Examination of State of Art Technology in Digital Television Transmission in Ghana: Case Study of Knet Limited

Abstract

Digital Television Transmission is the streaming of impairment free digitally processed and multiplexed signals in a binary on/off bit sequences to all receiving locations within coverage area [1]. Television signal whether digital or analogue can be delivered through three main platforms; cable, satellite and terrestrial wireless. Digital Cable Television Transmission is the transmission of television signals to receivers through direct cable connection from an underground cable network with improved interactivity and has a higher multiplex capacity compared to terrestrial digital television [2]. Digital Satellite Television (TV) transmission is the transmission of digital television signal from a base station towards a satellite which is then processed and converted into frequency range that can be viewed using parabolic antenna [3] and has the benefit of reduced transponder cost and increased channel capacity for given transponder space [2]. Digital Terrestrial television transmission is seen as the most important means of delivery of digital television signals, provides real and nonreal-time delivery of content, point-to-multipoint and one to many architecture, delivering geographically local content and supports receivers that can move, free to air and subscription services [4]. The terrestrial digital compression technology allows many channels to be broadcasted with the same amount of spectrum used by one analogue channel and receiving of digital signals on conversional television aerial by conversion into analogue by a set-top box (STB) or viewed with integrated digital television set (IDTV) [2]. Digital Terrestrial Television is the transmission of digital television signals from a ground based transmitter operating in the UHF or VHF band which is radiated as radio waves and are received using a UHF or VHF antenna [1]. Digital television transmission is the new wave of broadcasting and the future of television broadcasting [4]. It has naturally evolved from Analogue Television Transmission and involves the process of generating television contents, editing, finalizing, storing, transmitting and receiving just like in the analogue system. In digital television transmission, all the processes are digital based; image, sound and information are generated and received as digital signals unlike Analogue Television Transmission where content generation and transmission are through analogue signals [5].