Thomson Broadcast

DVB-T2 solutions
Transmitter
-

Elite 11/100

Futhura

Gapfillers / Repeaters

Transmitter upgrade available for

Optimum, Ultimate

DVB-T2 system implementation and

DVB-T2 Lite extension

Exciter
-

Supporting MPLP up to 64 PLPs

DVB-T / DVB-T2 dualcast exciter

Full DVB-T2 code rates / IFFT

sizes

Full Time interleaver

implementation

T2 MI SFN

Dual IP Gigabit pro MPEG FEC

inputs

Low PAPR using Tone

Comprehensive understanding of
the DVB-T2 system
July 2014

Reservation
-

Easy remote upgrade and

operation

Full DVB-T2 control via front

panel

DVB-T2 modes : custom settings

or V&V profile selection

SNMP v2, HTTP control

Adaptive non linear correction

Adaptive linear equalization

Embedded GPS

High stability low phase noise

OCXO

Jrme DAVID - Strategic Marketing Manager

Bruno Le Breton R&D Manager

Key facts :
Thomson Broadcast
Channel robustness close to theoretical Shannon limit

contribution to

Up to 50% more bandwidth than 1st generation standard

DVB-T2 standard

Better Transmission quality/efficiency/reliability with PAPR

Larger and better SFN capabilities with distributed MISO scheme

Thomson Broadcast has a continued

Mobile / fixed network capabilities with MPLP

involvement in DVB activities since

Future proof solution with Future Extension Frame concept

early 90s. Thomson Broadcast has

Flexible Time interleaver

contributed

Robustness adjustable per PLP for one or more services

to

DVB-T2

standardization from 2006 until now.

Thomson

Broadcast

longstanding

experience in RF domain and in

broadcast distribution network was
particularly involved in the process of
selecting

techniques

for

PAPR

reduction and has chaired T2 MI

modulator

interface

Native IP based network distribution

DVB-T2 is the worlds most advanced digital terrestrial transmission system offering highest
efficiency, robustness and flexibility. It introduces the latest modulation and coding techniques to
enable highly efficient use of valuable terrestrial spectrum for the delivery of audio, video and data
services to fixed, portable and mobile devices. These new techniques give DVB-T2 a 50% increase
in efficiency over any other DTT system in the world. DVB-T2 will coexist for some years with
DVB-T transmission.

specification
Similarly to the first generation standard (DVB-T, ISDB-T, DAB), DVB-T2 uses OFDM
(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) modulation, with a large number of sub- carriers
delivering a robust signal, the new specification offers a range of different modes making it a very
flexible standard.

activities.

DVB-T2 uses the LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) codes offering excellent performance in the
presence of high noise levels and interference.
References

Air Interface

EN302755

Specification

Network distribution

TS102773

Specification

Service Specific coding based on Multi-PLP (Physical Layer Pipes) mechanism is provided
to separately adjust the robustness of each delivered service within a channel to meet the required
reception conditions for mobile, indoor and fixed reception in the same channel
Transmission diversity method, known as Alamouti coding, extends the coverage in small-scale
single-frequency networks.

DVB blue Book

DVB A133

Implementation

TS102831

Guidelines

Transmission quality and reliability is improved by the introduction of advanced clipping

functions, named PAPR techniques.

Finally, DVB-T2 group has defined a method called FEF (Future Extension Frame) which can be
implemented over an existing DVB-T2 network. DVB-T2 offers a higher data rate, more robust
signal, flexibility and scalability than any other existing transmission standard. For example, in the
UK a DVB-T channel typically has a data rate of 24 MBit/s, whereas a DVB-T2 channel can carry
36 MBit/s, while keeping the robustness equal.

2/16

DVB-T2 Key Concepts

A complex standard?
Thomson Broadcast
DVB-T2 highlights
DVB-T2 standard is built upon
more than 30 building blocks. All of
these are extensively simulated and
tested

against

reference

golden

streams issued by V&V (Validation

and

Verification)

standardization

group.

At a first glance, DVB-T2 is a complex standard. It is made of a lot of new building blocks and all
of them must be carefully adjusted. These new advanced signal processing techniques such as
rotated constellation, ACE (Active Constellation Extension) and TR (Tone Reservation) PAPR
reduction techniques, MISO (Multiple Inputs Single Output), Flexible time interleaver, FEF,
scalable frame structure are good examples of how to bring added value to a broadcast technology.

4 main guidelines for a comprehensive

understanding of DVB-T2 possibilities

Capacity increase, Flexible system design, Efficiency improvements and Mobility have driven
DVB partners in DVB-T2 standardization process.

