Transmitters of Thales Broadcast & Multimedia for digital television broadcasting

By David Dume

Review contents:

Digit is on a horizon The standardization of the digital TV broadcasting transmitter features Digital and digital-analog (hybrid) TV-transmitters Transmitters for digital terrestrial TV broadcasting Low-power DVB-repeaters from ELTI Company Spot: filling gaps in DVB-T networks with digital repeaters NEC transmitters for digital TV Transmitters of Rohde & Schwarz for broadcasting Radio broadcasting transmitters of Technosystem and Screen Service Italia Transmitters of Thales Broadcast & Multimedia for digital television broadcasting Measurement of path parameter of digital TV radio transmitters

Abstract

Thales Broadcast & Multimedia considers its purpose in gaining leading positions as develper and manufacturer of the equipment and systems, and solutions in the fields of terrestrial radio and TV signal transmission as well as in video digital processing and multimedia data distribution systems created for broadcasting, cable TV and telco sevices.

With significant references in digital television roll-outs in DVB and ATSC standards, THALES BROADCAST & MULTIMEDIA is one of the very few companies in the world with the ability to successfully integrate turnkey systems and solutions for the transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting over terrestrial, satellite, cable or wireless broadband networks.

With heavy research and development investments and continuous dedication to constant improvements, Thales has always been considered as the technology leader in the broadcast industry.

Thales Broadcast & Multimedia is considered the leading company in:

• Providing of terrestrial transmitters in the world;
• Reputation of excellence;
• Leading in all broadcast domains (participates in all consortiums, multiple Emmy Award winning…);
• Multi-domain expertise in RF systems, Digital technologies and Turnkey solutions;
• Digital Television.

At the dawn of new technologies, the first broadcasters implementing Digital television were not looking for a simple transmitter manufacturer. When they came to Thales Broadcast & Multimedia, they found a real partner, able to help them get through the first phases and difficulties of the project.

Thales Broadcast & Multimedia understands digital conversion; from encoding to RF transmission equipment, from monitoring to centralized network management, and from training to 24/7 customer support. Thales shares its expertise in digital television and places at the broadcasters side a team of dedicated and experienced engineers committed to providing next-level solutions that make sense.

Digital Television enables broadcasters to provide a multitude of new opportunities to its viewers, including better picture quality and reception, plus a variety of new features that enhances the viewing experience.

In addition to traditional content, broadcasters can offer value-added services to its viewers, which creates a new way to:

• Attract new subscribers;
• Attract advertisers or content providers;
• Differentiate the Digital TV services from existing Analog services;
• Generate new revenues.

Once the broadcaster becomes comfortable with its systems’ capabilities, and holds a strong understanding of DTV’s potential, the station can easily enhance its digital platform to broadcast more services, using locally encoded programs or digital turn-around.

Thales also provides additional ways to increase revenue streams through Digital Enhanced Packages. Digital Enhanced Packages allow broadcasters to offer Interactive TV, Internet, Electronic Program Guide and many other applications to its viewers. With this step-by-step approach, digital broadcasters can learn, operate and expand their network with a tailored system.

With this step-by-step approach, digital broadcasters can learn, operate and expand their network with a tailored system.

Television Transmitters

Thales Broadcast & Multimedia has developed 2 product lines of solid state transmitters, Thales’ famous Ultimate / Optimum (for high power solid state transmission) and the Affinity Television transmitter (for low power digital television needs).

Ultimate / Optimum

Inherited from Thales’ long experience in solid state broadcasting, in both Radio and Television, this line of transmitters has been designed to ensure broadcasters maximum reliability, efficiency and peace of mind. Thales is also proud to be the company chosen by many to start digital broadcasting all over the world. At the origin of all major standard committee and technological breakthrough, Thales is more than just a transmitter manufacturer, it is your partner for the digital migration.

Thales transmitters

Ultimate / Optimum is the world’s best selling line of transmitters, with more than 850 broadcasting systems sold since its launch. From 400 Wrms up to 15 kWrms, UHF or VHF, Air or Liquid Cooled, Digital (DVB or ATSC) or Analog (separate or common amplification), it is the line of transmitter designed to fit your needs.

Affinity DVB

Inherited from our experience in the telecom and in the broadcast industry, Thales has designed a low power transmitter based on the need of constant availability of the services. With a streamlined, modular and progressive architecture, the Affinity transmitter is made to work as part of a digital transmitting system from the simple drive transmitter to the complete 6+1 digital station.

Progressive in terms of output power, redundancy configurations or even the number of transmitters in the system, Affinity is the solution for a trouble free deployment of digital television. With the DAP “never tuning” feature, the simple way to readjust the output power (AGC without additional corrections) and the constant upgradability in redundancy, Affinity is the transmitter every broadcasters need.

Conclusion

With two product lines of solid state television transmitters fully monitored and controlled through any supervision system (or even through simple web browsers), Thales is able to offer a complete and trouble free digital network with all output powers from several watts to 15 kWrms.

All of our digital transmitters are now equipped with the Emmy award winning MODAPTM exciter, with its unique DAP feature, the digital version of Ultimate / Optimum or the Affinity (DVB or ATSC) are simply the best transmitters money can buy.

Thanks to the MODAPTM and its digital automatic precorrection (DAP), it is the 1st and the only transmitter on the market that is completely “plug and play”. That means when you install it on site, you have “no tuning”, no “correction tables”, and on the long term, the continuous automatic precorrection ensures you the best signal quality over the years.

It is our accumulated experience and our know-how, that makes our transmitters the most reliable on the market, making THALES BROADCAST & MULTIMEDIA the best solution to enter the world of digital television.

Material is provided by Thales Broadcast & Multimedia