Technical Planning Guidelines (December 2003) (Cth)

Technical Planning Guidelines

FOR THE PLANNING OF INDIVIDUAL SERVICES THAT USE THE BROADCASTING SERVICES BANDS

Australian Broadcasting Authority

Canberra

December 2003

ISBN 0 642 27053 8

This work is copyright. Apart from fair dealings for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means or process, without the written permission of the publishers.

Published by

Australian Broadcasting Authority

Benjamin Offices

Chan Street

Belconnen ACT 2616

FOREWORD

Section 33 of the Broadcasting Services Act1992 requires the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) to develop in writing guidelines for the technical planning of individual services that use the broadcasting services bands as a means of delivery.

By reason of sections 108A(1)(d), 109(1)(e) and 109A(1)(f) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, the licensee of a transmitter licence issued to the holder of a temporary community broadcasting licence issued under Part 6A of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, or a commercial radio or television broadcasting licence issued under Part 4 of the Broadcasting Services Act, or a community radio or television broadcasting licence issued under Part 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act, or the holder of a datacasting transmitter licence issued under section 100 of the Radiocommunications Act, or any authorised person, must comply with these guidelines.[1]

[1] The reference to a licence issued under Part 4 or Part 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act includes a licence which continues in force pursuant to the provisions of section 5(1) of the Broadcasting Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 as if the licence had been allocated under Part 4 or Part 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act. i.e. a commercial or community licence under the Broadcasting Act 1942.

Note: Transmitter licences for National Broadcasting Services issued under sections 100 or 100B or narrowcasting licences issued under section 100 of the Radiocommunications Act, may also include a licence condition requiring compliance with specified guidelines or parts of these guidelines.

The guidelines set down procedures that must be followed and limits that must be observed by licensees when planning new transmission facilities or making alterations to existing transmission facilities.

In the case of transmitter licences that are subject to Licence Area Plans (LAPs), by reason of section 109(1)(d) of the Radiocommunications Act, the transmitter licence is also subject to a condition that the licensee, and any authorised person, must not operate, or permit operation of a transmitter other than in accordance with any relevant technical specifications determined by the ABA in the LAP under subsection 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act.

Nothing in the application of these guidelines should compromise the integrity of the LAP.

In the case of transmitter licences that are subject to Digital Channel Plans, the transmitter licence is also subject to a condition that the licensee, and any authorised person, must not operate, or permit operation of a transmitter other than in accordance with the relevant technical specifications determined by the ABA in the digital channel plans (DCPs) made under the Commercial Television Conversion Scheme 1999 (as amended) formulated under subclause 6(1) of Schedule 4 of the Broadcasting Services Act.

Nothing in the application of these guidelines should compromise the integrity of the DCPs.

In addition to the mandatory requirements detailed in these guidelines, licensees are reminded of their responsibility to obtain all necessary approvals for planning and environmental matters from relevant Federal, State/Territory and local government authorities. Licensees must also ensure compliance with Australian Communications Authority (ACA) regulatory requirements dealing with human exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), which are applicable to broadcasting transmitters. Further information on the ACA's EMR regulatory arrangements can be obtained from the ACA website ( area plan

