idea to have a third party complete a site survey and prepare a system design review. This service is designed to evaluate the current transmitter facility in terms of space, electrical capacity, delivery access, HVAC capacity, transmitter sub-system locations (indoor and outdoor) as well as equipment de-commissioning and removal. Having a vendor such as Hitachi-Comark prepare the System Design Review ensures that lines of demarcation are known and eliminates surprises. Best of all, this service is an expense that can be reimbursed through the FCC 399 budget submittal.

While this is not an exhaustive list, it does cover the major points that all broadcasters should be considering as we enter this very busy time. Hitachi-Comark offers broadcasters more options, more solutions and more services to help broadcasters through the upcoming FCC repack. Visit www.comarktv.com to learn more about Hitachi-Comark and its RF technologies and associated products.

To follow TV Technology's online coverage, visit our repack silo, www.tvtechnology.com/repack. 

LAS VEGAS—The DTV switchover in the U.S. put the 700 MHz band largely out of bounds for many wireless audio product users. The Federal Communications Commission’s Incentive Auction, now moving through its latter stages, will eventually take away access to much of the 600 MHz band. With the available spectrum continuing to shrink, this year’s NAB Show will see the rollout of numerous new wireless audio products and services that can help operators cope with an RF environment that is changing not just in the U.S. but also worldwide.

Lectrosonic's DBa transmitter

Wireless product manufacturers have been raising awareness of the industry’s RF spectrum issues with the FCC for years, in collaboration with the DTV Audio Group and other organizations and individuals. Shure, one of the companies spearheading that initiative, has created an online Incentive Auction Resource Center to keep users informed of the evolving regulations and spectrum availability.

“It has been difficult for wireless users to find information that is accurate and timely, yet easy to understand,” says Mark Brunner, Shure’s VP of corporate and government relations. “The Incentive Auction Resource Center is designed to keep them up to date and let them know what Shure is doing to address their wireless needs, now and in the future.”

Like other manufacturers, Shure has been addressing the shrinking spectrum for some time (RF micmakers could see which way the wind was blowing a decade or more ago). The new GLX-D Advanced Frequency Manager, for example, enables users to operate up to nine simultaneous GLX-D Advanced systems in typical conditions, or 11 channels in optimal conditions. Shure has also updated its v6.12 Wireless Workbench system control software to include a new logging utility designed to capture essential channel status information and a new set of frequency coordination enhancements, specifically targeting applications with high-channel counts.

Shure has also announced that its ULX-D and QLX-D digital wireless systems will be available for operation in the VHF bands—out of range of the currently threatened UHF bandwidth. ULX-D, QLX-D and PGXD systems are also available for operation in the 900 MHz band, and Microflex Wireless and GLX-D are available for unlicensed operation in, respectively, DECT and 2.4 GHz. Shure additionally supports ULX-D and QLX-D systems with a variety of new VHF-ready antenna, distribution and in-line amplifier products.

In September 2017, Audio-Technica announced the formation of a subsidiary company, Alteros, dedicated to providing solutions that address an evolving RF landscape in which usage is increasing yet available spectrum is shrinking. At NAB 2017, Alteros will unveil its first product, the fully digital GTX Series Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Wireless Microphone System, which operates above 6 GHz, well beyond the TV bands or the need for an operator’s license, database registration or special temporary authority (STA).

Research and development of the GTX system reportedly began seven years ago and has undergone extensive professional real-world testing. A system of up to 32 GTX32 transceivers, connected to the GTX3224 control unit over Cat 5 cable, and 24 low-latency channels—plus 24 simultaneous talkback channels from the GTX24 body-pack transmitters—can apparently be deployed in a scant few hours. MADI, Dante and AES67 outputs, available simultaneously, enable integration with IP network infrastructures. A single-mode fiber output supports long-distance runs.

No frequency coordination is necessary, not least since the GTX Series does not cause interference or create intermodulation products. In fact, says Jackie Green, Alteros president and CTO, “Every channel of wireless that is deployed utilizing the GTX system over traditional methods actually cleans up the RF noise floor and improves intermodulation and coordination efforts for any remaining vintage wireless in use.”

Sennheiser has just started shipping its Digital 6000 wireless system, which was announced late last year. According to product manager Tom Vollmers, “It brings the benefits of the Long Range mode of our benchmark Digital 9000 system to a two-channel receiver, while allowing the use of standard UHF antennas and existing Sennheiser capsules or microphones.”

