Maximizing coverage in multi-transmitter digital simulcast

In this paper we address the problem of antenna placement in multi-transmitter digital simulcast, where a number of RF carriers in a common frequency allocation impinge upon a mobile unit from a number of different base-stations. Interference between the multiple carriers may be tolerated at the receiver provided that the differential delay is small relative to the symbol period. The relative placement of the basestations is critical therefore to assure maximum radio coverage. By assuming a simplistic propagation model we arrive at a mechanism for maximizing the coverage in multi-transmitter digital simulcast which utilizes system parameters such as baud rate, capture ratio and the maximum differential delay tolerable at the receiver; what is considered to be a "tolerable" delay can be determined by link-level simulations or measurements. Under such a scenario, we arrive at simple design rules specifying the maximum separation of antennas.