Implementation and test results of on-channel repeater for ATSC 3.0 systems

Abstract

Despite the successful launch of Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 broadcasting worldwide, broadcasters are facing obstacles in constructing void-less large-scale single-frequency networks (SFNs). The bottleneck is the absence of decent on-channel repeater (OCR) solutions necessary for SFNs. In the real world, OCRs suffer from the maleficent feedback interference (FI) problem, which overwhelms the desired input signal. Moreover, the undesired multipaths between studio-linked transmitters and the OCR deteriorate the forward signals’ quality as well. These problems crucially restrict the feasibility of conventional OCR systems, arousing the strong need for cost-worthy advanced OCR solutions. This paper presents an ATSC 3.0-specific solution of advanced OCR that solves the FI problem and refines the input signal. To this end, the FI canceler and channel equalizer functionalities are carefully implemented into the OCR system. The presented OCR system is designed to be fully compliant with the ATSC 3.0 specifications and performs a fast and efficient signal processing by exploiting the specific frame structure. The real product of ATSC 3.0 OCR is fabricated as well, and its feasibility is verified via field and laboratory experiments. The implemented solution is installed at a commercial on-air site and shown to provide substantial coverage gain in practice.

Keywords

• atsc 3.0
• on-channel repeater (ocr)
• single-frequency network (sfn)