Manuel Vélez

DVB-T2: The Second Generation of Terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting System

This paper provides a review of the second generation of terrestrial digital video broadcasting standard (DVB-T2). DVB-T2 is the evolution of DVB-T and, together with DVB-S2 and DVB-C2, inaugurated a new transition from the first-generation digital broadcasting systems, similar to the transition from analog-to-digital systems. In this paper, the most relevant features of DVB-T2 are explained in detail, along with their benefits and trade-offs. This paper also presents a comprehensive review of the laboratory and field trial results available so far. Especial emphasis is placed in the results of the measurements carried out to test the mobile reception and the novel technologies as multiple input single output and time frequency slicing.

Cloud Transmission: System Performance and Application Scenarios

Cloud transmission (Cloud Txn) is a flexible multilayer system that uses spectrum overlay technology to simultaneously deliver multiple program streams with different characteristics and robustness for different services (mobile TV, HDTV, and UHDTV) in one radio frequency channel. Cloud Txn is a multilayer transmission system like layered-division multiplexing. The transmitted signal is formed by superimposing a number of independent signals at desired power levels to form a multilayered signal. The signals of different layers can have different coding, bit rate, and robustness. The upper layer system parameters are chosen to provide very robust transmission that can be used for high-speed mobile broadcasting. The bit rate is traded for powerful coding and robustness so that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) threshold at the receiver is in the range of -2 to -3 dB. The top layer is designed to withstand combined noise, co-channel interference and multipath distortion power levels higher than the desired signal power. The lower-layer signal can be a DVB-T2 signal or another new system to deliver HDTV/UHDTV to fixed receivers. The system concept is open to technological advances that might come in the future: BICM/non uniform-QAM, rotated constellations, time frequency slicing or MIMO techniques can be implemented in the Cloud Txn lower (high data rate) layer. The system can have backward compatible future extensions, adding more lower layers for additional services without impact legacy services. This paper describes the performance of Cloud Txn broadcasting system.

Energy Detection Technique for Adaptive Spectrum Sensing

The increasing scarcity in the available spectrum for wireless communication is one of the current bottlenecks impairing further deployment of services and coverage. The proper exploitation of white spaces in the radio spectrum requires fast, robust, and accurate methods for their detection. This paper proposes a new strategy to detect adaptively white spaces in the radio spectrum. Such strategy works in cognitive radio (CR) networks whose nodes perform spectrum sensing based on energy detection in a cooperative way or not. The main novelty of the proposal is the use of a cost-function that depends upon a single parameter which, by itself, contains the aggregate information about the presence or absence of primary users. The detection of white spaces based on this parameter is able to improve significantly the deflection coefficient associated with the detector, as compared to other state-of-the-art algorithms. In fact, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms by far other competing algorithms. For example, our proposal can yield a probability of miss-detection 20 times smaller than that of an optimal soft-combiner solution in a cooperative setup with a predefined probability of false alarm of 0.1.

Generalization of the Lee Method for the Analysis of the Signal Variability

The Lee method, which was recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) to obtain the local mean values of the received signal along a route, was developed for a Rayleigh distribution in the ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) band. This paper describes the generalization of this method to any propagation channel and frequency band and describes the methodology to obtain the parameters involved. The Generalized Lee Method is based on field data samples, which allows estimating the mean values without the requirement of a priori knowing the distribution function that better fits the propagation channel. The accuracy in obtaining the averaging interval is also improved. The Generalized Lee Method is solved for ground-wave propagation at the medium-wave (MW) band, taking data from field trials of a Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmission. The results show that the values considerably differ from those obtained for a Rayleigh channel and prove that the method allows the adequate differentiation of long-term and short-term signals. The Generalized Lee Method completes the results obtained by Lee and Parsons and makes better characterization of the spatial variability possible.

LDM Core Services Performance in ATSC 3.0

Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0, the new generation digital terrestrial television standard, has been designed for facing the new challenges of the future broadcasting systems. ATSC 3.0 has been built using the most recent cutting-edge technologies. Layered division multiplexing (LDM) is one of the major components of the new system baseline. LDM provides a tool to make flexible use of the spectrum for delivering simultaneous services to stationary and mobile services. This paper presents the performance evaluation of ATSC 3.0 core services in mobile scenarios using LDM. Simulation results are presented to analyze the influence of different LDM ensemble configuration modes for mobile reception. The simulation results have been also confirmed by laboratory tests under different channel models. The signal to noise ratio threshold values confirm the excellent behavior of ATSC 3.0 and LDM in mobile and portable scenarios.

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.

Channel capacity distribution of Layer-Division-Multiplexing system for next generation digital broadcasting transmission

Cloud transmission (Cloud-Txn) with Layer-Division-Multiplexing (LDM) was proposed as a candidate Physical Layer (PHY) technology for next generation digital TV broadcasting system. This paper presents a fundamental analysis on the channel capacity allocation among the different layers of a LDM-based transmission system. The analysis reveals that, for delivering fixed and mobile TV services in the same RF channel, by controlling the power allocation among the layers, the LDM-based system provides much better efficient usage of the spectrum as compared to the single-layer Time-Division-Multiplexing (TDM) or Frequency-Division-Multiplexing (FDM)-based systems. The spectrum efficiency of LDM allows the simultaneous delivery of a high-data-rate UHDTV service and a mobile HDTV service within a single 6 MHz channel.

DTV reception quality field tests for portable outdoor reception in a single frequency network

This paper presents a field measurement campaign developed to study the influence of the special features of a Single Frequency Network (SFN) reception in the C/N thresholds applicable to portable DTV reception. The measurements presented here were performed inside coverage areas of the nationwide SFN which broadcasts DTV (COFDM 8 K mode) services in Spain. The aim of this paper is to present some network planning reference values for portable reception in urban environments where both multipath and multiple transmitter reception have to be taken into account to ensure a good quality of service.

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.

Performance Study of Layered Division Multiplexing Based on SDR Platform

Two of the main drawbacks of the current broadcasting services are, on the one hand, the lack of flexibility to adapt to the new generation systems requirements, and on the other hand, the incapability of taking a piece of the current mobile services market. In this paper, layered division multiplexing (LDM), which grew out of the concept of Cloud Txn, is presented as a very promising technique for answering those challenges and enhancing the capacity of broadcasting systems. The major contribution of this paper is to present the first comprehensive study of the LDM performance behavior. In particular, in this paper, the theoretical considerations of the LDM implementation are completed with the first computer based simulations and laboratory tests, covering a wide range of stationary channels and the mobile TU-6 channel. The results will support LDM as a strong candidate for multiplexing different services in the next generation broadcasting systems, increasing both flexibility and performance.