Two European digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H) technology trials, aimed at testing technical capability and coverage requirements of the service, will use antenna technology from Radio Frequency Systems (RFS).
German research institute, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, and UK broadcast transmission group Arqiva (formerly NTL Broadcast), each approached RFS in early 2005 to supply equipment for their respective DVB-H trials.
DVB-H technology allows multiple channels of television, audio and IP data to be simultaneously transmitted to a range of multimedia devices, including a new generation of mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The challenge of providing reliable television coverage to moving devices has instigated trials around the world to determine the most robust delivery method.
The UK DVB-H trial will take place in and around the city of Oxford to investigate the commercial appeal of mobile TV and to see how the technology performs. RFS is supplying a low visual impact HU6 co-linear antenna to Arqiva for deployment at a low-power urban site. The trial, which is to be broadcast on UHF channel E31, involves eight transmission sites.
For the Fraunhofer IIS DVB-H research program, RFS supplied a low-power antenna system incorporating one of the company’s new, fully broadband, vertically polarized PVP panel arrays and coaxial transmission line, power dividers and associated accessories.
In addition to the two European trials, RFS recently supplied combining technology and engineering services for a DVB-H trial in Sydney, Australia.
See Radio Frequency Systems at IBC2005 stand 5.221, or visit www.rfsworld.com.
