Preliminary DTV field test results and their effects on VSB receiver design

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has selected the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) digital television (DTV) standard (except for video formats) as the new terrestrial standard for the United States. The U.S. has begun the transition from the 50+-year old analog NTSC system to the new digital ATSC system. A brief overview of ATSC´s digital vestigial sideband (VSB) transmission system is covered, as well as the methodology used in field-test data gathering and data analysis. Results from DTV field tests in several U.S. cities by early adopter DTV broadcasters are summarized. Finally, FCC planning factors for consumer DTV receivers that are used in allocating spectrum for the 1600+ broadcast stations based on NTSC replication are discussed along with digital VSB receiver target design parameters that were developed as a result of these VSB field tests