ZKT - LABORATORY 2.

DVB-T

2. MEASUREMENT ON TERRESTRIAL
DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCASTING SYSTEM

Goals of measurement
1) Acquaint with measurement possibilities of the test receiver EFA.
2) Record spectrum of output signal from transmitter of digital video broadcasting.
3) Record constellation diagrams of particular sub-carriers of output signal.
4) Determine minimum signal level needed for reception depending upon used modulation of
data sub-carriers.
5) Monitor spectra and constellation diagrams of real signals of digital video broadcasting.

Measuring equipments
Test data generator MPEG2 Rohde&Schwarz DVG
Test transmitter Rohde&Schwarz SFQ 20
Test receiver Rohde&Schwarz EFA 40
Digital television receiver Philips (set-top box)
TV Monitor (TV SONY with A/V input)

Measurement block diagram

Generator Test Receiver
Monitor
MPEG2 transmitter (set-top box)

Test
receiver

Fig. 1: Block diagram of the measurement

Introduction
An Orthogonal Frequency-division Multiplexing (OFDM) is mostly used as a type
of digital modulation for terrestrial digital video broadcasting Digital Video Broadcasting-
Terrestrial (DVB-T). A big number of carriers (N) are used (Multi-carrier System),
opposite to some common digital and all analog modulations, which use only one carrier. A
data rate on every sub-carrier in OFDM system is a fractional part of total data rate of the
system and a symbol interval is consequently N-times prolonged according to the number of
used sub-carriers. In addition it is possible to create a time reserve symbol interval is
extended by so-called guard interval (GI) with the length of T. Detection is stopped during

symbol M1 symbol M symbol M+1

amplitude

time
CP useful
part
Fig. 2: Cyclic prefix as a guard interval
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ZKT - LABORATORY 2. DVB-T

GI in a receiver, so that an immunity to delayed signals increases in case of multi-path

propagation. It is repeated a final part of symbol in GI placed at the beginning of symbol, so
that GI is also called as a cyclic prefix (CP), see fig. 2. Null samples were placed in GI
former, but CP is preferable for synchronization. The length of GI and the length of a useful
part of symbol (Tu) are in relation 1/2n, possibilities are: T/Tu= 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32.
All sub-carriers are orthogonal to each other, so they dont interact theoretically and
could be discriminate during detection. Basically each of sub-carriers is modulated by
common (single-carrier) type of digital modulation. Usually phase and amplitude shift keying
are used together this type of digital modulation is called as quadrature amplitude
modulation (QAM), signal is made by two quadrature carrier components (sine as in-phase
component I and cosine as quadrature component Q) with digitally modulated amplitudes.
The number of all possible states is usually M = 2n and modulation is denoted as M-QAM (4-
QAM = QPSK, 16-QAM ...). Constellation diagram represents the states of QAM
modulation as end points of vectors in IQ diagram (usually axis x corresponds to I-component
and axis y corresponds to Q-components). The OFDM symbol is determined by state on all
sub-carriers.
In DVB-T system is used N = 2048 or 8192 carries modes 2k or 8k (exactly 1705
or 6817 active carriers are used and 1512 or 6048 carriers are dedicated to useful data).
OFDM signal is computed as a sum of all sub-carriers signals. Resulting signal is similar to
noise signal, because all contributions are based on randomized and independent data.
Spectrum of OFDM signal is also created by N contribution, see fig. 3. Frequency offset
between sub-carriers (f) is given by useful part symbol length f = 1/Tu and for 8k mode is
approx. 1116,1 Hz and for 2k mode is approx. 4464,3 Hz.
.
Bs = (N-1) f = 7,61 MHz

0 2f 4f 6f 8f 10f
(N - 1)f
f 3f 5f 7f 9f
1

0,9
0,8

0,7

0,6

0,5

0,4
f
0,3 f

0,2

0,1

0
Bs = (N+1) f = 2f + Bs f

Fig. 3: Relative power spectrum of OFDM signal

Notes to measurement
Test transmitter settings
Both fading (multi-path propagation) and noise are switched off: MODULATION
DVB-T COFDM FADING OFF; MODULATION DVB-T COFDM NOISE
OFF.
16-QAM modulation for data sub-carriers: MODULATION DVB-T COFDM
CONSTELLATION 16-QAM
No modulator impairments: MODULATION DVB-T COFDM I/Q PHASE ERROR
0 ; MODULATION DVB-T COFDM I/Q AMPL. IMBALANCE 0 %

