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DVB-T network planning: A case study for

Greece

ARTICLE in IEEE ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2009

Impact Factor: 1.32 DOI: 10.1109/MAP.2009.4939022

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 DVB-T network planning: A case study for
Greece

D. A. Kateros, D. A. Zarbouti, D. C. Tsilimantos, C. I. Katsigiannis, P. K. Gkonis, I. E. Foukarakis

D. I. Kaklamani and I. S. Venieris

National Technical University of Athens

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15773, Athens, Greece
E-mails: dimitris, chkatsig@icbnet.ntua.gr, dzarb, dtsiliman, pgkonis, ifouk@esd.ntua.gr
dkaklam@mail.ntua.gr, venieris@cs.ntua.gr

Abstract - The terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T) network planning is the main
interest of this article along with a case study for Greece. The basic principles and the
guidelines of the DVB-T planning process are presented in conjunction with their application to
the establishment of the Greek DVB-T allotment plan. The procedures described in this article
were followed by the authors during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) DVB-T
planning project that concluded with the ITUs Regional Radiocommunication Conference 2006
(RRC-06) and the Geneva (GE-06) frequency plan for terrestrial digital radio broadcasting.
Keywords - allotment, compatibility analysis, DVB-T, FAP, interference calculation, plan synthesis,
SFN
 1 INTRODUCTION

Traditionally, the terrestrial broadcasting planning approach involved the definition of a

number of assignments, each of which consists of the transmitter site specified in terms of

longitude and latitude, as well as the specific transmitters characteristics and antennas

configuration. These parameters are chosen to ensure acceptable reception or coverage of the

desired service in an area associated with, and usually surrounding, the transmitter location.

However, the desired coverage of the assignment was not explicitly taken into account during

the development of the plan and, in principle, could not be determined until the plan was

finalized. This is the approach used for the establishment of the Stockholm (ST-61)

broadcasting plan. On the other hand, a plan must not only provide means to specify ones

right to use a spectrum resource, but more importantly, means to protect its effective

utilization. On this line of thought, it is more essential for a plan to achieve protection of

known service areas, than to specify the characteristics of a number of transmitting sites.

The developments in standardization of digital radio broadcasting systems have introduced

new possibilities regarding the methodology of planning terrestrial broadcasting networks.

The introduction of single frequency networks (SFNs), allows the synchronization of the

transmitters of a confined geographic area, so that they may operate at the same frequency

channel without any destructive interference occurring at the receiver. Therefore, the planning

of digital radio broadcasting networks has gained a degree of flexibility, which allows

transmitter characteristics and placement calibration, as more than one transmitter may be

used to achieve coverage over a given area without depleting spectrum resources. This

approach that has already been employed in recent broadcasting plans, such as the Maastricht

2002 terrestrial digital audio broadcasting (T-DAB) plan and the Geneva 2006 DVB-T and T-

DAB plan [1], allows the simplification of the planning process using a higher level of
abstraction, namely allotments. The actual implementation of the allotment into a set of

assignments can be postponed to a latter stage. In addition, this planning approach is

appropriate for very large scale planning that may comprise regional broadcasting networks

with different degree of design and implementation progress.

The first part of this paper is dedicated to the overview of the basic principles and

guidelines that can be taken into account during the planning process of a DVB-T allotment

plan. Due to the different conditions in terms of propagation characteristics, terrain

morphology, demographics, cultural diversity and economics that can be found in various

regions, it is evident that there is no standard methodology for the design and the

implementation of such a plan. In the second part of the paper, we present our planning

experience for the Greek DVB-T allotment plan and outline the methodology and decisions

taken towards its establishment. The presented allotment plan is part of the GE-06 digital

terrestrial broadcasting plan [1], whose production was coordinated by ITU and consists of the

broadcasting plans 118 involved countries. Throughout this paper we examine the processes

of designing the allotments, conducting interference analysis and performing the distribution

of available frequency channels between them.

