Empirical Studies on Topographical Influences on Crbc/Akbc Terrestrial Television Stations’ Signals in Akpabuyo Local Council Area, Nigeria (original) (raw)

Nigeria Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting: An Evaluation of the Transmitted Signal received under different environmental features in North-Central Region

International Journal of Advanced Networking and Applications

The Government of Nigeria in the year 2016 switched from analog television broadcasting to digital terrestrial television broadcasting with the focus of providing reliable quality of television services to users. Regardless of the advantages of digital Terrestrial television system over analog television and efforts make by Nigeria Government to improve broadcasting, Signal reception is observed to be very poor. Therefore, this study aimed at monitoring, evaluating and mitigating environmental factors that cause signal degradation as well as attempting to provide solutions that will enhance the reception of signal even under severe environmental conditions. The transmitted signal of digital Terrestrial television was measured and received under different environmental features within the coverage area. The antenna radiation field was divided into four distinct regions (North-East, North-west, South-east and South-west of the transmitter) where the characteristics of the radiated wav...

Signal Strength Variation and Propagation Profiles of UHF Radio Wave Channel in Ondo State, Nigeria

International Journal of Wireless and Microwave Technologies, 2016

This study investigated the received signal strength and the propagation profiles for UHF channel 23, broadcast signal in Ondo State, Nigeria, at various elevation levels. The signal strength was measured quantitatively across the state along several routes with the aid of a digital field strength meter. A global positioning system (GPS) receiver was used to determine the elevation above ground level, the geographic coordinates and the line of sight of the various data points from the base station. Data obtained were used to plot the elevation and propagation profiles of the signal along measurement's routes. Results showed that the signal strength was strongest towards the northern parts with respect to distance compared to other routes with the same distance contrary to inverse square law. The threshold signal level for the station was 20dBµV which was recorded up to 50km line of sight from the transmitter towards the northern parts of the state where higher levels of elevation of data locations were recorded and 42km towards the southern parts with lower values of elevation. The propagation profiles for all the routes follow the elevation pattern of the study areas, with some farther locations recording higher signal strength compared to closer locations to the transmitter contrary to theoretical expectation. The overall results show that elevation above ground level is a key factor to be considered for UHF transmission and reception (location of transmitters, transmitting antenna's height, directivity and gain. Others are, transmitter output power, receiving antenna's height and gain) in the study areas.

Empirical Field Strength Model for Terrestrial Broadcast in VHF Band in Makurdi City, Benue State, Nigeria

The ability to predict the minimum power a transmitter must radiate to give an acceptable quality of coverage over a predetermined service area is very imperative. This work adapted some field strength models that are best suitable for Makurdi city in Benue State, Nigeria. Some existing field strength models are optimised to suit Makurdi city using a VHF television signal of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Makurdi. The models are free space, Hata, ITU-R P.529-3 and ERC Report 68 models. NTA, Makurdi transmits at a frequency of 210.25 MHz for video signal. Measurement of the video signal levels was done along four radial routes from the transmitting station. A digital signal level meter and Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to measure the signal level of the transmitted signal from the station along these routes and to measure the corresponding distances away from the base of the transmitting antenna respectively. The results obtained, after processing and computation of t...

Effect of Some Radio Climatic Factors on Digital Terrestrial Television Signal in a Sahel Savannah City of Nigeria

FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 2020

This study investigates the effect of some radio climatic factors on the Received Signal Strength (RSS) of a Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast Station (DTTBS) in Katsina City, Nigeria. The RSS was measured at intervals along selected routes around the station using a digital signal strength meter. GPS receiver was used to log the line of sight, geographic coordinates and heights of data points from the station. The atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity corresponding to data points were concurrently measured using a compact weather station whereas the corresponding surface radio refractivity (Ns) values were computed. Data were collected during dry and wet season months’ in the year 2017. Results shown that, Ns is inversely proportional to RSS irrespective of routes and seasons with correlation coefficients of -0.51 and -0.57 during dry and wet season months respectively. Higher mean value of, 358.50 (N-units) was deduced during wet compared to the dry season months ...

