Radio Planning of Single-Frequency Networks for Broadcasting Digital TV in Mixed-Terrain Regions

This paper presents a design performed for the digital terrestrial television network in Greece. Based on the initial assumptions provided by the General Secretariat of Telecommunications, and the functional requirements of modern broadcasting networks, the authors analytically describe the design methodology followed for a successful service provision in demanding mixed-terrain country. The paper presents the calculation of the network planning values, as well as the step-by-step approach adopted for the radio coverage and the synchronization studies of the planned single-frequency networks (SFNs). The proposed DVB-T network was based on the system variant B3, and consisted of 35 single-frequency networks with a minimum of eight multiplexes in each single-frequency network. Despite the difficulties of the Greek terrain, the design proposed 191 stations, providing digital TV services to 95.9% of the population; with 84 more stations, the percentage climbed to 97.3%.