2 DVB-T ALLOTMENT PLANNING

2.1 Allotment Area Definition

An allotment is a service area that is intended to be protected against interference. In order

to define an allotment, three parameters must be determined; an ordered set of geographical

positions called test points, that represent the allotment boundaries, a maximum value for

the acceptable interference level at the allotment test points and means to calculate the

outgoing interference from the allotment. This section outlines the procedure of allotment

boundary definition.
 The primary goal of allotment area definition is to ensure its coverage with a single

frequency, as SFNs exhibit self-interference limitations. The 8K carrier operational mode of

the DVB-T system which is suitable for SFN networks, defines 896 s useful symbol duration

(Tu) [2]. In order to compensate for the multi-path effect present in the terrestrial broadcasting

environment which leads to inter-symbol interference in the presence of echoes, a guard

interval (GI) is assumed. Two transmitters operating in the same SFN network transmit

simultaneously the same symbol. Assuming c the speed of the propagating signal this

corresponds to distance difference s = Tg c (Table I). The application of a propagation

prediction technique can then identify areas within the intended coverage area that may suffer

from self-interference.

The design of allotments is also bound to non-technical parameters and criteria, such as

demographics and boundaries, both regional and national. The implementation of an allotment

as an SFN implies the broadcasting of a common set of programs within the allotment.

Consequently, allotments must be efficiently mapped to distinct demographic regions, in order

to account for linguistic diversity or to reflect administrative divisions either international or

within a country. Lastly, allotment areas, as service areas, should be particularly focused on

areas of significant population density. The aforementioned constraints have already been

considered to some extent for the implementation of the analogue TV networks. Therefore,

the planning of digital radio broadcasting services with allotments can benefit greatly building

on this experience.

Another aspect of the allotment definition has to do with the efficient frequency reuse.

There is a straightforward relation between allotment size and the relevant frequency reuse

distance. As the allotment area size decreases with relation to the reuse distance the allotment

network becomes more spectrum hungry and the amount of frequency channels that can be

assigned to each allotment area while satisfying interference constraints is reduced. The
spectrum resources are limited, and therefore extremely valuable, so the allotment design

should receive feedback from the evaluation of the interference relations between allotments.

In the framework of the RRC-06, the only suggested method for allotment definition was

the Channel Potential Method [3]. This method describes a procedure for the conversion of

existing analogue assignments to allotment areas for digital broadcasting. The method aims to

design allotment areas that can be mapped to and exhibit a certain degree of compatibility

with the assignments of the agreed analogue broadcasting plans. Thus, its application

facilitates the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, which is a fairly complex

problem, as it involves not only different technical criteria, but also different transition

timetables between various regions.

Although the method has a significant regulatory usefulness, providing means to convert an

existing and agreed analogue broadcasting plan to a digital one, its application is mostly based

on geometrical criteria, so many technical concerns are raised. Overall, the method is more

suitable for latticed analogue broadcasting networks of landlocked regions and cannot be seen

as a global solution for all cases.

2.2 Compatibility Analysis

The goal of the compatibility analysis process is the assessment of the interference

constraints between the defined allotments. The abstract concept of allotment has to be

associated with specific parameters to represent the required service coverage inside the

allotment as well as the outgoing interference. Two general approaches can be introduced for

the compatibility analysis process, each corresponding to a different progress status

concerning the network design and resulting to a different level of accuracy.

The initial estimation of the environment that the DVB-T network will be implemented is

essential in order to define the appropriate propagation model and its parameters. In the
framework of RRC-06 the propagation model employed for terrestrial broadcasting is

described in the recommendation P.1546 [4]. However, it is an empirical, not location specific

model based on measurements that do not consider diffraction losses nor sub-path attenuation.

Typical planning software tools include more sophisticated field strength prediction methods

that can be used in conjunction with a terrain digital elevation model (DEM) in order to obtain

more accurate results.

2.2.1 Basic Planning Parameters

Every network planning process is triggered by the subscribers and operators needs and

wishes. Therefore, an initial set of parameters that depends on these needs must be defined.

These basic parameters and constraints are described shortly in the followings.

Each allotment of the planning area should be associated with a reception type and a

coverage quality. In DVB-T the fixed, the portable (indoor, outdoor) and the mobile are the

supported reception modes while the coverage quality is denoted through the percentage of

locations that the desired service is provided within the service area. The decision about the

reception mode must be followed by the decision concerning the desired throughput.

There exist a large number of different possible DVB-T systems (variants) depending on the

choice of modulation type and code rate. For instance, the offered throughput in an 8MHz

channel ranges from 5 (QPSK 1/2) to 30Mbps (64QAM 7/8) according to the selected DVB-T

variant and GI. The selection of the DVB-T variant is determined taking into account both the

required reception type and the desirable throughput. Apparently, the DVB-T variant

determines the minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that is required at the receiver end, while

equation (1) indicates the minimum power.

