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Tutorial

DVB-H network
design

February 2009

Antoine GUILBOT

Software solutions in radiocommunications

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Manage a project 4
Step 1: Creating a project___________________________________________________________5
Step.2: Loading a project___________________________________________________________6
2 Adding existing sites on the map 7
Step 3: Place a site manually________________________________________________________7
Step 4: Configure the sites__________________________________________________________8
3 Definition of the simulation parameters
12
Step 5: definition of the propagation model___________________________________________12
Step 6: definition of the clutter parameters___________________________________________13
Step 7: definition of the calculation distance__________________________________________15
Step 8: definition of the other simulation parameters___________________________________16
Step 9: definition of the threshold___________________________________________________17
Step 10: recording of simulation parameters__________________________________________19
4 Coverage calculation of the existing network
20
Step 11: calculation of the coverage_________________________________________________20
Step 12: display of the coverage____________________________________________________22
Step 13: Searching for new sites____________________________________________________25
Step 14: Display the global coverage in different ways___________________________________29
5 Interference calculation in SFN mode
32
Step 15: Launch the SFN interference function_________________________________________32
Step 16: Analyze the SFN interference results__________________________________________34
6 Interference calculation with another network (MFN mode)
40
Step 17: Check the interference of the DVB-H network over an existing analog TV network_____40
Step 18: Check the interference of the analog TV transmitter over the DVB-H network________43
7 Population analysis
46
Step 19: Setup the population files__________________________________________________46
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Step 20: Calculate the population interfered over the analog TV network___________________48
Step 21: Calculate the population covered within the DVB-H network according to the quality of
coverage._________________________________________________________________50
8 Handover maps
52
Step 22: Draw a basic handover map.________________________________________________52
Step 23: Draw a soft handover map._________________________________________________53
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1 Manage a project
The basis of any project is a cartographic dataset covering the service area for the network. A typical project will
comprise:
- A digital terrain model (known as DTM with extension .GEO)
- Imagery: maps or photographs (ext .IMG)
- A ground occupancy layer or clutter (ext .SOL)
- A building layer for high resolution projects (ext .BLG)
- Optional Vector data: roads, streets, railway, water and coastline, etc (ext. VEC).

All these files (except vector data) are matrixes where each pixel has a fixed square size ranging from 0.01 to
500 meters, and fixed geographic coordinates X and Y (longitude and latitude).
Depending on the coverage of the network, we will use medium resolution cartography or high resolution
cartography:

When the Area Of Interest is large and transmitters use large EIRP covering long radius we will use medium
resolution data, specially focused on rural areas or small towns. This is what is called Macro-scale design. The
typical pixel size will range from 25 to 100 meters.

When the Area Of Interest is not larger than a city and transmitters are numerous using low EIRP and covering
short radius we will use high resolution data, modeling buildings and streets, even having indoor users and thus
needing a higher density network. This scenario is called Micro-scale design. Pixel size will range from 0.5 to 5
meters.
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Step 1: Creating a project

Loading a project in ICS Telecom requires only the selection of the cartographic files (one per layer). As soon as
you launch ICS Telecom, the Project Manager window will appear (or FilesProject Manager) and double click
on each Content line to browse for each file.

The main file is the DTM. All other files must be compatible with it regarding resolution and geographic
coordinate system (see column Compatibility). Image, clutter and building resolution must be the same or
smaller (integer ratio) than the DTM.
The available RAM memory must be about 7 times the size of the DTM. If smaller, all files will be re-sampled to
only half or less of the matrix pixels thus reducing the resolution accordingly.
Click on each line and select the appropriate file located in the cartography folder of the tutorial data.
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Step.2: Loading a project

Now save the project (click on Save Project button) and it will be added to the list of recent projects.
Click on the Load button to start the project.

1 2

The project is loaded:

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2 Adding existing sites on the map

There are different ways to import sites in an ICS telecom project:
they can be manually added and configured; or
they can be placed according to their coordinates, and manually configured; or
they can be imported from an Excel(c) spreadsheet; or
ICS telecom can be connected to a database using an ODBC/ADO connection.

Step 3: Add a site manually

Left click anywhere on the map, and go to:

Step 3a : Click on the coordinate conversion button, and specify 4DMS as the output code (it
stands for Degrees, Minutes and Seconds, WGS84)

Step 3b: Click on the alphanumeric grid button and enter the coordinates as per the
screenshot on the right. Then click on OK.
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Step 3c: Click on the preview button to validate the location of the site.