3/16

Capacity increase

In DVB-T2, benefiting from higher modulation order (256QAM) and more efficient DVB-S2,
LDPC FEC, up to 50% capacity gain is achieved compared to DVB-T performances

Thomson Broadcast
DVB-T2 highlights
Thomson

DVB-T2

exciter

implements All SPLP modes basic

parameter configuration:
-

All IFFT sizes

All guard intervals

All constellation

All LDPC code rates and code

Figure 1: 256 QAM modulation

types
-

All time

interleaver

modes

support:

I-JUMP,

Static,
Figure 2: baseband frame

Dynamic, FEF

Thomson Broadcast Man Machine

interface is designed to be intuitive.

Beyond a simple constellation change, the number of pilots used to perform channel
equalization can be adjusted allowing further bitrates optimization. User can expect up to 8%
gain.
Pilot ratio

DVB-T

DVB-T2

8.5%

4%

Thanks to its front panel, user can

select

DVB-T2

Continual pilot

transmission

parameter directly using the front

panel. Configuration is easy based on

preset modes taken from settings used

Higher FFT size means shorter guard interval ratio for a given SFN cell network.
Guard interval
DVB-T2
DVB-T 8K
with 32K
duration

in V&V validation group. Automatic

224 us

25%

6,25%

parameter

112 us

12.5%

3,12%

check

forbids

any

unauthorized configuration. Exciter

provides 3 different network type

Bandwidth extension: Less guard band carriers are used enabling a +2.6% bitrate gain

configuration: MFN-TS is dedicated

to MPEG TS legacy network, MFNT2 MI is used for MPLP via a gateway
and SFN T2 MI is used for SFN
operations.

Figure 3: Bandwidth extension

4/16

Efficiency increase with Tone reservation or ACE

Thomson Broadcast

Lower PAPR achieved with tone reservation or Active Constellation Extension. The goal
of these techniques is to achieve better RF performances and increase overall efficiency of the
RF power amplifiers. With this technique, the purpose is to achieve Peak to Average Power
Ratio below 10dB

DVB-T2 highlights
PAPR support
Thomson

Broadcast

exciter

implements PAPR natively improving

Quality / Efficiency / Lifecycle of the
transmission network. For instance,

Figure 4: PAPR reduction

More efficient SFN networks with distributed MISO

efficiency is improved by more than

1% and power gain is above 0.4dB.
ACE techniques can be used in other
standards since Thomson Broadcast

Flexible and robust system based on innovative frame structure

proposed this PAPR technique in

New T2 frame structure: A T2 frame is based on P1 preamble, P2 preambles followed by data

symbols. P1 preamble is used for fast parameters detection and raw equalization while P2
preamble symbols are used to discover the subsequent T2 frame parameters.

order to be backward compatible

with others systems such as DVB-T or
DAB.
Figure 5: Frame structure

While Tone Reservation is highly

T2 frame is based on the same DVB-T frames using guard interval OFDM data symbols

efficient for higher order QAM

constellations, ACE is particularly
Figure 6: Guard interval

efficient for low order constellation

such as QPSK or 16QAM modulation

MPLP mode offers a Service specific robustness while SPLP mode can be used in existing
distribution network based on MPEG2-TS

Time interleaver combined with Cell interleaver can be adjusted for each PLP and the depth
of the interleaver can be adjusted on 1 or several consecutive frames. This makes time
interleaver really robust against impulse noise.

Rotated constellation combined with cell interleaver improves signal robustness in corner
reception scenarios by de-correlating I & Q components of regular grey mapping scheme.

schemes. It makes ACE a good

solution

for

reducing

PAPR

in

existing mobile networks relying on

QPSK

or

16QAM

modulation

scheme.
Beyond

PAPR

gain, when
Tone

technique

using

Reservation

power

either

PAPR

or

Active

Constellation Extension, transistor

lifecycle is dramatically improved by
reducing transistor ageing effect
Figure 7: Rotated constellation

5/16

T2-Lite
The mobile configuration of the DVB-T2 standard, also called T2-Lite, uses a limited number of
available modes which are optimized for mobile transmission and minimize the requirements for
the receiver.

