Objective
To verify in detail the specification agreed by the European DVB project for digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB - the DVB-T specification).
To provide experimental results from which the parameters needed for service planning can be derived.
To help manufacturers developing digital TV receivers.
To demonstrate the possibilities of digital terrestrial broadcasting.
Test results verifying the DVB-T specification
Test results on which service planning models can be based
Implementation guide for broadcasters
Expected Impact
VALIDATE is helping to consolidate the future of DTTB by verifying the DVB-T specification in detail, by ensuring that service planning is based on a solid technical foundation, and by demonstrating the potential benefits of digital terrestrial broadcasting.
Results so far
Comparisons of simulations of a DVB-T modulator show five laboratories in agreement, confirming that the Specification is unambiguous.
Two modems from different labs upgraded to conform with the DVB-T specification and shown to interwork.
First lab test and field trial results submitted to DVB - Specification accepted by DVB and ETSI.
First Implementation Guide completed.
Primary distribution trials of MPEG-2 transport streams over dark fibre, SDH, ATM, satellite.
Specification for synchronisation of SFNs prepared and accepted by DVB.
Studies of transmitters and sharing with analogue services.
First draft specification for Transmitter performance.
Feasibility study of domestic gap-filler - optimistic results.
Over-air tests in UK, Netherlands, Italy and Germany; demonstration at International Broadcasting Convention.
Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
Guidelines on DVB-T implementation. Service planning criteria and comparison of actual and predicted service areas. Specification of a Megaframe for SFN Synchronisation, prototype domestic gap-filler and report on tests on SFNs
Contribution to the programme
The project verified the DVB-T specification and carried out technical work that would speed up the start of Terrestrial Digital TV services.
Technical Approach
The DVB-T specification, which was agreed in principle in December 1995 after the Project started and completed in March 1996, offers a large number of different modes suitable for the different applications that are foreseen in different European countries.
The first task has been to build modems conforming to the Specification, or modify modems that were designed before the DVB-T specification was stable. These modems are being tested for interworking to check for ambiguities in the Specification.
VALIDATE Partners have planned and started to carry out laboratory tests and field trials to verify the Specification. If any of the tests and field trials show that there are problems with the Specification, appropriate solutions will be proposed and tested and submitted to DVB and ETSI.
Besides verifying the Specification, the laboratory tests and field trials will also be used to derive the parameters needed for planning DTTB services. These parameters include failure points, susceptibility to interference, and interference caused to other services using the television broadcasting bands (mostly analogue television). The results of this work are being fed to the EBU, CEPT, and to the ITU-R.
The availability of broadcast DTTB signals will be important for projects designing receivers; VALIDATE is working with the DVBIRD project to ensure that receivers are adequately tested and that the project's planning criteria reflect the performance of real receivers.
The launch of DTTB services requires the solution of problems of management and transmission of signals in single-frequency networks (SFNs), such as transmitter specifications, issues of sharing with other services, and network synchronisation. VALIDATE is proposing and testing solutions to these problems, working with other ACTS projects in the field of MPEG-2 transmission and multiplexing. It has summarised its initial conclusions in a draft Implementation Guide which has been submitted to DVB and accepted as the basis of an ETR
An important issue affecting the coverage and hence the viability of DTTB services is the availability of 'gap-filler' transmitters which rebroadcast the signal on the same frequency; such transmitters pose serious problems of stability and interference. VALIDATE has studied the feasibility of gap-filler transmitters for domestic use to provide portable reception within domestic premises: the conclusions were favourable and the demonstrator will be produced and tested.
Finally, VALIDATE will work with projects developing new DTTB services (e.g. interactive services) to ensure that the reception conditions needed for such services can be met.
Summary of Trial
VALIDATE is implementing the European specification for digital terrestrial television broadcasting in experimental networks in a number of European countries. It is using these experimental networks to verify the specification in detail and to carry out further work needed for the successful launch of DTTB services.
Key Issues
The commitment of European broadcasters to the start of DTTB services.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering satellite technology
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
KT20 6NP Tadworth
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.