Initial results of a 3 station single-frequency-network at 1452-1492 MHz

Abstract

Canadian broadcasters would like to introduce a terrestrial DRB (digital radio broadcasting) service in the 1995-1996 time frame. In the development of a strategy and work plan for the introduction of DRB in Canada, it was decided to establish DRB transmission test facilities and experimental stations. These facilities operate in the recommended frequency band for DRB in Canada, i.e. the 1452-1492 MHz (also referred to as the L-band). These facilities are used for modelling, as well as experimenting with DRB technologies and the L-band from a technical, operational, economic, programming and marketing point of view, with the objective of planning an orderly and viable introduction of DRB in Canada. The Canadian DRB work plan was developed by the Joint Technical Committee on Advanced Broadcasting (JTCAB) which includes representation from both the Industry and the Government. To finance and manage the facilities required for the JTCAB DRB projects and field trials, Digital Radio Research Incorporated (DRRI), a consortium of private broadcasters and the public Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, was created in late 1992. Since that time, experimental DRB facilities were established in Toronto, Barrie, Trois-Rivieres, the Montreal region and Toronto. The paper addresses mainly the technical trials associated with the constructed DRB experimental facilities in the Montreal region.