Digital TV multiprogramme by satellite-converging to a world wide standard

The ITU-R BO 1211 Recommendation recommends the consideration of a digital multiprogramme television system, along with other existing digital systems, in converging towards a world wide standard. In consequence, the ITU decided in 1995 to appoint a Special Rapporteur to prepare a report on common elements, definition of interfaces, etc., among the various satellite digital multiprogramme TV systems operating at 11/12 GHz. The work done by the Special Rapporteur has concluded on the most useful way to converge to a world wide standard for satellite digital multiprogramme. This consists of defining the common functional requirements of the universal elements of a common integrated receiver decoder (set-top-box) in a new ITU-R Recommendation. This paper presents the details of the recommended performance to be met by the universal elements of the common functional requirements of a satellite integrated receiver decoder. The universal elements of a satellite set-top-box perform the following functions: demodulation and decoding, transport and demultiplexing as well as source decoding of video, audio and data. The incorporation of these elements into a single set-top-box allows the processing of signals independently of the format used in the transmission: either DVB-S, DSS or GI-MPEG2. Future activities are now being addressed to the set-top-box upgrading it with interactive capabilities as well as to the exploration of convergence for the other additional essential functions (as interfaces, EPG, SI, etc.)