Synchronization architecture for DVB-H seamless handover

DVB-H standard is a broadcast transmission system for IP-based services adapted to handheld devices capabilities. The key challenges of the system are the strict reception conditions and mobility. When a DVB-H receiver enters into a new cell with different transmission frequency, in order to maintain a selected service reception with no interruption, the receiver must perform a seamless handover process. This seamless handover can be achieved if accurate synchronisation is assured within the transmitting cells. This paper presents a synchronization architecture offering seamless handover to services in a DVB-H network. This architecture has been implemented on an existing DVB-H platform, where specific laboratory tests for seamless handover have been performed.