Standards for delivering video to mobile devices via Qualcomm’s Forward Link-Only (FLO) technology continue to advance, paving the way for universal deployment. Designed to multicast significant volumes of rich multimedia content, FLO enables wireless operators to send a variety of content in clips and streaming video to millions of mobile users simultaneously.
Global standardization of the FLO protocol enables greater interoperability of products, speeds up time-to-market for new products and reduces the cost of components, according to the FLO Forum, an association of 68 wireless manufacturers that support FLO technology. It will also encourage service providers to reliably bring FLO-based mobile broadcast multimedia applications to consumers worldwide.
A subcommittee of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has officially approved publication of three new specifications: the FLO Minimum Performance Standards (MPS) for Devices, Minimum Performance Standards (MPS) for Transmitters and the Test Application Protocol for Devices and Transmitters. The TIA’s TR-47.1 Subcommittee has labeled the new specs TIA-1102, 1103 and 1104, respectively.
The publication of the MPS for devices and MPS for transmitters establishes minimum performance standards for FLO products and services. It also outlines the specifications and interoperability of transmitters and devices.
The standards were approved by the TIA’s TR-47 Engineering Committee, which is responsible for the development and maintenance of Terrestrial Mobile Multimedia Multicast (TM3) standards, and the TR-47.1 subcommittee, which is focused on FLO technology standardization.
In July, the Air Interface Specification for FLO technology was published as TIA-1099, the first technical specification ratified by the TIA TR47.1 Engineering Committee.
For more information, visit www.floforum.org/.