Broadcasting
Minimum specifications for DVB-T2 digital set-top boxes for the Ugandan market
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) developed a digital terrestrial broadcasting frequency plan that setJune 15, 2015 as the date for migration from analogue to digital television broadcasting. Uganda Government, having developed and adopted a digital terrestrial broadcasting policy, set December 31, 2012 as the analogue switch-over date. The implementation of the terrestrial digital broadcasting was planned based on DVT-T technology.
The enhanced features on the DVB-T standard have motivated a number of countries to upgrade to the DVB-T2 standard. Uganda, along with EAC countries, has adopted the use the DVB-T2 standard. This upgrade implies that any subsequent rollout of digital broadcasting infrastructure in Uganda shall be on the DVB-T2 platform. However, in order to access programmes on the DVB-T2 platform, consumers will have to acquire DVB-T2 set- top boxes.
Consumers and vendors are advised to note that DVB-T2 compliant set-top boxes are capable of receiving and correctly displaying digital TV signals transmitted on both DVB-T and DVB-T2 digital platforms. On the other hand, a DVB-T compliant set top box is limited to only receiving DVB-T digital signal and is NOT capable of correctly receiving and displaying digital TV signals transmitted on a DVB-T2 digital platform.
Vendors of equipment are advised to cease any further importation of the DVB-T set-top boxes. All importations of the set-top boxes are, therefore, required to comply with the Government approved DVB-T2 system specifications. All equipment suppliers and vendors are further advised to obtain type approval of the set-top boxes from the Uganda Communications Commission in line with the Uganda Communications Act.
Authorised vendors/dealers of such equipment will be required to display, at the point of sale, a valid vendor authorisation and type approval certificate issued by the Commission. Consumers are encouraged to note the new DVB-T2 standard and therefore purchase set-top boxes that are compatible with the digital broadcasting platform.
In addition to the previous Public Notice of May 23, 2012, the Uganda Communication Commission, in accordance with its mandate under the Uganda Communications Act (Cap 106) subsections 4 (1) and 4 (j), has set the minimum DVB-T2 Digital set-top box specifications for the Ugandan market as follows:
1 | RF tuner & DVB-T2 Channel | Complied Standard | ETSI EN 302 755 V1.1.1 (2009-09) |
Input impedance | 75 ohms | ||
Modulation | COFDM: QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM | ||
Frequency | UHF (470 806 MHz) | ||
Input signal level | 36~85dBμV | ||
FEC coding | LDPC Code + BCH Code, Code rates: 1 /2, 3/5, 2/3, 3 /4, 4/5, 5/6 | ||
FFT Size | 1K, 2K, 4K, 8K, 16K, 32K | ||
C/N range (Rice channel) | 3dB (QPSK 1 /2) to 24dB (256QAM 5/6) | ||
Pilot Pattern | PP1 to PP8 | ||
Guard intervals | 1/128, 1/32, 1/16, 19/256, 1/8, 19/128, 1/4 | ||
Channel raster | 7 MHz (VHF), 8 MHz (UHF), | ||
Signal Bandwidth | 7.61 MHz (Normal mode), 6.80, 7.77 MHz (Extended mode) 1.54 (optional), 6.66, 1.57,(optional), | ||
Service specific robustness | Physical Layer Pipes (PLP | ||
Interleaving | Bit + Cell +Time + Frequency | ||
Diversity | SISI, MISO, (SIMO, MIMI if diversity receiver) | ||
Rotated constellations | Significant robustness gain in channels with severe degradations (multipath, SFN operation, narrow band interference
) | ||
Mode of Extensions | Future Extension Frame (FEF) | ||
Max Bit Rates (8MHz) | 50.3 Mbit/s, (32Ke, 256QAM, CR=5/6, GI=1/28, PP7) | ||
Used Bit Rates (8MHz) | Portable SFN: 25.0 Mbit/s, Fixed SFN: 37.0 Mbit/s, Fixed MFN: 40.2 Mbit/s | ||
GE06 compatible | Signal is under the mask of DVB-T (power level measured in a 4 KHz bandwidth | ||
2 | MPEG Transmission stream and video and Audio Decoding
| Transmission stream | MPEG-4 ISO/IEC 14496-10 |
Video decoding | MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) | ||
Aspect Ratio(image rate) | 4:3, 16:9 | ||
Frame frequency | 25Hz (PAL) | ||
Video Resolution | 720X576 (PAL)-standard definition, 1920X1080 (High definition-optional) | ||
Audio decoding | MPEG/MusiCam Layer I & II / HE AAC | ||
Audio mode | Single track/dual track/stereo | ||
Audio sampling rate | 32KHz, 44.1KHz 48KHz. , 96 KHz (optional | ||
3 | Scanning function | The STB should include a frequency scanning function to detect the availability of DVB-T signals. It should also automatically list the content of the terrestrial bouquet by reading the PSI/SI streams and Be capable of programme memory in case of cut off | |
4 | Quality reception thresholds | All STBs should have an on-screen visual signal level indicator which would aid in directing the antenna and troubleshooting reception problems | |
5 | Software | EPG: current and next programme information. 24x7 days schedule. Capable of the Identity control, watch rating and parental lock Auto/manual tuning 24-hour clock OTA: STB software's, EPG, CA features must be upgradable over the air. (USB Upgrade-optional) Support Receive mail Provides the instant and personalised message prompt Display and withdrawal of subtitles Support multi-language info
| |
6 | Additional Hardware | PVR (optional) | |
7. | Teletext & Teletext subtitle | It is able to display Teletext using the OSD and/or by the insertion of the Teletext data in the VBI of the analogue CVBS video output. . it is able to display Teletext subtitling, meeting the requirements for level 1.5 in ref ETS 300 706 | |
8. | Interfaces | RF input connector: IEC 169-2 female, input impedance 75 ohms One RCA (CINCH) female connector for video output and Two RCA (CINCH) female connectors for stereo sound output RF by pass (loop) IEC 169-2 male RF output via a PAL-G modulator SCART interface (optional) HDMI interface (optional) Should include at least one RF cable to connect the unit with its associated analogue television receiver | |
9 | Interfaces for Conditional Access | STB must include at least one embedded smart card reader or a DVB-CI (Common Interface) slot to allow any type of conditional access module to be plugged into the set top box. | |
10 | Physical attributes | Power supply
| AC 240±10%, 50 ±1Hz with an option of 12V DC input
|
Power | Energy star option preferred | ||
11 | .Environmental attributes | Operating Temperature | 0~45°C |
Operating humidity | Up to 90% | ||
12 | Reliability | Mean Time between failure (MTBF) | >80,000Hrs |
For further information, please contact:
Uganda Communications Commission
UCC House
Plot 42-44 Spring Road, Bugolobi
P.O.Box 7376, KAMPALA
Tel; ;
Fax; +256-41-4348832
Email; ucc@ucc.co.ug