Commission's digital LPTV NPRM seeks comment on rules governing transmission

By TVTechnology
published

The Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) covering the transition of LPTV service from analog to digital service seeks comments on a number of transmission-related issues, including power limits, out-of-channel emission limits, transmission system facility issues and modification of transmission systems.

Among the areas the NPRM seeks comments on include:

  • The adequacy of power limits: For channels 2 -13 analog (peak) ERP of 3kW and digital (average) ERP of 300 watts; channels 14-69 analog (peak) ERP of 150kW and digital (average) ERP of 15kW;
  • The appropriate emission mask that takes into account the lower power output of digital LPTV and TV translator stations and the cost of compliance;
  • The “Simple” and “Stringent” masks described in the Sgrignoli Paper, resulting adjacent channel D/U ratios and associated costs to licensees;
  • The suitability of both masks to eliminate potential harmonic emissions from digital LPTV transmitters that could interfere with certain radio navigation satellite service (RNSS) operations;
  • The need for multiple masks with differing performance requirements and costs, whether the commission should prescribe situations where one mask or the other must be used, and should the mask requirements be extended to digital Class A TV stations ;
  • Alternative formulations for LPTV and TV translator masks;
  • Whether to establish a tolerance level for deviation from the rated average power output of digital LPTV service transmitters, and if so, what value to apply;
  • The certification requirements for LPTV and TV translator transmitters;
  • The extension of provisions governing modification of LPTV and TV translator equipment to digital equipment.

Comments are due Commission by Nov. 25. The NPRM specifically asks for input on certain aspects of these transmission requirements from transmitter manufacturers.

For more information, please visit: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-198A1.doc. The details of comments sought on transmission issues can be found in paragraphs 61 through 81.

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