COVERAGE AREA OF DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION BROADCAST NETWORK IN NIGERIA: A Case Study of Jos and its Environs

Nigerian Journal of Engineering, 2021

This study presents the investigation of the coverage area (CA) of the digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) in Jos, Plateau State over the two major seasons of the year (wet and dry season). The campaign was carried out using the Nigerian Television Authority Company called Integrated Television Services limited (ITS). The aim of this research is to evaluate the coverage area of the digital video broadcasting terrestrial-second generation (DVB-T2) signal in Jos and its environs. The key measured parameter was received signal strength (RSS). The field measurement drive test was the adopted methodology for the campaign to establish the actual coverage of the DTTB in Jos. The mean data value were obtained and used to define the coverage area of the examined locations. The result obtained revealed that digital terrestrial television (DTT) signal was available only in eight (8) Local Government Area of Plateau State. The coverage area was grossly affected in the wet season. However, there was improvement in the coverage area during the dry season compared to the wet season. Furthermore, radiated map showing coverage area, curve and their grades vital for planning purposes were developed. Summarily, the result obtained will assist the broadcast operators to identify the suitable locations to install repeater or booster stations for the purpose of quality coverage to the entire State. This will guarantee optimal coverage and quality service delivery for the DTT signal (free-to-air) in Plateau State.

Modeling the Distribution of Radiofrequency Intensities from the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV) Broadcasting Transmitter in Kampala Metropolitan; Uganda

Asian Journal of Research and Reviews in Physics

This study presents the modeling of the distribution of RF intensities from the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTV) broadcasting transmitter in Kampala metropolitan. To achieve this, the performance evaluation of the different path loss propagation models and envisaging the one most suitable for Kampala metropolitan was done by comparing the path loss model values with the measured field Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) values. The RSRP of the DTTV broadcasting transmitter were measured at operating frequencies of 526 MHz, 638 MHz, 730 MHz and 766 MHz using the Aaronia Spectran HF-6065 V4 spectrum analyzer, Aaronia AG HyperLOG 4025 Antenna at 1.5 m and 2.5 m heights, Aaronia GPS Logger, real time Aaronia MCS spectrum-analysis-software and a T430s Lenovo Laptop. On comparing the measured path loss values with the various path loss prediction model values, results showed that Egli and Davidson models are the most accurate and reliable path loss prediction models for the...

Evaluation of the Effects of some Weather Variables on UHF and VHF Receivers within Benin City, South-South Region of Nigeria Evaluation of the Effects of some Weather Variables on UHF and VHF Receivers within Benin City, South-South Region of Nigeria

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2019

The effects of some essential meteorological variables such as temperature, relative humidity and mean sea level pressure on the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio signals from Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) transmitting at 743.25 MHz UHF and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio signals from Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) transmitting at 189.25 MHz VHF both in in Benin City, Edo State, South-South region of Nigerialocated within 6°20'17″N and 5°37'32″E was evaluated in this study. The measurements of the radio signal strength from EBS television station and radio signal strength from NTA television station were done using the Digital Community-Access/Cable Television (CATV) analyser, while a self-implemented weather monitoring device was used for the measurement of the weather variables simultaneously at an equidistant position within the City. The measurements were carried out continuously for every six hours (between 12am-1am, 6am-7am, 12pm-1pm and 6pm-7pm local time respectively) all through the year, 2018. From the obtained results, it was observed that the radio signals from both the UHF and VHF television stations were directly proportional to the temperature, inversely proportional to the relative humidity and no defined pattern of proportionality with the mean sea level pressure. Inferentially, the radio signals from the UHF television station were seen to be mostly affected by these weather variables and these effects were more pronounced during the months with high relative humidity compared with the months with lower relative humidity. However, a postulation that would still be subjected to further verification has been proposed from these results. It is believed that these results and proposed postulation would definitely be helpful in guiding and assisting the management of radio communication systems for planning and other purposes.