The system is said to eliminate intermodulation, enabling more channels to operate in less spectrum. Features such as true bit diversity, transmission error correction and intelligent error concealment further ensure signal continuity, even in tricky RF environments.

The system supports up to eight daisy-chained EM 6000 receiver units to be cascaded from a single pair of antennas. Digital 6000’s onboard frequency-selective input filters allow operation with existing standard active and passive wideband UHF antennas, maximizing return on investment. Integration with analog or digital system infrastructures is made possible via AES-3 and transformer-balanced XLR and quarterinch jack outputs; an optional Dante-enabled version is available.

The system’s auto-setup feature enables scanning and frequency distribution to all connected devices directly from the receiver’s LCD display. Alternatively, Digital 6000 may be configured and monitored with Sennheiser’s WSM (Wireless Systems Manager) software.

Lectrosonics has been at the forefront of wideband tuning with its products, enabling users to find operable frequencies even in dense RF environments. Most recently, the company introduced the DBa, a digital belt-pack transmitter tuning from 470 MHz to 698 MHz that also incorporates a highly linear RF output stage for reduced intermodulation distortion.

Late last year, Lectrosonics unveiled a product that, while not strictly addressing the RF spectrum, does offer wireless operators a novel solution in certain circumstances. The PDR is a personal digital recorder in a belt-pack transmitter form factor that records 48 kHz/24 bit Broadcast WAV format files to a Micro SD card (HC type). The input connection and wiring is compatible with microphones pre-wired for use with Lectrosonics professional wireless microphone transmitters with servo bias-type inputs.

DPA Microphones may not make wireless transmitters or receivers, but its products are frequently paired with third-party RF gear. Further extending that capability at NAB 2017, DPA will introduce the MMPG modular active cable, which the company says is “an ultra-transparent preamplifier with active drive for impedance balancing to reject frequency interference.” The MMP-G permits DPA’s modular d:dicate capsules to connect to wireless systems via its fixed MicroDot connector.

Christopher Spahr, VP of marketing and sales for DPA Microphones, says, “The addition of new accessories that allow our microphones to become wireless, opens up more choices for our customers who need flexible solutions. Our R&D department has also been hard at work to develop a new solution for our mobile journalist customers. We look forward to debuting this new solution at NAB 2017.”

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Pro Sound Network. 

LONDON—At the risk of restating the obvious, 4K is four times the size of 1080p video, which is a huge amount of data to transfer across a wireless link. The problem has been nominally solved in the sense that there are wireless 4K systems out there, but there's debate about the whether such systems are currently practical.

For Domo Tactical Communications (formerly Cobham) it’s all about making 4K production work - that is, to get it on a screen properly. Latency is the primary issue, especially for sports.

“Until the latency reduces, 4K will continue to be a challenge,” says Domo's broadcast sales director, JP Delport. “For example, if people are using H.265 algorithms to encode data, which on paper is 50 per cent more efficient than H.264, there’s still a heck of a lot of encoding going on, which by its nature increases latency. Until such point that Domo can provide the industry with a demonstrably usable 4K solution, we’re going to stick with 1080p. 4K can be done, and we’re working on it, but it will only be unveiled when it’s absolutely ready at the lowest possible, usable, latency."

There are a variety of ways to bring 4K to TV screens in the RF domain. Delport believes it will require the adoption of a new encoding algorithm, which will be H.265 or HEVC.

“If we want to do 4K in H.264 it’s possible that that amount of data could be modulated with our MIMO (multiple input/multiple output) technology over a wireless link. But it seems to me the obvious way to go is DVB-T2 with an H.265 encoder, which is where we are heading. Our current latency is one frame. Anything more than that would just not be suitable for 4K. Until we’re 100 per cent sure that we can have a 4K wireless camera at the side of a football field that has one frame or less of latency, there’s no point.”

The SOLO7-OB Tx camera-back transmitter is Domo's first 1080p60 solution. It has integrated camera control and swappable RF modules. It’s able to work at 4:2:2 chroma and does H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video encoding. Its latency ranges from 1s to an ultra-low 10ms and fits directly onto the back of an ENG type camera.