Step 3d: Click on the update button to setup the technical parameters of the site.

Then select Tx/Rx (transmitter / receiver):

Step 4: Configure the sites

Step 4a: The General tab of the site will be displayed.

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Please fill the following fields:

Field Content Comment
Signal type DVB 8 MHz Used for the interference analysis
Nominal power 50 In W (click on the button in order to convert from other units in W)
ICS telecom can work with isotropic (dBi) or half-wave (dBd) Rx antennas.
Tx Gain 17 The Rx gain is used for technologies using uplink, which is not the case of
DVB-H.
Tx losses 1 Connector and cable losses in dB
EIRP 1990.53 This filed is automatically calculated
Frequency 698 In MHz
Antenna height 45 In meters Above Ground Level
Bandwidth 8000 In Khz (depends on the DVB signal type)
Callsign DVB-H 1 This is the ID of the antenna (must be unique)
Address Sting left to the user

Step 4b: Then click on the Patterns tab:

1: Click on in order to select the H pattern. The HRP can be imported

using various ways in ICS telecom (import from MSI and NSMA formats
(among others), manual drawing, Import from a table...). Click on the

button and select the HRP number 23.

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2: Click on in order to select the V pattern. As for the HRP, the VRP
can be imported using various ways in ICS telecom. Click on the

button and select the VRP number 1.

3: Specify the right azimuth and tilt (a negative tilt is a down tilt in ICS
telecom).
The Channels tab will not be used in this DVB-H planning example. The Site tab provides information
concerning the site itself (coordinates, color...).

Step 4c: Then click on the Advanced tab:

The following fields can be specified here:

Field Content Comment
Modulation 16 QAM 2/3
in dBV/m (can de defined for all the sites in the same time as well).
Coverage threshold 65
The Rx threshold used for uplink.
Required C/N according to the modulation, the coding rate and the MPE-
C/N 16
FEC (Data/RS rate)
Channel # 49 To be used to work with channel numbers instead of frequencies (click on
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)
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3 Definition of the simulation parameters

In this part we will see how to set the different simulation parameters that can influence the
results of our future calculations.

The main simulation parameters needed are the following ones:

propagation model;
clutter attenuations;
distance of calculation;
other parameters (unit, default Rx antenna height);
downlink and uplink thresholds.

Step 5: definition of the propagation model

Step 5a: Go to Tools/Propagation model and then click on Model to open the propagation
model window.

Step 5b: Set the different components of the propagation model: ITU-R 525 / Deygout 94
method / Standard; and click on Close.
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Step 6: definition of the clutter parameters

Step 6a: Go to Tools/Clutter options to open the clutter parameters window

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Step 6b: Check the dB/km option and define appropriate linear (first column) and flat (second
column) attenuations for the clutter codes 5 (forest), 1 and 2 (buildings).
Then uncheck the default option and define a clutter height for clutter code 5 (vegetation).

Finally, check the following two options on the lower right corner of this window: T/R over
ground spot and T/R over clutter.
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Remark 1: In the dB/km mode the attenuations are taken into account only if the receiver is
located inside a clutter class.

Remark 2: The "(R)" section refers to "Subscribers" in this tutorial.

"Over ground spot": When a receiving antenna is inside a given clutter or building, the first
pixels around the receiver are considered as an obstacle.

Remark 3: The "(T)" section defines antenna height reference for objects "Stations" in this
tutorial.

Remark 4: The flat and linear attenuations will allow us improving the network for indoor
receptions.

Then click on OK.

Step 7: definition of the calculation distance

Step 7a: On the left tool bar select the Distance Limit option and click on Global distance:

Step 7b: Set the maximum calculation distance limit in km and click on OK.
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Step 8: definition of the other simulation parameters

Step 8a: Go to Files/Preferences

Step 8b: Select the following options: Circular calculation limit and default Rx antenna height (m).

Then click on Close.

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Step 9: definition of the threshold

Step 9a: On the left tool bar select the option Threshold.

Step 9b: Set the threshold value and click on Close.

Remark: the threshold can be defined for all the transmitters within the network (global threshold) or from the
value defined in the transmitters parameters (threshold from Rx). In this tutorial, the same value for all
transmitters can be reused.

The threshold values are set according to the type of reception.

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Threshold for DVB-H from BMCO recommendation:

Go to Tool => User palette:

Click on save button to save the palette (.P11 file).

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Step 10: recording of simulation parameters

Step 10a: Go to File/Save/Save parameter file (.PRM). Name it and save it.

