Paul A. Snopko

VSB modem subsystem design for Grand Alliance digital television receivers

The functions of the vestigial sideband modem for the Grand Alliance digital TV are described. The partitioning of these functions is discussed in terms of the prototype hardware and possible future development. The VSB modem subsystem (tuner/demodulator) includes the functions of RF selection, local oscillator, and conversion; IF amplification and band shaping; baseband demodulation; AGC; co-channel filtering; synchronization and phase tracking of the carrier, the bit clock, and the data framing; equalization (ghost cancellation); forward error correction (trellis and RS codes); and data de-interleaving. The interaction and partitioning of these functions is discussed. >

E-VSB-an 8T-VSB compatible system with improved white noise and multipath performance

Enhanced VSB (E-VSB) is a flexible, compatible outer coding enhancement to ATSC 8-VSB which trades payload bit rate for improved white noise and multipath performance when properly equipped receivers are utilized. It is transparent to legacy ATSC receivers. The coding method and experimental results are described.

ATSC VSB Re-Modulator System

This paper presents an inexpensive VSB modulator implementation to interconnect between various digital entertainment products and digital VSB TV receivers. This approach is the digital equivalent to the current analog re-modulators found in VCRs and video games.

Revised record/playback interface systems for GA-HDTV, HD-VCR and D3 VTR

This paper describes the revised versions of the three recording/playback interface systems from the previous ones. Modifications were required to meet the current HDTV transport data formats which were significantly changed in accordance with the Grand Alliance (GA) specification. The interface is also modified to accept both 8 VSB and 16 VSB modes. It has three types of interface application: the first interface is for the GA-HDTV transmitter to D3 digital VTR, the second is for the GA-HDTV receiver to HD-VCR and the third is for the HD-VCR to D3 VTR. The interface hardware was fully developed and used for the GA-HDTV systems laboratory testing in April, 1995 at ATTC and field testing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Record/playback Interfaces: DDC-HDTV, HD-VCR and D3 VTR

Three interface systems used to record and play back the compressed digital data from the DSC-HDTV (high-definition television) system are described. The first interface is for recording the compressed data from the DSC-HDTV to the HD-VCR system; the second is for the DSC-HDTV to the D3 digital VTR (video tape recorder); and the third is for the HD-VCR to the D3 VTR. The interface hardware was fully developed, and the feasibility of recording and playing back the digital data from the DSC-HDTV to both the HD-VCR and the D3 machine was demonstrated. >

DSC-HDTV broadcasting with upconverted NTSC video

A method of gradually introducing of simulcast digital spectrum-compatible (DSC)-HDTV broadcasting, thereby deferring a significant portion of the investment in new equipment, is described. Starting with a DSC-HDTV transmitter and antenna, all currently used National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) equipment continues to serve with the addition of an NTSC/DSC-HDTV scan converter, the upconverter. This unit is described in detail. >

HDTV adaptability to multiple media

The spectrum-compatible high-definition television (SC-HDTV) system is concisely described in the context of terrestrial broadcasting. The systems application to the other three consumer TV delivery means, cable, satellite, and VCR, is discussed. Comparisons are made with other proposed ATV (advanced TV) systems. It is concluded that the SC-HDTV system has features that are attractive in all three cases. The minimized interference between SC-HDTV and NTSC (National Television System Committee) allows the assignment of an extra channel (currently taboo) to each broadcast station, permitting simulcasting without rendering obsolete the 160 million NTSC receivers in current use. The low and evenly distributed power of the SC-HDTV signal is of advantage in all media and especially so for the cable operator, both initially and ultimately. Cable also benefits from the possibility of encryption without loss of quality. Satellite and VCR benefit from the improved quality possible with the time-multiplexed format used for frequency modulation. >

HDTV serial interface system

This paper describes a new serial interface system which uses conventional 75 Ohm coaxial cable. Typically parallel 25 pin cable and connectors are used to transfer and receive the data between digital systems such as HDVCR, D3 VTR and HDTV Receiver. The coaxial cable is more desirable for consumer product applications and also for studio applications where long signal paths and switching are required. This serial data transfer technique is thoroughly tested and utilized in the data transmission/reception between systems more than 300 feet apart. It is also cost effective because it does not require RF PLL, scrambling, and NRZI hardware. >