UHF frequency use by PMSE at the federal elections in ... · CH33 = 1400 kHz CH34 = 7900 kHz CH35 = 7900 kHz CH36 = 5400 kHz CH37 = 1200 kHz CH38 = 1900 kHz CH39 = 500 kHz CH40 =

German Commission for Electrical, Electronic &

Information Technologies of DIN and VDE

WG 731.0.8 “Professional wireless microphone systems”

UHF frequency use by PMSE at the federal

elections in Hannover, Munich, Wiesbaden and the

state elections in Hamburg (Germany, 2008)

Application-related recording of representable spectrum use,

with the aim of providing pertinent support for the discussion

of the new distribution of UHF TV frequencies in the context

of a “digital dividend”

October 2008

UHF spectrum recording at the federal elections in Hanover,

Munich, Wiesbaden and the state elections in Hamburg 2008 Page 2 of 13

Introduction

PMSEs (Programme Making Special Event) are wireless tools that are indispensable for professional, multimedia production. These include

wireless audio and video devices, and wireless devices for programme production, e.g. PWMS (professional wireless microphone systems, in part

also covered by the term SAB/SAP), tools used for news reporting (ENG/OB) and radio devices used for direction and audio links.

Basic procedure for data collection

1. Insight into selected planning data from broadcasters

2. Recording of the allocation of the radio spectrum in the UHF range, including wireless microphones, return links and reporting technology

3. Evaluation and documentation of the data

Technical working principles

Antenna (circular) Spectrum analyser and portable computer DKE software: “UHF Occupation Recorder”

Limitation of the measuring arrangement

Separate event sites that are mutually shielded, a measuring antenna that has a limited apex angle, no choice regarding optimal antenna location;

therefore the actual spectrum occupation is likely to be significantly higher than can be shown.



Known frequency use at the election locations in Hamburg, Hannover and Wiesbaden,

determined using coordination data available at the end of the event

Note: 2 GHz components comprise wireless cameras



Technology arrangement for election reporting by ARD at the federal election in Hannover



Coordinated UHF links for ZDF election reporting on the Lower Saxony federal election in Hannover

ZDF technology was primarily used in the Hannover Parliament



Landtagswahlen 2008413 koordinierte Übertragungsstrecken im Landtag Hannover

380

1815

VHF

UHF

2 GHz

Coordination diagram Location of measuring antenna (green) with main receiving direction (blue)

Spectrum occupation recorded during the event (225 scans over ~3 h)

Statistics of UHF occupation CH21 = 800 kHz CH22 = 800 kHz CH23 = 8000 kHz

CH24 = 7900 kHz CH25 = 1300 kHz CH26 = 1900 kHz















CH69 = 700 kHz Total UHF occupation = 100200 kHz

Federal election 2008 413 coordinated wireless links in the state parliament Hanover



Hessian federal elections

Landtagswahlen 2008298 kordinierte Übertragungsstrecken im Landtag Wiesbaden

283

015

VHF

UHF

2 GHz

Coordination diagram Location of measuring antenna (green) with main receiving direction (blue)

Spectrum occupation recorded during the event (366 scans over ~7 h with an unusually high proportion of intermodulation!)

Federal election 2008 198 coordinated wireless links in the state parliament Wiesbaden



Technology arrangement for election reporting by ARD in Hamburg



Location of measuring antennas (green circle) with main receiving direction (blue)



Recorded spectrum occupation (measuring station 1 in front of hall 3)

Recorded spectrum occupation (measuring station 2)

Coordination diagram

Recorded spectrum occupation for both measuring stations (667 scans over 3.75 h)

















CH69 = 0 kHz Total UHF occupation = 105700 kHz



Bavarian federal elections

Recorded spectrum occupation for both measuring stations (721 Scans over 4.2 h)

















Total UHF occupation = 113300 kHz

ARD statistics of frequency use





Brief evaluation of the data recorded in the UHF television band

Election events present themselves as the event type that has the highest spectrum occupation thus far

observed. For this reason, this type of event is fundamentally different to other events. The priority is on

maximising the available bands taking into consideration reduced quality assurance by also including

frequencies occupied by intermodulation. This is unusual in that other events are produced exclusively on

frequencies free of intermodulation in order to assure the best possible transmission quality and band

availability.

Without taking into account the protection ratios, a net spectrum occupation above 100 MHz was

recorded. Given the large number of recorded PWMS and TV signals, a simplified intermodulation view

is hardly feasible. It must be assumed that the system load as a result of intermodulation recorded in

Wiesbaden is likely to have been the factor that limited the quality of the event.

After evaluating the recorded spectrum occupation, a parallel production of other events in the same

place and at the same time seems impossible. A minimum distance of 100 m from other events appears to

be necessary in urban areas.

The frequency allocation of UHF television channels 61 to 69 to IMT introduced by WRC-07 could

jeopardise future election events unless back-up frequencies are allocated.

Matthias Fehr, Chairman of the Working Group, “Professional wireless microphone systems”

Documents

UHF frequency use by PMSE at the federal elections in ... · CH33 = 1400 kHz CH34 = 7900 kHz CH35 = 7900 kHz CH36 = 5400 kHz CH37 = 1200 kHz CH38 = 1900 kHz CH39 = 500 kHz CH40 =