BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

City of Malolos, Bulacan

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electronics Engineering

A Research for
ECE 513/511D
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
First Semester, A.Y. 2017-2018

DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL
TELEVISION
BROADCASTING (DTTB)
Submitted by:

Constantino, Tristan James C.

BS ECE 5A

Submitted to:

Oliver R. Mariano, MS ECE, PECE

Professor

December 31, 2017

DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING
I. What is Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting?
Digital terrestrial television (DTTV or DTT) is a technological evolution of broadcast television
and an advancement over analog television. DTTV broadcasts land-based (terrestrial) signals.
Digital broadcasting is a broadcast technology based on the transmission of audiovisual media
information by bit streams. A broadcast signal is composed of video, audio and also includes data services
such as teletext, subtitles (closed captions) or an EPG.

In addition, descriptive and technical metadata are transmitted for program identification and
receiver configuration (e.g. information on the broadcast station, the applied video and audio compression
systems, on the sound channel arrangement or on control data for interactivity, aspect ratio and numerous
others).

Furthermore, access services such as audio-description or a sign-language video can be

incorporated within the broadcasting multiplex signal. Modern broadcasting makes use of a series of
technologies which, together, allow for the creation of the broadcasting signal and its delivery to the end-
users.

II. The Interoperability Concept and Components

One of the important concepts of digital broadcasting is interoperability. Different systems or

system elements can interlink provided they are interoperable, i.e. they make use of agreed interfaces.
Digital TV systems thus have two basic components:

Generic elements: These are elements which apply whatever the delivery system is (terrestrial, cable,
satellite, etc.). They can benefit from common hardware and software, and make the construction of multi-
delivery system receivers easier and cheaper. Video and audio compression systems are a prime example
of such generic technologies;

Application-specific elements: These elements are necessarily different, for example modulators and
demodulators for satellite and terrestrial television.

III. The “Digital Process” -- The ITU-DTTB Model

In 1995, ITU-R Task Group 11/3 started the publication of a guide to Digital Terrestrial Television
Broadcasting in the VHF/UHF Bands.

a) Source coding refers to bit-rate reduction methods also known as data compression and error
protection techniques that are appropriate for application to the video, audio, and ancillary digital
data streams.

b) Ancillary data includes control data, including conditional access control, and data associated
with the audio program and video services such as closed captioning. Ancillary data can also refer
to independent program and data services.

c) Service multiplex and transport refers to the means of dividing the digital data stream into
“packets” of information, the means of uniquely identifying each packet or packet type, and the
appropriate means of multiplexing the video data stream packets, the audio data stream packets,
and the ancillary data stream packets into a single data stream. Interoperability or harmonization
between digital media such as terrestrial broadcasting, cable distribution, satellite distribution,
recording media, and computer interfaces must be a prime consideration in developing an
appropriate transport mechanism.

d) Physical layer refers to the means of using the digital data stream information to modulate the
transmitted signal and encompasses the so-called channel coding, i.e. the forward error-protection
to protect the broadcast signal against incorrectly decoded bits.

e) Planning factors and implementation strategies include discussions of strategies appropriate for
the introduction and implementation of digital terrestrial television broadcast service. The plans
for any such strategies must recognize the interference characteristics of the over-the-air media
and the practical limitations imposed at the receiver.

IV. Features of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB)

Terrestrial digital TV broadcasting is a new format of broadcasting that enables the viewer to
receive higher quality video and audio signals than conventional analog TV, with no ghost images and no
noise. The following are its features:

1. Clear picture and superior sound quality - DTTV provides a clearer picture and superior sound
quality when compared to analog TV, with less interference.

2. No more ghost images- Noise in analog can cause a deterioration of audio and video signals
before they reach the viewer, and ghost images can appear as a result of reflection off of high
buildings, digital broadcast has no ghost images produced.

3. Digital high-definition TV- Digital high-definition TV, called "Digital Hi-Vision" in Japan, can
be broadcast using the radio waves of a single conventional analog TV broadcast channel. Hi-
Vision images offer a wide screen 16:9 aspect ratio with 1,080 scan lines, and CD-quality sound
that further increases the impact and the sense of realism.
 4. Split-screen format- With terrestrial digital TV broadcasting, two or three programs of standard
quality (equivalent to current analog TV) can be broadcast on a single digital Hi-Vision channel.