Step 10b: In the following confirmation window click on YES to update your project.
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4 Coverage calculation of the existing network

In this part we will see how to calculate the coverage of our network and how to display the coverage result in
different ways.

Step 11: calculation of the coverage

Step 11a: Go to Coverage/Network calculation/Tx/Rx FS coverage

Step 11b: All the coverage parameters have been already defined, so you just have to click on START to launch
the coverage calculation for the whole network.

Step 11c: At the end of the calculation the composite coverage is automatically displayed.

To save the network with its coverage, go to File/Save/Save network file (.EWF), name the file and save it.
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Step 12: display of the coverage

Different ways of displaying the coverage are available in ICS telecom. Here follow the main one.

Step 12a: On the lower right corner of the main window, select the control/composite coverage option.

This display gives for each pixel the maximum power/field strength received from the network. The pixels
displayed in color are those that can receive a value greater than the minimum threshold.

This display is also the default display after a coverage calculation.

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On the upper part of the main window, a dynamic display allows reading the different values of field strength
received (in dBV/m) and power received (in dBm) on each pixel.

For example, the field strength received on that particular pixel is 95dBV/m.
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The legend is also available on the lower part of the main window.

Step 12b: Define a specific color palette (see step 9b)

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Step 13: Searching for new sites

Using only one existing site does not cover the entire city. There are several ways to improve the network
coverage with ICS telecom:
- automatic site searching;
- automatic network planning;
- automated selection from an existing site distribution (cellular sites for instance)

We will use here the "network planning" feature that will fill the coverage gaps by adding new stations on
locations that are already covered by one main site. So go to:
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Step 13a:
The user can select the areas are
to be covered (to select), and
where the new sites should be
located (to be ticked). In this
example, the coverage of the built-
up and commercial areas are to be
improved.
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Step 13b:
A maximum number of 5 sites will
be added, separated by at least 1

kilometer. Click on
to define the technical parameters
of the additional sites:
EIRP of 0.3 kW
Antenna height of 15m
Frequency : 698 MHz
Omni-directionnal antenna

Step 13c:
The network is dimensioned for a DVB-H receiver
located 1.5m above ground level, using the tuned
propagation model (62 dBV/m).
In order to speed-up the process, one point every
ten will be selected as a potential receiver.

Step 13d:

Click on the button to launch the process.

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At the end of the process, additional sites are created, and the coverage of the network can be then
displayed.
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Step 14: Display the global coverage in different ways

Step 14a: On the lower right corner of the main window, select control/best server coverage.

This display gives for each pixel the station number from where the highest power is received. The pixels
displayed in grey/black are those that cannot receive a level greater than the minimum threshold.

This display is used to identify the different best server areas.

On the upper part of the main window, a dynamic display allows reading the best server number.
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For example, the best server on the following point is station #2.

Step 14b: On the lower right corner of the main window, select option control/site overlapping.

This display gives the overlapping areas in pink associated with the 255 value and the best server areas in color
associated with the station number.

A point is considered in overlap if more than one signal can be received above the minimum threshold.

If only one signal can be received above the threshold the station number is displayed.
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On the upper part of the main window, a dynamic display allows reading the overlapping number (255) or the
station number of the best server.
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5 Interference calculation in SFN mode

The DVB-H spectrum can managed using different frequency reuse schemes:
MFN (Multiple Frequencies Network);
SFN (Single Frequency Network) ;
Hybrid mode using both SFN and MFN.
ICS telecom handles all modes, and this chapter focus on SFN interference.

Step 15: Launch the SFN interference feature

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a e

g
b

f
d

Step 15a: the user can chose on which signal the DVB-H receiver is going to be synchronized: the strongest one,
the first one. Please refer to the DVB-H white paper for further explanations. We will use here the strongest
signal (best server).

Step 15b: Click on to define mode and coding rate of the DVB-H signal. In this example, the network is
assumed to work in 8K mode, 1/8 guard interval (896/112s).

Step 15c: The no progressive destructive field strength mode will consider that the unwanted signals are fully
destructive as soon as the delta Time Of Arrival (TOA) between the synchronized signal and the current signal is
negative or higher than the guard interval. The no constructive FS option will avoid the signals falling in the
guard interval to be summed.

Conservative
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Step 15d: The Noise Floor (N) of the DVB-H receiver is entered here in dBm (-85dBm corresponding to a a
threshold of 65dBV/m or -69dBm @698MHz). The margin is used to define the "synchronization threshold"
(FSRsync):

- If FSRsync < N+margin, the synchronization and network gain is not possible
- If FSRsync > N+margin, the synchronization and network gain is possible

In our case, the margin will be set to 13dB, that is corresponding to a synchronization threshold 3dB lower than
the coverage threshold (C/N=16dB).

