The DVB-H handset was part of the DVB-H demonstration of an eTEN Windows Smartphone PDA with a DiBcom receiver.
The 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, showcased the DVB-H transmission system by transmitting up to seven channels for the games, which lasted from March 15 to 26.
The technology demonstration, organized by broadcast infrastructure group Broadcast Australia, Microsoft and Telstra, was intended to show the strength of the transmission system for delivering television to handheld mobile devices.
Broadcast Australia was responsible for the successful design, installation and commissioning of the RF transmission component of the showcase system, which was located in the heart of the Melbourne. Prior to the event, Broadcast Australia was responsible for the design of the service and conducted field strength measurements and performance verification.
The Broadcast Australia component of the DVB-H system incorporated an 800W transmitter and sophisticated QPSK modulation and monitoring equipment. Broadcast Australia, Telstra and Finland’s Cardinal Information Systems worked together to deliver the DVB-H transmission stream to the inner city broadcast site using fiber-optic cable.
Radio Frequency Systems provided the UHF antenna system, composed of multiple antenna panels mounted on different faces a building in Melbourne. The antenna system delivered up to 7.5kW of effective radiated power.
The receiver, provided by DiBcom, was integrated into an eTEN Windows Mobile Smartphone that also acts as a PDA. The showcase DVB-H system used Microsoft Windows Media Video 9 compression technology and a DVB-H head-end from Cardinal to encapsulate IP data and perform the time slicing of the data stream. This equipment was located in Telstra’s facility at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games International Broadcasting Centre.
For more information, visit www.broadcastaustralia.com.au.
