Introduction to ATSC 3.0
The broadcasting industry is making another significant transformation with the shift to Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0, also known as NextGen TV. This new standard represents a major leap from the existing ATSC 1.0, incorporating the latest in digital technology to enhance the television viewing experience, integrating traditional over-the-air signals with broadband content to offer better picture and sound quality, improved signal penetration, and personalized content and advertising. (If you’re wondering where ATSC 2.0 went – it was essentially obsolete before it could be launched, so any major changes from ATSC 2.0 that were still needed have been rolled into 3.0.)
The adoption of ATSC 3.0 is set to revolutionize the broadcasting industry by providing viewers with a richer, more personalized viewing experience. To help them meet the new standard, broadcasters can utilize Nokia’s ultra-broadband microwave and IP routing technology to deliver content effectively across diverse geographic landscapes.
Technical Advancements in ATSC 3.0
ATSC 3.0 leverages advanced technologies like High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) for video compression and immersive audio, allowing broadcasters to deliver ultra-high-definition video with enhanced audio features. Additionally, it supports mobile viewing, robust accessibility features, and advanced emergency alerting systems that provide rich media instead of basic text messages. This interoperability between broadband and broadcast gives viewers a more interactive and engaging experience, blurring the lines between traditional TV and online streaming platforms.
Microwave Technology in Broadcasting
Microwave technology has been a cornerstone in broadcasting for decades. Primarily used for STL, interfacility links (IFL), and electronic news gathering (ENG), microwave links are integral for transmitting high-quality video and audio signals over long distances without needing physical cables. As ATSC 3.0 requires a more robust network to handle increased data flow and ensure seamless content delivery, microwave technology is an ideal addition to the broadcasting network architecture.
With its ability to provide high-capacity links, microwave can efficiently transport large multimedia files and streaming data required for ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, making them a more cost-effective and convenient option when laying fiber-optic cables is impractical or too costly. Microwave links can bridge these gaps, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution for backhauling content from broadcasters to transmitters and between transmission sites.
Additional Microwave Spectrum Options
For decades, US television broadcasters were restricted to using microwave frequencies in the FCC Part 74 broadcast auxiliary bands for the final link in the distribution chain of program material to broadcast stations via the studio-to-transmitter links (STL). Part 101 bands could not be used for this critical application.
In September 2011, the FCC eliminated the so-called “Final Link Rule” under Part 101. This gave broadcasters access to more microwave spectrum options with wider channels, allowing higher capacity links and readily supporting 2-way transmissions for full broadband IP connectivity over microwave links.
Addressing The Challenges and Opportunities of Microwave Technology In Broadcasting
Despite its benefits, integrating microwave technology in the ATSC 3.0 framework presents challenges. The primary concern is ensuring that microwave links can handle the increased bandwidth demands and maintain signal integrity over long distances, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Additionally, precise alignment and frequency coordination are needed to prevent signal interference, which can degrade broadcast quality.
Infinity and MCA: Pioneering Solutions in Broadcasting
Infinity Technology Solutions, a leader in broadband and critical communications infrastructure, and MCA, now the top reseller of Nokia solutions following the acquisition of LightSpeed Technologies, are at the forefront of addressing these challenges.
Nokia Wavence microwave radios offer superior performance for broadcast STL and IFL with full IP connectivity and support for Part 101 frequencies and the Part 74 band at 6.875-7.125 GHz. Their world-class portfolio of IP routing products makes end-to-end network solutions possible for broadcasters.
As experts in microwave and IP network design and deployment, Infinity and MCA offer tailored solutions that leverage state-of-the-art microwave and ultra-broadband technologies to support modern broadcasting networks’ high-speed, high-capacity needs and ensure cost efficiency and scalability.
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