On the use of DVB-H for Satellite Multimedia Networks

In all short-medium term business/market forecasts, the efficient provision of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) services in mobile systems appears to be of key importance for mobile operators and broadcasters. Several DMB systems are being developed around the world, with several proposed competing standards. In this framework, the DVB (digital video broadcasting) forum is working to define a new air interface, identified as DVB-SSP, to deliver satellite services to portable devices, and several possibilities are being considered as viable options, including the use of DVB-H (handheld). A critical factor to be considered is the resilience to non linear distortion effects. In fact, DVB-H signals are obtained through an OFDM modulation, which traditionally was considered unfit for satellite communications. Recently (S. Cioni et al., 2005), it has been proved that the adoption of strong channel coding techniques in conjunction with the use of non-linear distortion compensation techniques can lead to good OFDM performance even when operating close to amplifier saturation. Following this avenue, this paper investigates the adaptation of the DVB-H physical layer to the satellite environment, and validates the improved robustness of the proposed scheme to non linear distortion