Thomson Broadcast
DVB-T2 highlights

Maximum bitrate of 4 Mb/s per PLP

Limitation of the FFT size to exclude 1K and 32K carriers mode

Allows only short FEC frames (Nldpc = 16200)

Limitation of the size of the time interleaver memory to approximately half the size of
normal DVB-T2 transmission

Reduces set of combinations of FFT size, guard interval and pilot pattern. PP8 pilot pattern is
not allowed

Prohibition of the use of rotated constellations in 256-QAM and addition of two new more
robust code rates (1/3 and 2/5),
Modulation
Code rate
QPSK
16 QAM
64 QAM
256 QAM
1/3

X
2/5

X
1/2

X
3/5

X
2/3

NA
3/4

NA
: Combination authorised
X : Combination authorised but without rotated constellation
NA : Not authorised

The design of the Thomson Broadcast

exciter has taken into account from the
beginning the need of resources for
the evolution of the DVB-T2 standard.
T2-Lite is a software evolution
compatible with the existing hardware

The mobile services may be transmitted as a stand-alone signal but may also be transmitted on the
same radio frequency channel with other DVB-T2 services. This can be achieved thanks to the
Future Extension Frame (FEF) feature of the standard. In this case, the mobile transmission will be
ignored by normal DVB-T2 receiver and the standard DVB-T2 transmission, also called T2-base,
is ignored by the mobile receiver

Figure 8: Example of composite T2-base and T2-Lite signal

6/16

The following table provides an overview of the comparison of the main characteristics of the
different standards:
DVB-T2
FEC

LDPC + BCH

Code rate

1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6

Constellation

Guard Interval

FFT size

Scattered pilots

DVB T2-Lite
LDPC + BCH

1/3, 2/5, 1/2, 3/5,

2/3, 3/4
QPSK, 16QAM,
QPSK, 16QAM,
64QAM, 256QAM
64QAM, 256QAM
1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
1/128, 1/32, 1/16,
19/256, 1/8, 19/128,
19/256, 1/8, 19/128, 1/4
1/4
1K, 2K, 4K, 8K, 8K ext.,
2K, 4K, 8K, 8K ext.,
16K, 16K ext., 32K, 32K
16K, 16K ext.
ext.
1%, 2%, 4%, 8% of
1%, 2%, 4%, 8% of total
total

DVB-T/H
CC + RS
1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
QPSK, 16QAM,
64QAM
1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4

2K, 4K, 8K

8% of total

Continual pilots

0,35% of total

0,35% of total

2,6% of total

RF Bandwidth

1.7, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 MHz

1.7, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10
MHz

5, 6, 7, 8 MHz

36,37 Mb/s

32 Mb/s

Max. TS Bandwidth 50 Mb/s

Typical TS
Bandwidth
(8MHz channel
raster)

40 Mb/s (MFN)
33 Mb/s (SFN)
20 Mb/s (Mobile /
26 Mb/s (Mobile / fixed / fixed / portable)
portable)

24 Mb/s (Fixed)
10 Mb/s (Mobile)

And the following figure reminds the DVB-T2 version history

Figure 9: Version history

7/16

DVB-T2 introduction scenarios

DVB-T2 application is primarily dedicated to fixed HD /3D terrestrial networks over existing
DVB-T networks but it contains everything

Thomson Broadcast
DVB-T2 highlights

DVB-T2 and multi services

Unique PLP solution

Thomson Broadcast is going beyond

common

implementation

by

providing up to 64 PLP in parallel

where 16 PLP is currently state of the
art. This allows unequalled flexibility
in tailoring different services for an
existing network.

For instance, you could provide in a

single channel 16 mobile services
requiring up to 10Mb/s and allowing
3 to 4 HD services in the same

The Multiple Physical Layer Pipes (MPLP) concept gives the possibility to have specific robustness
for different services on a single DVB-T2 channel. Each PLP may have its own modulation, code
rate and interleaving. This offers the opportunity, for example, to broadcast on an unique channel
HD services with high bit rate dedicated for fixed reception, SD services with lower bit rate for
indoor reception, and radio or mobile TV services with very low bit rate.

DVB-T2 and T2-Lite application

Using MPLP to broadcast services dedicated to fixed reception and to mobile in the same T2
multiplex is limited by the fact that the FFT mode and the pilot pattern cannot be adjusted during
the same T2 signal. Fixed reception services is transmitted with large FFTs and sparse pilot patterns
to optimize the bit rate. On the other hand, reception in mobile scenarios requires the utilization of
smaller FFTs and more dense pilot patterns to follow the rapid variations in the time and frequency
domain. T2-Lite standard gives a solution for this problem, with the possibility to transmit the
signal in the FEF parts. In this manner, the FFT, guard interval and pilot patterns are optimized for
mobile reception using the T2-Lite signal, and in the same time, these parameters are optimized for
fixed reception using the T2-base signal.
Of course, the T2-Lite signal can be used as a stand-alone signal which occupies the full frequency
channel.

broadcast channel.

