Dielectric is giving its Powerlite brand for broadcasters a boost with new systems built specifically for NextGen TV, based on the ATSC 3.0 standard.
It’s doing so via the just-released Powerlite TFU-WB-LP Series, which addresses the unique requirements of ATSC 3.0 single-frequency networks (SFNs). The series offers multiple variations, patterns and software-defined proposal generators to help broadcasters develop perfectly-defined, multi-site low-power antenna systems.
And, attendees of the 2020 NAB Show in Las Vegas will get a first-look at the new product.
Dielectric developed the Powerlite Series to address low-power TV and FM radio budgets. Powerlite systems combine antennas, transmission line, tunable filters and other RF components into one package.
The Powerlite TFU-WB-LP Series is the first to specifically target next-generation television, or NextGen TV, covering U.S. broadcasters and international regions that adopt ATSC 3.0. The series evolves from Dielectric’s popular TFU-WB family, a range of main and auxiliary UHF antennas developed for the U.S. spectrum repack. While the new Powerlite TFU-WB-LP Series offers a solution for UHF broadcasters in the upcoming low-power repack phase, they are optimized for use in ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV networks.
Jay Martin, Vice President of Sales at Dielectric, notes that beyond supplying a complete antenna system, the company is offering online Proposal Generator software to help broadcasters configure systems that meet very specific network designs.
The Powerlite TFU-WB-LP antennas are built in four-bay increments, with a maximum ERP of 100 kW for each antenna (higher power options are also available). As ATSC 3.0 SFNs will comprise multiple low-power transmitter sites, Dielectric’s Proposal Generator software will help customers design an antenna for coverage needs specific to each site. This means that broadcasters can select the proper power level, directional pattern, height above ground level, and other pertinent design criteria for each location.
“Our customers can essentially design SFN antennas to optimize service within their respective DMAs, complementing the service provided by their primary antenna,” said Martin. “After they design systems using our intelligent configuration software, they can cleanly export the azimuth pattern files to a network planning software program, such as Progira Plan, to complete, evaluate and optimize the SFN system performance.”
The Powerlite TFU-WB-LP Series will be adaptable to multi-frequency networks, according to Martin, and can serve both narrow-band and broadband RF configurations. “Depending on the network configuration, we will provide either a bandpass filter or a combiner, for example. In any configuration, this will be a single-source solution customized for each broadcaster.”
Dielectric will demonstrate the Powerlite TFU-WB-LP Series at its 2020 NAB Booth (C2622) from April 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
