Field trials and test results of portable DVB-T systems with transmit delay diversity

This paper describes work carried out by Brunel University and Broadreach Systems (UK) to quantify the advantages that can be achieved if transmit diversity is applied to systems employing the DVB standard. The techniques investigated can be applied to standard receiver equipment without modification. An extensive and carefully planned field trial was performed during the winter of 2007/2008 in Uxbridge (UK) to validate predictions from theoretical modeling and laboratory simulations. The transmissions were performed in the 730 MHz frequency band with a DVB-T transmitter and a mean power of 18.4 dBW. Transmit delay diversity has been observed to deliver significant reception improvement in automotive and indoor- non line of sight situations.