Table Of ContentFrequency Assignment and
Network Planning for Digital
Terrestrial Broadcasting Systems
Roland Beutler
KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS
NEW YORK,BOSTON, DORDRECHT, LONDON, MOSCOW
eBookISBN: 1-4020-7873-0
Print ISBN: 1-4020-7872-2
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To Kai and Chris
Contents
Preface xiii
I Basics 1
1 Introduction 3
2 Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Systems 13
2.1 COFDM Modulation 15
2.2 Digital Audio Broadcasting 25
2.3 Digital Video Broadcasting 29
3 Coverage Prediction 35
3.1 The Terrestrial Radio Channel 37
3.1.1 Gauss Channel 42
3.1.2 Stationary Multi-Path Channel 43
3.1.3 Rayleigh Channel 44
3.1.4 Rice Channel 45
3.2 Wave Propagation Models 46
3.2.1 Recommendation ITU-R P. 1546 48
3.2.2 Terrain Based Propagation Models 51
viii CONTENTS
3.2.3 3D-Models 53
3.3 Full Area Field Strength Prediction 54
3.4 Coverage Assessment 55
3.4.1 Monte-Carlo Method 58
3.4.2 Power Sum Method 59
3.4.3 Log-Normal Method 60
3.4.4 Other Methods 61
II Frequency Assignment 63
4 Management of the Electromagnetic Spectrum 65
4.1 Spectrum Ranges for T-DAB and DVB-T 65
4.2 Frequency Planning and Radio Conferences 68
4.3 Assignments and Allotments 72
4.4 Equitable Access to Spectrum 74
5 Mathematical Basis of Frequency Assignment Problems 77
5.1 Mathematical Model for the Frequency Assignment Process 78
5.1.1 Definition of Coverage Areas 78
5.1.2 Reference Networks 80
5.1.3 Effective Distances and Adjaceny Relations 86
5.2 Graph Theory Based Algorithms 90
5.2.1 Frequency Assignment and Graph Theory 91
5.2.2 Sequential Graph Coloring 94
5.2.3 Weighted Graphs 97
5.3 Frequency Assignment by Stochastic Optimization 99
6 Geometrical Allotment Planning 103
CONTENTS ix
7 Spectrum Demand Estimation 107
7.1 T-DAB Coverage for Europe 108
7.2 Mapping of FM to T-DAB 113
7.2.1 Model for the Mapping of FM to T-DAB 114
7.2.2 T-DAB Block Demand in South-West-Germany 120
7.3 Spectrum Demand for DVB-T in Germany 127
7.3.1 Planning Scenarios 128
7.3.2 Multi-Layer Gain 131
7.4 Spectrum Demand for DVB-T from a EuropeanPerspective133
8 Constrained Frequency Assignment Problems 139
8.1 The Need for Flexible Planning Approaches 142
8.2 Key Elements of Flexible Planning 146
8.2.1 Re-Use Distances for T-DAB and DVB-T 147
8.2.2 Adjacent Spectrum Usage in Overlapping Areas 149
8.2.3 Assessment of a Frequency Plan 152
8.2.4 Implementation Issues 156
8.3 Planning Examples 159
8.3.1 T-DAB after Wiesbaden 1995 160
8.3.2 Shared Usage of the VHF Range by T-DAB and
DVB-T 165
III Network Planning 181
9 From Frequency Assignment to Network Planning 183
x CONTENTS
10 Planning Principles for Single Frequency Networks 191
10.1 Model of a Single Frequency Network 195
10.1.1 Wave Propagation 196
10.1.2 Receiver Models 198
10.1.3 Envisaged Coverage Area 204
10.1.4 Network Parameter 207
10.2 Practicable Network Planning Approach 214
10.2.1 Assessment of a Network Configuration 216
11 Fictitious Network Planning Scenario 221
11.1 Network Model 223
11.1.1 Digital Terrain Model 223
11.1.2 Simplified Wave PropagationModel 226
11.2 Network Planning Examples 231
11.2.1 Optimization of Transmitter Powers 233
11.2.2 Reduction of Selfinterference 238
11.2.3 Planning Based on Population Density 250
11.2.4 Consideration of Network Costs 253
12 Interference Free Allotment Areas 261
12.1 Interference Free Reference Networks 262
12.2 Realistic Transmitter Networks 268
Appendix A Stochastic Optimization 277
12.3 GreatDeluge Algorithm 279
12.4 Evolutionary Strategies 283
12.5 Parallel Algorithms 287
CONTENTS xi
Appendix B Abbreviations and Symbols 291
Bibliography 293
List of Figures 301
List of Tables 305
Index 307
Preface
Frequency management and network planning of terrestrial digital broad-
casting systems are not counted among the exact natural sciences. Com-
munication science and electronic engineering can be considered as being
the basis. However, they do not fulfill all demands thereto. Typical fre-
quency planning problems exhibit such a high level of complexity that