Step 15e: The user can follow the synchronization rules of the EBU (see the DVB-H white paper) or enter its
own synchronization rules.

Step 15f: The can specify an optional discrimination of the receiver antenna. In the DVB-H case, the pattern is
omni-directionnal and can be left to none.

Step 15g: click on ok to launch the calculation of the C/N+I map.

Step 16: Analyze the SFN interference results

Step 16a: Coverage

At the end of the calculation, ICS telecom will display a map of the C/N+I value.
The goal consists to apply filters on the protection ratio value.
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In this tutorial, the simulation is done for a DVB signal with 8 MHz bandwidth and 16 QAM 2/3 modulation. As
per BMCO recommendations, the minimum C/N+I value is expected to be 16 dB.

Change the palette as follow:

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All values lower than 16 are displayed in Red: Interferences.

All values greater or equal to 16 are displayed in Light blue: No interference.

Interferences are
located in this area
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It is possible to directly define this filter when the calculation is launched:

Check the option Display Best Server when C/N+I >= and set the protection ratio to take into account in the
field median C/N+I.
In this case, interferences are displayed in pink, and the best server received is displayed on the non interfered
areas.

Step 16b: Specific point analysis

At any time, the user can check on a given location the level of C/N+I generated by the DVB-H network: in the

left part of the main screen, click on the button. Then select:
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Then check the COFDM calculation parameters (see step 14):

Click on OK and click on the point to be analyzed:

In this example, the DVB-H signal is synchronized on the station 1. The other signals are coming from closer
sites have a negative delta TOA, indicating a destructive case. Click on the button in order to switch back to
the coverage mode.
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Step 16c: Delay management in SFN networks

The destructive cases seen in the previous chapter can maybe be solved by assigning a launch delay. The
existing site is indeed the best server in the upper part of the town, but it is also the most remote site within
the SFN. The delta TOA is therefore negative, generating destructive field strength.
We noticed that the strongest interferers are the stations 3, 5 and 6.
The negative delta TOA indicates that the Unwanted signals arrive too soon. Thereby, we have to assign delays
on stations 3, 5 and 6: Respectively around 30s, 45s and 30s again.

Lets check with:

- 35S on station 3.
- 45S on station 5.
- 35S on station 6.
Go to the station parameters in the Advanced tab:

Once the delays are assigned, launch the SFN interference calculation again, and this time, there is no
interference anymore in our sample network.
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6 Interference calculation with another network (MFN

mode)
Checking interference between two services implies that the coverage calculate has been performed for a
receiving antenna height corresponding to the interfered service.
Thereby, in this tutorial, two networks are considered:
- Network where DVB-H interferes upon Analog TV: Receiving antenna height is considered 4 meters
above the clutter layer (fix reception with antennas on the roof).
- Network where Analog TV interferes upon DVB-H: Receiving antenna height is considered 1.5 meters
above the ground (outdoor reception).

Step 17: Check the interference of the DVB-H network over an existing analog TV
network

Lets consider an analog TV transmitter collocated with the existing broadcast site.
This analog TV station broadcasts a signal on the adjacent channel of the SFN network (analog channel 50,
frequency 703.2 MHz in our case).

Step 17a: In analog TV, field strength calculations are simulated 10m above the ground level. The first consists
to re-calculate all the coverage with an Rx antenna height of 10m.

Activate the analog TV station.

De-activate the digital network

Step 17b: Set the calculation parameters.

Launch the MFN interference function. Go to Coverage => Network interference => C/I mode.
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Two main modes are available:

- The global interference mode:

In this mode, a pixel will be considered as interfered if at least one received signal is interfered. If the point is
interfered, the displayed value is 255. This mode can be used if the wanted transmitters broadcast different
programs.

- The interference + best server mode:

In this mode, a pixel will be considered as interfered if all the received signals are interfered. If the point is
interfered, the displayed value is 255, otherwise, the displayed value is the number of the station transmitting
the best signal on this point. This mode can be used if the wanted transmitters broadcast the same program.

In this tutorial, only one analog TV transmitter is considered, so both modes can be selected.

Select the global interference mode.

Check the option Activated Wanted station to take into account the de-activated stations in the
calculation.

Select the receiving antenna discrimination from ITU recommendation. The analog TV transmitter
broadcast a fixed TV service.