_{Digital channel plan}

_{The broadcasting services bands}

_{Australian Broadcasting Authority planning handbooks}

_Definitions

_{PART 1: START UP PROCEDURE}

_{Application of Part 1}

_{Start up procedure}

_{PART 2: CHANGE OF TRANSMITTER SITE PROCEDURE}

_{Application of Part 2}

_{Change of transmitter site procedure}

_{PART 3: AM RADIO}

_{Application of Part 3}

_{Location of transmitter site}

_{Cymomotive Force (CMF)}

_{Minimum level of service requirements}

_{Maximum field strength within the licence area}

_{Maximum field strength beyond the licence area}

_{Interference to other services}

_{Radiated signal characteristics}

_{PART 4: FM RADIO}

_{Application of Part 4}

_{Location of transmitter site}

_{Required field strength between adjacent frequencies}

_{Effective radiated power}

_{Minimum level of service requirements}

_{Maximum antenna height}

_{Maximum field strength within the licence area}

_{Maximum field strength beyond the licence area}

_{Interference to other services}

_{Radiated signal characteristics}

_{PART 5: ANALOG TELEVISION}

_{Application of Part 5}

_{Location of transmitter site}

_{Effective radiated power}

_{Minimum level of service requirements}

_{Maximum antenna height}

_{Maximum field strength within the licence area}

_{Maximum field strength beyond the licence area}

_{Interference to other services}

_{Radiated signal characteristics}

_{PART 6: DIGITAL TELEVISION}

_{Application of Part 6}

_{Location of transmitter site}

_{Effective radiated power}

_{Minimum level of service requirements}

_{Maximum field strength within the licence area or datacasting service area}

_{Maximum field strength beyond the licence area or datacasting service area}

_{Interference to other services}

_{Single frequency networks and additional co-channel transmitters}

_{Radiated signal characteristics}

_{PART 7: INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION}

_{Application of Part 7}

_Definitions

_{Postcode population threshold}

_{Notification areas}

_{Agreements between licensees}

_{Start up procedure}

_{Log of technical operating specifications}

_{Interference complaints: test transmissions and other transmissions}

_{Obligation period}

_{Register of complaints}

_{Predicted and unpredicted interference to analog transmissions: background}

_{Management of predicted interference}

_{Management of unpredicted interference: handling complaint}

_{Management of unpredicted interference: resolution of complaint (general)}

_{Management of unpredicted interference: resolution of complaint (post code population threshold)}

_{Appendix 1: Emission Standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service}

_Definitions

_{Radiated signal characteristics}

_{Program signal characteristics}

_{Audio frequency response}

_{Gamut of sum and difference modulation}

_{Appendix 2: Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service}

_Definitions

_{Radiated signal characteristics}

_{Main program signal characteristics}

_{Ancillary communications services}

_{Appendix 3: Emission Standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service}

_Definitions

_{Radiated signal characteristics}

_{Video characteristics}

_{Primary colour signals}

_{Vision signal characteristics}

_{Sound signal characteristics}

_{Appendix 4: Transmission Standard for the Australian Digital Terrestrial Television Service}

_{Transmission standard}

_Channels

_{Appendix 5: Channels for the Australian Terrestrial Television Service}

_{Explanatory Notes}

_Introduction

_{Planning before the Broadcasting Services Act 1992}

_{Overview of planning under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992}

_{Outline of the technical planning guidelines}

_{Emission standards for broadcasting transmitters}

_{TPGs and Australian Broadcasting Authority planning handbooks}

_{Relationship between the TPGs, FAP, LAPs, the Broadcasting Services and Radiocommunications Acts}

_{How to obtain a broadcasting service licence and the relevant transmitter licence}

_{Annex A: Policy Assumptions used in Planning}

_{Annex B: Explanatory Notes related to Digital Television}

_{Minimum level of service requirements}

_{Maximum antenna height requirements}

_{Adjacent channel and SFN operation}

_{Levels of allowable interference}

_{Measurement and assessment of interference}

_TABLES

_{Table 5.1: Minimum median field strength figures for analog television}

_{Table 6.1: Minimum median field strength figures for digital television}

_{Table A2.1: Frequency limits of Australian FM channels}

_{Table A3.1: CIE*15 Chromaticity coordinates and balance for a white chromaticity of CIE illuminant D65}

_{Table A3.2: Timing intervals of the video signal}

_{Table A3.3: Colour sub-carrier amplitudes and phases for fully saturated primary and complementary colours}

_{Table A5.1: Channels for the Australian Terrestrial Television Service}

_FIGURES

_{Figure A1.1: Emission mask for radiated field strength}

_{Figure A1.2: Gamut of C-QUAM modulation}

_{Figure A2.1: Maximum deviation of 67 kHz ACS sub-carrier versus audio modulated frequency for music and voice}

_{Figure A2.2: Maximum deviation of 67 kHz ACS sub-carrier versus audio modulating frequency for audio FSK}

_{Figure A2.3: Maximum deviation versus injection for direct FSK of 67 kHz ACS sub-carrier}

_{Figure A2.4: Audio frequency pre-emphasis characteristics for 50 and 150 microsecond time constant}

