This paper summarizes key technologies and identifies trends in recent terrestrial broadcast standards.
For robust service in urban canyons and mobile environments, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
(OFDM) has proven extremely advantageous and is employed in ISDB-T, DVB-T2, and DTMB standards.
Strong Forward Error Correction (FEC) codes are also needed to increase signal robustness. Low Density
Parity Check (LDPC) codes are strong codes that offer coding which enables reception approaching Shannon
limit Eb/No levels. They have been adopted in DVB-T2 and DTMB. Another trend is the expanding use of
terrestrial broadcast for mobile reception, such as the ATSC-M/H standard. To increase flexibility one
innovative technology known as Multiple Physical Layer Pipes (M-PLP) was introduced in DVB-T2, where the
physical layer is divided into separate logical signals or “pipes”.
Based on these recent trends, key technologies suitable for Next Generation Broadcast Television
(NGBT) are explored. Cutting edge technologies examined include the expansion of modulation constellations
to 1024QAM, adoption of recent LDPC FEC coding schemes and the use of Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO) technology. We conclude that by using a combination of proven and cutting edge technology, ATSC can
develop a world leading standard.