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Eutelsat confirms MAINDATA’s SFN Boost platform interoperability

The product’s reliability was confirmed over several months of testing, with various T2-MI analysers and DVB-T2 modulators across SFN and MFN modes.

Eutelsat has officially validated the interoperability of broadcast solution provider MAINDATA’s SFN Boost platform, ensuring it meets the rigorous standards of DVB-SIS (Single Illumination Satellite) and works seamlessly with equipment from other vendors.

Since January 2024, Eutelsat has been rigorously testing the SFN Boost. These thorough tests confirmed the adapter’s ability to receive a primary DTH parent stream from Eutelsat’s head-end, including DVB-SIS signalling from a Control Stream Generator (CSG) by another brand. Additionally, the adapter demonstrated its capability to generate a T2-MI signal, essential for DVB-T2 transmitters.

Over several months of intense testing with various T2-MI analysers and DVB-T2 modulators in both SFN and MFN modes, the SFN Boost Rx adapter consistently met all performance benchmarks, proving its stability and robustness.

Ralph Edeine, TV Reception and Video Standardisation Manager at Eutelsat said: “Eutelsat regards the successful interoperability among different vendors as a landmark achievement, prior to deployment of a new digital TV industry standard. DVB-SIS equips Eutelsat with a huge advantage for the distribution of signals to terrestrial TV networks, offering a superior alternative to traditional methods such as fibre optics or microwave networks. Additionally, it serves as a reliable and efficient backup, or redundancy solution, for DTT broadcasters. Since 2023, Eutelsat’s deployment of DVB-SIS technology has been instrumental in TV signal distribution to terrestrial DVB-T2 transmitters via DTH satellite, including for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics Games in France. This technology has supported the launch of UHD services on France’s terrestrial television network, now accessible to 70% of the population. The DVB-SIS single illumination concept ensures that the remaining population can receive the signal via FRANSAT, the DTH platform of DTT channels, operated by Eutelsat for the French market, without requiring additional satellite distribution capacity and offering cost optimization for all the ecosystem partners.”

Dušan Statelov, MAINDATA CEO, added: “I’m grateful to Eutelsat for their pivotal support in the DVB-SIS V&V testing, both within the DVB group and as an independent initiative. Eutelsat’s contribution to fostering vendor compatibility is significant, which ultimately serves the greater good of the entire industry.”