120 GHz Microwaves Provide Realtime HDTV at Olympics

By Doug Lung
published

Most broadcast microwaves operate in the 2, 7 and 13 GHz broadcast auxiliary service bands. Unfortunately, the bandwidth available in this part of the spectrum requires use of video compression for transmission of high-definition TV. The latency introduced by the compression can cause problems in live broadcasts. At the Beijing Olympics, Fuji Television Network Inc. and NTT Corp. are testing a possible solution for live feeds from the games. The two companies previously demonstrated simultaneous wireless transmission of multiple HDTV video channels without delay, using 120 GHz equipment. At this year’s Olympics, they are testing a compact, lower power 120 GHz transmitter that can be powered by batteries.

The equipment is intended for transmission of HDTV signals from special live feed locations at the Beijing Olympics to the International Broadcast Center over a range of about 1 km without using video compression. The system is supposed to provide live reports in HD from almost all of the Olympic Park area. The 120 GHz radios can handle data rates up to 11.1 Gbps, allowing transmission of up to six uncompressed HDTV signals.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

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