Iratxe Landa

Empirical DVB-T2 Thresholds for Fixed Reception

This paper provides minimum C/N values for correct reception of DVB-T2 signals under fixed reception conditions. The C/N values are obtained after analyzing the results of field and laboratory trials. The field measurements were taken in a middle-sized city, along 33 locations, with MFN and SFN configurations. Both the system configuration options (constellation and code rate, FFT size, pilot pattern, and rotated constellations) and the propagation channel are taken into account to quantify their influence on the reception requirements. DVB-T was also measured and both systems are compared. The final objective is to provide the broadcasters with some guides based on measurements to optimize the DVB-T2 networks by choosing the parameters that best fit their needs.

DTV (COFDM) SFN signal variation field tests in urban environments for portable outdoor reception

The paper presents the measurement results obtained in an extensive field test campaign developed in two large cities of Spain (Madrid and Bilbao) with the aim of characterizing the portable outdoor reception of digital terrestrial television (COFDM - coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexed) and continue the studies carried out by the authors during the past years.

Indoor Radio Noise Long-Term Measurements in Medium Wave Band in Buildings of City Areas in the North of Spain

This letter presents a study of indoor radio noise levels in the Medium Wave band up to 2 MHz, based on field trials. The work is based on long-term measurements carried out in buildings located in the areas of Bilbao and Vitoria in the north of Spain. The studied channels are centered in 630, 675, 1035, 1242, 1359, 1620, 1720, and 1910 kHz. The noise variation between daytime and nighttime and the variation depending on the type of building, office or household, have been analyzed. The obtained values, compared to the values predicted in ITU-R P-372 for outdoor locations in city environments, are higher. Reference values for radio planning are given for these frequency bands.

Radio noise measurements in medium wave band

This paper presents a study of radio noise levels in the Medium Wave band based on field tests. The planning of the measurement campaign, discussion about the methodology, the process of registered data and results are explained.

Measurements of Impulsive Noise From Specific Sources in Medium Wave Band

This letter presents the results of impulsive noise measurements in an indoor environment in the Medium Wave band. The studied channels are centered at 630, 675, 1035, 1620, 1720, and 1910 kHz. In this study, the noise generated when there is a main source of impulsive noise is measured in order to analyze different devices that originate impulses. Moreover, the appropriate parameters to characterize impulsive noise are described. As a result, reference values of impulsive noise parameters at the mentioned frequencies are given. Those measurements give answer to the request of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, in ITU-R 214-4/3 question, which considers that it is essential to determine impulsive noise parameters and asks to obtain reference values.

Urban indoor signal and noise measurements in the Medium Wave Band

This paper presents a comparison study between Carrier to Noise (C/N) values measured outdoors and indoors in five office buildings of a city in Spain, related to radio broadcasted signals. Measurements were carried out in Bilbao at three frequencies in the Medium Wave Band: 639 kHz, 990 kHz and 1305 kHz. Results show that outdoor mean C/N results are 7.5 dB higher than indoors for 639 kHz and 6.5 dB and 5.9 dB for 990 kHz and 1305 kHz, respectively, with a high spatial variability. These results are mainly due to signal losses when penetrating in buildings, with mean values of 7.5 dB, 8.1 dB and 5.2 dB, respectively. It has also been observed that outdoor noise levels are about 1–3 dB higher than indoors. In some cases noisy spots have been detected where the mean field strength levels are 10 dB higher than outdoors. The measurements provide noise mean field strength levels (both indoors and outdoors) in the range of 65–70 dBμV/m, values higher than the ones suggested in Rec. ITU-R P.372.

Field trials based validation of the suitable configuration parameters for mobile urban reception, using the new generation broadcasting systems

This paper presents a field trials based comparison between different OFDM configuration parameters (FFT and code rates) in order to determine the best choices in a trade-off between capacity and coverage in mobile urban environments. The field trials have been carried out using the Cloud Transmission broadcasting system and the main purpose has been to compare the coverage obtained for each OFDM configuration. The results provide reference values that can be used for planning purposes in this kind of scenarios.

Impulsive noise characterization and its effect on digital audio quality

This study is focused in the analysis of the effects that the impulsive and Gaussian noise have in digital audio broadcasting. The analysis is based on radio noise measurements. The measurement campaign and the system for the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) performance evaluation are explained. Radio noise measurements have been taken in the Medium Wave band and the Gaussian noise (WGN) and impulsive noise (IN) have been characterized. The previous measured noise is combined with different transmission modes of DRM and the effects in the reception are studied.

Harmonization of Noise Measurement Methods: Measurements of radio impulsive noise from a specific source.

This article describes a procedure for measuring and evaluating radio impulsive noise (IN) from a specific source. A good knowledge of the noise caused by different sources is essential to plan radio services and to ensure good quality of service. Moreover, it is necessary to harmonize noise measurement methods to achieve results that can be mutually compared. This article not only provides steps that should be followed to make proper measurements, but also specifies appropriate parameters to characterize the IN when it is generated by a principal source. A detailed description of parameter calculation is presented, based on the recommendations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This answers the request made in an ITU-R 214-4/3 question, which suggests determining the appropriate parameters to describe the noise when it has an impulsive characteristic.

Indoor Radio Noise Long-Term Variation in Medium Wave Band Based on Measurements

The variation of the radio noise level in indoor locations has been analyzed in this communication. Three measurements campaigns have been carried out in 2008, 2010, and 2012, in the medium wave band below 2 MHz. The trials are long-term measurements at three frequency channels centered at 1359 kHz, 1720 kHz and 1910 kHz. Five locations sited in buildings in the area of Bilbao, in the north of Spain have been studied. The noise level variations over a five year period are analyzed and compared with the ones predicted by ITU-R P.372, for outdoor locations in city environments. As a result, updated indoor noise levels are given for planning radio systems in MW band.