An example of a multi-resolution digital terrestrial TV modem

An example of a modem for two-resolution digital terrestrial transmission, providing two programs in a single 8 MHz channel is described. For each program, it is desired to transmit 5 Mb/s to portable receivers and additionally 5 Mb/s to fixed receivers. In the example, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is used with guard intervals as in digital audio broadcasting. The two-resolution transmission is achieved by using a two-resolution quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal constellation. Reed-Solomon coding gives burst error correction capability to combat the frequency selective nature of the transmission channel. The two-resolution system can easily be reconfigured into a compatible system, providing high-definition television to fixed receivers