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Designing
Table 1. Reduction of maximum output signal of an amplifier as a function of the number of programs.
Number
of 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 12 16 20 24 28 36
programs
Level
reduction 0 2 3.5 4.5 5 5.5 6 8 9.5 10.5 11.5 11.7 12.5
[dB]
all programs should have the same power level
maximum differences between signal levels
o - 3dB (neighboring channels)
o - 6dB (within any band 60 MHz wide)
o - 10dB (within the whole spectrum)
it is not recommended to use splitters for distribution of signal among larger number of receivers - lack of
proper matching within the whole frequency spectrum and interferences injected to the network by the
receivers (heterodynes) cause interferences that deteriorate reception quality; taps ensure better separation
among subscriber outlets, which practically eliminates these problems
FM radio channels are considered as one channel and the calculations only take into consideration the
strongest signal
it is not recommended to use band amplifiers at the input of the installation - they also amplify unwanted
signals
each program should be received by a separate antenna, unless there is a group of programs that have very
similar levels
generally, VHF antennas should have lower energetic gain than UHF antennas
it is recommended to use one- or two-channel spacing (e.g. 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 or 51, 54 etc.), unless the
number of distributed programs is larger than possible in such an allocation. Without a channel spacing
there is a risk of interferences coming from the neighboring channels, especially in older TV sets that are not
so selective as the modern televisions. The unfavorable phenomenon can be reduced by especially careful
signal leveling in the network;
all inputs of the devices used have to be closed, especially when the output signal is the sum of the signals
from the inputs (e.g. inputs of an amplifier). As an exception, when the unused inputs are equipped with
dedicated gain adjustment, it may be enough to set the gain to a minimum;
using a number of antenna preamplifiers, it is needed to ensure proper supplying voltage (12VDC or
24VDC) and current output of the power supply;
in the case of large networks with long cables it is recommended to use channel converters to avoid
distribution of programs in the channels used by terrestrial TV transmitters;
antennas and the masts have to be very well grounded, the same applies to amplifiers, taps, and splitters;
it is recommended to set the level of FM broadcasts ca 10dB lower than TV channels;
calculations are indispensable for achieving good quality of distribution network;
if the network distributes more than two programs, every doubling of the number of programs forces us to
decrease output level by 3dB, unless there is another recommendation in the user's manual of the amplifier
it should be avoided to distribute programs in the pairs of channels given below:
: :
54 59
55 60
Basic terms
| Basic requirements on signal parameters | Stages of designing distribution network |
| Design recommendations | Basic terms | Examples of calculations |
Community antenna (MATV system) may be defined as antenna installation where compensation of network
attenuation is performed by one (central) set of amplifiers. The amplifiers can be connected in a cascade.
Unlike MATV, cable TV system compensates network attenuation through a number of section amplifier sets, deployed
in different parts of the network. Another feature of large cable installations is a multi-layer (tree) structure.
Community antenna (MATV system) - method of receiving and distributing FM and TV signals in apartment houses,
condominiums, and public utilities.
Signal power level (also: signal level or level) - the ratio of signal power to the reference level, expressed in decibels
(dB). The power reference level 0 dBmV means the power dissipated in 75 ohm resistance when signal of 1mV voltage
is applied to. Signal level is then the ratio of the applied voltage to the reference 1mV (across standardized 75 ohm
resistance).
So the actual signal level can be determined as:
P=20logU
where: U - the voltage at 75 ohm load in mV.
The level of FM radio signal is defined as rms voltage of the carrier frequency, of TV signal - rms voltage of the video
carrier frequency in peaks of synchronization pulses.
Field intensity level - electric field strength expressed in decibels (dBmV/m) - the reference level is 1mV/m.
Maximum output level - maximum level of the signal in the output (each output - in case there is more than one) of
active device with rated load, limited by intermodulation distortions.
Kinds of MATV systems:
with one amplification stage
with two amplification stages
MATV system with one amplification stage - antenna installation up to 200 outlets, based on one amplifier or set of
amplifiers - built in small or medium buildings.
MATV system with two amplification stages connected in cascade - antenna installation up to 1000 outlets, based
on cascade of two amplifiers (or two sets of amplifiers) that are situated in a considerable distance one from another.
This kind of installation is used in large buildings or in the case of groups of buildings e.g. in a condominium.
Topologies of MATV systems:
star topology (active and passive elements located in a small number of nodal points) - from small- (10-15
outlets) to medium-size installations (100-200 outlets), guarantying small differences of signal levels among
outlets;
Star topology
distributed bus (with tap-off branches) - medium-size installations (100-200 outlets) - easy to build and
guarantying good isolation among subscriber outlets;
Distributed bus with tap-off branches
tree topology (two levels) - two amplifiers connected in cascade - up to 1000 outlets.
Tree topology - two levels
hybrid topologies - they combine two or more topologies - used in large systems.
- according to powering:
local powering
remote powering (usually via the signal line)
Channel conversion - shift of the original channel to any suitable one, e.g. from 28 to 10.
Application:
the way of escaping from channels occupied by terrestrial TV transmitters, which lowers interferences and
reflections in the network
the way of utilizing low channels - the only available in older installations - within I, II, III (and sometimes IV)
TV bands
in SMATV systems - change of frequency of programs from the first satellite IF (signals from LNB to sat
receiver: 950 MHz - 2150 MHz) in order to organize the structure of received channels, as well as to
eliminate possibility of collision (the same frequency) of programs from different satellites and polarizations
in one-cable installation built without multiswitches.
AM radio programs are not distributed in cable installations, unless some of them are converted (from AM into FM
modulation, and shifted into FM band). That's why the networks are capable of providing return channel (below 50
MHz) for data transmission.
Channel conversion
Sources:
PN 79/T-05210 Community antenna installations. General requirements and examination methods.
PKNMiJ Warsaw 1980
Annex No. 21 to directive of Minister of Communications from October 4, 1997: Technical specifications of
components used in cable TV; Warsaw 1997
Examples of calculations
| Basic requirements on signal parameters | Stages of designing distribution network |
| Design recommendations | Basic terms | Examples of calculations |
Distributed bus with tap-off branches
minimum level in subscriber outlet: 62 dBuV (incl. reserve)
reserve: 3 dB
pass-through attenuation of subscriber outlet:2 dB
attenuation of cable linking tap's output and subscr. outlet: 10m*0.2 dB/m=2 dB
tap-off attenuation: 16 dB
pass-through attenuation: 2*1.5 dB=3 dB
pass-through attenuation: 3*1 dB=3 dB
attenuation of cable in vertical line section: 30m*0.2 dB/m=6 dB
attenuation of splitter: 4 dB
attenuation of distribution cable: 5 m*0.2 dB/m=1 dB
minimum level in amplifier's output: 102 dB
due to 8 channels (from Table 1) and 7 dB reserve,
and 3 dB reserve:
Star-shaped network
reserve: 3 dB
pass-through attenuation of subscriber outlet:2 dB
attenuation of cable linking tap's output and subscr. outlet: 10m*0.2 dB/m=2 dB
tap-off attenuation: 20 dB
attenuation of lower splitter: 5 dB
attenuation of cable in vertical line section: 30 m*0.2 dB/m=6 dB
attenuation of upper splitter: 4 dB
attenuation of distribution cable: 5 m*0.2 dB/m =1 dB
minimum level in amplifier's output: 105 dB
due to 8 channels (from Table 1) and 7 dB reserve,
and 3 dB reserve: