Rohde & Schwarz is adding the new DVB-T2 standard

Munich, October 6, 2009 — Rohde & Schwarz is adding the new DVB-T2 standard to its portfolio of T&M and transmitter systems. The global market leader in terrestrial transmitters can now provide the critical support that network operators and manufacturers of broadcasting equipment need to enable the successful transition from the DVB-T standard. With its R&S SFU broadcast test system, R&S ETL TV analyzer and its range of energy-efficient transmitters, the company is optimally prepared for next-generation digital terrestrial broadcasting. The Rohde & Schwarz equipment featuring the new standard has been demonstrated for the first time in DVB-T2 live operation at this year’s IBC.

DVB-T2 significantly enhances the established DVB-T standard. It increases transmission capacity by more than 30 percent. This is made possible, for example, by higher-order modulation modes and improved error-protection algorithms such as low-density parity check (LDPC) codes. The error-protection algorithms ensure more reliable broadcasting coverage, which in turn increases the coverage range compared with DVB-T. A higher data rate per channel now allows terrestrial program transmission in HD quality. Alternatively, network operators can transmit more SD-quality programs per installed transmitter.

As the world's leading provider of digital terrestrial transmitters, Rohde & Schwarz is now prepared to support initial trial networks and equip coming operational networks with DVB-T2 transmitters. The company will offer an upgrade solution for DVB-T transmitters already installed. In this way, Rohde & Schwarz will continue to protect the investments of network operators.

The R&S SFU broadcast test system featuring a new realtime coder option is available for developing and testing DVB-T2 receivers. Equipped with R&S SFU-K16, it can now generate DVB-T2 signals. The R&S SFU supports all code rates, bandwidths and constellations of the new standard, including the new rotated constellations. Video, audio and additional data is fed to the coder as an ASI transport stream. Signals can be supplied by an external generator or the integrated transport stream generator.

The R&S ETL is also ready for DVB-T2. Transmitter operators and manufacturers as well as regulatory authorities will particularly benefit from the versatile functions of the R&S ETL multistandard platform also for this standard. Depending on the options included, the all-in-one solution combines a TV, spectrum and MPEG analyzer as well as an
MPEG-2 generator and power meter in a single box.

Press contacts:

Europe (headquarters): Katrin Wehle, Phone: +49 89 4129 11378, E-mail: [email protected]

North America: Chris Petrole, Phone: +1 410 910 7836, E-mail: [email protected]

Contacts for readers:

Customer Support Europe: Phone: +49 89 4129 13774, Fax: +49 89 4129 63778
E-mail: [email protected]

Customer Support Americas: Phone: +1 888 837 8772, From outside the US: +1 410 910 7988
E-mail: [email protected]

Customer Support Asia: Phone: +65 65130 488, Fax: +65 68461 090
E-mail: [email protected]

Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz is an independent group of companies specializing in electronics. It is a leading supplier of solutions in the fields of test and measurement, broadcasting, radiomonitoring and radiolocation, as well as secure communications. Established 75 years ago, Rohde & Schwarz has a global presence and a dedicated service network in over 70 countries. It has approx. 7500 employees and achieved a net revenue of € 1.4 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) in fiscal year 2007/2008
(July 2007 to June 2008). Company headquarters are in Munich, Germany.

All press releases are available on the Internet at http://www.press.rohde-schwarz.com.
A press photo for download is also provided there.