BROADCASTING Reference FLO™ technology brings multimedia content to mobile devices Transmitter networks based on new TV on your mobile phone Rohde & Schwarz as a transmitter sup- plier. Both companies as technologi- standards such as DVB-H, DMB-T These global activities focus on combin- cal pioneers act as catalysts for new ing different technologies to economi- trends and technologies in the wireless or FLO™ are currently being set up cally provide the mobile users‘ handheld industry. devives with a wide range of multime- worldwide by combining different dia content. The technical development With its state-of-the-art exciters, of OFDM-based standards has produced Rohde & Schwarz is the world’s only technologies from the fields of digital a variety of solutions – DVB-H, DMB-T or company that can easily integrate new FLO™, for example – that make mobile DTV standards into its transmitters. In a broadcasting, mobile telecommuni- reception of TV / video services possi- joint collaboration, the FLO™ code was ble on battery-operated devices such as implemented in the R&S ® SV700 exciter cations and information technology. mobile phones. The required networks in a very short time. Afterwards a sup- are currently being implemented in ply contract for 5 kW DTV transmitters of FLO™ technology effectively trans- different countries. the R&S ® NV7500V family was awarded. mits multimedia content to mobile The conversion from analog to digital TV The first test transmitter was success- meets the needs of service providers. In fully put into operation in San Diego in devices nationwide, with transmit- the USA, for example, the TV channels November 004. Two to three transmit- 51 to 69 are being released and auc- ters forming a single-frequency network ters from Rohde & Schwarz playing a tioned off by the FCC. The usage of the are planned for each city or coverage spectrum will largely be left to the new area. Since cities in the USA are spread significant role. frequency owners. out, high transmitter powers between 5 kW and 10 kW are usually preferred. Technology provider Qualcomm reserved channel 55 (700 MHz) in the USA early “One of the key operational factors of on, and created MediaFLO™ USA, a utilizing Rohde & Schwarz product is its wholly-owned subsidiary. The com- modularity,” states Richard Azer, Direc- pany will deploy and operate a nation- tor of Operations, for MediaFLO™ USA. wide wireless media delivery network “That functionality assists both in the for the FLO™ standard, delivering up to deployment and operational support of 100 channels with multimedia content the equipment.” to third-generation mobile phones (see box). The transmission network is sched- The most important uled to be launched by the end of 006. Impressive transmitters abbreviations COFDM Coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing Rohde & Schwarz clearly beat its com- DMB-T Digital multimedia broadcast Strong partners petitors in the first stage with its – terrestrial R&S ® NV7500V transmitters and their DVB-H Digital video broadcasting for In terms of engineering, setting up a excellent price/performance ratio. The handheld network in a short amount of time is liquid-cooled 5 kW TV transmitters with FCC Federal Communications an enormous organizational and logis- their outstanding features meet the Commission tic challenge. Accomplishing this ambi- requirements of the described scenario. LDMOS Lateral diffused metal oxide silicon tious goal requires cutting-edge tech- Low power consumption, easy servic- FLO™ Forward link only nology and quick availability, combined ing, effective liquid cooling, high redun- OFDM Orthogonal frequency with a consistent logistics concept. dancy, simple mechanical concept, state- division multiplexing Qualcomm therefore is working with of-the-art LDMOS amplifier technology 48 News from Rohde & Schwarz Number 187 (005/III) that ensures high linearity, best-rated mechanical structure of the transmitters In the USA, fast spare-parts availabil- exciters with integrated GPS receiver, allows even third-party companies to set ity and 4-hour service are crucial. The and the modern remote-control concept up the systems quickly and safely. This Rohde & Schwarz office in Columbia, – these were just some of the arguments is an important prerequisite if you want Maryland, was able to provide the nec- speaking in favor of Rohde & Schwarz. to work successfully with subcontrac- essary prerequisites within minimum tors. The compact design with its mini- time. Purely practical aspects, which often mal footprint is another important cost Reinhard Scheide help considerably to save costs, are also criterion if operating rooms have to be important. The clear, straightforward leased. Basic setup of a nationwide network of MediaFLO™ The new FLO™ digital standard from Qualcomm is based data streams on to the local centers, which are also the trans- on signals with COFDM modulation and 6 MHz bandwidth mitter locations. The data streams can be fed via satellite, that can be received by 3rd-generation mobile devices spe- microwave link or optical fiber. The local centers are allowed to cially developed for this purpose. The MediaFLO™ network insert additional content into the data streams before they are operations center receives content in realtime from differ- sent to the transmitters. The data streams are subsequently ent content providers via satellite, or terrestrially via transmit- COFDM-modulated with the FLO™ codec and transmitted via ters or cable. Other content is fed in via the Internet or from a terrestrial single-frequency transmitter network. Users can an archive. The signals are multiplexed and converted into a receive the service on a mobile phone and watch TV on the go. FLO™ data stream. The network operations center passes the National and local centers in a MediaFLO™ network distribute multimedia content to mobile devices. Content provider Content provider Content provider Nationwide (MPEG-2) Local content Local content Internet Nationwide distribution Nationwide and Transmission to local distribution mobile devices Internet (multiplex) MediaFLO™ network Local MediaFLO™ R&S®NV7500V MediaFLO™ operations center center TV transmitter handset 3G network Service key distribution, Content provider subscriptions Nationwide 49 News from Rohde & Schwarz Number 187 (005/III).