Digital terrestrial television in Nigeria: A technical review of path loss modeling and optimization techniques

Abstract

<span>The switch from analog to digital terrestrial broadcasting (DTTV) has resulted in a substantial shift in the contemporary television broadcasting environment, introducing a new means of transmitting content, as well as a new and upgraded process that will improve consumer satisfaction by ensuring greater reception. Despite the deadline, only a small percentage of terrestrial television stations in Nigeria have been digitalized. This work takes a critical review of various aspects of DTTV implementation, ranging from evolution to path loss estimation, prospects and challenges associated with the switch-over on the very high frequency (VHF) communication links as well as various optimization techniques that are adopted for DTTV in Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa. Findings show that the prospects are bright and numerous benefits are accruable if the government of Nigeria can solve the problems facing its full migration. Furthermore, investigations into the path-loss of DTTV in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) communication links have enjoyed scanty attention, therefore, careful examination and suitable path-loss model development in this frequency regime for TV services across various ecological and vegetation zones should be considered as it will aid the full deployment of DTTV in Nigeria.</span>

Investigation and Modelling of Path Losses associated with Digital Terrestrial Television Communication Link Within the UHF band in Nigeria

“…ITU-R refractivity equations were used to calculate the surface radio refractivity values corresponding to the data collecting places based on collected meteorological conditions, as shown in (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Path losses of the signal along various routes will be calculated using (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). MATLAB software was used to analyse the gathered data for the transmitting base station during the dry and wet seasons.…”

“…Pressure (P) and water vapour pressure (e) decrease rapidly with height whereas temperature (T) decreases slowly with height [16]. According to [11], the surface radio refractivity gradient, which is dependent on the surface radio refractivity Ns, determines the refractivity condition of the atmosphere, which may lead to a normal, subrefractive, super refractive, or ducting layer in the path of the radio wave. According to [32], each of the aforementioned phenomena has a significant impact on wave propagation in VHF, UHF, and microwave frequency ranges in the atmosphere.…”

Development of a modified propagation model of a wireless mobile communication system in a 4G network

“…However, this study covers the location-specific and the generally employed empirical path loss model to predict the attenuation of the signal power from the mobile radio station to the BS transceiver. Okumura-Hata model is a globally acceptable model and had been adjudged as a good model to benchmark new approaches by the International Telecommunications Union [7]. Its only limitation is that it does not incorporate tropospheric parameters.…”

“…𝐶 𝐴𝐶𝐹 = 0 dB for average sized environs and sub-urban environ, and 3 dB for urban areas. The mobile antenna correction factor for a large city is expressed for frequency less than or equal to 300 Mhz in (7).…”

“…Several models, which were created for a specific terrain, suffer when used in another terrain [5], [6]. The performance of various path loss models was also shown to be poor when compared to the observed data in several investigations carried out in Nigeria and other tropical countries [7]. As a result, it is necessary to assess the situation and choose a model that is appropriate for the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) environment.…”