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ZKT - LABORATORY 2. DVB-T

Central carrier on 810 MHz: RF FREQUENCY FREQUENCY 810

3/4 code rate: I/Q CODER CODE RATE 3/4
8k mode: I/Q CODER FFT MODE 8k
1/8 T/Tu: I/Q CODER GUARD INTERVAL 1/8
level [W ]
10 dBm output signal level ( level [dBm ] = 10 log ): RF LEVEL RF LEVEL
1 mW
10
Test receiver settings
Frequency of receiving signal is 810 MHz: RF 810 MHz

Task 1)
Test receiver EFA is able to measure all main OFDM parameters and some
characteristics of transmission channel. Measurements could be found in menu after pressing
MEASURE button.

Task 2)
Analog TV uses basically 8 MHz wide channels. DVB-T signal comply with this
bandwidth. Bandwidth of OFDM signal for the both modes is approx. 7,61 MHz. Two ways
how to define the OFDM bandwidth is shown in fig. 3.
The spectrum measurement is chosen on test receiver. The aim this measurement is to
verify whether the 8 MHz wide channel is sufficient for DVB-T signal or not. Fill in into the
fig. 4 level (LVL) of receiving signal and values and units of the both axes.

Test receiver settings

MEASURE SPECTRUM/TIME DOMAIN SPECTRUM
AVERAGE CNT: 50; DETECTOR: RMS; START FREQ: 4.48 MHz; STOP FREQ:
4.48 MHz

Fig. 4: Measured spectrum of DVB-T signal

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ZKT - LABORATORY 2. DVB-T

Task 3)
The DVB-T spectrum is composed of three types of sub-carriers data sub-
carriers, TPS sub-carriers and pilot sub-carriers.
Data sub-carriers are modulated QPSK or 16-QAM or 64-QAM. The higher
number of states leads to the higher useful data rate of digital system. But, supposing the
same transmitted signal average power, it leads to decreasing the distance between adjacent
states in constellation diagram, so the robustness of the system decreases. The number of
data sub-carriers is 1512 for 2k mode and 6048 for the 8k mode.
On 17 positions for 2k mode and on 68 positions for 8k mode are placed TPS
(Transmission Parameter Signalling) sub-carriers. They convey information for example
about data sub-carriers modulation, about the length of GI and about mode. During one
OFDM symbol all TPS sub-carriers are modulated alike and convey only 1 bit of TPS
sequence. Whole TPS sequence has 68 bites. Two-state differential modulation is used for
TPS sub-carriers.
Pilot sub-carriers are not modulated and they are required for channel state
estimation in receivers. Pilot sub-carriers have either fixed position (continual pilot sub-
carriers) or position, which is used also as data sub-carriers alternatively (scattered pilot sub-
carriers).
Placing of sub-carriers in time and frequency grid is shown on fig. 5. Constellation
diagram (fig. 5a, 5b) is based on the end points of the signal vector (signal expressed in the
signal space I and Q are coordinates of inphase and quadrature signal component) during
some time (as example 5000 symbols). Constellation diagram shows every possible states of
the modulation (no matter if for one, more or all sub-carriers). Measured constellation
diagram is on fig. 5a. There are marked states of modulation according sub-carrier types on

a) Q
b)

c)

Continual pilot sub-carriers Scattered pilot sub-carriers Data sub- TPS sub-carriers
carriers

Fig. 5: a) Measured constellation diagram for all sub-carriers, b) theoretical constellation

diagram, c) placing of sub-carriers in frequency (x axis) and in time (y axis)
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ZKT - LABORATORY 2. DVB-T

fig. 5b. How sub-carriers are placed in time and frequency, is depicted in fig. 5c., vertical axe
is for time (symbol 0, symbol 1, symbol 2 ) and horizontal is for frequency. Frequency is
expressed by index number k it has values from zero (first sub-carrier) to 1704 or 6816
respectively (last sub-carrier) for mod 2k or 8k respectively, there are several sub-carriers
from the starting and ending of the DVB-T spectrum in fig. 5c. Further information about
placing of sub-carriers is in tables in appendix.

