Objective
The main objective of the HD-SAT project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a digital HDTV broadcast system over satellite, cable, Microwave Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS) and B-ISDN networks that:
- provides high quality HDTV images to the viewer
- uses the 30/20 GHz band as allocated by WARC '92
- is cost effective due to the use of advanced compression and modulation techniques.
The main objective of the research was to develop a satellite transmission system for wide radio frequency (RF) band high definition digital television (W-HDTV) that:
is not constrained by the 27 MHz channel limitations of the 12 GHz band assigned by world administrative radio conference (WARC) 77;
provides studio quality images to the viewer;
can become a European standard (if not a world wide one);
is cost effective because of the use of bandwidth efficient advanced compression and modulation techniques;
can be demonstrated to be technically feasible in its key components and satellite aspects.
Key issues in the research include:
characterization of W-HDTV services;
selection of preferred source coding schemes;
selection of power efficient modulation schemes for the satellite link;
selection of bandwidth efficient modulation schemes for the terrestrial link.
The research has resulted in the following:
a comprehensive state of the art review on source coding and satellite and cable modulation and multiplexing which set the reference point of technologies related to the research;
the definition of coder decoder (codec), modem and demultiplexer hardware realization plans;
the structure and organization of the modular demonstrator was put in place, and a reference demonstration carried out including a HDTV codec and a satellite link;
a framework for participating and cooperating with television broadcasting organizations and standardization bodies has been established in order to ensure the relevance and compatibility of the research in a global context.
Technical Approach
The technical approach in the HD-SAT project includes the demonstration of an HDTV transmission system, through feasibility analysis, functional specification, prototyping and operational testing. The project is divided into four main phases:
1. System studies. Characterisation of high quality HDTV services, and compatibility with other media.
2. Analysis of service propagation and link budgets, ground and space segments:
- Direct to home reception or
- Reception at head-end stations and secondary transmission over CATV networks, terrestrial microwave multipoint distribution systems (MMDS) and ATM broadband networks.
3. Signal generation and modulation. Analysis of interface and trans-modulation between satellite and terrestrial networks.
4. Demonstrator assembly and operational trials, testing progressive bit rate reductions from 140 Mbit/s down to a target of 45 Mbit/s.
Key Issues
- Characterisation of high quality HDTV services.
- Selection of preferred source coding schemes.
- Selection of power efficient modulation schemes for the satellite link.
- Selection of bandwidth efficient modulation schemes for the terrestrial (cable and MMDS) link.
- Definition of a common receiver and associated multiplex architecture.
Expected Impact
- Proposals for W-HDTV service standards.
- Cost efficient systems delivering studio quality images.
- Feasibility of the main building blocks.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
92737 Nanterre
France
Participants (10)
20059 Vimercate Milano
00131 Roma
1 Dublin
35510 Cesson-sévigne
8000 München
00195 Roma
Mount Merrion
35510 Cesson-sévigne
75732 Paris
M5 4WT Salford