| Device profile: Divitron Aura -- a portable DVB-T monitoring instrument |
(Jun. 20, 2003)
Divitron's Aura is a light weight, portable field test and monitoring instrument for terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T) network builders and operators. The device, which is basically a "tablet PC" with an integrated Linux-controlled DVB-T receiver and instrumentation subsystem, is used for testing and verifying DVB-T broadcast signal quality and coverage area.
DVB basics
According to Divitron, Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) is projected to begin to replace traditional analog TV systems in Europe over the next two to five years. DVB includes several standards, including ones for satellite (DVB-S) and cable (DVB-C) which have been around since 1995, and one for "terrestrial" point-to-point broadcast purposes (DVB-T) which was finalized toward the end of 1996.
DVB-T serves the needs of both stationary and portable/mobile reception of broadcast and data services. However, although DVB-T's outdoor reception quality is generally considered adequate, providing acceptable indoor reception quality remains a challenge, according to Divitron.
DVB-T network operators, broadcasters, and antenna specialists are therefore in need of instruments to assist them in testing and improving the quality of DVB-T indoor reception -- and Divitron developed the Aura to provide this capability.
What the Aura does
According to Divitron, the Aura provides all of the required DVB-T measurements in real time, in the form of an industrial-grade, portable tablet PC with a built-in DVB-T receiver and monitoring instrumentation. It can log measurement data to a file and send it to collection points via email.
The device has a bright, 10.4-inch full-color LCD display, weighs approximately 5 pounds, and has a built-in UHF antenna and can be operated using a convenient remote control.
Under the hood
Architecturally, the Aura is a dual-processor system -- the combination of a slate-style Tablet PC, plus a custom "intelligent" DVB-T receiver subsystem.
The "tablet PC" portion of the system is based on an 866MHz Intel mobile PIII processor with 256MB SDRAM, running Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition -- as on most Tablet PCs. This "Wintel" subsystem handles the user interface, graphical display, data storage (on a 20 GB hard drive), and the communications capabilities of the instrument (which include emailing data to collection locations).
The DVB-T receiver subsystem, which is located in a pod attached to the rear of the tablet PC, is based an embedded computer consisting of a 108MHz IBM PowerPC "Digital Set-Top Box Integrated Controller" system-on-chip processor with 32MB of RAM (see photo below), running MontaVista Linux, which boots from Flash memory. The PowerPC/Linux embedded computer handles the control and measurement functions of the DVB-T receiver subsystem.
The PowerPC/Linux-based DVB-T receiver subsystem
 The interface between the Tablet PC and the DVB-T receiver subsystem is via a custom mini-PCI card (shown at left) which plugs into a mini-PCI card socket inside the Tablet PC. (mini-PCI is often used for adding things like Wi-Fi WLAN or mobile phone radios to notebook and tablet PCs.) A header connector inteface on the mini-PCI card mates with a corresponding one on the DVB-T receiver module.
Here is a photo of the rear of the completed instrument:
Why Linux?
"We considered a proprietary operating system, but the business model and licensing scheme the vendor offered did not meet our needs," commented Divitron CEO Matti Lipsanen. "Linux gives us access to source code and to the large pool of available Linux programmers."
Additionally, Lipsanen noted that MontaVista added to the inherent value of open source Linux, by supplying Divitron with a combination of useful tools, pretested support packages for the required IBM PowerPC processor, and "comprehensive support and training."
Typical operation
Below, we see the Aura in action, measuring DVB-T signals at a typical indoor location . . .
About Divitron
Divitron Inc., based in Turku, Finland was founded in 2002 with initial seed funding from Nokia's "Early Stage Technology Fund." With its origins in Nokia R&D, the company is continuing to develop technologies that are strategically important to Nokia, especially in the area of DVB-T-compliant solutions to ensure high quality DVB service reception, for both in-home and mobile environments.
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.
Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.
Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.
Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.
High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.
Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.
Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.
Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed