In 2011 concerned broadcasters formed the End Users Initiative (EUI) to formally tackle the problem from the uplinkers’ point of view.Three working groups were created to focus on different ways to solve this problem.These three groups are: the Training and Certification, Best Practices and The Carrier ID (CID) working groups.

Resolving Interference

There are a number of ways we can mitigate satellite interference. One is by ensuring better training for those operating the satellite uplink equipment. The EUI Training & Certification working group has created a customized training and certification program which is offered through Global VSAT Forum (GVF).We have produced a course specifically tailored to the broadcast environment although you may choose any form of training you would like. The certification ensures that uplink operators are properly trained, leading to reduced transmission errors and decreasing these instances of interference.

“With over 25 years in the broadcast industry, I agree that training and certification will help to avoid accidental satellite interference.Coupling certification with best practice awareness would further reduce interference issues,” states Maura Maloney, Principal Technology Business Operations Analyst, ESPN, Inc. and co-chairperson of the EUI Training & Certification working group.

EUI also offers best practices and documentation, enabling users to lower their chances of causing interference. IRG focuses on improving technology and has done so to great effect, but the role of EUI’s Best Practices group is to translate those technological advancements into guides helping all satellite users ensure they are making the most of them.

The other way to tackle the issue is by improving products and technology. GVF has a product certification program, so if you are buying new equipment, it is worth checking that list. There has been a lot of talk about automating processes and we are starting to see that with some of the equipment becoming available recently.

Carrier ID

Of course, once you have those proactive provisions in place, you cannot necessarily eliminate all of the errors, especially as there are other users out there, who may not be as well trained. IRG has been spearheading a Carrier ID initiative, to help identify the source of interference and help the satellite operators resolve it quickly. If satellite transmissions causing interference are not identified as the interference is occurring, it is often very difficult to determine the origin of the erroneous transmission.

Therefore, by introducing Carrier Identification, in the form of a unique embedded code containing critical information across all transmissions, interference can be mitigated much more quickly.

The Resolutions

As you may be aware, last year, the World Broadcasting Unions – International Satellite Operators Group (WBU-ISOG) issued a number of resolutions regarding Carrier ID implementation. For the satellite operators, it means they had to, as of January 2015, begin implementing Carrier ID across their networks. However the resolutions also have some important milestones for the broadcasters to adhere to.

Requests for Proposal

According to the resolutions, all uplinkers of SCPC and MCPC Video and Data, fixed and mobile systems, shall include CID functionality in the required specifications of all current and future Requests for Proposal or Requests for Quote issued to equipment manufacturers.

That particular resolution was effective immediately in the resolutions.

Equipment Purchasing

As of January 1^st 2015, it also became a requirement that all new model modulators and codecs with integrated modulators purchased by the end users for video uplinking contain a Carrier ID that meets the ETSI TS 103 129 standard, which was issued in May 2013.

Transmissions

By January 2018, WBU-ISOG aims to have the original CID NIT standard phased out in preference to the ETSI standard. As well as that, all uplinkers should be including the ETI standard CID for all their SCPC and MCPC video and data transmissions.

More regulations

The FCC isn’t quite as lenient with the timeframe, as it has made it a requirement that all SNG/ Flyaway broadcast platforms be DVB CID compliant by 1^st June 2016.

How to be CID Ready

In actual fact, for most, this is the easy part. Carrier ID is included in the majority of products coming to the market and many users will already have it in their equipment, but they may not know it. If you are not sure, check the list on our website,or ask your manufacturer or integrator.

If you do already have Carrier ID, it really is as simple as making sure it is enabled and telling your satellite operator so that they can feed your unique ID into the CID database, which has been developed by Analytical Graphics Inc. for the Space Data Association. There will be no sensitive data included, just your ID and the name of your satellite operator and only satellite operators will have access to the database, but it means should interference occur, they can quickly identify whose customer is causing it and that operator can get it resolved.

Call to Action

Quite simply, my request to all broadcasters and uplinkers, big and small, is:

• 1.Get your engineers EUI certified;
• 2.Check your equipment and turn CID on;
• 3.Talk to GVF about Training (with EUI support), Type Approval and Equipment Quality;
• 4.Talk to us (www.satirg.org) – we are here to support you, tell us what you need, let us know what you don’t know, and let us help you reduce satellite interference on your services.

If every user took these simple steps, I’m fairly certain there would be practically no interference left!