MARX-TV: An affordable mobile solution to adjust and monitor DVB-T reception antennas

Abstract

Competitiveness and customer care are key factors that influence success or failure in any business. Therefore, to survive and succeed, the entrepreneurs tend to concentrate efforts on optimize working methods and procedures towards efficiency. However, the possible changes must not neglect personal security by any circumstance. This paper presents and proposes a low-cost prototype solution capable of increasing the technical work efficiency on installing TV reception antennas, which also reduces the risks associated to works at heights (on roofs). The solution provides monitoring and adjustment of TV antennas without the need to carry any heavy equipment, thus leading to a higher mobility for the technicians. The system proposed consists at a microcontroller based hardware and an application for mobile devices. The hardware solution (HMARX-TV) uses a Raspberry Pi model B minicomputer (ARM, 32 bit architecture), an Arduino Uno board (ATmega328, 8 bit) and a USB DVB-T receiver; the software application (AppMARX-TV) is supported in Android 4.x.x OS and runs on common mobile devices (e.g. smartphones or tablet PCs). The AppMARX-TV connects to the HMARX-TV hardware via a wireless link (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) and takes control of its operation fully. It also allows to adjust a programmable band-pass filter thus improving tuning and reception quality. Upon conformity, a detailed report is issued containing the most important parameters associated to the installation. This allows both, the technician and the customer, to become aware on the correctness and conformity of the work, thus strengthening customer relations and technical prestige. To evaluate the overall prototype performance, several relevant reception parameters were measured and compared with the results obtained with laboratory and certified commercial equipment. The functional tests conducted and performed on site, for several scenarios, demonstrate the conformity in operation for the system prototype.