Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 solutions

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In t r o d u ct io n t o t h e DVB-T2 syst em an d p r act ical im p lem en t at io n

Exciter
Supporting MPLP up to 64 PLPs DVB-T / DVB-T2 dualcast exciter Full DVB-T2 code rates / IFFT sizes Full Time interleaver implementation T2 MI SFN Dual IP Gigabit pro MPEG FEC inputs Low PAPR using Tone Reservation Easy remote upgrade and operation Full DVB-T2 control via front panel DVB-T2 modes : custom settings or V&V profile selection SNMP v2, HTTP control Adaptive non linear correction Adaptive linear equalization Embedded GPS High stability low phase noise OCXO

Co m p r e h e n si v e u n d e r st an d i n g o f t h e DVB-T2 sy st e m
Nov em b er 2010

Jrm e DAVID St rat eg ic Market in g Man ag er

Thomson Broadcast contribution to DVB-T2 standard

Thomson Broadcast has a continued involvement in DVB activities since early 90s. Thomson Broadcast has contributed to DVB-T2 standardization from 2006 until now. Thomson Broadcast longstanding experience in RF domain and in broadcast distribution network was particularly involved in the process of selecting techniques for PAPR reduction and has chaired T2 MI modulator interface specification activities.

Key facts :
Channel robustness close to theoretical Shannon limit Up to 50% more bandwidth than 1st generation standard Better Transmission quality/efficiency/reliability with PAPR Larger and better SFN capabilities with distributed MISO scheme Mobile / fixed network capabilities with MPLP Future proof solution with Future Extension Frame concept Flexible Time interleaver Robustness adjustable per PLP for one or more services Native IP based network distribution

DVB-T2 is the worlds most advanced digital terrestrial transmission system offering highest efficiency, robustness and flexibility. It introduces the latest modulation and coding techniques to enable highly efficient use of valuable terrestrial spectrum for the delivery of audio, video and data services to fixed, portable and mobile devices. These new techniques give DVB-T2 a 50% increase in efficiency over any other DTT system in the world. DVB-T2 will coexist for some years with DVB-T transmission. Similarly to the first generation standard (DVB-T, ISDB-T, DAB), DVB-T2 uses OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) modulation, with a large number of subcarriers delivering a robust signal, the new specification offers a range of different modes making it a very flexible standard. DVB-T2 uses the LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes offering excellent performance in the presence of high noise levels and interference. Transmission quality and reliability is improved by the introduction of advanced clipping functions, named PAPR techniques.

References Air Interface Spec... EN302755 Network Distrib Spec... TS102773 DVB blue Book A133 Guides. TR101831 DVB

Service Specific coding based on Multi-PLP (Physical Layer Pipes) mechanism is provided to separately adjust the robustness of each delivered service within a channel to meet the required reception conditions for mobile, indoor and fixed reception in the same channel Transmission diversity method, known as Alamouti coding, extends the coverage in small-scale single-frequency networks. Finally, DVB-T2 group has defined a method called FEF (Future Extension Frame) which can be implemented over an existing DVB-T2 network. DVB-T2 offers a higher data rate, more robust signal, flexibility and scalability than any other existing transmission standard. For example, in the UK a DVB-T channel typically has a data rate of 24 MBit/s, whereas a DVB-T2 channel can carry 36 MBit/s, while keeping the robustness equal.

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DVB-T2 Key Concepts

Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 highlights

A complex standard?

DVB-T2 standard is built upon more than 30 building blocks. All of these are extensively simulated and tested against reference

golden streams issued by V&V (Validation and Verification)

standardization group.

At a first glance, DVB-T2 is a complex standard. It is made of a lot of new building blocks and all of them must be carefully adjusted. These new advanced signal processing techniques such as rotated constellation, ACE (Active Constellation Extension) and TR (Tone Reservation) PAPR reduction techniques, MISO (Multiple Inputs Single Output) , Flexible time interleaver, FEF, scalable frame structure are good examples of how to bring added value to a broadcast technology.

3 main guidelines for a comprehensive understanding of DVB-T2 possibilities

Capacity increase, Flexible system design and Efficiency improvements have driven DVB partners in DVB-T2 standardization process.