Pmin = 10 log ( kTo B F SNRmin ) + LF (1)

where k = 1.3810-23 J/K is the Boltzmanns constant, T0 = 2900 K is the absolute temperature,
B is the channel bandwidth, F is the receiver noise figure and LF are the feeder losses in the

case of fixed reception mode. Nevertheless, the SNRmin provides the requirement in a noise

limited planning basis which is not the case for broadcasting networks. Therefore, it is

common practice to introduce a margin in the link budget calculations so as to take into

account the network interference potential during the planning process. In the framework of

GE-06 plan an interference margin () of 3dB [5] was considered. Hence, the minimum

required power of (1) becomes:

Pmin = 10 log ( kTo B F SNRmin ) + LF + (2)

Finally, the aforementioned choices lead to the determination of the protection ratio (PR)

value [6]. In essence, the PR value stems from the SNRmin and the considered interference

margin, while it provides an estimation of the interfering signals level related to the wanted

ones. Obviously, the PR is strictly bound to the DVB-T variant choice together with the Pmin

calculated in (2). Equation (3) provides the power threshold for acceptable reception in

conformity with the DVB-T planning criteria.

I TOT

Pr Pi + PR (3)
i =1

where Pi is the interfering power from the ith transmitter and ITOT is the total number of

interfering transmitters. Note that the Pr value of (3) along with the antenna effective aperture

and gain provides the minimum required field strength, Er,min(f) given in dBV/m, that

apparently depends on the frequency.

2.2.2 Reference Planning Configurations (RPCs)

The above paragraph indicates that there is an important number of possible planning

configurations. ITU in order to minimize them and facilitate the planning process grouped

them into three RPCs [5]. Specifically, the possible combinations of reception mode,
modulation type, code rate and required location coverage probability were grouped according

to the equivalent minimum median field strength required on the receiving location. The

minimum median field strength in frequency f is given by:

Emed ( f ) = Emin ( f ) + N + C + L (4)

where N is the man made noise, C is the location correction factor that corresponds to the

desired coverage probability and L are the losses that must be taken into account in relation to

the reception mode. In portable outdoor reception L accounts for losses caused by the building

height while in portable indoor reception there are additional losses for the building

penetration. The Emed values for representative frequencies are given in [5]. The evaluation for

different frequencies is conducted using a field strength correction formula [4].

2.2.3 Interference calculations

The interference calculations are the final step for the compatibility analysis. In particular,

there are two approaches that can be followed according to the degree of insight concerning

the future allotment implementation as a set of assignments.

2.2.3.1 1st Approach: Specific Transmitting Sites

In case that a substantial subset of the transmitting sites implementing the allotment has

been determined, accurate calculations concerning both the wanted field strength and the

interference potential of each allotment can be performed. In this approach a field strength

prediction method that accounts for terrain morphology is essential.

I
During the compatibility analysis the total interfering, i =TOT
1 Pi and wanted field strength, Pr,

are calculated at every test point and once again the inequality of equation (3) applies. In order

to obtain a strict estimation of the maximum allowed interference we consider Pr = Pmin and

we solve the derived equality. The maximum allowable interference at any allotment test point
is then given by:

I
Pmax = Pmin PR (5)

When the criterion of equation (3) falls through then the incompatibility is reported to the

synthesis process. It must be highlighted that the examination of equation (3) at every test

point considers all potential interference sources.

2.2.3.2 2nd Approach: Reference Networks (RNs)

When the specific transmitting site locations corresponding to an allotment have not yet

been determined, there is a need to model the outgoing interference by alternate means. The

method that was proposed by ITU and was adopted in the framework of RRC-06, involved the

definition of generic network structures with geometrical symmetry and homogeneity with

regard to transmitter characteristics, called RNs. The use of RNs for the compatibility analysis

is bound to the use of RPCs since the characteristics of the transmitters at each RN

differentiate according to the RPC. There are four kinds of RNs, each corresponding to a

different wanted reception type and service area characteristics. Their detailed description can

be found in [5]. In addition, the propagation model used for this approach of interference

calculation is the empirical P.1546.

Fig. 1 depicts the RN placement in order to conduct interference calculations between two

allotments. The interfering field strength is evaluated on each allotment test point and the

largest calculated value is considered as the overall interference to the wanted allotment. The

interfering field strength is derived by the summation of the individual field strengths

produced by each transmitter. It is apparent that this method does not take into account

multiple interference situations where the wanted allotment receives harmful interference

levels due to the addition of interfering field strengths from more than one allotments. The

compatibility status (compatible or incompatible) of each pair of allotments is examined by

formula (6) and is reported to the synthesis algorithm.