DVB-T2 and new services

Moreover

PLP

management

in

Thomson exciter is dynamic so

it allows live reconfiguration. This is
supporting future statistical PLP
management in order to optimize
robustness in the channel.

About the content aspect, DVB-T2 will be introduced for new services such as HD and
Ultra-HD programs. Ultra-HD debate is not yet over but we can expect that higher bandwidth will
be required to broadcast Ultra-HD services even for frame compatible format. DVB-T2 is designed
to carry HD/ Ultra-HD services and offer the best signal efficiency (5.6bit/Hz in UK) even more
with SFN diversity transmission (MISO). In order to deploy 3D content efficiently, it is necessary
to work with DVB Ultra-HD TV specification where Ultra-HD TV program and 2D services can
share the same broadcast channel at different time of the day. In this case, Ultra-HD TV set must
be capable to switch between 2D and Ultra-HD application. Ultra-HD TV specification defines
some scenario and signalization over the MPEG to allow flexible Ultra-HD transport. For instance,
Ultra-HD side by side requires broadcasting a full HD definition service with a minimum rate of
8Mb/s. In the UK, this will lead up to 4-5 Ultra-HD services or full HD services.

Moving DVB-T to DVB-T2 Dual Cast Concept

Where legacy DVB-T transmission exists, it is easy to introduce DVB-T2 for new services. Current
DVB-T2 set-top boxes are also able to perform DVB-T modulation enabling a smooth transition to
new services over a network. A user purchasing a DVB-T2 set top box or TV set can also watch
legacy DVB-T transmissions. On the network side, the transition from a DVB-T channel to DVBT2 is simplified when dual cast operation is available in the exciter because network operator only
has to manage a single network instead of managing 2 different networks. DVB-T and DVBT2 spectrum characteristics are closed because they share the same channel raster and both of them
are based on OFDM transmission with guard intervals.

8/16

When system is transitioned to DVB-T2 and PAPR is implemented, it is possible to increase the
coverage by 0.4dB compared to the same DVB-T coverage for the same performance (MER =
34dB at transmitter output). Combined with signal compression improvement, it is possible to move
MPEG2 services to MPEG4 and bundle them in new multiplexes. This can free up new frequencies
to deploy new services as VOD or 3D services.

9/16

How is DVB-T2 implemented?

Thomson Broadcast
DVB-T2 highlights

Thomson

DVB-T2

exciter

implements IP interface using pro

MPE FEC. When used additional

Broadcasters can easily get started with a DVB-T2 transmission. DVB-T2 can be initially
implemented on a primary DTV transmitter, leveraging existing capital expenditures on the RF
transmitter, fi lt eri n g, tr a ns mi s s io n line , and b road cast antenna . In MFN netwo rk,
DVB -T2 Thomson Broadcast transmitters can be operated with the existing MPEG distribution
network over ASI or Gigabit Ethernet using the SMPTE2022-1 pro MPEG FEC standard. When
T2 network is operated in SFN network or if service protected MPLP variable is used, it is
necessary to use T2MI interface to send video streams to the transmitter. In this situation, a T2 MI
(Modulator Interface gateway is needed at the head-end to parse signals into T2-MI packets. A
field-proven transmitter must be tested with several Gateway manufacturers and solution must be
highly robust to any kind of jitter (packet jitter or time source jitter) as very large hardware buffers
size are available in the exciter to process IP input or MPEG-2 TS.

large buffers are used to ensure a

robust IP interface.

Figure 10: DVB-T2 transmission chain example co-existing with DVB-T distribution network

10/16

How is SFN implemented?

T2 SFN networks setup are similar to SFN DVB-T networks but they require a T2-MI gateway
and time reference equipments. All networks implementing SFN or / and MPLP must follow the
T2-MI stack protocol.

Thomson Broadcast
DVB-T2 highlights

Thomson Broadcast played an active

role in the definition of the T2-MI
(Modulator Interface).

T2 Modulator Interface standard is

part of DVB-T2 validation and
verification group.

The standard describing DVB-T2

Modulator Interface is labeled TS
102773

Figure 11: T2 Modulator Interface protocol stack

T2 Modulator protocol stack is relying on existing and proved MPEG-2 TS and MPEG2-GSE.
MPEG-2 GSE is a generic purpose encapsulation protocol dedicated to efficient IP distribution of
video services to the T2-MI gateway. The output interface of the gateway to the distribution
network is either IP encapsulated or directly in ASI format.

