CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF HDTV SYSTEMS FOR TERRESTRIAL BROADCASTING

The preliminary decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require simulcasting of HDTV in 6-MHz channels and to give an extra channel to each licensee who desires it for this purpose sets several important challenges for the system designer. Unprecedented advances in data compression and channel coding are required. In particular, effective suppression of analog channel impairments and very high spectrum efficiency are mandatory. The means by which this may be accomplished while incorporating a number of other desirable features in a TV system that is to last for several decades is discussed in this article. The opinions herein are those of the author only.