The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) has asked for poposals for a new “physical layer” as part of a next generation broadcast TV standard that could be adopted in the United States and other countries now using the US system.
It said the ATSC 3.0 broadcast television standard must provide improvements in performance, functionality and efficiency that are significant enough to warrant the challenges of a transition to a new system.
“The ATSC was formed 30 years ago to create standards for advanced television, and the successful transition to digital television broadcasting using ATSC standards is serving the public well,” said ATSC President Mark Richer. “Using the ATSC Digital Television standard adopted by the FCC in 1996, broadcasters led the way in the development and introduction of digital HDTV, a revolutionary advance in picture and sound quality from analog television. With the completion of the digital transition in 2009, 108 Megahertz of UHF spectrum is available to be auctioned by the FCC for new wireless broadband uses.”
As reported in January by Broadband TV News, work is already underway on a suite of enhancements for the existing ATS 2.0 standard.
Richer said a primary goal of the ATSC 3.0 physical layer is to provide TV service to both fixed and mobile devices. Multiple types of TV receivers, including fixed devices (such as traditional living room and bedroom TV sets), handheld devices, vehicular screens and portable receivers will be considered in the work on ATSC 3.0. Spectrum efficiency and robust service will be key areas of evaluation. Increased data rates to support new services such as Ultra-High-Definition services will be considered.
Responses for the proposals should be submitted to the ATSC by August 23, 2013.