very sophisticated mathematical methods have to be consulted. Last
but not least, a profound knowledge in physics is required, too, since
any transmission of information is governed by the Maxwell equations
in any case. This is independent from the way the transmission is actu-
ally accomplished, i.e. if either terrestrial transmitter networks are used,
cable connections or satellite links.
Further, a potential approach to frequency assignment or network plan-
ning which solely rests on rigorous scientific principles only partially
covers the whole variety of different tasks. Every planning strategy must
be embedded into a corresponding media political milieu. On the level
of one individual sovereign state different rules apply than in an interna-
tional environment. The larger the influence of politics on the planning
process becomes the more solutions to frequency assignment problems
are found by negotiations and not by the application of mathematical
optimization strategies.
Frequency or network planner usually is not a job people are taking up
by intention as they for example choose the focus of their academic stud-
ies. In most cases pure chance plays a major role. Hence, it comes as
no surprise that in the field of frequency and network planning people
from nearly all technically oriented faculties can be found. There are
engineers from communication science to electronics accompanied by
mathematicians and last but not least a lot of physicists. Very likely
all of them share one common experience, namely the first steps on the
xiv PREFACE
new ground called frequency or network planning proves to be rather
weary. Basically, this is connected to the fact that in particular network
planning is an activity where a lead in knowledge gives a direct compet-
itive edge. Consequently, successful planning approaches are published
only to the extend that the proper ascendancy in the market of network
providers is not affected by given away know-how. Such an attitude is
very common as can be seen for example from the situation on the radio
or TV receiver market. All manufactures need to build their products
in accordance with well-known published standards. Nevertheless, there
are good and bad receivers to be bought at nearly the same price.
Beside the lack of officially published documentation the highly practic-
ally oriented working method of the planners has to be considered a real
obstacle for any novice. Many ideas will never be published in articles.
Most of the work is carried out by project groups developing new con-
cepts which are not documented very elaborately. Once the new ideas
have been put into practice most of the presentations and manuscripts
vanish again.
Clearly, the results of international frequency planning conferences are
memorized very carefully and detailed. The documentation prepared
under such circumstances must contain precise directions how to make
use of the planning results. But at the same time they represent some
kind of a very compressed condensate of information. For a newcomer
this might lead to nearly the same level of forlornness as having no
documentation at all.
This background and the experience of the author during his confronta-
tion with frequency and network planning gave umbrage to the present
book. It is meant to give insight into the problems and the thereby
emerging strategies to find solutions for them. It is quite obvious in
view of the manifold of different tasks under the umbrella of frequency
and network planning that no exhaustive presentation of the whole field
can be provided. Rather, it was intended to sketch the principle ideas.
By means of several planning examples an idea about the characterist-
ics of typical problems should be conveyed. Furthermore, possible ways
to cope with these problems in order to arrive at useful results are ad-
dressed. The selection of documents referenced in this book has to be
considered as a subjective subset of what might be relevant. Neverthe-
less, it gives first indications and hints for further reading.
