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Harris Corporation and LG Electronics Demonstrate Scalable Full-Channel Mobile DTV Technology
Flexible Spectrum Option Delivers Even More Over-the-Air Mobile TV Programs Than Possible with Traditional Mobile DTV Broadcasting
LAS VEGAS, April 12 -- With an eye on the future for spectrum owners interested in reaching millions of mobile TV viewers, Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) today took the wraps off its latest technological innovation developed with LG Electronics -- mobile digital television delivered in "Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode." The demonstration features functioning hardware for both transmission and reception of mobile DTV signals using enhanced technology.
The new system enables as many as 16 different video programs to be sent in the same 6 MHz bandwidth utilized by a TV broadcaster. It has been proposed for standardization to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and is being unveiled this week at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention.
Current TV broadcasters are required by the Federal Communications Commission to offer at least one standard-definition digital TV program in their 19.4 Mbps broadcast bitstream. Owners of other 700 MHz spectrum, however, have more flexibility. The Harris/LG demonstration will show spectrum owners and all terrestrial broadcasters how to maximize spectrum use with a greater variety of TV programs to reach mobile viewers "on the go" as viewing habits change.
This demonstration can be seen in the ATSC-OMVC Mobile Digital TV Pavilion (Booth SU5217A, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center) during the entire 2010 NAB Show.
Multiple Mobile Programs on One Channel
To achieve its robust approach to Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode, LG and Harris engineers have trimmed the main digital program to enable a mere trickle of data -- enough to advertise available mobile programs on the service to in-home viewers. Most of the 19.4 Mbps bitstream in the 6 MHz TV channel is then cleared for transmission of various mobile programs, which can all be beamed from the same broadcast infrastructure.
"We realize there are applications for digital broadcasting that go far beyond the services transmitted by TV stations," said Dr. Jong Kim, president of LG Electronics' U.S. R&D lab. "Companies that own 700 MHz spectrum are beginning to ask how they might put the power of ATSC mobile digital broadcasting to use, and we're responding by creating a new method of utilizing digital transmission to transmit even more programs. With our Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode system, we can offer multiple programs for mobile devices and a 'barker program' that can be seen by in-home viewers."
The LG-Harris Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode is designed to be compatible with the ATSC A/153 Mobile DTV Standard adopted by the ATSC last October. It will offer non-traditional broadcasters an effective way to reach millions of mobile, portable and handheld devices.
"LG is committed to providing reception chips to equip receiving devices for Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode within four months of standard adoption," Dr. Kim said. "Co-developed by LG, Zenith and Harris, this technology shows how Mobile DTV can be applied to help non-traditional broadcasters reach the viewing public. We're using commercially available Harris transmission equipment and LG Mobile Digital TV receivers -- such as portable TVs, netbook computers and prototype mobile phones -- to show how spectrum owners might offer multiple programs of diversified content."
Significant Progress Toward Commercialization
While the demonstration is a prototype, "the finished product will require nothing more than a software upgrade" for Harris Mobile DTV equipment owners, according to Jay Adrick, vice president of broadcast technology for Harris Corporation.
"We're already working with a customer, and there are others operating in the 700 MHz spectrum who plan to launch mobile services that are compatible with the ATSC transmission system," Adrick said. "We believe that Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode transmission will come to market rather quickly, once it is standardized. These are changing times for broadcasters, and they need every tool that they can get to be competitive and to move toward the types of services that people want in the future."
"This is an extension of the ATSC A/153 Mobile DTV standard, so there's a lot of commonality with what broadcasters are already planning to do," Adrick added. "To achieve the Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode, there are, however, some significant changes in coding rate and in the block formats that are used to generate the various segments of the mobile signal."
The technology developed by Harris, LG and Zenith is a leading contender in the ATSC Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode standardization process. An ATSC "Candidate Standard" could be adopted in the next several months.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. Digital television pioneer and long-time consumer electronics leader Zenith merged with LG Electronics in 1999. For more information, please visit http://www.LGusa.com.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in 114 operations including 82 subsidiaries around the world. With revenues exceeding $55 billion (2009 global sales including subsidiaries), LG Electronics comprises five business units: Home Entertainment, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning, Business Solutions and Mobile Communications. LG is one of the world's leading producers of mobile handsets, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, front-loading washing machines, optical storage products, DVD players and home theater systems. For more information, please visit http://www.lge.com.
About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at http://www.harris.com.
Source: LG Electronics USA, Inc.
