Field Comparison Tests of LDM and TDM in ATSC 3.0

Abstract

In this paper, we present laboratory and field test results of layered division multiplexing (LDM) and time division multiplexing (TDM) technologies based on Advanced Television Systems Committee 3.0. The presented field test results include analysis in several scenarios such as rooftop, indoor, and mobile receptions. In order to provide performance comparison of the LDM and TDM technologies, reception power (field strength) and successful reception rate are measured for all the considered scenarios. For in-depth analysis in real field environment, further field measurements such as threshold of visibility, marginal (minimal) reception power, and erroneous second ratio are used for rooftop, indoor, and mobile receptions, respectively. The laboratory and field test results show that the LDM technology not only shows superior performance compared to the TDM technology in all the considered scenarios (rooftop, indoor, and mobile receptions), but also enables broadcaster to efficiently provide a variety of services (e.g., mobile, pedestrian, indoor, and stationary services) with different robustness within a single radio frequency channel.