EI Emed ( f ) PR C A (6)

In the above inequality the Emed(f) is evaluated with equation (4), C is the location correction

factor of the interfering allotment and A (A<0) is the antenna discrimination [7] in the case

that the wanted allotment has fixed reception (RPC 1). Note that inequality (3) does not apply

for this approach since it refers to a multiple interference assessment scenario. Equation (5) is

used instead in order to determine the maximum accepted interfering field strength.

The utilization of RNs allows the calculation of the minimum separation distance between

two co-channeled allotment areas (reuse distance) [8]. The reuse distances can be calculated

by employing the interference potential curves of P.1546 and by taking into account the

maximum acceptable interference (EImax) for each of the wanted and interfering allotment

combinations, i.e. solving the equation (5) for the reference frequency of the band under

consideration.

2.3 Plan Synthesis

Plan synthesis is the procedure of allocating frequency channels to the defined allotment

areas. It can generally be seen as a variation of the frequency assignment problem (FAP). The

basic FAP consists of assignment constraints, interference constraints and an objective or

optimization criterion. The frequency assignment model typically involves a predefined set of

frequency channels f and a set of nodes n requiring frequency channels. For every node n, a

subset of the available frequencies fn is specified, from which a number of frequencies m(n)

(the multiplicity of the node) must be assigned to it. The problem is usually represented by a

graph. Each vertex represents a node and each edge represents an incompatibility between two

nodes for a given pair of frequency channels. A more suitable representation for computer

processing is that of a NxN matrix, where N is number of nodes. Each element i, j of this
matrix is an integer that corresponds to the required channel separation between the i and j

nodes.

For digital radio broadcasting systems, adjacent channel interference constraints need not be

taken into account due to the low protection ratios that apply [6]. Consequently, the above

representation is simplified to binary interference constraints. In fact, most models of the

frequency assignment problem found in the literature use binary constraints as input [9].

However, this approach does not take into account multiple interference. In the case of DVB-

T planning, multiple interference must be considered since the DVB-T system is characterized

by rapid signal degradation from perfect to no reception within a narrow dB margin. On the

contrary the analogue TV systems involve different impairment grades [6] [10]. The

feasibility of possible frequency distributions can be assessed taking into account the results of

the compatibility analysis.

The synthesis algorithm in the case of DVB-T allotment planning should account for

additional features. Firstly, existing analogue assignments within the allotment area may

determine specific channels to be assigned to the allotment. Moreover, the channel

distribution between allotment areas must be balanced in order to avoid unfair channel

distributions where very few channels are assigned to difficult allotment areas. This

constitutes a problem of many FAP algorithms, observed in [11].

Due to these requirements, algorithms employing heuristic techniques are more appropriate.

The more frequently meta-heuristics used are the Simulated Annealing [12], the Taboo Search

[13] and the Genetic Algorithms [14]. Another heuristic approach involves greedy methods

and more specifically sequential algorithms [15].

The procedure led by ITU in RRC-06 involved the submission of requirements from

Administrations (input requirements). This resulted in a synthesis algorithm with the objective

to maximize the number of requirements accepted for entry in the GE-06 Plan [16]. A
sequential algorithm was employed consisting of two steps. In the first one the ordering of the

requirements was conducted. In the second step each requirement was assigned a channel

from its available channel list. A total of three approaches for the first step and of five for the

second one was defined. Out of the fifteen different plans produced by the possible

combinations, the one satisfying the highest number of requirements was selected. The

success of this method relied heavily on the pre-coordination of the input requirements by the

Administrations. Specifically, ITU provided means to eliminate the detected incompatibilities

between requirements taking into account the results of the pre-coordination procedures

(administrative declarations).

3 GREEK CASE STUDY

Greece is located in the Southeastern Europe with a population of approximately 11 million.

The Greek terrain morphology is extremely complex and diverse, as mountains (almost 60

percent of the land) coexist with the third largest coast line in the world and almost 200

islands, half of which are inhabited. Approximately 97% of households rely on the terrestrial

analogue TV broadcasting networks, while the remaining 3% are satellite subscribers. The

existing terrestrial analogue broadcasting network has been built in an ad-hoc manner with

little central planning, a situation which has led to the scarcity of spectrum resources as well

as significant interference problems over a number of service areas. These facts, add

significant difficulties in the establishment of a DVB-T plan, as diverse propagation

conditions and existing analogue broadcasting experience need to be carefully taken into

account in order to establish a spectrum efficient plan that will serve adequately the

population needs.