Test transmitter settings

Modulation for data sub-carriers: MODULATION DVB-T COFDM
CONSTELLATION QPSK or 16-QAM or 64-QAM
Test receiver settings
Constellation diagram measurement: MEASURE CONSTELL DIAGRAM
Diagram for all or several sub-carriers or only for one could be displayed between chosen
start (START CARR) and final sub-carrier (STOP CARR)

Choose modulation for data sub-carriers and display constellation diagrams for all
types of sub-carriers according to homework. Draw all the diagrams for QPSK and 16-
QAM to the table in the appendix.

Task 4)
Minimal value of the signal to noise ratio S/N or higher is needed for successful
reception. This minimal value depends on chosen modulation and is ensured by certain
minimal transmitted power. There are two possible criteria of successful reception in DVB-T
system, which leads to similar results (differences less than 1 dB is assumed). Firstly a
reference bit error ratio (BER) defined as 210-4 after Viterbi decoder or secondly picture
failure point defined as more then one error in picture during 10 seconds. Reference BER
could be measured especially on test receivers and the second criterion is usually used for
domestic receivers.

Test transmitter settings

Modulation of data sub-carriers: MODULATION DVB-T COFDM
CONSTELLATION QPSK or 16-QAM or 64-QAM
Transmitted power level: RF LEVEL RF LEVEL decrease power level step by step

Begin measurement with 64-QAM modulation. Follow with 16-QAM and finally
measure with QPSK. On screen of TV watch the picture form DVB-T set-top box. Display
the constellation diagram for all sub-carriers on test receiver at the same time. Decrease the
power level of signal from test transmitter step by step, first in steps of 1 dB and as you
register picture failure, nail down the value in steps of 0,1 dB. Fill in values and units for
all data sub-carriers modulations into the table below.

Data sub-carriers modulation 64-QAM 16-QAM QPSK

Minimal transmitted
power [ ]

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ZKT - LABORATORY 2. DVB-T

Task 5)
Display real signal spectra and constellation diagrams of digital video broadcasting on
the test receiver according to task 2) and 3). Central frequency of three multiplex are
506 MHz (25. channel), 674 MHz (46. channel) and 818 MHz (64. channel).

Homework shall be done before the measurement starts

How wide is usually channel used for TV broadcasting in Europe?

Find as example three values of index number k for all sub-carrier type (fig. 5 and
appendix will help you):

Data sub-carriers:
TPS sub-carriers:
Continual pilot sub-carriers:
Scattered pilot sub-carriers:

Which of three types of data sub-carriers modulation are most robust to noise?

Explain why:

Final questions answers will be done after the measurement

Is possible to broadcast digital television in the same channels as analog television?

For which type of data sub-carriers modulation was measured the lowest sufficient
transmitted power?

Describe in brief how spectra and constellation diagrams of real signals of digital video
broadcasting look and how they differ from spectra and constellation diagrams of signal
from test transmitter?
Real vs. ideal spectra:

Real vs. ideal constellation diagrams:

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ZKT - LABORATORY 2. DVB-T

Appendix

Table for depiction measured constellation diagrams in task 3:

QPSK 16-QAM
Data sub-carrier Data sub-carrier

Q Q

I I

TPS sub-carrier TPS sub-carrier

Q Q

I I

Continual pilot sub-carrier Continual pilot sub-carrier

Q Q

I I

Scattered pilot sub-carrier Scattered pilot sub-carrier

Q Q

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ZKT - LABORATORY 2. DVB-T

TPS sub-carriers placing in frequency

Index number k values of all TPS sub-carriers are in the table.

Continual pilot sub-carriers placing in frequency

Index number k values of all continual pilot sub-carriers are in the table.

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