Propagation curves and coverage areas of digital terrestrial television base stations in the tropical zone

Heliyon, 2020

This study investigated the propagation curves and coverage areas of some Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcast Stations (DTTBS) over four climatic zones of coastal (Lagos), tropical rain forest (Akure), Sudan Savannah (Kaduna) and Sahel Savannah (Katsina) cities of Nigeria. Measurement of the Received Signal Strength (RSS) was carried out along different routes with each of the DTTBS as reference points. Measurements of RSS were carried out using two specified antenna receiver heights of 1.5 and 3.0 m for each data point. The GPS receiver was used to measure the geographic coordinates, elevation and Line of Sight (LOS) of data points along the routes in a drive test. Measurement was done during dry and wet season months at 1 km interval up to about 20 km in each of the selected routes covering a period of three years (2016-2018). Mean data were obtained and used to generate the propagation curves and the coverage areas over the study locations. Generally, results revealed that RSS undulates with LOS separation distance from DTTBS in all routes irrespective of seasons and routes. Particularly, RSS reduces to about half of its base station's value at about 8 and 12 km LOS from the DTTBS in Akure and Katsina respectively while, it reduces to about half of its base station's value at about 6 km from the DTTBS in Lagos and Kaduna. The implication of this is that higher coverage areas were obtained in suburban compared to urban cities. In addition, radial maps showing coverage areas and their grades useful for networking purposes were generated. Television White Spaces (TVWS) for secondary users were also proposed. For networking purposes and spatial arrangements of DTTBS that will ensure optimum coverage over the study locations, DTTBS can be sited at 8.0 and 13.5 km (LOS) interval from each other in urban and sub urban cities respectively. The overall results will enable system engineers to know the appropriate distance(s) and locations to site additional DTTBS for networking purposes and prepare power budget for optimum coverage area and good quality of services for terrestrial digital channels.

A Simple Field Strength Model for Broadcast Application in VHF Band in Minna City, Niger State, Nigeria

It is important to understand the impact of physical surroundings on a propagating signal because the propagation characteristics of any radio channel are severely affected by objects that surround the transmitters and the receivers. So, the propagation characteristics limit the performance of in-building high capacity wireless communications. This research work adapted some field strength models that are best suitable for Minna city in Niger State, Nigeria. This is done by optimising some existing field strength models which are: Free space, Hata, ITU-R P.529-3 and ERC Report 68 models to suit Minna city using a VHF television signal of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Minna. This station transmits at a frequency of 210.25 MHz for video signal. The signal levels of the transmitted signal were taken along five radial routes from the transmitting station using a digital signal level meter and the corresponding distances were also measured using Global Positioning System (GPS). Data processing and computation were carried out using MATLAB. The results obtained show that the Hata model gives a more accurate prediction for field strength in Minna city after general modification with the correction factor of 3.08 and Root Mean Square Error of 6.35 dBµV/m.

Spatial Coverage of FM Radio Transmitters in Niger State, Nigeria

In the VHF band (30 MHz-300 MHz), radio propagation is usually by space waves, which consist of direct wave and ground-reflected wave. These radio signals are affected by the electrical parameters of the ground, curvature of the earth surface, height of the antenna above earth’s surface and weather conditions in the troposphere. The electric field strength of radio signals decreases with increase in distance from the transmitting antenna. In this work, measurement of electric field strength of Frequency Modulated (FM) radio signals from Crystal FM, Minna, on 91.2 MHz and Power FM, Bida, on 100.5 MHz in Niger State Nigeria, was carried out in all the 25 Local Government Areas of the state. A Digital Signal Level Meter, GE-5499, covering the signal range of 30-120 dBµV, was used to measure the signals. The longitude, latitude, altitude and also distance from the reference point (i.e., location of the transmitting antenna) were measured at every location using a handheld Global Positio...