The planning procedure was conducted on behalf of the Greek Ministry of Transport and

Communications, which is the authority responsible for the countrys representation to the
ITU concerning spectrum regulation and management. The ICS Telecom of ATDI was used as

a network planning and propagation prediction software tool. This software allowed the

performance of simulations over a digital elevation model (DEM) representation of Greece

with 50m resolution. The results of these simulations were used to make propagation and

interference calculations and thus calibrate transmitter characteristics, define SFN networks

and conduct a compatibility analysis between the defined allotment areas.

3.1 Allotment Area Definition

In general, the allotment boundaries definition is a gradual process that involves several

refinement steps, each one with different criteria that must be met. The steps that were

followed in the case of the Greek allotment plan are:

1) Examination of the analogue transmitter network and assessment of the existing service

areas

2) Definition and extraction of the useful sites of the analogue TV network

3) Grouping of the useful sites into SFNs.

4) Examination of the coverage areas of the produced SFNs and initial construction of the

allotment plan.

5) Allotment partitioning, merging and resizing according to received feedback from

compatibility analysis and plan synthesis processes.

At first, the examination of the operating analogue network offered a good estimation of the

service areas that appear in the Greek geographical area. The most important service areas

represented large cities and surroundings or well-separated areas by the terrain morphology.

The transmitting sites that corresponded to these service areas were examined and a list of

important terrestrial broadcasting locations was determined. Throughout this paper we denote

these locations as useful sites. The majority of the useful sites exhibits significant spatial
and demographic coverage and they are located in high altitudes comprising a relatively clear

first Fresnel zone.

Although the resulted useful sites from the above constraints were already in use by the

analogue TV network, the respective transmitter characteristics for the DVB-T were

determined as a result of simulations performed using ICS Telecom. Table II summarizes the

basic planning parameters in case of Greece. The power thresholds of the minimum required

and maximum allowed interference have been derived by (3) and (5) respectively. Note that

due to the selected reception type there were no feeder losses (LF = 0).

According to the aforementioned network parameters adequate choices for the transmitting

power and the antenna configuration were made. During this procedure additional effort was

made in order to reduce the outgoing interference from the envisaged allotment. Table III

provides a transmitter configuration example.

The importance of SFNs was highlighted in the previous section. Therefore, the useful

sites were grouped in SFNs. The GI duration was chosen at 224s, which corresponds to the

maximum time of arrival (ToA) difference between any received signals from the transmitters

within the same SFN. This time interval corresponds to 67 km (see Table I).The initial

grouping of the useful sites to SFNs was performed by limiting the distance between two

transmitters to 67 Km, which constitutes a convenient approximation in order to take into

account the aforementioned ToA constraint. It must be noted that the estimation of the

distances between the useful sites could not allow for a smaller GI, as it would increase

significantly the number of produced SFNs.

The first allotment plan that was resulted by the former procedure contained 35 allotments.

Nevertheless, a further examination of the SFNs was undertaken since their initial definition

was based on the transmitters distance. The examination took place with the ICS Telecom

and for a specific allotment the self-inference levels did not allow the future SFN
implementation. As a result the specific allotment was divided into two.

We should note that the transmitter network comprised of the useful sites does not

provide full area coverage to the majority of the defined allotments and additional planning

with gap filling transmitters is required; however it is sufficient for planning purposes, for two

reasons. Firstly, it provides substantial population coverage and secondly the outgoing

interference from an allotment is dominantly provoked from the useful sites, as they have

significantly larger e.r.p. and effective heights than the envisaged gap fillers.

3.2 Compatibility Analysis

After the initial allotment definition the compatibility analysis took place. As it was

mentioned earlier, in the framework of the RRC-06, ITU used the empirical propagation

model of the recommendation P.1546 due to its simplicity and low computational effort.

However, in our planning there was a need for more accurate field strength calculations, hence

the Fresnel propagation prediction method was chosen. Opposite to the ITU-R P.1546, which

does not take into account geometrical attenuation terms such as sub-path attenuation and

multi-edge diffraction, the Fresnel module included in the ICS Telecom provides several

choices for this purpose.