5. More channels- DTTV offers far more channels, thus providing the viewer with a greater variety
of programs to choose from.

6. Other services- There are other services offered by DTTV which may include subtitled caption
broadcasting, audio descriptions for the visually impaired, adjustable speaking speed, news and
weather reports and emergency and disaster broadcasts.

V. Migration to Digital Television Broadcasting

In the Philippines, digital television broadcasts can be received through digital cable and direct
broadcast satellite. Digital terrestrial television (DTT) services are in development by the major
broadcasting companies of the Philippines.

The Philippines uses the American NTSC standard for analog television since color television
arrived in November 1966. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) announced in June
2010 that the Philippines would use the Japanese ISDB-T standard for digital television, and issued a
circular stating that the country's broadcasters must discontinue their analog services by the transition
deadline of 11:59 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time, UTC+8) on December 31, 2015. But due to delay of
the release of the implementing rules and regulations for digital television broadcast, the target date was
moved on 2020 or April 30, 2023.

The commission will be using the ultra-high frequency television channels from 14 to 51 (470-
698 MHz) for DTT broadcast service and deliberating channels 14 to 20 (470-512 MHz) which is being
used for fixed and mobile services. However, before the announcement, several broadcasters performed
trial broadcasts using the European DVB-T standard.

Preparation for the transition to digital television commenced with an issuance of Executive Order
546, series of 1979 and Republic Act 3846 or the Radio Control Law as amended by the local governing
body for broadcast services, the NTC adopted the said order to promulgate rules and regulations in order
to facilitate the entry of digital broadcast services in the Philippines and implement a specific standard for
the delivery of DTT services.

Subsequently organizing two technical working groups for the purpose of directing the governing
body in the selection of appropriate DTT standard and upon the commendation of investors in the
broadcast business, comprising the local broadcasters group, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng
Pilipinas (KBP), and the NTC, issued Memorandum Circular 02-06-2010 on June 11, 2010 implementing
the standard for digital terrestrial television broadcast service.
VI. Digital TV in the Philippines: A Timeline

2006: Digital television transition in the Philippines started its planning stage after the National
Telecommunications Commission (NTC) released a memorandum on what DTV broadcast
standard to be used for the country. The commission has decided to have UHF TV channels
14-51 between 470-698 megahertz (MHz) given over to digital broadcast.

2007: ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation applied a license to the National Telecommunications

Commission to operate a digital terrestrial television service in the country.

2008: Sky Cable became the first cable network to adopt digital television.

2009: ABS-CBN started to test digital transmission using the European DVB-T standard.

February 2009: Cignal, the country's first digital direct-broadcast satellite television service, made
its debut.

July 11, 2009: ABS-CBN launched Balls HD in Sky Cable, the first ever high-definition television
channel in the country. In the same day, Balls also showed the live broadcast of the
first ever locally produced coverage of an event in high-definition.

2010: Government-controlled television stations in Manila started to test digital transmission using
the Japanese ISDB-T standard.

June 2010: NTC announced that the country will formally

adapt the ISDB-T standard for digital terrestrial
television.

2011: ABS-CBN started to test ISDB-T transmission and

released a trial version of its own set-top boxes
manufactured by American communications
equipment supplier Atlanta DTH, Inc. GMA Network,
TV5, and other commercial television networks also
started their own test during this time. However, GMA Network
opposed the decision made by NTC and asked NTC to reconsider the
European DVB-T for its superior quality.

February 11, 2015: ABS-CBN Corporation formally launched its ABS-CBN

TV Plus service to the public in a ceremony in Quezon City.

October 3, 2015: ABS-CBN became the first national Philippine television network to broadcast in
high-definition on cable.

January 28, 2016: Radio Philippines Network and Nine Media Corporation conducted a DTT testing
using ISDB-T on UHF Channel 19 (503.143 MHz)
 March 1, 2017: ZOE Broadcasting Network made history on Philippine TV broadcasting as it
switched to digital-only broadcasting, using DZOZ-TV Channel 33
(587.143 MHz). Light Network is the first TV network in the country to fully
abandon its analog transmissions and shift to digital television, as network
engineers stated that they have been prepared for years to make the switch happen.

October 2017: Despite its impending privatization, the state-sequestered Intercontinental

Broadcasting Corporation managed to conduct DTT testing using ISDB-T on UHF
Channel 26 (545.143 MHz).

