ATSC 3.

0 Technical overview
ATSC 3.0 (Advanced Television Systems Committee) is a digital terrestrial broadcasting standard that has been substantially enhanced Use of the latest low density parity check (LDPC) codes in combination with Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes allows the usable 
compared with the ATSC A/53 predecessor standard. ATSC 3.0 is designed to allow network operators more fl exibility, greater robustness  channel capacity to approach the theoretical Shannon limit, as does the use of non-uniform constellations (NUC) for modulation. ATSC 3.0 
and more effi cient operation. It employs state-of-the-art encoding and modulation technologies, enabling a signifi cantly more effective use  employs multiple physical layer pipe (multiple PLP) technology, enabling a fl exible use of the channel. Using modern technologies such as 
of the limited spectrum resources. In this way, capacity is created to transfer UHD video contents and immersive audio contents to the end  layer division multiplexing (LDM), it is possible to implement effective, simultaneous transmission to mobile as well as fi xed receivers.
user via terrestrial networks, using a minimum of resources. The consistent focus on IP technology in the baseband makes it possible to 
merge cost-effective terrestrial broadcasting with other IP-based services. Key features
OFDM technology spectrum-effi cient
ATSC 3.0 is the fi rst ATSC standard to employ coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM). This modulation method uses a 
Layer division multiplexing fl exible coverage of services
large number of orthogonal carriers, resulting in a signal that is robust against interference. COFDM technology also makes it possible to 
IP-based content delivery designed for UHDTV and HDR
set up spectrum-effi cient ATSC 3.0 single-frequency networks (SFN). 

ATSC 3.0 block diagram

Input formatting Bit interleaved coding and modulation (BICM)

Scheduler

PLP0
●
●
Encapsulation Baseband ● FEC
Data PLPn Bit interleaver NUC mapper
and compression formatting (BCH/CRC, LDPC)
ALP packets PLPn PLPn

Waveform generation Framing and interleaving

Time interleaving
(CTI: single PLP, CCR only)

Time interleaving
Guard interval Pilot Frequency
RF1 Bootstrap PAPR IFFT MISO Framing (HTI: single PLP VCR/
insertion insertion interleaver
PLPn multiple PLP)

ATSC 3.0 frame structure ATSC 3.0 spectrum 16QAM non-uniform constellation (NUC) diagram
An ATSC 3.0 frame consists of a bootstrap, preamble and one or more Due to the smaller bandwidth, the bootstrap is clearly 1.5 For non-uniform constellations,
subframes. The bootstrap and preamble contain the basic signaling infor- visible in the ATSC 3.0 spectrum the points in a constellation
mation and the L1 signaling data for the frame. One subframe can carry 1
0 1 00 0000
diagram are not equidistant for
the payload of one or multiple PLPs. in-phase and quadrature com-
ponents. For each LDPC code

Im(x1)
0.5
0101 0110 0010 0001 rate, a specific NUC is defined
Frame
0 111 0011 to maximize spectral efficiency.
0

1 111 1011
–0.5
1110 1010
Frequency

1101 1001
Bootstrap

Preamble

Subframe 0 ●●● Subframe n–1

–1

1 1 00 1000
–1.5
–1.5 –1 –0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Time
Re(x1)

OFDM parameters Layer division multiplexing (LDM)

Parameter 8K FFT 16K FFT 32K FFT LDM allows for a spectrum-efficent constellation superposition of multiple PLPs at different power levels for transmission in
Number of carriers NoC one RF channel. Different PLPs can have different FEC and modulation parameters. This gives flexibility to broadcasters to
Cred_coeff = 0 6913 13825 27649
design the individual layers for robustness and payload capacity as required for different reception conditions.
Cred_coeff = 1 6817 13633 27265
Core layer
Cred_coeff = 2 6721 13441 26881 1

Cred_coeff = 3 6625 13249 26497 0.5

Imag

Cred_coeff = 4 6529 13057 26113 0

2

Duration TU 8192 T 16384 T 32768 T –0.5

Power 1
Duration TU (µs) 1), 2) 1185.185 2370.370 4740.741
Imag

–1 normalizer
–1 –0.5 0 0.5 1
Real
Carrier spacing 1/TU (Hz) 2) 843.75 421.875 210.9375 0

Spacing between carriers 0 and NoC – 1 C =0 5.832 5.832 5.832

1.5
–1
red_coeff Injection
in MHz: 1 level
(NoC–1)/TU 2) Cred_coeff = 1 5.751 5.751 5.751 controller
Imag

0.5 –2
–2 –1 0 Real 1 2
Cred_coeff = 2 5.670 5.670 5.670 0
Real

Cred_coeff = 3 5.589 5.589 5.589 –0.5 LDM constellation superposition

–1
Cred_coeff = 4 5.508 5.508 5.508
–1.5
–1.5 –1 –0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Real
1)
Numerical values in italics are approximate values.
2)
Values for bsr_coefficient = 2 and system_bandwidth = 6 MHz. Enhanced layer

Rohde & Schwarz solutions for ATSC 3.0

R&S®BTC broadcast test center R&S®TMU9/R&S®TMV9 R&S®THU9/R&S®THV9

TV transmitter TV transmitter

www.rohde-schwarz.com/technology/ATSC 3.0
www.rohde-schwarz.com

ATSC_3_po_en_v0100.indd 1 30.03.2016 16:17:15

 3607409382

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3607.4093.82 01.00 PDP 1 en

ATSC 3.0 Technical Overview; Poster
PD 3607.4093.82 | Version 01.00 | March 2016 (as)

