The Use of Computer Simulation for Directional FM Pattern Studies - $15
Date: October 9, 2021Topics: 2021 BEITC Proceedings, Radio TechnologiesThis paper discusses the benefits of 3D high frequency simulation computer modeling to demonstrate that a directional FM antenna performs as authorized.
John L. Schadler | Dielectric LLC | Raymond, Maine, United States
Thermal Imaging Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) for Radio and TV Broadcasters - $15
Date: April 23, 2022Topics: 2022 BEITC Proceedings, Using Drones and Other Technologies for Broadcast EngineeringThis paper will touch on the theory of thermal imaging as well as some of the practical uses of small, unmanned aircraft systems for visual and thermal tower, transmission line and antenna inspections.
Paul Shulins | Shulins’ Solutions | Wickenburg, Arizona, United States
Toward a New Understanding of Frequency- and Impedance-Related Failures in Grounding Systems - $15
Date: April 26, 2020Topics: 2020 BEITC Proceedings, Broadcast Facility DesignThe importance of grounding (also referred to as ?earthing?) has been known for well over two centuries.?However, critical characteristics of damage-causing fault currents that reach a contemporary grounding system – often triggering equipment failure – are generally not sufficiently explored by engineers involved with design and installation of protective grounding.?This paper discusses the significant deficiencies in common grounding systems which occur due to the following:
– Inadequate mitigation of broadband fault current frequencies (especially in the?>60MHz range – which are very common in lightning)
– Existence of impedance ?walls? created by inefficient ground-rod-to-soil interfaces.?An examination of the dynamics of high frequency faults, and impedance mismatches in grounding systems is presented, demonstrating why these systems fail in spite of their adherence to commonly accepted design standards.?Developing a higher level of grounding protection within the Broadcast Industry?- which is increasingly necessary given equipment expense and sensitivity – therefore requires a deeper analysis and understanding of fault current components, characteristics, and events.
Thomas LaBarge | GroundLinx Technologies | Blue Ridge, Georgia, USA
Nancy Swartz | GroundLinx Technologies | Blue Ridge, Georgia, USA
Gordon Wysong | GroundLinx Technologies | Blue Ridge, Georgia, USA
John Broccoli | GroundLinx Technologies | Blue Ridge, Georgia, USA
John?H.? Belk | GroundLinx Technologies | Blue Ridge, Georgia, USA
Towards Designing a Subjective Assessment System for the Quality of Closed Captioning Using Artificial Intelligence - $15
Date: April 26, 2020Topics: 2020 BEITC Proceedings, Using Artificial Intelligence for Closed CaptioningA novel quality assessment system design for Closed Captioning (CC) is proposed. CC is originally designed to serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) audiences for enjoying audio/visual content, similar to hearing audiences. Traditional quality assessment models have focus on empirical methods only, measuring quantitative accuracy by counting the number of word errors in the captions of show. Errors are specifically defined to be quantitative (e.g., spelling errors) and/or assessed by trained experts. However, D/HoH audiences have been outspoken about their dissatisfaction with current CC quality. One solution to this could be inviting human evaluators who represent different groups to assess the quality of CC at the end of each show, however, in reality, this would be difficult to do and impractical. We have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system to include human subjective assessment in the CC quality assurance procedure. The system is designed to replicate the human evaluation process and can predict the subjective score for a given caption file. Probabilistic models of human evaluators were developed based on actual data from D/HoH audiences. Deep Neural Networks-Multilayer Perceptron (DNN-MLP) were then trained with the probability models and data collected. To date, the major findings of this process are:
1. The human subjective ratings for given caption quality prediction performance of DNN-MLP was higher than that of using some of the basic statistical regression models (polynomial fitting),
2. The user probability models of Deaf viewer and Hard of Hearing viewer seemed to represent the different characteristics between two primary service consumer groups, and
3. The artificial intelligence prediction system created based solely on literature seemed to be improved after training with the data based on user probability models.Somang Nam | University of Toronto | Toronto, ON, Canada
Deborah Fels | Ryerson University | Toronto, ON, Canada
Towards Efficient Multi-Codec Streaming - $15
Date: April 23, 2022Topics: 2022 BEITC Proceedings, OTT 1: Emerging DevelopmentsOne of the biggest challenges in the design of modern era media delivery systems is the need to reach a population of user devices with different codec and stream switching capabilities.
Yuriy A. Reznik | Brightcove, Inc. | Seattle, Washington, United States
Tower Site Safety: A Comprehensive Approach to Risk Management - $15
Date: March 21, 2025Topics: 2025 BEITC Proceedings, Resilience, Safety and Protection for Broadcast ServiceEnsuring tower site safety is critical for preventing accidents and protecting workers from hazards associated with tower climbing, RF exposure, and structural failures. This paper outlines essential safety requirements, referencing OSHA, NFPA, and ANSI standards to reinforce best practices. Key topics include personal protective equipment (PPE), fall protection, RF hazard management, emergency response, and site maintenance.
Clark Lindstrom, Kathy Stieler | American Tower Corporation | Cary, N.C., United States
Kathy Stieler | NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association | Watertown, S.D., United States