At this year's NAB this was demoed with a bi-directional link using MIMO IP Mesh technology firing 26 Mbit/s in combination with a Sony HDC-P1 camera mounted on a remote-controlled pan and tilt head. The unit takes HD-SDI from the camera, encodes the audio and video data to IP, and transmits it wirelessly to Domo’s MIMO IP Mesh system.

“Because IP Mesh provides an exceptionally high bit rate for bi-directional IP links, we can transmit A/V data one way while camera control and remote control data travels the other for control of pan and tilt, plus camera control data for colours, iris, etc. within the camera.”

Typically, this would require three separate frequencies, but with the SOLO8 SDR (pictured top right) and IP Mesh combination, it’s three data streams in a single bi-directional link, which makes the entire remote camera and control system completely wireless. This, claims Delport, is a genuine “first”.

COMPRESSION COMPLICATION

The data rate required to send 4K is about 19Gbps. “When you are trying to compress that amount of data, all the issues related to compression such as quality loss, added latency, and increase susceptivity to errors are increased dramatically,” says Uri Kanonich, vp of marketing at Amimon.

The firm's Connex technology doesn’t use regular compression, rather a unique video-modem solution. “This allows us to send today HD 1080P signals with less than 1ms latency and the same chipset will allow to do the same for 4K UHD,” says Kanonich.

The Connex mini is the latest addition to the Connex range (pictured top left). Unveiled at NAB, this is a ultra-small transmitter supporting 1080p, full HD wireless video at a range up to 1500ft, ideal for airborne drones as well as other unmanned systems.

“Drones require the support of both high range and transmitter robustness, adding to the already hard task of sending 4K. An additional critical parameter is the mobility of the drone,” says Kanonich. “The wireless link must be able to maintain the connection in all directions and while moving.”

Amimon previewed a solution for 4K straight from the lab. “The latency we are already able to present is practically zero, and the quality is just amazing,” claims Kanonich. “The unit's size we envision to be the size of the Connex mini. There's no need to increase size to support 4K UHD. But it will be next year before we launch it in actual products.”

BBC RESEARCH

BBC R&D's system is completely bespoke using relevant parts of DVB-T2, DVB-NGH and MIMO to maximise channel capacity.

“Having extra bit-rate allows for lower latency video coding,” says project engineer John Boyer. “The latency of the system is variable as interleaving can be dialled in by the user to improve link ruggedness, but the video coding is seven frames code/ decode delay. We expect future coder developments to reduce that delay.”

The UHD system uses extensions of an original HD version. “The new UHD system has additional advanced RF techniques, so we are expecting good performance and expectations are fuelled by range tests that we have done,” says Boyer.

BBC R&D is liaising with the industry to perform trials. ?

360 LIVE

Vislink is already providing what it says is the world’s first end-to-end wireless 4K/UHD live-video solution. The UltraLite module is designed for integration with existing UHD cameras, allowing customers to quickly and cost-effectively upgrade.

“We know that being wireless creates new and different points of view for the audience and allows the cameraperson flexibility when capturing action shots from different moving points,” says Ali Zarkesh, VP, product management, Vislink. “It allows the viewer to really be there, and now they can do all that with UHD”

Vislink’s system provides broadcasters with a simple upgrade path if they want to move to a 4K/UHD wireless live solution. The firm says they can upgrade existing cameras with the lightweight attachment that mounts onto a variety of 4K cameras and, with the UltraDecoder (on the receive side), they can use their existing wireless.

This story first appeared on TV Technology's sister publication TV Technology Europe.

WASHINGTON—Federal regulators are working out the date certain that TV stations using satellite newsgathering trucks will have to install a tracking beam so neighboring satellite TV operators can find them if they cause interference.

Nearly three years ago, the Federal Communications Commission ordered the adoption of an identification scheme that would allow satellite operators to track down interference from temporary-fixed earth stations—a category that includes satellite newsgathering trucks. These stations were supposed to start embedding an Automatic Transmitter Identification System message into their subcarrier signal by Sept. 3, 2016. This was to be achieved though an upgraded or new modulator, but those are few and far between as the deadline approaches, according to the FCC Public Notice seeking feedback on when to set the new deadline.

“Recent information from affected earth station operators, and independent staff market surveillance, indicate that suitable external modulators have not become widely available,” it said. “Many earth station operators would therefore be unable to retro-fit their current transmitting equipment in order to comply... and instead would need to replace the equipment at considerably greater expense than anticipated when the rule was adopted.”

