Transmitter linearity considerations for digital TV broadcasting

An introduction is given to the principles of digital modulation as it is being applied to advanced television by comparison with the way in which chrominance information modulates the NTC color subcarrier. The concept of the unit circle in constellation diagrams is explained for both signal-to-noise ratio and signal-to-interference. Using constellation diagrams, the effects of AM/AM and AM/PM and their combined effects are shown in terms of reducing noise/interference margins. it is seen that the dynamic range of the ATV transmitter must be sufficient to handle the transient peak power which results from filtering to constrain the data to the 6-MHz channel. Out-of-channel spectral components are generated by intermodulation in the high-power amplifier, as are in-channel intermodulation components which are responsible for reducing the eye opening. This results in reduction in noise/interference margins. It is shown that nonlinear amplification of the transient peaks results in intermodulation products that may cause interference to a signal on adjacent channels and reduce expected coverage.<>