VII. The Ceremonial Digital Switch On: Digital TV Summit 2017

The Digital TV Summit 2017 was held at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center on February 14 and
15 in Manila, the Philippines.

About 400 people participated in the Summit, including the representatives from the Filipino
government, academia, broadcasters, manufacturers, etc. The Japanese delegation was headed by Mr. S.
Suzuki, Vice Minister for Policy Coordination of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
(MIC), and included representatives from DiBEG member companies and ARIB/DiBEG secretariat.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) of the Philippines

officially announced their migration plan toward digital television; and at this occasion DICT hosted this
Digital TV Summit 2017.

During the Digital TV Summit on February 14th,

there was a ceremony of "Digital Switch On" performed
to symbolize the migration from analog to digital
television. While there were plenary sessions going on
for 2 days, outlining Filipino broadcasting history up to the
introduction of digital TV and the migration plan as well
as future plans toward nationwide digital terrestrial
television, technical sessions and exhibition were also
going on in parallel introducing the ISDB-T technology
for the afternoon of February 14th and the whole day of
15th.

On the morning of the first day of the Summit on February 14th, an official announcement was made
at the Opening Ceremony, declaring that the digital terrestrial TV services were now launched, attended
by the executives from DICT and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), together with
the Japanese Vice Minister Mr. S. Suzuki, manipulating a lever together to migrate analog TV to digital
on the stage.
 At the Plenary Session, following the opening remarks by Mr. Rodolfo A. Salalima, Secretary of
DICT, substitute for Mr. Gamaliel Cordova, NTC Commissioner, Mr. S. Suzuki, Vice Minister of MIC
and Mr. Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar, Secretary of Presidential Communications Operations Office
(PCOO) each made a speech celebrating the Summit at this occasion.

DICT also outlined their migration plan from analog to digital TV, whose official announcement
would be on March 31, 2017. DICT showed their intention to implement the Analog Switch–Off (ASO)
nationwide in the coming 4 to 6 years, targeting the completion by the year 2023.

VIII. Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) Standard

ISDB-T is characterized by the following features:

 ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial) in Japan use UHF 470 MHz-770
MHz
o Bandwidth of 300 MHz, allocate 50 channels, namely channel 13 through to channel 62.
o 300 MHz with 50 channels. Each channel is 6 MHz width (actually 5.572 MHz effective
bandwidth and 430 kHz guard band between channels). These channels are called "physical
channel".
o For other countries, US channel table or European channel table are used.
 Channel tables
o 6 MHz channel, channel bandwidth is 5.572 MHz
o 7 MHz channel, channel bandwidth is 6.50 MHz
o 8 MHz channel, channel bandwidth is 7.42 MHz
 ISDB-T allows to accommodate any combination of:
o HDTV (roughly 8Mbit/s in H.264)
o SDTV (roughly 2Mbit/s in H.264)

Within the given bitrate determined by the transmission parameters such as bandwidth, code-rate,
guard interval, etc. Typically, among the 13 segments, the center segment is used for 1seg (see below)
with QPSK modulation. The remaining 12 segments for the HDTV or SDTV payloads for 64QAM
modulation. The bit stream of the 12 segments are combined into one transport stream, within which any
combination of programs can be carried based on the MPEG-2 transport stream definition.

 ISDB-T transmits a HDTV channel and a mobile TV channel 1seg within one channel. 1seg is a
mobile terrestrial digital audio/video broadcasting service. Although 1seg is designed for mobile
usage, reception is sometimes problematic in moving vehicles. Because of reception on high speed
vehicle, UHF transmission is shaded by buildings and hills frequently, but reported well receiving
in flat or rural areas.
 ISDB-T provides interactive services with data broadcasting such as Electronic Program Guides.
ISDB-T supports internet access as a return channel that works to support the data broadcasting.
Internet access is also provided on cellphones.
 ISDB-T provides Single Frequency Network (SFN) and on-channel repeater technology. SFN
makes efficient utilization of the frequency resource (spectrum). This is ideal for high urban areas
like NCR.
 ISDB-T can be received indoors with a simple indoor antenna.
  ISDB-T provides robustness to multipath interference ("ghosting"), co-channel analog television
interference, and electromagnetic interferences that come from motor vehicles and power lines in
urban environments.
 ISDB-T is claimed to allow HDTV to be received on moving vehicles at over 100 km/h (this has
not yet been proven in real-world operation).