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Capacity increase
In DVB-T2, benefiting from higher modulation order (256QAM) and more efficient DVB-S2

Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 highlights

LDPC FEC, up to 50% capacity gain is achieved compared to DVB-T performances.

Thomson DVB-T2 exciter implements All SPLP modes basic parameter configuration: All IFFT sizes All guard intervals All constellation All LDPC code rates and code types All time interleaver modes support : I-JUMP, Static, Dynamic, FEF Thomson Broadcast Man Machine interface is designed to be intuitive. Thanks to its front panel, user can select DVB-T2 transmission parameter directly using the front panel. Higher FFT size means shorter guard interval ratio for a given SFN cell network.
Guard interval duration 224 us 112 us DVB-T 8K DVB-T2 with 32K

Figure 1: 256 QAM modulation

Figure 2: 256 baseband frame Beyond a simple constellation change, the number of pilots used to perform channel equalization can be adjusted allowing further bitrates optimization. User can expect up to 8% gain.
Pilot ratio Continual pilot DVB-T 8.5% DVB-T2 4%

Configuration is easy based on preset modes taken from settings used in V&V validation group. check Automatic any parameter forbids

unauthorized configuration. Exciter provides 3 different network type configuration: MFN-TS is dedicated to MPEG TS legacy network, MFN-T2 MI is used for MPLP via a gateway and SFN T2 MI is used for SFN operations.

25% 12.5%

6,25% 3,12%

Bandwidth extension: Less guard band carriers are used enabling a +2.6% bitrate gain

Figure 3: Bandwidth extension

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Efficiency increase with Tone reservation or ACE

Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 highlights

PAPR support
Thomson Broadcast exciter

Lower PAPR achieved with tone reservation or Active Constellation Extension. The goal of these techniques is to achieve better RF performances and increase overall efficiency of the RF power amplifiers. With this technique, the purpose is to achieve Peak to Average Power Ratio below 10dB.

implements PAPR natively improving Quality / Efficiency / Lifecycle of the transmission network. For instance, efficiency is improved by more than 1% and power gain is above 0.4dB. ACE techniques can be used in other standards since Thomson Broadcast proposed this PAPR technique in order to be backward compatible with others systems such as DVB-T or DAB. Figure 4: PAPR reduction More efficient SFN networks with distributed MISO

Flexible and robust system based on innovative frame structure

New T2 frame structure: A T2 frame is based on P1 preamble, P2 preambles followed by data symbols. P1 preamble is used for fast parameters detection and raw equalization while P2 preamble symbols are used to discover the subsequent T2 frame parameters.

While Tone Reservation is highly efficient for higher ACE is order QAM Figure 5: Frame structure T2 frame is based on the same DVB-T frames using guard interval OFDM data symbols constellations, particularly

efficient for low order constellation such as QPSK or 16QAM modulation schemes. It makes ACE a good solution for reducing PAPR in existing mobile networks relying on QPSK or 16QAM modulation scheme.

MPLP mode offers a Service specific robustness while SPLP mode can be used in existing distribution network based on MPEG2-TS Time interleaver combined with Cell interleaver can be adjusted for each PLP and the depth of the interleaver can be adjusted on 1 or several consecutive frames. This makes time interleaver really robust against impulse noise. Rotated constellation combined with cell interleaver improves signal robustness in corner reception scenarios by de-correlating I & Q components of regular grey mapping scheme.

Beyond PAPR technique power gain, when using either PAPR Tone is Reservation or Active Constellation Extension, transistor lifecycle dramatically improved by reducing transistor ageing effect.

Figure 6: Rotated constellation

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DVB-T2 introduction scenarios

Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 highlights Unique PLP solution
Thomson Broadcast is going beyond common implementation by providing up to 64 PLP in parallel where 16 PLP is currently state of the art. This allows unequalled flexibility in tailoring different services for an existing network. For instance, you could provide in a single channel 16 mobile services requiring up to 10Mb/s and allowing 3 to 4 HD services in the same broadcast channel. Moreover PLP management in DVB-T2 application is primarily dedicated to fixed HD /3D terrestrial networks over existing DVB-T networks but it contains everything

DVB-T2 and mobile application

MPLP concept is very useful in case of mobile applications allowing embedding mobile services among a fixed network. DVB-T2 is the only standard where you can combine long time interleaver depth for rugged mobile services and short time interleaver for fixed application. This could be particularly useful in deploying simulcast mobile and fixed TV services. New mobile devices (e.g. IPAD, tablet PC) will require more and more bit rate capabilities and will generate new usage. To be successful, a mobile broadcast network needs to be future proof in order to allow return on investment in the future. DVB-T2 allows maximum flexibility for mobile application.

