Technical Information: Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB)

Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) is transmitted using digital modulation in the channels available in Bands III, IV and V, sharing the spectrum with the current analogue transmissions. Unlike analogue transmissions there will be no Band I or II transmissions for DTTB.

The existing transmitter sites are used for DTTB transmissions. The five major capitals cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth broadcast the commercial stations and the ABC service on Band III VHF while the SBS DTTB service use Band IV. Whereas other regional areas of Australia will mainly use UHF Bands IV and V. Analogue TV service is scheduled to commence turning off from 2010.

Although successful reception via current antennas will normally be experienced, optimum and robust reception of DTTB may require some modifications. The use of the guidelines contained herein and other like documents will help to ensure the domestic antenna installations provide reliable reception supporting the success of DTTB.

Table of Contents:

DTTB Introduction

• Digital vs Analogue, and Benefits of DTTB
• SDTV, HDTV and Dsiplay Resolutions
• The Digital Signal
• The Digital Cliff Edge

Signal Measurements for DTTB

• Signal Level
• Modulation Error Ratio (MER)
• Bit Error Ratio (BER)
• Operating Margins and Carrier to Noise Ratio (C/N)

Amplifiers

• Masthead and Distribution Amplifiers
• Derating of Amplifiers

Concept Headend Set-ups and SMATV Design

• Polytron SPM1000 Digi Series
• Televes MATV Headend
• Concept SMATV Design

Australian Channel Plans

• VHF Channels
• UHF Channels

References

• Technical Information URL References