Next Gen Academy V: Implementing SFNs

Broadcast Industry Guide Specs for SFN Design and Implementation - $15

Designing a Single Frequency Network (SFN) for ATSC-3.0 deployment is complicated and time consuming. While the software tools are available to do the required studies, there are dozens of parameters that create thousands of possible outcomes. Many engineers will be designing systems, and those reports will be shared with many customers.

In order for decision makers in our industry to make appropriate choices, a guide spec document has been created to standardize parameters to allow for standard reports. For example, initial FFT and Mod-Cod combinations will be identified from highly robust low data rate uses that will work for low C/N ratios to less robust high data rate uses that require higher C/N ratios. Standard FCC 10 M receive antenna heights are useful, but in addition, portable and typical indoor antenna heights are much lower and demonstrate more useful information.

It is also essential for reports to be in common formats. For example, colors that indicated signal strength ranges need to be common to all maps, so that the end user of the maps for one design is not confused by the colors use from other design. Guide specifications for such trivial parameters will make reports easier to use. However, no guide specification should put limits on the input parameters or reporting format. It?s just as important to have standardized mapping as it is to allow for variances from the guide spec where necessary.

Dennis Wallace | Meintel, Sgrignoli, & Wallace, LLC |
Eric Dausman | Public Media Group