Harris Corporation's Broadcast Communications Division said it will be showing a two cabinet version of its Atlas Analogue solid-state UHF transmitter. With the ability to generate up to 30 kW peak visual output power, the transmitter is being offered as a replacement for older transmitters using a single IOT or two klystrons (visual and aural) at this power level. The transmitter is liquid cooled, allowing it to be used in buildings previously equipped with liquid cooled tube transmitters minimizing or eliminating the need for the extra ducting or air conditioning that would likely be required if an air-cooled transmitter was used.
Dale Mowry, VP and GM of Harris' Television Broadcast Systems business unit commented, "Domestic and international broadcasters are finding that the Atlas Analogue range is an ideal stepping stone toward digital terrestrial television. Broadcasters can replace aging analog transmitters now with a high-performance Atlas Analogue transmitter and then simply and cost-effectively transition to digital when they are ready. Harris continues to be a global leader in terrestrial transmission, offering thoroughly tested, well-engineered solutions that allow us to retain and build on our loyal customer base throughout the world."
The Atlas Analogue is broadband and frequency agile, which makes it easy to converted for operation on another channel. The transmitter's DTV-660 exciter uses digital techniques to generate an NTSC, PAL or SECAM analog signal. At its introduction at NAB2004, I asked if firmware would be available to allow the exciter to generate DVB-T or ATSC signals. I was told this was being worked on, but nothing was available then. It wasn't clear from the Harris press release if this capability is now available.
LATEST ARTICLES