_{Figure A3.1: Video signal}

_{Figure A3.2: Video signal corresponding to fully saturated colours}

_{Figure A3.3: Phase of burst E’U & E’V signals}

_{Figure A3.4: Four field sequence of burst blanking and subcarrier phase}

_{Figure A3.5: Location of carriers and sidebands within the channel}

_{Figure A3.6: Sound transmitter modulating signal pre-emphasis}

_{Figure A3.7: Nominal group delay precorrection characteristic}

INTRODUCTION

Commencement

1. These guidelines commence on the day of their determination.

Application

2 These guidelines apply to broadcasting licensees and datacasting licensees.

Licence area plan

3. Where they relate to analog broadcasting services these guidelines complement, and are to be read in conjunction with, the technical specifications of any relevant LAP prepared pursuant to section 26 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. To the extent that those technical specifications are inconsistent with pre-existing transmitter licence conditions, the LAP specifications will prevail.

4. The technical operating specifications of a transmitter shall comply with the technical specifications of the relevant LAP.

Digital channel plan

4A. Where they relate to digital television broadcasting and datacasting services these guidelines complement, and are to be read in conjunction with, the technical specifications of any relevant DCP prepared pursuant to:

(a)the Commercial Television Conversion Scheme 1999 (as amended) formulated by the ABA under subclause 6(1) of Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;

(b)the National Television Conversion Scheme 1999 (as amended) formulated by the ABA under subclause 19(1) of Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

4B. The technical operating specifications of a transmitter shall comply with the technical specifications of the relevant DCP unless those technical specifications are revised in an approved implementation plan, in which case the technical specifications of the approved implementation plan will be applied.

The broadcasting services bands

5. The Minister, under subsection 18(3) of the Radiocommunications Act 1983, assigned certain parts of the radiofrequency spectrum designated as primarily for broadcasting (the broadcasting services bands) to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) for planning. Under section 4 of the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 this assignment is deemed to be spectrum referred to the ABA under section 31 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

6. The broadcasting services bands are:

526.5 to 1606.5 kHz in the medium frequency band of the radiofrequency spectrum. AM radio services are allocated frequencies in this range.
45 to 52 MHz and 56 to 70 MHz (Band I) in the very high frequency band of the radiofrequency spectrum. Analog television services are allocated frequencies in this range.
85 to 108 MHz (Band II) in the very high frequency band of the radiofrequency spectrum. Analog television services were allocated frequencies in this range, however 87.5 to 108 MHz has been set aside internationally for FM radio and the ABA will consider, as part of the public planning process, future clearance of television services occupying this part of the spectrum. No new television services will be allocated Band II frequencies.
137 to 144 MHz (channel 5A) in the very high frequency band of the radiofrequency spectrum. Analog television services were allocated frequencies in this range, however no new assignments will be made of these frequencies.
174 to 230 MHz (Band III) in the very high frequency band of the radiofrequency spectrum. Analog and digital television services are allocated frequencies in this range.
520 to 820 MHz (Bands IV and V) in the ultra high frequency band of the radiofrequency spectrum. Analog and digital television services are allocated frequencies in this range.

Australian Broadcasting Authority planning handbooks

7. Detailed information on methods for planning of analog broadcasting services is contained in the ABA’s Technical Planning Parameters and Methods for Terrestrial Broadcasting. It provides, inter alia, information on ABA planning practices and assumptions, including acceptable methods of computing field strengths and other parameters for compliance with these guidelines and other specifications of the transmitter licence.

7A. For digital television and datacasting services, the information in Technical Planning Parameters and Methods for Terrestrial Broadcasting is supplemented by the ABA’s Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook.