The diffraction losses were considered through the Deygout method [18] since it is the most

widely used for this kind of planning [19]. Nevertheless, this method usually overestimates

the losses in cases of many obstacles too close to each other, so the more approximate

Bullington method [20] was chosen for the mountainous environment of central and northern

Greece [21][22].

In order for the sub-path attenuation to be considered in our studies the standard sub-path

attenuation method provided also by ICS was used. The sub-path attenuation coefficient used

by ICS is given by (7) and it is added to the total losses calculations.

 Lsp = Lgr (7)

In (8) = (d1 + d 2 + d3 + d 4 ) / d is the proportion of the total path that is located above the first

Fresnel virtual ellipsoid (see Fig. 2) and Lgr is the Deygout correction term given by (8).

Lgr = 20 log(75000d ) 20 log( h1h2 f ) (8)

In (8) d is the distance between the transmitter and receiver, h1 and h2 are the transmitter and

receiver heights respectively and f is the operating frequency in MHz.

The compatibility analysis was conducted by calculating the outgoing interference from the

transmitter network of each allotment to the test points of all potentially affected allotments.

This resulted in two kinds of incompatibilities between two allotments, which were classified

as hard and soft based on the following inequality:

Er Ei + PR + S (9)

where Er is the received field strength on each test point from the transmitters of the wanted

allotment, Ei is the interfering field strength on the same test point, PR is the relevant

protection ratio and S is a margin in dB. Hard incompatibilities concern allotment pairs for

which inequality (9) falls through for at least one of the examined test points for S = 0. Soft

incompatibilities, on the other hand, concern allotment pairs where no hard incompatibility

exists and inequality (9) falls through for at least one of the examined test points for S = 6.

The soft incompatibilities can additively cause the same effect as a hard

incompatibility. Fig. 3 summarizes the soft and hard incompatibilities identified between

the allotments of the final Greek plan for Band IV. These incompatibilities constitute the

constraints to be taken into account during the plan synthesis.

As stated in the previous section, the transmitter network assumed for planning did not

necessarily provide sufficient coverage to the entire allotment area. Therefore, the received

field strength value in some allotment test points was less than the minimum required. To
compensate for this fact, equation (10) was used.

ErTP = max { Er , Emin } (10)

where ErTP is the wanted field strength used for the compatibility analysis on each test point.

3.3 Plan Synthesis

The results of the compatibility analysis are summarized in a matrix C, whose element cij is

the field strength on the test point i from allotment j. C contains all the necessary information

for wanted and interfering field strength values on allotment test points. In order to conduct

the plan synthesis an algorithm employing known meta-heuristics was implemented. Details

on the design and performance of the algorithm can be found in [23].

This algorithm has two stages; in the first one, it creates as many mutual compatible

frequency layers as possible. A frequency layer denotes a set of N channels that are distributed

evenly among all N allotments. In the second stage additional frequency channels are allocated

without violating any of the constraints. During this stage provision is taken to preserve

balance to the channel allocation between allotments. This is essential, as the heterogeneous

terrain caused substantial differences between the number of incompatibilities of the

allotments situated in main land and those situated in sea. An additional measure taken to

facilitate the synthesis process was the unification of neighboring allotment areas containing

islands. This led to a final plan of 33 allotments, illustrated in Fig. 3.

Another feature of the implemented algorithm is the possibility to accept as input a

predefined partial channel allocation which remains fixed during the synthesis process. This

was essential in order to allow for the synthesis process to take into account the results of the

coordination procedure that took place between Greece and its neighboring countries during

the preparation activities for RRC-06.

A simple example of the algorithms functionality is demonstrated visually in Fig. 4. In this

example a synthesis problem consisting of 5 allotment areas and 10 available frequency

channels is assumed. The graph represents the constraints. Stage 1 includes steps 1-3, while

stage 2 steps 4-7.

Fig. 5 displays the performance of the synthesis algorithm by presenting the CDF of the

number of channels allocated to an allotment area in the case of Greece over 50 independent

runs. Three scenarios are shown:

Compatibility analysis performed by ITU.

Compatibility analysis performed using ICS Telecom and real transmitter network. Plan

synthesis ignores multiple interference.

Compatibility analysis performed using ICS Telecom and real transmitter network. Plan

synthesis considers multiple interference.