IX. Implementation of DTTB: The Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Committee

In addition to DTTB Migration TWG, the DICT shall create Digital Terrestrial Television
Broadcasting (DTTB) Migration Committee to ensure smooth implementation of the DTTB Migration
Plan in the country. The DICT shall be the principal implementer of the DTTB migration that will organize
groups and/or sub-groups to implement any actions related to the migration.

The following are the ultimate objectives for the creation of the DTTB Committee in the country's
migration from analog to digital broadcasting:

 Citizens and households would be protected from losing their rights to watch free on-air television.
In this vein:

a. Existing analog terrestrial free on-air TV transmissions must continue for a reasonable period
after digital transmissions have been introduced to enable citizens to have ample time for the
analog switch off;
b. Citizens should be well informed of the migration process and all the options available to
make them ready for analog switch off;
c. Equipment for converting digital signals for viewing on existing analog television sets
should be broadly available and affordable.

 Spectrum should be used efficiently as a scarce natural resource.

 The democracy of the Philippines shall be deepened by the increasing availability of information
and interactivity through the opportunities offered by digital broadcasting.

 Fairness, equitable access and an enabling environment for growth and profitability shall be
promoted in the broadcasting industry.

X. Migration to Digital TV: DICT Implementation Timetable

Migration to DTTB involves three phases or stages of planning and implementation. It is important to
note that each of these phases presents its own important considerations and challenges and that the failure
of one stage would be detrimental to the success of the other.

a) Digital Switch-On (DSO) refers to the initial launch and introduction of DTTB services (01
January 2015) in the country including the development of digital broadcasting infrastructure
(based on Memorandum Circular 07-12-2004 issued 16 December 2014).
 In addition, a Ceremonial DSO was marked by a pulling of lever from Analog to Digital shall mark
as the comprehensive implementation of Public Communications Strategies and shall signal the intensive
campaign in preparation for the planned ASO in 4 to 6 years.

b) Simulcast Period refers to simulcasting for analog and digital which is done to ensure that there
would be no service disruption in the reception of analog TV programs to give the public enough
time to plan their own migration.

Also, this is to ensure viewers maintain access to television programming while the broadcasters are
testing the quality and coverage of digital transmission. This finally ensures that there is enough time and
capacity for the retail industry to supply receivers and distribute them across the country.

c) Termination of analog transmission, called the Analog Switch off (ASO) assumes the
completion of the switch off process. ASO should occur after satisfaction of the criteria set by the
government, i.e. at least 95% of the TV HH in each service area has a DTTB receiver. The speed
of the ASO process is determined largely by the duration of the simulcast period, which is driven
by the time viewers have been informed and has purchased digital receivers.
XI. ABS-CBN’s “Ang Mahiwagang Black Box”: An Aid for Digital Transmission

ABS-CBN TV Plus (formerly Sky TV+ or simply TV+ and stylized as ABS-CBN TVplus) is a digital
terrestrial television product and service owned and operated by ABS-CBN Convergence, a subsidiary of
ABS-CBN.

The service distributes digital set-top boxes, as well as

freemium digital TV channels, Broadcast Markup
Language, Emergency Warning Broadcast system, and pay
per view services to select areas in the Philippines. In order
to avail the service, users must buy an ABS-CBN TVplus
set-top box and activate it through SMS. As of November of
2017, ABS-CBN TV plus has sold over 4 million units of its
set-top boxes.

ABS-CBN Corporation initially applied for a license from the National Telecommunications
Commission to operate a digital terrestrial television service in the country back in 2007.

ABS-CBN planned to utilize multiplex to offer ABS-CBN, the former Studio 23 (now S+A), and 5
additional specialty TV channels. The conglomerate is expecting to spend around 1 billion pesos annually
for the next 5 years for their DTT transition. ABS-CBN utilized UHF channel 51 Manila (695.143 MHz),
later UHF Channel 43 (647.143 MHz), for test broadcasts in the DVB-T format. ABS-CBN was expected
to begin digital test broadcasts in January 2009.

