WASHINGTON, D.C., January 25, 2001 The Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Specialist Group on RF Transmission (T3/S9) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for enhancements to ATSC transmission specifications. The activity is aimed at addressing emerging digital television (DTV) applications, including mobile services.
On January 15, based on extensive comparative field tests conducted by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV), these two broadcaster organizations reiterated their support for the VSB transmission system used in the standard and for activities aimed at enhancing its capabilities and performance. In addition, based upon its own evaluation, on January 18 the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) once again confirmed the exclusive use of VSB for terrestrial DTV transmissions in the United States. These industry and government conclusions confirm that the efforts of the ATSC to further enhance VSB represent the best strategy for improving DTV reception and capabilities, said Robert Graves, Chairman of ATSC. We invite interested parties in all segments of the industry to join us in this effort to develop enhancements that address emerging DTV applications.
The RFP, which is available at <http://www.atsc.org/RFP_VSB.pdf>http://www.atsc.org/RFP_VSB.pdf, was issued by T3/S9 under the leadership of its chairman, John Tollefson of PBS, and its vice chairman, David Layer of NAB. The RFP is based upon the ATSC Digital Television Standard, which specifies 8-VSB modulation for terrestrial transmission of DTV. The RFP seeks proposals for complementary specifications that will be considered as potential enhancements of the ATSC DTV Standard. Responses to the RFP are due on April 2, 2001. As always, whether a proposed methodology is incorporated into an ATSC Standard is determined in accordance with the due process procedures of the ATSC. In reaching its conclusions, the ATSC may combine various aspects of multiple proposals into a final specification.
The Advanced Television Systems Committee is an international, non-profit organization developing voluntary standards for the entire range of advanced television systems. The ATSC has over 200 <http://www.atsc.org/members.html>member organizations representing the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite, and semiconductor industries.
