Test centre helps users meet ATSC 3.0 standard

As a reference signal generator, the R&S BTC generates the globally used TV and audio broadcasting standards, simulates transmissions and analyses the audio/video functions of DUTs in real-time.

The R&S BTC includes a purely software-based real-time coder for ATSC 3.0.

As a real-time option, transmission parameters can be directly changed, which immediately influences signal characteristics and structure.

The generator offers unique simulation functions in an all-in-one solution. It delivers a complete signal chain, from internal playout of an ATSC 3.0 signal via its modulation to simulating a transmission.

It has two RF paths and additional means of synchronisation via the STL protocol by using timestamps and a 10MHz and 1pps reference connection.

This makes it ideal for testing equipment for compliance with the new requirements for using single frequency networks (SFN) in ATSC 3.0 networks.

As a reference signal generator, the R&S BTC exhibits excellent RF performance with required parameters.

It offers interruption-free modulation of ATSC 3.0 signals with real audio/video/data content in real-time.

It also supports internal and external sources with corresponding interfaces such as MMGen, IP (ROUTE/DASH, MMT, TS) and STL.

One of the main tasks when developing broadcast equipment is to test the equipment under realistic and complex transmission conditions.

The R&S BTC covers this by simulating a variety of interference such as noise and fading, and wireless signals such as LTE and mobile TV. For the SFNs now possible with ATSC 3.0, it generates different scenarios, for example two transmitting stations.

The ATSC 3.0 realtime coder (R&S BTC-K520 software option) and the R&S WV-K818 ATSC 3.0 waveform library are now available from Rohde & Schwarz.