What is in this article?:
New technologies on the horizon
It’s conceivable that a digital distribution system that exceeds 10(bit/s)/Hz of efficiency is nearing our grasp, considering the current development of various promising technologies. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is one such solution, which uses multiple antennas and front ends to resolve reliability issues while maintaining or improving bandwidth efficiency. Combined with a video compression system such as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), a new broadcast system could support more than 20 channels of high-quality audio and video within a 6MHz or 8MHz RF channel.
Executives from television broadcast organizations around the world have already formed the global Future of Broadcast Television (FOBTV) Initiative, establishing a framework for cooperation to chart the future course of terrestrial television broadcasting. DVB and ATSC are among the groups working to develop and specify new compression and channel coding technologies that are expected to increase the data throughput and functionality of digital television broadcast. The sky’s the limit!
—Aldo Cugnini is a consultant in the digital television industry and a partner in a mobile services company.