CONTACT: John I. Taylor of LG Electronics USA, +1-847-941-8181,
john.taylor@lge.com; or Dave Arland, +1-317-701-0084, dave@arlandcom.com, for
LG Electronics USA; or Brian Galante of Pipeline Communications,
+1-570-425-2315, briang@pipecomm.com, for Harris Broadcast Communications
Web Site: http://www.lgusa.com/
http://www.harris.com/
Harris Corporation and LG Electronics Demonstrate Scalable Full-Channel Mobile DTV Technology
Flexible Spectrum Option Delivers Even More Over-the-Air Mobile TV Programs Than Possible with Traditional Mobile DTV Broadcasting
LAS VEGAS, April 12 -- With an eye on the future for spectrum owners interested in reaching millions of mobile TV viewers, Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) today took the wraps off its latest technological innovation developed with LG Electronics -- mobile digital television delivered in "Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode." The demonstration features functioning hardware for both transmission and reception of mobile DTV signals using enhanced technology.
The new system enables as many as 16 different video programs to be sent in the same 6 MHz bandwidth utilized by a TV broadcaster. It has been proposed for standardization to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and is being unveiled this week at the 2010 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention.
Current TV broadcasters are required by the Federal Communications Commission to offer at least one standard-definition digital TV program in their 19.4 Mbps broadcast bitstream. Owners of other 700 MHz spectrum, however, have more flexibility. The Harris/LG demonstration will show spectrum owners and all terrestrial broadcasters how to maximize spectrum use with a greater variety of TV programs to reach mobile viewers "on the go" as viewing habits change.
This demonstration can be seen in the ATSC-OMVC Mobile Digital TV Pavilion (Booth SU5217A, South Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center) during the entire 2010 NAB Show.
Multiple Mobile Programs on One Channel
To achieve its robust approach to Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode, LG and Harris engineers have trimmed the main digital program to enable a mere trickle of data -- enough to advertise available mobile programs on the service to in-home viewers. Most of the 19.4 Mbps bitstream in the 6 MHz TV channel is then cleared for transmission of various mobile programs, which can all be beamed from the same broadcast infrastructure.
"We realize there are applications for digital broadcasting that go far beyond the services transmitted by TV stations," said Dr. Jong Kim, president of LG Electronics' U.S. R&D lab. "Companies that own 700 MHz spectrum are beginning to ask how they might put the power of ATSC mobile digital broadcasting to use, and we're responding by creating a new method of utilizing digital transmission to transmit even more programs. With our Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode system, we can offer multiple programs for mobile devices and a 'barker program' that can be seen by in-home viewers."
The LG-Harris Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode is designed to be compatible with the ATSC A/153 Mobile DTV Standard adopted by the ATSC last October. It will offer non-traditional broadcasters an effective way to reach millions of mobile, portable and handheld devices.
"LG is committed to providing reception chips to equip receiving devices for Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode within four months of standard adoption," Dr. Kim said. "Co-developed by LG, Zenith and Harris, this technology shows how Mobile DTV can be applied to help non-traditional broadcasters reach the viewing public. We're using commercially available Harris transmission equipment and LG Mobile Digital TV receivers -- such as portable TVs, netbook computers and prototype mobile phones -- to show how spectrum owners might offer multiple programs of diversified content."
Significant Progress Toward Commercialization
While the demonstration is a prototype, "the finished product will require nothing more than a software upgrade" for Harris Mobile DTV equipment owners, according to Jay Adrick, vice president of broadcast technology for Harris Corporation.
"We're already working with a customer, and there are others operating in the 700 MHz spectrum who plan to launch mobile services that are compatible with the ATSC transmission system," Adrick said. "We believe that Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode transmission will come to market rather quickly, once it is standardized. These are changing times for broadcasters, and they need every tool that they can get to be competitive and to move toward the types of services that people want in the future."
"This is an extension of the ATSC A/153 Mobile DTV standard, so there's a lot of commonality with what broadcasters are already planning to do," Adrick added. "To achieve the Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode, there are, however, some significant changes in coding rate and in the block formats that are used to generate the various segments of the mobile signal."
The technology developed by Harris, LG and Zenith is a leading contender in the ATSC Scalable Full-Channel Mobile Mode standardization process. An ATSC "Candidate Standard" could be adopted in the next several months.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. Digital television pioneer and long-time consumer electronics leader Zenith merged with LG Electronics in 1999. For more information, please visit http://www.LGusa.com.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in 114 operations including 82 subsidiaries around the world. With revenues exceeding $55 billion (2009 global sales including subsidiaries), LG Electronics comprises five business units: Home Entertainment, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning, Business Solutions and Mobile Communications. LG is one of the world's leading producers of mobile handsets, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, front-loading washing machines, optical storage products, DVD players and home theater systems. For more information, please visit http://www.lge.com.
About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at http://www.harris.com.
Source: LG Electronics USA, Inc.
CONTACT: John I. Taylor of LG Electronics USA, +1-847-941-8181,
john.taylor@lge.com; or Dave Arland, +1-317-701-0084, dave@arlandcom.com, for
LG Electronics USA; or Brian Galante of Pipeline Communications,
+1-570-425-2315, briang@pipecomm.com, for Harris Broadcast Communications
Web Site: http://www.lgusa.com/
http://www.harris.com/