Coexistence with future DVB mobile standard: DVB NGH 4G LTE advanced
DVB NGH (Next Generation Handheld) will be the next standard within DVB. Thanks to FEF (Future Extension Frame), a DVB-T2 channel can spare time slots (Frames) for handheld application. DVBNGH standard will be published mid of next year and will probably bring commonalities and convergence with 4G LTE broadcast mode.

DVB-T2 and new services

About the content aspect, DVB-T2 will be introduced for new services such as HD and 3D programs. 3D debate is not yet over but we can expect that higher bandwidth will be required to broadcast 3D services even for frame compatible format. DVB-T2 is designed to carry HD/3D services and offer the best signal efficiency (5.6bit/Hz in UK) even more with SFN diversity transmission (MISO). In order to deploy 3D content efficiently, it is necessary to work with DVB 3D TV specification where 3D TV program and 2D services can share the same broadcast channel at different time of the day. In this case, a 3D TV set must be capable to switch between 2D and 3D application. 3DTV specification defines some scenario and signalization over the MPEG to allow flexible 3D transport. For instance, 3D side by side requires broadcasting a full HD definition service with a minimum rate of 8Mb/s. In the UK, this will lead up to 4-5 3D services or full HD services.

Thomson exciter is dynamic so it allows live reconfiguration. This is supporting future statistical PLP management in order to optimize robustness in the channel.

Moving DVB-T to DVB-T2 Dual Cast Concept

Where legacy DVB-T transmission exists, it is easy to introduce DVB-T2 for new services. Current DVB-T2 set-top boxes are also able to perform DVB-T modulation enabling a smooth transition to new services over a network. A user purchasing a DVB-T2 set top box or TV set can also watch legacy DVB-T transmissions. On the network side, the transition from a DVB-T channel to DVB-T2 is simplified when dual cast operation is available in the exciter because network operator only has to manage a single network instead of managing 2 different networks. DVB-T and DVB-T2 spectrum characteristics are closed because they share the same channel raster and both of them are based on OFDM transmission with guard intervals. When system is transitioned to DVB-T2 and PAPR is implemented, it is possible to increase the coverage by 0.4dB compared to the same DVB-T coverage for the same performance (MER = 34dB at transmitter output). Combined with signal compression improvement, it is possible to move MPEG2 services to MPEG4 and bundle them in new multiplexes. This can free up new frequencies to deploy new services as VOD or 3D services.

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How is DVB-T2 implemented?

Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 highlights
Broadcasters can easily get started with a DVB-T2 transmission. DVB-T2 can be initially implemented on a primary DTV transmitter, leveraging existing capital expenditures on the RF transmitter, filtering, transmission line, and broadcast antenna. In MFN network, DVB-T2 Thomson Broadcast transmitters can be operated with the existing MPEG distribution network over ASI or Gigabit Ethernet using the SMPTE2022-1 pro MPEG FEC standard. When T2 network is operated in SFN network or if service protected MPLP variable is used, it is necessary to use T2 MI interface to send video streams to the transmitter. In this situation, a T2 MI (Modulator Interface gateway is needed at the head-end to parse signals into T2-MI packets. A field-proven transmitter must be tested with several Gateway manufacturers and solution must be highly robust to any kind of jitter (packet jitter or time source jitter) as very large hardware buffers size are available in the exciter to process IP input or MPEG-2 TS.

Thomson DVB-T2 exciter implements IP interface using pro MPE FEC. When used additional large buffers are used to ensure a robust IP interface.

Figure 7: DVB-T2 Transmission chain example co-existing with DVB-T distribution network

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Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 highlights

Thomson Broadcast played an

How is SFN implemented?