A temporary, one-year waiver of the Sept. 3, 2016 deadline was issued in March to allow more time to update the record on a more appropriate implementation schedule. 

“We now seek comment on the appropriate timeframe for implementation of the carrier identification requirement for digital video transmissions,” the Public Notice stated. “In particular, we invite comment on the costs to both earth station operators and space station operators of further delaying the effective date of the requirement. We specifically request that commenters provide supporting materials such as technical documentation and price quotations for equipment compliant with the carrier identification requirement.”

A timetable now has been established for the discussion on the questions in that PN. Today’s publication in the Federal Register set the comment due-date at June 30, with replies due July 15, when the comment period will close. The International Bureau Docket No. is 12-267.

Also see...
Aug. 15, 2013
“FCC Streamlines Satellite Communications Rules Changes”
One change that is likely to lead to extra cost for SNG truck operators is a requirement for a new Automatic Transmitter Identification System (ATIS). ATIS operating on a subcarrier is currently required for all broadband video uplinks, but this form of identification is not really compatible with digitally modulated signals.

Oct.5, 2012
“FCC Eyes Video Uplink ATIS Rule Changes”
With the use of different today’s encoding methods and encryption, it’s difficult to identify uplink transmitters.

ARLINGTON, VA.—Public broadcaster WETA recently moved production of its “PBS NewsHour” program into a new studio. To manage the studio’s RF equipment, with the help of JetWave Wireless, WETA selected Wisycom devices to help create a wireless audio setup.

MAT288

Wisycom’s MAT288 Programmable RF Combiner and LBN1-LNN1 Wideband UHF Antennas were installed to meet this goal. According to Tom Satterfield, WETA’s audio supervisor, the MAT288 can turn zones on and off on all of the show’s mics and IFBS.

Wisycom develops RF technology for broadcast, film and live production. The company is located in Italy.

RIO RANCHO, N.M.—Designed to address congested RF environments, Lectrosonics has unveiled its Venue 2 Digital Hybrid Wireless modular receiver. The Venue 2 has a 220 MHz range, houses up to six receiver modules, each of which covers 75 MHz, and features IQ dynamic tracking filters for rejection of out-of-band RF energy and tight channel spacing.

The receiver modules can be operated independently, each with switched diversity reception for as many as six audio channels, or it can be operated in pairs for one audio channel per module pair for a more diverse reception. Combinations can be mixed and matched within one frame. The VTR2 modules come in four different frequency ranges: A1, covering blocks 470, 19 and 20; B1, covering blocks 21, 22 and 23; C1, covering blocks 24, 25 and 26; and D1, covering blocks 27, 28 and 29.

The system includes a built-in antenna multicoupler with loop-through output. The multicoupler is a dual 1-in, 7-out splitter with six outputs for the receivers and an additional output as a unity gain for another Venue receiver. Phantom power for remote antenna amplifiers is also available from the multicoupler antenna inputs.

Additional features include a high-resolution front panel, Wireless Designer software and emulation modes.

The Venue 2 is expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2015, with a starting price for the VRM2 Frame at $3,325, and $950 for the VRT2 modules.

Awhile back I described the RF toolkit I carry around with my laptop. Since I wrote that article, I’ve had a chance to test some new devices. This month I’ll look at the latest Hauppauge ATSC USB tuner, the HVR-955Q, and two new software-defined radios (SDR), the Airspy and the SDRplay.

HVR955Q, Airspy, SDRplayATSC USB TUNER UPDATE
I was disappointed to find Hauppauge had discontinued the Aero-M tuner. This tuner was unique in that it could decode ATSC, ATSC-MH and even DVB-T. The tuner provided accurate SNR and channel power data, making it an excellent tool for field measurements. This is the tuner I used for the New York City signal testing, as well as the antenna testing I described in a previous column, (“Looking Inside Mobile DTV Receivers,” Aug. 9, 2011).

The only substitute I’ve been able to find for the Aero-M is the new Hauppauge HVR- 955Q. This device uses a Silicon Labs Si2157 tuner, the latest LG/Zenith demodulator chip—the LGDT3306A and a CX23102 USB interface/controller.

