SWR, an affiliate of German public broadcaster ARD, and partners from the automotive and telecommunications industries have launched a 5G Broadcast trial for the distribution of audiovisual content to automobiles.
The two-year project launched on October 1, 2020 in the cities of Stuttgart and Heilbronn. The members of the operator consortium are DFMG Deutsche Funkturm, Kathrein Broadcast, Porsche, Rohde & Schwarz, SWR, Technische Universität Braunschweig – Institut für Nachrichtentechnik and Telekom Deutschland. The project is led by SWR.
The test network is operated via two high-power-high-tower transmitters located at broadcast network sites in Stuttgart and Heilbronn and low-power-low-tower transmitters at mobile network sites in terms of a single frequency network to distribute linear TV programmes using 5G Broadcast. The trial runs on UHF TV channel 40.
In addition to supplying cars with linear broadcast content while they are on the move, the integration of linear and nonlinear broadcast content and services in the infotainment system of a car will also be tested. This requires the adaption of relevant interfaces and the development of a corresponding app.
The trial will also include the set-up of a nonlinear media service based on geo-referenced recommendations (“travel guide”). The availability of the services with regards to coverage and quality of service will be investigated through mobile measurement campaigns.