Define the protection ratio to take into account. Click on the C/I button:

Uncheck priority 1 and check priority 2: The protection ratios will be taking into account according to ITU
recommendations.

Remark: The user can check the protection ratio values which will be taking into account clicking on preview.
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Step 17c: Launch the calculation.

The pink area locates the interferences.

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Step 18: Check the interference of the analog TV transmitter over the DVB-H network

Activate the DVB-H network.

De-activate the analog TV transmitter.

Step 18a: Set the calculation parameters.

Launch the MFN interference function. Go to Coverage => Network interference => C/I mode.

The DVB-H SFN network broadcast the same signal, thereby, select the Interference + Best Server mode.

Check the option Activated Wanted station to take into account the de-activated stations in the
calculation. It also means that the interferences of the activated stations between themselves will not be taking
into account. Only interferences due to analog TV network are considered.

DVB-H considers mobile receivers, in this way, do not consider any receiving antenna discrimination.

Keep the same other options as step 16.

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Step 18b: Launch the calculation.

The interferences should be displayed in pink.

It seems that the analog TV transmitter does not generate any interference over the DVB-H network.

To confirm, apply a filter on the interference value (255). Go to Map => Filter => General filter:
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Check the interference button and click on compute.

The area covered is 0%, it means that there are no interferences on the map.
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7 Population analysis

There are different ways in ICS telecom to perform population analysis. In this tutorial, we will focus on the
method based on a population cartographic layer.

Step 19: Setup the population files

Go to Options => Area covered => Area file setup:

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Load the cartographic population layer (.IC2) and the corresponding CSV file:

For each colored area, the population is defined.

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Step 20: Calculate the population interfered over the analog TV network

Step 20a: Display the corresponding interference map:

Step 20b: Go to Options => Area covered => Coverage:

Set limit value = 255 (interference value).

Remark: It is also possible to distribute the population according to the clutter.

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Step 20c: Click on close to run the analysis.

2851 people are interfered within the analog network.

Then, the result is given with the corresponding town distribution.

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Step 21: Calculate the population covered within the DVB-H network according to the
quality of coverage.

Step 21a: Display the SFN map:

Remark: If the SFN network was interfered by the analog network, we should have reduced the SFN coverage
from these interference.
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Step 21b: Go to Options => Area covered => Coverage:

Set limit value between 1 and 254, which means all values except 0 and 255 (no coverage and interferences).

Step 21c: Click on close to launch the analysis.

39425 people are interfered within the DVB-H network.

The town distribution result is displayed.

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8 Handover maps
DVB-H technology can handle two different handovers:

- Hard-handover:
- In Multi Frequency Networks the receiver will have to scan other frequencies to provide the same
program currently shown on screen as soon as the current serving cell becomes too weak.
- In Single Frequency Networks the receiver will have to switch to another frequency only when leaving
current SFN and entering a neighboring SFN.

- Soft-handover: Inside a SFN network, handheld is not changing carrier frequency but the current program may
be delivered on different Transport Streams so that the receiver must switch properly to not interrupt the
program shown.

Handover may scan all possible servers or just a few candidates in a predefined set, regarded as preferred
servers. In this case we can create these sets by means of "active sets".
In this tutorial, only one SFN network is considered. In this case, only Soft Handover is applicable.
If more than one SFN network is designed within the same project, it is possible to analyze hard handover
distributing the active sets for each station.

Step 22: Draw a global handover map

Go to Coverage => Handover => Handover map.

Select the first option Handover map.

Define the handover margin and the coverage threshold.

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Launch the calculation clicking on OK.

The handover areas are drawn in pink.

Step 23: Draw a soft handover map

Step 23a: Configure active sets

To draw a soft handover map, active sets have to be defined.

In this tutorial, only one SFN network is considered, thereby, the same active set will be defined for each
station.

Go to the station parameters, in the "Advanced" tab:

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Set the value 1 for all the DVB-H stations.

Step 23b: Launch the calculation

Go to Coverage => Handover => Handover map.

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Select the second option soft handover map and set the Active Set number 1.

Define the handover margin.

Check the coverage threshold.

Launch the calculation clicking on OK.

Soft handover displays events when handheld moves from one station to another inside the same active set. In
this case, stations are considered one by one, looking for handover areas between stations in the same active
set.

Remark: In case of hard handover, ICS Telecom displays handover areas where handheld moves from one active
set to another one (change of SFN network). Each active set is shown in a different color.

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