Fig. 5 suggests that the outgoing interference prediction method based on reference

networks and ITU-R P.1546 propagation model is not suitable for the Greek terrain and

allotment design. The majority of detected incompatibilities, which lead to the poor synthesis

results, can be ignored. This can be attributed to three reasons. Firstly, the employed

propagation model does not take into account terrain morphology and differentiates only

between land and sea paths. Secondly, the careful selection of real transmitter sites and

characteristics further reduces the outgoing interference. Lastly, RN placement as described

earlier may result in placement of transmitters directly on sea (see Fig. 1), which induces

additional calculated interference.

Moreover, the small difference between the CDFs of the two scenarios stemmed from the

compatibility analysis conducted with ICS Telecom indicates that even for the limited number

of the Greek allotments the inclusion of multiple interference calculations may prevent the

acceptance of invalid channel distributions. On the contrary the binary constraints scenario

fails to detect these cases and produces more optimistic results.

3.4 Attiki: an implementation example

The most important allotment with respect mainly to its population is the allotment Attiki

which also includes the city of Athens. Fig. 6 displays the transmitter network assumed for

planning purposes, as well as a possible future implementation for this allotment. As shown,

the SFN network that consists of four transmitters does not provide sufficient coverage of the

allotment (Fig. 6a). The SFN, comprised by 8 transmitters, clearly results to a higher

percentage of allotment coverage (Fig. 6b).

Note that the outgoing interference levels do not substantially increase with the addition of

the four transmitters (see Fig. 6c and 6d). Specifically, no alteration to the constraints

established during the compatibility analysis process takes place. This shows that the

methodology followed resulted to an allotment plan that is possible to be implemented with a

DVB-T transmitter network that will serve the future needs of operators and subscribers.

4 CONCLUSIONS

In this paper a methodology for allotment based DVB-T planning that builds upon existing

analogue transmitter network experience and infrastructure was introduced. Based on this

methodology it is possible to define the allotment boundaries as well as assess their

interference relation. The degree of flexibility induced to the allotment implementation by

SFNs allows the implementation of a complete transmitter network without violating any of

the initial planning assumptions concerning interference constraints.

The experience of the planning in case of Greece indicates that even in difficult propagation

conditions (warm sea, islands) the proper site selection and transmitters configuration can

lead to manageable interference constraints between allotments. Additionally, topographic

decoupling present in mountainous areas can be utilized for the same purpose.

Lastly, the multi-interference inclusion in the plan synthesis process led to a more viable
channel allocation. It must be noted that the significance of the multiple interference

consideration increases when the number of allotments included in the planning process

increases (larger countries).

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank Mr. V. Goltsios whose knowledge and experience on the

analog TV broadcasting infrastructure of Greece proved very useful towards the establishment

of the Greek DVB-T plan.

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 TABLE I
MAXIMUM SIGNAL SOURCE RECEIVER DISTANCE DIFFERENCE

GI=Tg/Tu Tg (s) s (Km)

1/4 224 67
1/8 112 33.5
1/16 56 16.75
1/32 28 8.375

Figure 1: RN placement in order to conduct interference calculations between two allotment areas.

TABLE II
Basic Network Parameters

Reception Type Portable Outdoor

DVB-T variant 16 QAM 2/3
Guard Interval (GI)
Implementation Margin () 3 dB
Pmin -79dBm
PImax -63dBm
Protection Ratio (PR) 16
Propagation Model Fresnel (Bullington)
Receiver height 2m

TABLE III
Transmitter Configuration for site Ymittos (Band IV)

Tx Configuration Analog TV DVB-T

Power (Watt) 1000 250
Antenna Gain 12 dB 12 dB
Signal PAL DVB 8MHz
Modulation Analog 16 QAM 2/3

Antenna
Diagram
 Figure 2: Fresnel zones between transmitter and receiver for sub-path attenuation losses calculation.

Figure 3: The final Greek allotment plan along with the hard and soft constraints graph for Band IV.
 Figure 4: A demonstration of the functionality of the synthesis algorithm.

Figure 5: The cumulative distribution function for the number of channels allocated to an allotment area over 50
independent runs.
 (a) The wanted field strength produced by the four useful sites

(b) The wanted field strength produced by the four useful sites and four additional gap fillers
 (c) The interfering field strength produced by the four useful sites

(d) The interfering field strength produced by the four useful sites and four additional gap fillers

Figure 6: Wanted and interfering field strength for allotment Attiki with a network consisting of the four useful
sites with which the planning was conducted and with four additional gap filling transmitters.