11/16

DVB-T2 offers more scalability than a DVB-T network. It offers larger guard intervals. Same
infrastructure basis than a legacy network can be re-used provided that equipments in the legacy
distribution network are transparent to the transport stream. However it requires a gateway to
perform timestamp insertion and Physical Layer Pipe multiplexing.

Thomson Broadcast
DVB-T2 highlights
Thomson

DVB-T2

exciter

interoperability has been verified by

BBC R&D.

Beyond

V&V

verification

validation,

Thomson

contributes

to

and

Broadcast

European

Celtic

Engines project and is leading DVBT2 SFN interoperability activities

inside this project.

Thomson Exciter implements SFN

test modes easing interoperability

Figure 12: DVB-T2 transmitter setup dedicated to SFN

verification between exciters

Setting up a DVB-T2 SFN network requires different stages:
Modulator interoperability verification, especially when different modulator brands are used
Modulator gateway system interoperability
Program Feed Transparency: bit-synchronous requirement for SFNs means that program feeds
have to pass transport streams transparently, without any modification to packet order.
Bit rate jitter must remain low. Large Bit rate jitter from distribution network may cause SFN
disruption.
Distribution
Network
Sat. DVB-S/S2

Bit rate Jitter

Network Delay

+/- 200ns

250 ms

Off Air

+/-750ns

30 ms / hop

ATM over SDH

Up to 200 ns

Depending on the
size of the network

MPEG over IP

+/-20ms

30ms / switch

Figure 13: Typical delays experienced in SFN distribution

12/16

Installing a DVB-T2 SFN network requires having specific SFN test modes to verify timing
adjustment between transmitters. Once done, a transmitter in a SFN network can be modeled
using a triplet (P: power, d: delay, f: frequency). It is important to determine where the 0delay
area i s f a l l i n g . In the following example, we can observe that the 0delay area is
falling concomitantly to a 0dB echo area. This will result in destructive interference in the 0delay
area.

Figure 14: Example of destructive interference situation in a DVB-T2 SFN

One solution is to change the delay of one transmitter to make sure that this situation will not
occur.

Figure 15: Non destructive 0delay situation in a DVB-T2 SFN

Once the SFN network is setup, main issues come from the timing drift or disruption in the GPS
signal reception or in transport stream. In SFN networks, transmitters must be carefully monitored
and it is important that the exciter has embedded capabilities to detect such events separately in
order to take the proper preventive or corrective action. Furthermore, on main strategic sites, it is
desirable that the transmitter offers at operator wish permanent transmission in case of time
reference loss or perturbation of the distribution network.

13/16

How is T2-Lite implemented?

T2-Lite signal can be used as a stand-alone signal. In this case, the implementation is the same
that for other DVB-T2 transmission. But T2-Lite signal can also share a unique channel with a
T2-Base signal. In this case, there are two possibility for the network configuration.
The first solution consists to separate the distribution of the T2-Base and T2-Lite signals.

Even if this solution could be useful for preliminary laboratory tests or pilot networks, it is not
optimized for network implementation and maintenance:
Two gateways are used. They need to be set-up simultaneously and the time synchronization
between them is critical.
As two different streams are necessary for T2-Base and T2-Lite signals, four inputs are
mandatory at the exciter level to offer input redundancy

The recommended operational configuration is the following:

In this case, only one gateway manages the T2-Base and T2-Lite signals and a single T2MI stream
is sent to the transmitter.

14/16

The MISO concept

Interest of MISO (Multiple Inputs Single Output)
In this mode, DVB-T2 is broadcasted on 2 different antennas. Hence, DVB-T2 signal is split in
main and complimentary components feeding the antennas. Main advantage is that the receiver
will benefit from an increased C/N if the receiver is able to see both signals. If the receiver is not
able to see one of the 2 signals, its performance remain equal to SISO (Single Input Single Output
antenna).

Figure 16: MISO co-sited

For instance, current DVB-T2 UK transmission is based on a LDPC code rate of 2/3. With MISO,
it might be possible to use LDPC code rate 3/4 leading to a bit rate gain of 5 Mb/s.

Figure 17: Performance Gain

15/16

Network Constraint and distributed MISO

If both transmissions were to be co-sited, the cost would be prohibitive from the network
operator point of view. That is the reason to introduce distributed MISO where complimentary
signals are sent from two different existing nearby sites. In this situation, the C/N gain can be up to
3dB and be converted into higher bitrates.

Figure 18: MISO in Distributed transmission

16/16