ATSC_3_po_en_v0100.indd 2
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ATSC 3.0 Technical overview

Poster

ATSC 3.0 Technical overview

ATSC 3.0 (Advanced Television Systems Committee) is a digital terrestrial broadcasting standard that has been substantially enhanced Use of the latest low density parity check (LDPC) codes in combination with Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes allows the usable 
compared with the ATSC A/53 predecessor standard. ATSC 3.0 is designed to allow network operators more fl exibility, greater robustness  channel capacity to approach the theoretical Shannon limit, as does the use of non-uniform constellations (NUC) for modulation. ATSC 3.0 
and more effi cient operation. It employs state-of-the-art encoding and modulation technologies, enabling a signifi cantly more effective use  employs multiple physical layer pipe (multiple PLP) technology, enabling a fl exible use of the channel. Using modern technologies such as 
of the limited spectrum resources. In this way, capacity is created to transfer UHD video contents and immersive audio contents to the end  layer division multiplexing (LDM), it is possible to implement effective, simultaneous transmission to mobile as well as fi xed receivers.
user via terrestrial networks, using a minimum of resources. The consistent focus on IP technology in the baseband makes it possible to 
merge cost-effective terrestrial broadcasting with other IP-based services. Key features
OFDM technology spectrum-effi cient
ATSC 3.0 is the fi rst ATSC standard to employ coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (COFDM). This modulation method uses a 
Layer division multiplexing fl exible coverage of services
large number of orthogonal carriers, resulting in a signal that is robust against interference. COFDM technology also makes it possible to 
IP-based content delivery designed for UHDTV and HDR
set up spectrum-effi cient ATSC 3.0 single-frequency networks (SFN). 

ATSC 3.0 block diagram

Input formatting Bit interleaved coding and modulation (BICM)

Scheduler

PLP0
●
●
Encapsulation Baseband ● FEC
Data PLPn Bit interleaver NUC mapper
and compression formatting (BCH/CRC, LDPC)
ALP packets PLPn PLPn

Waveform generation Framing and interleaving

Time interleaving
(CTI: single PLP, CCR only)

Time interleaving
Guard interval Pilot Frequency
RF1 Bootstrap PAPR IFFT MISO Framing (HTI: single PLP VCR/
insertion insertion interleaver
PLPn multiple PLP)

ATSC 3.0 frame structure ATSC 3.0 spectrum 16QAM non-uniform constellation (NUC) diagram
An ATSC 3.0 frame consists of a bootstrap, preamble and one or more Due to the smaller bandwidth, the bootstrap is clearly 1.5 For non-uniform constellations,
subframes. The bootstrap and preamble contain the basic signaling infor- visible in the ATSC 3.0 spectrum the points in a constellation
mation and the L1 signaling data for the frame. One subframe can carry 0100 0000
1 diagram are not equidistant for
the payload of one or multiple PLPs. in-phase and quadrature com-
0.5
ponents. For each LDPC code
Im(x1)

0101 0110 0010 0001 rate, a specific NUC is defined

Frame
0111 0011 to maximize spectral efficiency.
0

1111 1011
–0.5
1101 1110 1010 1001
Subframe 0 ●●● Subframe n–1
Preamble

Bootstrap

Frequency

–1

1100 1000
–1.5
–1.5 –1 –0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Time
Re(x1)

OFDM parameters Layer division multiplexing (LDM)

Parameter 8K FFT 16K FFT 32K FFT LDM allows for a spectrum-efficent constellation superposition of multiple PLPs at different power levels for transmission in
Number of carriers NoC one RF channel. Different PLPs can have different FEC and modulation parameters. This gives flexibility to broadcasters to
Cred_coeff = 0 6913 13825 27649
design the individual layers for robustness and payload capacity as required for different reception conditions.
Cred_coeff = 1 6817 13633 27265
Core layer
Cred_coeff = 2 6721 13441 26881 1

Cred_coeff = 3 6625 13249 26497 0.5

Imag

Cred_coeff = 4 6529 13057 26113 0

2

Duration TU 8192 T 16384 T 32768 T –0.5

Power 1
–1 normalizer
Imag

Duration TU (µs) 1), 2) 1185.185 2370.370 4740.741

–1 –0.5 0 0.5 1
Real 0
Carrier spacing 1/TU (Hz) 2) 843.75 421.875 210.9375
1.5
Spacing between carriers 0 and NoC – 1 C =0 5.832 5.832 5.832 –1
red_coeff Injection
in MHz: 1 level
(NoC–1)/TU 2) Cred_coeff = 1 5.751 5.751 5.751 0.5
controller –2
Imag

–2 –1 0 Real 1 2
Real
Cred_coeff = 2 5.670 5.670 5.670 0

–0.5 LDM constellation superposition

Cred_coeff = 3 5.589 5.589 5.589
–1
Cred_coeff = 4 5.508 5.508 5.508
–1.5
–1.5 –1 –0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5
Real
1)
Numerical values in italics are approximate values.
2) Enhanced layer
Values for bsr_coefficient = 2 and system_bandwidth = 6 MHz.

Rohde & Schwarz solutions for ATSC 3.0

R&S®BTC broadcast test center R&S®TMU9/R&S®TMV9 R&S®THU9/R&S®THV9

TV transmitter TV transmitter

www.rohde-schwarz.com/technology/ATSC 3.0
www.rohde-schwarz.com

ATSC_3_po_en_v0100.indd 1 30.03.2016 16:15:23


Poster | 01.00

Broadcast & Media

30.03.2016 16:17:16