Testing it in a few cities around the country, I found the HVR-955Q performed a bit better than the Aero-M—less susceptible to overload and a bit more sensitive. While in New York at a hotel near the Empire State Building, the HVR-955Q was the only one of my collection of USB tuners able to reliably receive WLIW’s transmission from Long Island.

Unfortunately, this device is not without its flaws. While the HVR-955Q is supported in the latest Linux kernel, the driver has some problems. The Linux channel scanning programs I tested either froze on RF Channel 2 or scanned very slowly. The tuner returns a “quality” statistic based on SNR margin instead of channel power in dBm.

Thanks to Antti Palosaari’s patch to the Si2157 tuner driver, installing the latest LinuxTV “media_build” allows the “dvb-fetool” program to return channel power in dBm. See www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php for instructions on how to build and install DVB device drivers. You’ll find general information on how to use the device with Linux here: www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-955Q.

After the updated drivers are installed, SNR (actually MER) readings are not available in the dvb-fe-tool. MER readings, tenths of dB in hexadecimal, are available using the old “femon” program. I’m hoping the Linux TV developers will be able to fix the problems with the statistics. When I get some spare time I’ll see if I can modify my signal testing program (www.transmitter.com/signal-testing) to work with the HVR-955Q.

I’ve written about using the $20 RTL- 2832-based USB receivers as a software-defined radio and spectrum analyzer in previous columns. The R820T tuner used in many of these devices covers 24–1800 MHz, making it useful for checking FM, TV and the broadcast auxiliary bands below 2 GHz. The RTL-SDRs have two problems that limited their usefulness—bandwidth limited to around 2.4 MHz and an 8-bit ADC that limits dynamic range.

Fig. 1: Airspy spectrum display of Channel 50 DTV signalINEXPENSIVE SOFTWARE-DEFINED RADIOS
The Airspy SDR uses the newer R820T2 tuner, allowing up to 10 MHz bandwidth, and a high-performance 12- bit ADC (part of the NXP LPC4370 ARM microcontroller) capable of operating at 20 megasamples per second (MSPS). This improves the dynamic range to 80 dB and allows an alias-free spectrum display up to 10 MHz wide, perfect for checking DTV signals, (Fig. 1).

I tested the Airspy as a receiver with SDR# and HDSDR in Windows and with GQRX in Linux and it worked perfectly. Airspy libraries are included in the GNUradio’s gr-osmosdr. The Airspy came in handy as a simple, but sensitive, spectrum analyzer while testing an Anywave on-channel repeater in Puerto Rico last month.

The Airspy costs $199 and comes in a small metal case with an SMA RF input connector and a micro-USB connector, cable included. An MCX connector is available for an external 10 MHz to 100 MHz clock reference. See http://airspy.com/ for detailed technical specifications and ordering info.

The Holy Grail of TV tuners would be one that can receive any standard, including ones that are still being developed, with just a simple firmware/software update. I was surprised to find out such a device actually exists and was released more than seven years ago by Mirics Ltd.

With the proper software, Mirics (www.mirics.com) claims its MSi001 multi-standard tuner chip and MSi2500 USB bridge FlexiTV platform can receive ATSC, ATSCMH, DVB-T, DTTB, ISDB-T, T-DMB, CMMB, ClearQAM, DVB-C, PAL, NTSC, AM, FM, DAB, DRM and even HD Radio.

This marvelous chipset is available in the SDRplay RSP (Radio Spectrum Processor). SDRplay is targeted at people interested in a software-defined radio that can receive any signal between 100 kHz and 2 GHz, with the exception of a small band between 380–430 MHz. The Mirics chip set allows IF bandwidth up to 8 MHz with an ADC sampling rate up to 12 MSPS.

Unfortunately, the only TV software I could find for the SDRplay was for DVB-T receiver software. Software is available in GNUradio to decode ATSC. The gr-osmosdr SDRplay library has some issues, but with care the latest version, released in July 2015, is usable. Perhaps by the time you read this it will perform as well as other supported gr-osmosdr devices.

Fig. 2: SDRplay showing KNX-AM HD Radio spectrum The SDRplay works fine using HDSDR and SDR# under Windows. Mirics’ “gain reduction” techniques make it difficult to get reliable signal amplitude measurements, but as a receiver it performs well. Fig. 2 shows HDSDR displaying the KNX-AM HD Radio signal. Unfortunately there is no open source decoder available for HD Radio.

