scope:

Introduction

The objective of digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) testing and trials is to evaluate the performance of an available system or systems in a variety of transmission configurations and reception conditions. These may include:

- urban, suburban, and rural conditions;

- indoor as well as rooftop reception;

- reception on portable and mobile receivers in a variety of circumstances.

The range of possible operational requirements is summarized in Table 1, together with the key factors and parameters that affect performance in the various operational circumstances.

These requirements form the basis for the derivation of the laboratory and field trial programmes described in § 2 and 3, as well as for providing the framework for the brief description of the three ITU-R recommended DTTB systems briefly described in § 5.

While tests and measurements may be planned and conducted for specific reasons and objectives, others may analyse the resultant data with different reasons and objectives. Consequently, it is recommended that all tests, measurements and data-gathering herein documented be conducted according to these sets of principles and general procedures, in order that the resulting analysis and conclusions concerning different tests are consistent and meaningful.