Objectives and competences
The objective of this course is for students to understand the principles of operation of broadcast systems, setup basic DVB-T broadcast system, and analyse the quality of reception.
Content (Syllabus outline)
• Broadcast systems overview: historical background, digitalization of broadcasting, characteristics of digital broadcasting.
• Fundamentals of broadcasting techniques: analog and digital audio and video signals, high efficiency coding, transmission and reception techniques.
• Digital modulation and Error Correction Codes: digital modulation fundamentals, basic principles and features of M-ary modulation systems, error detection and correction.
• Digital multiplexing: combining of media bit-streams, elementary bit-streams, program bit-streams, data bit-streams and services.
• Terrestrial Broadcast: terrestrial digital television and radio, orthogonal frequency division multiplex modulation systems, propagation of ground and delayed waves, MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output).
• Satellite broadcast television: overview of digital satellite broadcasting, wave propagation in satellite link, satellite digital broadcasting systems, link budget, future of digital satellite broadcasting systems.
• Cable broadcast television: history and background, digital cable television, transmission quality, link budget, developing and establishing standards.
• Future trends in broadcasting services: integration of communications and broadcasting, interactive television services, video on demand, internet broadcasting, 5G broadcasting.
Learning and teaching methods
• lectures,
• tutorials,
• lab work.
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
On completion of this course the student will be able to
• explain the operation of the broadcast systems, including their advantages and weaknesses.
• explain and represent digital modulation schemes and associated parameters including evaluation of available performance of transmission channel according to the type of transmission media.
• list different coding schemes for error detection and correction including their evaluation according to their usability.
• select the appropriate modulation scheme and associated parameters of broadcast system according to the characteristics of the given transmission media including requirements in terms of transfer rates and quality of service assurance.
Intended learning outcomes - transferable/key skills and other attributes
• Communication skills: oral lab work defence, manner of expression at written examination.
• Use of information technology: use of program development tools for simulation of broadcast systems.
• Calculation skills: performing basic calculations in terms of data transfer ratios, network capacity and link budget.
• Problem solving: designing of broadcast systems modulation schemes parameters.
Readings
• Boštjan Vlaovič: zapiski predavanj, Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za elektrotehniko, računalništvo in informatiko, Maribor 2022.
• Walter Fisher: Digital Video and Audio Broadcasting Technology, Fourth Edition, Springer, 2020.
• Robin Blair: Digital Techniques in Broadcasting Transmission, Second Edition, Focal Press, 2002.
Prerequisits
Basic knowledge of communications systems is recommended.
Additional information on implementation and assessment The written exam may be substituted with continuous knowledge testing and assessment.
