Author:

M. Sc. Tuan Ernesto Cordoví Rodríguez

tuan@antenasvc.co.cu

Secondary Authors:

Ph.D. Roberto Jiménez Hernández (UCLV)

M. Sc. David Beltrán Casanova (UCLV)
Eng. Yurey Quintana Abreu (ESAC)
Eng. Orlando Federico Menocal Galán (ESAC)
 INTRODUCTION
Digital TV in Cuba is under development.

DTT Standard Chinese

DTMB
6 MHz
 TOV (Threshold Of Visibility, Umbral de
Visibilidad)
Range of levels according to ITU-R Word recommended to be displayed
BT. 2035-2 in the User Interface
> -15 dBm Very Strong
-15dBm > level > -28dBm Strong
-28dBm > level > -53 dBm Moderate
< -68dBm Weak

VHF UHF
-86 dBm -84 dBm
 Parameters of quality in the reception of
DTT
 MER (Modulation Error Ratio)

Antenna User Terminals

>23 dB >20 dB
TRANSMITTERS IN VILLA CLARA
Tx Coverage of Canal 32 of Santa Clara
 TVD Signal Reception

-84 dBm -68 dBm > -53 dBm

 OBJECTIVES
 Produce receiving antennas of the DTT signal for channels from 7 to 13 VHF
and from 14 to 51 UHF with a view to supporting the development of the
national program.

 Selection of some models of Log-Periodic Antennas with metal sheets of which

already have been elaborated different prototypes for tests and validations.

 Satisfy the demand of the national market.

 Manufacture antennas with low prices for the population.

 PROBLEM SITUATION

Antennas with serious

deterioration

Inadequate cables
 PROBLEM SITUATION
 The Antenas de Villa Clara Company does not have technological development that allows
production at low costs, depending on other companies, which makes the final product more
expensive.

 In many occasions there have been economic difficulties in the acquisition of aluminum tubes and
screws for the manufacture of the antennas, which limits the production in series for sale to the
population with a view to receiving DTT.

 The Yagi-Uda antenna was produced in greater quantity, which does not cover all the channels and
is sectorized, not meeting the technical needs for its use.
 Antenna ADM 010 Current Log-Periodic (LPD)
Fundamental characteristics

 Frequency range from 174 to 216 MHz in VHF and 470 to 698 MHz in UHF.
 The transmission line is a 75 Ω coaxial cable.
 The dipoles are made of 10 mm diameter rods.
 The dipoles feed line is a square tube of 18 mm on each side.
 The maximum length does not exceed 800 mm.
 The majority of the operations for its manufacture are manual and it diminishes
considerably the productivity.
 Log-Periodic Antenna Proposal with Metal Sheets (Sheet-
LPD)
Fundamental characteristics

 Frequency range from 174 to 216 MHz in VHF and 470 to 698 MHz in UHF.
 The transmission line is a 75 Ω coaxial cable.
 Manufacture with aluminum sheets with 2 mm thickness.
 Gain approximately between 5 and 7 dBi.
 The maximum length does not exceed 600 mm.
 High productivity in the assembly of this antenna design which lowers costs in this part
of the production process.
 The sale price must be below 6.00 CUC or 150.00 CUP.
Log-Periodic Antenna Proposal with Metal Sheets (Sheet-
LPD)
Basic principle:
Dipole with plates

LPD with cylindrical conductors LPD with metal sheets

Tx line of
parallel planes
Comparison of Log-Periodic Antennas
(LPD and S-LPD)

Return Loss
Comparison of Log-Periodic Antennas
(LPD and S-LPD)

VSWR
Comparison of Log-Periodic Antennas
(LPD and S-LPD)

Gain (dBi)
Variants of LPD Antennas of metal sheets with different
loading conditions (S-LPD)
Measurements of the LPD Antenna with Metal Sheets for the
UHF band (VSWR)

VSWR Comparison
Measurements of the LPD Antenna with Metal Sheets for the
VHF and UHF bands (Sheet-LPD)

Good LPD VHF-UHF Bands

VSWR VHF Bands Comparison

Measurements of the LPD Antenna with Metal Sheets for the
VHF and UHF bands (Sheet-LPD)

Good LPD VHF-UHF Bands

VSWR UHF Bands Comparison

Measurements of the LPD Antenna with Metal Sheets for the
VHF and UHF bands (Gain)

Antennas 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐦. 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬. Gain Var.

F/B Sim. (dB) F/B Meas. (dB) F/B Var. (dB)
under Tests (𝐝𝐁𝐢) (𝐝𝐁𝐢) (dBi)

Clasic S-LPD
8,75 8,9 0,15 21,5 20,4 -1,1
UHF 587 MHz
Good S-LPD
8,69 8,2 -0,49 24,9 22,2 -2,7
UHF 587 MHz
Good S-PDL
1,22 1,75 0,53 0,5 1 -0,5
VHF
 MEASUREMENT OF THE RADIATION
PATTERN
Good S-LPD 195 MHz Good S-LPD 587 MHz

Clasic S-LPD 587 MHz

Mediciones en zonas de baja cobertura
COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE PROPOSALS

Measurements in Cifuentes

Good S-LPD Channel 13 Good S-LPD Channel 32

Pot. MER Pot. MER

BER* BER*
(dBm) (dB) (dBm) (dB)

-51.5 >32 < 10−5 -59,3 31.0 < 10−5

COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE LATEST PROPOSALS

Measurements in Sagua la Grande

Good S-LPD Channel 13 Good S-LPD Channel 32

Pot. MER Pot. MER

BER* BER*
(dBm) (dB) (dBm) (dB)

-64,3 26,2 < 10−5 -61,4 29.6 < 10−5

COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE LATEST PROPOSALS

Measurements in Isabela de Sagua

Good S-LPD Channel 13 Good S-LPD Channel 32

Pot. MER Pot. MER

BER* BER*
(dBm) (dB) (dBm) (dB)

-63,5 26,8 < 10−5 -67.3 25,5 < 10−5

 TECHNOLOGICAL MODIFICATIONS

• First proposal

• Second proposal
PRODUCTIVE PROCESSES OF THE ADM 010 ANTENNA
 CONCLUSIONS
 Various proposals have been made in other types of antennas with aluminum rods with
the only difference that the prices for material expenses are too high to be sold to the
population. The fundamental cause is the installed technology, very manual processes
and the participation of third parties that make the final product more expensive.

 A technological improvement is necessary, which could be with the participation of some

antennas producing firm.

 Work continues on the improvements of the design and technology of the antenna with
metal sheets for increased productivity.

 Techniques for the conformation of its mechanical structure continue to be perfected. It was
recommended to make several prototypes for validation with the objective of evaluating each
one in different conditions and geographical positions.

 It is demonstrated that constructive variants can be applied and antenna models can be
diversified for the market and not work in a single model.

 The capacity and strength of the Antenna Company of Villa Clara, the only one of its kind in
the country, is demonstrated to carry out the manufacture of antennas mainly for Digital TV
which allows the substitution of imports.
Special gratefulness:

Gratefulness to other institutions:

MINISTERIO DE COMUNICACIONES