From DVB-S to DVB-S2X: Progress in Standardization of Digital Satellite Broadcasting Systems

Introduction. The article presents a brief history of the European and international standardization process in the field of digital video broadcasting (DVB) systems as applied to satellite broadcasting. The advantages of new systems are considered. The results of a comparative analysis of their main characteristics in relation to previous versions are given.

Aim. To study the current progress in the standardization of digital satellite broadcasting systems, to analyze their new features and capabilities, to compare their main characteristics, and to distinguish the advantages of new systems in relation to previous versions.

Materials and methods. Documents of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the International Telecommunication Union related to the standardization of satellite broadcasting systems from DVB-S to DVB-S2X were studied. A comparative analysis of the main functions and characteristics of the systems under consideration was carried out.

Results. New functions and features introduced in the DVB-S2 system were analyzed, including the Time-Slicing (Annex M) option, which allows receivers to select and decode a specific stream carrying one or more services of interest without wasting resources on processing other streams. New DVB-S2X system options were considered, including the SuperFraming Structure (Annex E) option, which ensures increased immunity to co-channel interference from neighboring beam signals, as well as support for future developments related to beam hopping. The advantages of channel aggregation in DVB-S2X were illustrated, which allows the capacity of two or three transponders to be shared in order to increase the statistical multiplexing ratio in the case of UHDTV programs.

Conclusion. The standardization of digital satellite broadcasting systems provides an opportunity for equipment developers and manufacturers to use the latest technologies and methods, while relying on internationally recognized standards. This allows, on the one hand, the equipment of digital satellite broadcasting systems and the consumer quality of the services provided to be constantly improved, and, on the other hand, the cost of chips and equipment produced to be optimized.

1. ETSI EN 300 421 V1.1.2 (1997-08). Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Framing Structure, Channel Coding and Modulation for 11/12 GHz Satellite Services. Available at: https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/300400_300499/300421/01.01.02_60/en_300421v010102p.pdf (accessed 04.09.2023)

2. ETSI EN 302 307-1 V1.4.1 (2014-11). Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Second generation framing structure, channel coding and modulation systems for Broadcasting, Interactive Services, News Gathering and other broadband satellite applications; Part 1: DVB-S2. Available at: https://cdn.standards.iteh.ai/samples/44129/92389fe353354a07bbb58cb780a6afe2/ETSI-EN-302-3071-V1-4-1-2014-11-.pdf (accessed 24.08.2023)

3. ETSI EN 302 307-2 V1.3.1 (2021-07). Second Generation Framing Structure, Channel Coding and Modulation Systems for Broadcasting, Interactive Services, News Gathering and Other Broadband Satellite Applications; Part 2: DVB-S2 Extensions (DVB-S2X). Available at: https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_en/302300_302399/30230702/01.03.01_60/en_30230702v010301p.pdf (accessed 15.09.2023)

4. ETSI TR 102 376-1 V1.2.1 (2015-11). Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Implementation Guidelines for the Second Generation System for Broadcasting, Interactive Services, News Gathering and other broadband satellite applications; Part 1: DVB-S2. Available at: https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_tr/102300_102399/10237601/01.02.01_60/tr_10237601v010201p.pdf (accessed 30.08.2023)

5. ETSI TR 102 376-2 V1.2.1 (2021-01). Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Implementation Guidelines for the Second Generation System for Broadcasting, Interactive Services, News Gathering and other broadband satellite applications; Part 2: S2 Extensions (DVB-S2X). Available at: https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_tr/102300_102399/10237602/01.02.01_60/tr_10237602v010201p.pdf (accessed 24.08.2023)

6. Report ITU-R S.2173-1 (07/2014). Multi-Carrier Based Transmission Techniques for Satellite Systems. Available at: https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-r/opb/rep/ R-REP-S.2173-1-2014-PDF-E.pdf (accessed 19.09.2023)

7. Recommendation ITU-R BO.1784-1 (12/2016). Digital Satellite Broadcasting System with Flexible Configuration (TV, Audio and Data). Series BO. Satellite Radio Broadcasting. Available at: https://www.itu.int/dms_pubrec/itu-r/rec/bo/R-REC-BO.1784-1-201612I!!PDF-R.pdf (accessed 05.09.2023)

8. Shcherbakov Ya. Yu., Chirkov A. B., Kolomensky K. Yu. Efficient Method of Frame-by-Frame Demodulation of Signals DVB-S2. Trudy NIIR. 2015, no. 1, pp. 27–31. (In Russ.)

9. DVB Document A172 (03/2015). White Paper on the Use of DVB-S2X for DTH Applications, DSNG & Professional Services, Broadband Interactive Services and VL-SNR applications. Available at: https://dvb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/a172_dvbs2x_highlights_-_white_paper.pdf (accessed 17.10.2023)

10. GOST R 56456–2015. Integrated Receiver Decoder of a Second Generation Digital Satellite Television Broadcasting System (DVB-S2). Main Parameters. Technical Requirements (ETSI EN 302 307 V1.2.1 (2009-08), NEQ). Мoscow, Standartinform, 2020.

11. GOST R 56457–2015. Integrated Receiver Decoder of a Second Generation Digital Satellite Television Broadcasting System (DVB-S2). Test Methods (ETSI EN 302 307 V1.2.1 (2009-08), NEQ). Мoscow, Standartinform, 2015.

12. GOST R 59807–2021. Digital Video Broadcasting. Enhanced System Receiver Decoder of Second Generation of Satellite Broadcasting (DVB-S2X). Main Parameters. (ETSI TR 102 376-2 V1.1.1 (2015-11), ETSI EN 302 307-2 V1.2.1 (2014-10), NEQ). Мoscow, Russian Standardization Inst., 2021.

13. Kolomensky K. Yu., Demidova A. Yu. Integration of Satellite Segment into 3GPP Specifications for 5G Networks. Pt. I. Electrosvyaz. 2023, no. 6, pp. 14– 19. doi: 10.34832/ELSV.2023.43.6.002

14. Kolomensky K. Yu., Demidova A. Yu. Integration of Satellite Segment into 3GPP Specifications for 5G Networks. Pt. II. Electrosvyaz. 2023, no. 7, pp. 13– 19. doi: 10.34832/ELSV.2023.44.7.002