Analog AM performance is excellent. In a rural location I had no problem receiving AM radio stations over 2,500 miles away with a small outdoor whip antenna. Even though SDRplay still has a few problems with GNUradio and the GQRX SDR, it works quite well with the suite of SDR-J programs—an FM receiver that supports RDS, a spectrum viewer covering the full range/bandwidth of the device and a shortwave receiver that’s actually capable of decoding signals anywhere the SDRplay can tune, including NBFM at 450 MHz.

The SDRplay’s bandpass filters make it possible to dig out weak signals without worrying about bleed-through or overload from strong FM radio stations or passing aircraft. I had good luck with longwave, AM, shortwave and longwave reception even using the whip on an Icom VHF/UHF discone. The IF offset and bandwidth adjustments allow reception of weak FM radio stations. Such capability in such a small package is amazing.

The SDRplay costs $149 and comes in a plastic box with an SMA RF input connector and an ancient USB Type B connector— USB cable not included. See http://sdrplay.com for more information on this device.

I’m looking forward to the SDRplay team getting this box working well under GNUradio. If we’re really lucky, maybe we’ll see some new TV software for it!

I welcome your comments. Email me atdlung@transmitter.com.

MIAMI – For the 11th year in a row, Professional Wireless Systems provided RF equipment and handled wireless frequency coordination for Univison’s Premios Juventud awards show at the BankUnited Center in Miami. PWS helped ensure an interference free show honoring the artistic achievement of Spanish-speaking celebrities.

A total of 157 frequencies, with close to 30 dedicated microphone channels, were used for the awards show. The PWS crew utilized Shure UHF-r’s and Axient Wireless Management Network, Sennheiser 3732-II receivers with 5200-II handhelds, eight Telex BTR-800s for wireless communications, three Radio Active Designs UV-1G wireless intercom systems, and Comtek BST25 and Lectrosonic T4s for IFBs.

The RF team used PWS’ Doomed and Helical antennas, Multicouplers for microphones, and GX-8 Combiners for intercom, IFB and in-ear monitors. PWS’ Intermodulation Analysis Software System was also used to manage the show’s frequencies.

Univision’s Premios Juventud took place on July 16.

Rich Redmond

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—I remember writing a few years about the efficiency advantages of multi-stage depressed-collector IOT tubes used in digital transmitters. At the time, they were state of the art for both power and efficiency, despite their complexity.

Then at NAB Show 2015, it was clear all the transmitter action was in solid-state products, even for high-power UHF applications. Tubes are increasingly hard to find, even for maintenance of older transmitters. This brings up the very real possibility that replacement IOTs may be scarce commodities in five to 10 years.

With the first wave of DTV transmitters reaching the point of increasing maintenance, coupled with possible channel reassignments due to the spectrum re-pack, we wanted to take a harder look at the topic of transmitter efficiency. To learn more, Broadcast Engineering Extra spoke to Rich Redmond.

Redmond serves as chief product officer for GatesAir, responsible for the marketing, product line management and R&D of the company’s transmission products. He is based at the company’s headquarters in Mason, Ohio, outside of Cincinnati.

BE Extra: Solid-state UHF transmitters are now close or equal to the efficiency of IOT transmitters at similar power levels. Is this trend going to continue? Or is there more efficiency to be wrung from MSDC IOTs or some other tube design?

Redmond: As the industry looks for RF systems that are lower maintenance and simpler to operate, the advancements we have seen in high-efficiency, solid-state TV transmitters exemplify that requirement. We believe that is certainly where GatesAir and most transmitter manufacturers are spending research and development efforts, and where supporting manufacturers in power supplies and other RF parts are all investing.

We believe that commercial advancements in MSDC IOT transmitters are unlikely for the foreseeable future. It’s a fairly complex product in a marketplace where the role of the broadcast engineer is evolving, requiring a balance of outstanding IT skills with RF transmission skills. They have as much demand on their ability to have outstanding IT skills balanced with RF wireless TX skills.

BE Extra: What are the key reasons behind the recent improvement in the efficiency of solid-state transmitters? Higher-voltage LDMOS transistors? Better combiners on the amplifiers’ outputs? Something else?

