Analysis of polarization diversity at digital TV indoor receivers

The reduction of signal fading by using polarization diversity at a digital terrestrial TV receiver is evaluated. Two different diversity techniques, one operating at carrier (TV channel) level and the other at subcarrier level, are compared. A measurement campaign has been carried out in three different indoor environments using two antennas with orthogonal linear polarizations at the receiver. The polarization diversity gain has been calculated when the maximum selection technique is used. As expected, the level crossing rate and the average fade duration are considerably reduced by the diversity system.