Coverage optimization for DVB-T2 SFNs using ITU-R P.1546 and ITU-R P.1812

In this paper, two available propagation prediction methods for point-to-area terrestrial services in the VHF-UHF bands are compared: ITU-R P.1546 and ITU-R P.1812. This work allows evaluating the path-specific propagation prediction method that best approximates effective and real radio-wave propagation in single frequency networks (SFN) for digital video broadcasting (DVB). Multipath interference (MPI) minimization at receiver antenna is obtained through the static delay adjustment, antenna gain, elevation orientation and azimuth. MPI minimization and thus, coverage optimization have been reached using the heuristic genetic algorithm (GA). Simulation results show that the methods compared provide different propagation prediction performances according to different geography of territory. The proposed approach has been validated for DVB-T2 SFN transmitters network planning in Sardinia island (Italy), Basque Country (Spain) and Flanders (Belgium).