Redmond: Recent developments in high-efficiency solid-state transmitters represent a culmination of many factors. For example, the IT and telco industries really helped to drive advancements in high-efficiency 50-Volt power supplies, reaching an AC-to-DC efficiency of 97 percent. In addition, the wireless base station business has pushed the development of RF device manufacturing to produce higher power and higher efficiency RF devices.

These remarkable efficiency improvements have now been introduced into the DTV world. You take those supporting technologies and combine that with continued innovation on the part of transmitter manufacturers, and the outcome is a high-efficiency transmitter platform like the GatesAir PowerSmart 3D transmitter architecture. In addition, advancements in liquid-cooled transmitter platforms that, in solid-state design, can now evacuate heat from transmitter buildings far more cost-efficiently than in past years, eliminates the need for constant, expensive air conditioning.

BE Extra: If a broadcaster can nurse an existing transmitter along for a couple years, is it likely that efficiency improvement will continue? When does the cost of maintenance exceed the savings (in maintenance and operation) that comes with a new more-efficient transmitter?

Redmond: We’re seeing a lot of broadcasters today who believe the reduced maintenance of solid-state is as important as the power efficiency. The RF engineering base is aging, and few stations want to replace older tube rigs before they understand what ATSC 3.0 and the spectrum repack will bring. But every day you run an older transmitter at lower efficiency, the money spent is not recoverable. The cost of tubes and tube maintenance, the ongoing viability and reliability of tube suppliers, and parts availability compared to 10 years ago make it a risky, and potentially very costly, proposition. Furthermore, switching to a more efficient solid-state transmitter often qualifies for a rebate, so there is potentially an added bonus to the return on investment upon inquiring with your utility company.

BE Extra: Are there any efficiency gains from newer designs for passive RF items, such as mask filters, switches and transmission line? Can tweaking the passive RF components get an extra couple dB at the antenna?

GatesAir 80 kW Maxiva ULXT liquid-cooled, solid-state UHF transmitter

Redmond: There are also some remarkable efficiency gains compared to older power components. We have seen a radical reduction in the footprint of RF output filters, which can now often be hung from the ceiling. For broadcasters who lease space by the square foot in an RF plant, a previously-sized 8-foot wide, 30-foot long RF system that now fits in a 4 x 6-foot space, makes quite a difference in monthly rental costs.

BE Extra: A broadcaster needs a new 35 kW UHF transmitter. What do you recommend: Either solid-state or IOT? Why?

Redmond: We absolutely suggest solid-state over IOT. Solid-state transmitters are significantly simpler to operate, and offer a substantially higher amount of redundancy. In a 35 kW GatesAir Maxiva transmitter, amplification is spread across roughly 40 power amp modules instead of two tubes in an IOT design. Additionally, life expectancy of the solid-state transmitter is easily 15 years at the absolute minimum. If you think about the technical capabilities of your staff 15 years ago versus those of your staff today and project that forward 15 years, the likelihood is that there will be fewer engineers per station comfortable operating liquid-cooled tube transmitters.

Stations and engineers will migrate more to modular components and hot-swappable power supplies that can be easily diagnosed using web browsers and SNMP interfaces. Furthermore, the markedly more compact footprint lowers installation costs, and eliminates beam supplies and building space needs. If I can have a smaller space for my transmitter at my RF site, I am reducing monthly expenditures—especially if I am leasing that space.

BE Extra: There was a recent article that said switching from a UHF channel to a low-band VHF channel would mean the difference between a 25 kW transmitter and a 500 W transmitter to reach the same coverage area. Obviously, there are dramatic propagation differences between the two bands, but the operational savings are significant. Is this something that broadcasters should consider?

Redmond: I would say that the transition from UHF to low-band VHF is something that stations must look at very carefully. There are dramatic propagation differences. You could indeed reduce operating costs quite significantly; however, you must look at the entire delivery chain.

In a low-band VHF operation, the size of the receive antenna on the consumer end needs to be very large to be efficient. Over time, fewer consumers are putting aerials on the roof, and are instead using rabbit ears or integrated antennas inside devices. That consumer behavior makes it more challenging to operate on low-band VHF, in addition to how an increasing amount of man-made noise is rendering VHF frequencies poor for digital TV. That model also makes it more challenging to reach consumers on mobile devices given the needed antenna size. It’s worth noting that there are no DTV deployments globally that use a significant amount of low-band VHF. These deployments are mainly UHF, with some high-band VHF mixed in.