Neutral Wireless, in collaboration with Castanet 5G, have completed a revolutionary, world-first pilot of a Hybrid 5G Broadcast / ATSC 3.0 transmission system for broadcasters at the NAB conference in Las Vegas.
Castanet deployed the hybrid 5G Broadcast / ATSC 3.0 system at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, utilising a Low Power TV (LPTV) transmitter operating at 533 MHz with a bandwidth of 6 MHz and output power of 2.7 kW. This broadcasted two separate SRT based IP video streams using both 5G Broadcast and ATSC 3.0 signals. The 5G broadcast signals landed at separate receiver sites in the Wynne hotel and at Castanet’s booth at the NAB conference, which were located 2 km and 3 km from the transmitter site respectively.
Neutral Wireless supplied the end-to-end 5G broadcast system, including a 5G broadcast modulator and SDR based UE platform, to receive and decode the broadcast signals. The implementation was compliant with 3GPP’s Release 19 “LTE-based 5G broadcast” standard, including features such as an MBMS dedicated cell for pure broadcast transmission, Receive Only Mode (ROM) UE, and most importantly, Release 19 CAS Muting.
The CAS muting feature is key to enabling time multiplexing of the 5G broadcast and ATSC 3.0 signals, by creating periodic gaps in the 5G broadcast signal where ATSC 3.0 can be inserted. The Las Vegas demo specifically showcased periodic multiplexing of 1.2s of 5G broadcast with 80ms of ATSC 3.0.
This feature allows both technologies to efficiently share the same 6 MHz TV channel for delivery of different IP based content – including 4K/8K video and audio for major sporting events, concerts and festivals; Public Warning System (PWS) alerts; and Firmware Over the Air (FOTA) updates for vehicles, to name just a few.
The Neutral Wireless 5G broadcast modulator received the SRT based IP video stream and provided 5G Broadcast I/Q samples with CAS muting gaps to the Tredess RF exciter platform, where it was multiplexed with ASTC 3.0 and up-converted to RF before being sent to the Power Amplifier (PA). The Neutral Wireless SDR based UEs received the CAS muting configuration and was able to decode and display the video stream on built-in LCD displays.
This pilot deployment further cements Neutral Wireless as a leading provider of 5G technology for the broadcast industry. Working with partners and customers, Neutral Wireless has shown how the same IP based Private 5G technology can be used at all stages of the broadcast workflow. Including for production and distribution of audio, video and other content to end users.
If you would like to hear more about Neutral Wireless’ Private 5G solutions, please send us an email at info@neutralwireless.com.