T2 SFN networks setup are similar to SFN DVB-T networks but they require a T2-MI gateway and time reference equipments. All networks implementing SFN or / and MPLP must follow the T2-MI stack protocol.

active role in the definition of the T2-MI (Modulator Interface). T2 Modulator Interface standard is part of DVB-T2 validation and verification group.

The standard describing DVB-T2 Modulator Interface is labeled TS 102773.

Figure 8 : T2 Modulator Interface protocol stack

T2 Modulator protocol stack is relying on existing and proved MPEG-2 TS and MPEG2-GSE. MPEG2 GSE is a generic purpose encapsulation protocol dedicated to efficient IP distribution of video services to the T2-MI gateway. The output interface of the gateway to the distribution network is either IP encapsulated or directly in ASI format.

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Thomson Broadcast DVB-T2 highlights

Thomson BBC R&D. Beyond validation, V&V verification and DVB-T2 exciter

DVB-T2 offers more scalability than a DVB-T network. It offers larger guard intervals. Same infrastructure basis than a legacy network can be re-used provided that equipments in the legacy distribution network are transparent to the transport stream. However it requires a gateway to perform timestamp insertion and Physical Layer Pipe multiplexing.

interoperability has been verified by

Thomson

Broadcast

contributes to European Celtic Engines project and is leading DVB-T2 SFN interoperability activities inside this project. Thomson Exciter implements SFN test modes easing interoperability verification between exciters

Figure 9: DVB-T2 Transmitter setup dedicated to SFN

Setting up a DVB-T2 SFN network requires different stages: Modulator interoperability verification, especially when different modulator brands are used Modulator gateway system interoperability Program Feed Transparency: bit-synchronous requirement for SFNs means that program feeds have to pass transport streams transparently, without any modification to packet order. Bit rate jitter must remain low. Large Bit rate jitter from distribution network may cause SFN disruption.

Distrib. Network

Bit rate Jitter

Network Delay

Sat. DVB-S/S2

+/- 200ns

250 ms

Off Air

+/-750ns

30 ms / hop

ATM over SDH

Up to 200 ns

Depending on the size of the network

MPEG over IP

+/-20ms

30ms / switch

Figure 10: Typical delays experienced in SFN distribution

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Installing a DVB-T2 SFN network requires having specific SFN test modes to verify timing adjustment between transmitters. Once done, a transmitter in a SFN network can be modeled using a triplet (P: power, d: delay, f: frequency). It is important to determine where the 0delay area is falling. In the following example, we can observe that the 0delay area is falling concomitantly to a 0dB echo area. This will result in destructive interference in the 0delay area.

Figure 11: Example of destructive interference situation in a DVB-T2 SFN

One solution is to change the delay of one transmitter to make sure that this situation will not occur.

Figure 12: Non destructive 0delay situation in a DVB-T2 SFN

Once the SFN network is setup, main issues come from the timing drift or disruption in the GPS signal reception or in transport stream. In SFN networks, transmitters must be carefully monitored and it is important that the exciter has embedded capabilities to detect such events separately in order to take the proper preventive or corrective action. Furthermore, on main strategic sites, it is desirable that the transmitter offers at operator wish permanent transmission in case of time reference loss or perturbation of the distribution network.

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Interest of MISO (Multiple Inputs Single Output) In this mode, DVB-T2 is broadcasted on 2 different antennas. Hence, DVB-T2 signal is split in main and complimentary components feeding the antennas. Main advantage is that the receiver will benefit from an increased C/N if the receiver is able to see both signals. If the receiver is not able to see one of the 2 signals, its performance remain equal to SISO (Single Input Single Output antenna).

Figure 13: MISO co-sited

For instance, current DVB-T2 UK transmission is based on a LDPC code rate of 2/3. With MISO, it might be possible to use LDPC code rate 3/4 leading to a bit rate gain of 5 Mb/s.

Bitrate comparison Mb/s

50 40 30 20 10 0 DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-T2 MISO

Figure 14: Performance Gain

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Network Constraint and distributed MISO If both transmissions were to be co-sited, the cost would be prohibitive from the network operator point of view. That is the reason to introduce distributed MISO where complimentary signals are sent from two different existing nearby sites. In this situation, the C/N gain can be up to 3dB and be converted into higher bitrates.

Figure 15: MISO in Distributed transmission

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