MAINDATA’s SFN Boost Receives Eutelsat Validation for DVB-SIS Compliance

News | July 24, 2024

What Is SFN Boost?
SFN Boost, developed by MAINDATA, is an innovative solution for significant reduction (up to 98%) of satellite bandwidth used to feed terrestrial TV transmitters operating in Single Frequency Networks (SFN) mode. It enables broadcasters to broadcast TV signal via satellite simultaneously to terrestrial TV transmitters and satellite home users and to enable regional TV content and ads in terrestrial SFN TV networks.

SFN Boost’s reliability confirmed by Eutelsat’s comprehensive Testing
Since January, Eutelsat has rigorously tested SFN Boost with various T2-MI analyzers and DVB-T2 modulators across SFN and MFN modes. The SFN Boost Rx adapter successfully met all performance criteria, proving its stability and robustness. The results confirm its proficiency in receiving a primary DTH (Direct-to-Home) parent stream from Eutelsat’s head-end, including DVB-SIS signaling from a Control Stream Generator (CSG) by a different vendor. Additionally, SFN Boost seamlessly generates a T2-MI (Terrestrial-to-Multimedia Information) signal, which is critical for DVB-T2 transmitters.

Ralph Edeine, TV Reception and Video Standardization Manager at Eutelsat: 
“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:
“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.”

DVB-SIS V&V session at DVB World Munich 2024 (from right to left)
Dusan Statelov, MAINDATA
Ralph Edeine, Eutelsat
Eoghan O’Sullivan, DVB

Background: Eutelsat and MAINDATA Collaborate on DVB-SIS
Eutelsat and MAINDATA initiated their partnership for the DVB-SIS V&V (Validation & Verification) phase during the DVB World event in Brussels in June 2023. The need for DVB-SIS V&V was highlighted by MAINDATA’s CEO, Mr. Dusan Statelov. Challenges faced by Eutelsat with existing DVB-SIS vendors prompted action, supported by Mr. Ralph Edeine, Eutelsat and Mr. David Peilow, head of DVB CM group, to incorporate DVB-SIS V&V into the DVB plenary meeting agenda. Following analysis by MAINDATA in summer 2023 identified compliance issues with alternative solutions, which lead to successful interoperability enhancements across vendors.

MAINDATA’s SFN Boost platform, developed through a two-year R&D project, merges its proprietary centralized architecture with the standardized distributed model of DVB-SIS. MAINDATA’s CEO played a crucial role in the DVB-SIS standardization group since 2015, and the R&D project received an EU grant and the Seal-of-Excellence from the European Innovation Council, recognizing its innovation among Europe’s SMEs.

For more details, you can read the full press release on Eutelsat’s website here.

MAINDATA develops innovative products and solutions in the field of TV broadcast and satellite internet. By optimizing TV signal delivery, MAINDATA’s solutions open new revenue streams for TV broadcasters. Established in 1996, MAINDATA attracted worldwide customer base including Eurovision, World Bank, Sony, Tata and others.