In June 2010, the NTC announced that it would formally adopt the Japanese standard ISDB-T for
digital broadcasting and issued a circular for ordering the entire country's television networks to switch-
off their analog services on 31 December 2015 at 11:59 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8). But due
to a delay by the release of the implementing rules and regulations for digital television broadcast, the
target date was moved to 2023.

In April 2011, ABS-CBN announced further details about its DTT plans, which will offer ABS-CBN
and Studio 23 (now ABS-CBN Sports+Action). Five new channels will be exclusively available to its
digital users which will be offered once the digital broadcast starts. The specialty TV channel line-up
includes one news channel, two youth-oriented channels, an educational channel, and a movie channel.
ABS-CBN is also planning to utilize the 1seg (one segment) broadcast standard for handheld devices.

On December 18, 2014, the National Telecommunications Commission issued the implementing
rules and regulations for digital terrestrial television broadcast in the country. ABS-CBN Corporation
officially launched ABS-CBN TVplus on February 11, 2015 through a ceremonial switch-on at the ABS-
CBN Broadcasting Center.

In July 2015, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) signed a memorandum of
agreement with ABS-CBN for the inclusion of the Emergency Warning Broadcast system (EWBS) in
ABS-CBN TVplus. The feature was activated during the Metro Manila Wide Shake Drill held on the 30th
of July through an over-the-air update.
 In March 2016, a redesigned version of the set-top box was released, with a new processor and support
for HDMI and HDTV resolutions; the latter feature was later removed when the price of TV Plus was
reduced in Q4 2016.

In May 2016, TV Plus was awarded two bronze Stevies for Best in New Product Innovation and Best
in Branded Development in the 2016 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards.

XII. Digital Terrestrial TV Broadcasting at a Glance: A Wrap

In the Philippines, migration to Digital Terrestrial TV Broadcasting has been in full swing ever since
the Ceremonial Digital Switch on (DSO) was held last February 14, 2017 on the occasion of the Digital
TV Summit 2017 led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Several broadcasters are simulcasting to give way for viewers to embrace digital TV fully in the next four
to six years before the envisaged phased Analog Switch-Off (ASO).

DTTB is expected to provide accelerated growth in the core business through both enhanced
content experience and opportunities to introduce other products and services to TV households. However,
digitizing the broadcasting network consists not only of upgrading existing analog TV systems but also
incorporates achieving novel broadcasting services which are key to expanding digital terrestrial TV for
viewers.

The migration scenario for various countries are unique; experience however has proved that it is
necessary to meet the following conditions to ensure smooth implementation of DTTB migration: strong
leadership from government, firm decision that sets the analog switch off approach, close cooperation
between the regulator and market parties, clear and timely regulatory framework, and, adequate
information and assistance to viewers.

The Filipino people are entitled to reap the benefits from the
newest technology offerings of broadcast companies, aided by
government leadership, and supported by enabling market
structures.

Note that advancement in technology would require

capitalization and as such, broadcasting industry must be able to
address this in terms of financial capacity as well as additional
infrastructure, which small players might not be able to easily
adapt to.

The Philippine broadcasting industry is evolving and is keeping up to the demands of time. This
is affirmed by advancements in production and transmission facilities, but altogether highlighted by the
transition from analog to digital broadcasting.

Indeed, technology plays a significant role in the evolution of delivering basic services to the
public, as it also enables consumers to have a wider range of services to choose from.
 Consideration of case analyses, business models, industry best practices and appropriate
government interventions in the formulation of strategies for the development of broadcasting ecosystem
spells the success of the DTTB Migration.

As with any other change, migration is an iterative process. It is bound by stages, of new
possibilities along the way, and what must remain constant is the continued support to the different public
communications strategies peculiar to the Philippines.

References/Sources:
http://www.dict.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PHL-Framework-for-the-DTTB-Migration-
Plan_V1-3-1.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_terrestrial_television
https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/oth/0a/07/R0A0700003B0001PDFE.PDF
http://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/dtv/english/what_en.html
http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/DTTV
http://philippinetelevision.wikia.com/wiki/ISDB-T
http://philippinetelevision.wikia.com/wiki/Digital_TV_in_the_Philippines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_in_the_Philippines
https://www.dibeg.org/news/2017/1702_Philippines_Digital_TV_Summit/1702_Philippines_Digital_T
V_Summit.html
http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/11/15/why-abs-cbn-tvplus-future-philippine-tv
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=all-systems-go-for-digital-
tv&id=99816