Definitions

_{(Wherever possible the definitions of terms below are consistent with the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and the ITU Radio Regulations. Unless defined below, words shall have the same meanings as in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, or the Radiocommunications Act 1992, or the ITU Radio Regulations}_{, as appropriate)}

8. In these guidelines, unless the contrary intention appears:

‘ABA’ means the Australian Broadcasting Authority established under section 154 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;

‘ACA’ means the Australian Communications Authority established under the Australian Communications Authority Act 1997;

‘AM radio’ means medium frequency, amplitude modulated radio services located in the frequency range 526.5 to 1606.5 kHz;

‘AM radio service’ includes an AM radio broadcasting service, an AM radio national broadcasting service, and an AM radio narrowcasting service;

‘analog reference television receiving system’ [see the definition of ‘reference television receiving system’];

‘analog television’ means television services using analog modulation techniques located in the frequency ranges 45 MHz to 230 MHz and 520 MHz to 820 MHz;

‘analog television service’ includes an analog television broadcasting service, an analog television national broadcasting service, and an analog television narrowcasting service;

‘authorised person’ means a person authorised under Division 4 of Part 3.3 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992;

‘broadcasting licensee’ means a holder of an apparatus licence authorising the operation of a transmitter under section 101A, 102 or 102A of the Radiocommunications Act 1992;

‘broadcasting service’ means a service that delivers television programs or radio programs in the broadcasting services bands, using a transmitter licence issued under section 101A, 102 or 102A of the Radiocommunications Act 1992;

‘broadcasting services bands’ has the meaning set out in clause 6 of these guidelines;

‘channel’ means part of the radiofrequency spectrum intended to be used for an emission and which may be defined by two specified limits, or by its centre frequency and associated bandwidth, or by an equivalent indication;

_{Note Channel arrangements applicable to AM radio, FM radio, analog television and digital television are described in the respective emission standards, set out in the appendices to these guidelines.}

‘cymomotive force (CMF)’ is the product formed by multiplying the electric field strength at a given point in space, due to a transmitting station, by the distance of the point from the antenna. CMF can only be calculated if the distance from the transmitting antenna is sufficient for reactive effects to be negligible; moreover, the finite conductivity of the ground is presumed to have no effect on propagation. CMF is expressed in volts and corresponds numerically to the field strength, in mV/m, at a distance of 1 km;

‘datacasting licensee’ means any holder of a datacasting transmitter licence;

‘datacasting service’ has the same meaning as in subsection 6(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act1992, where it uses a datacasting transmitter licence issued under the Radiocommunications Act 1992;

‘datacasting service area’ means the geographical area in which the ABA has made available a channel for use by a datacasting service, as described in the relevant determination made under section 34 of the Broadcasting Services Act1992;

‘device’ has the same meaning as in section 9(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992;

‘Digital Channel Plan (DCP)’ means an instrument developed by the ABA under:

(a)the Commercial Television Conversion Scheme 1999 (as amended) formulated under subclause 6(1) of Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; or

(b)the National Television Conversion Scheme 1999 (as amended) formulated under subclause 19(1) of Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992,

that determines which channels are to be allotted in each area, the technical limitations and characteristics of those channels, and the channel assignments - either to broadcasters or as “unassigned” channels;

‘digital reference television receiving system’ [see the definition of ‘reference television receiving system’];

‘digital television’ means television services using digital modulation techniques located in the frequency ranges 174 MHz to 230 MHz and 520 MHz to 820 MHz;

‘digital television service’ includes a digital television broadcasting service and a digital national television broadcasting service;

‘effective radiated power (ERP)’ in a specified direction is the product of the power supplied to the antenna and its gain relative to a half-wave dipole in the specified direction;

‘EMC calculations’ means calculations that detail the ability of a transmitter to operate without causing interference to another radiocommunications service. EMC calculations must take into account possible interference occurrences due to intermodulation, harmonic products, local oscillator radiation and co-channel and adjacent channel services;

_{Note Radiocommunications services include broadcasting services, national broadcasting services and datacasting services.}

‘FM radio’ means very high frequency, frequency modulated radio services located in the frequency range 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz;

‘FM radio service’ includes an FM radio broadcasting service, an FM radio national broadcasting service, and an FM radio narrowcasting service (other than a low power open narrowcasting service);

‘guidelines’ means the technical planning guidelines set out in this document (and its appendices), as developed by the ABA pursuant to section 33 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;

‘implementation plan’ means one or more plans related to the implementation of digital television transmission under clause 9 or 20 of Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The processes for the lodgement and variation of implementation plans are described in the Commercial Television Conversion Scheme 1999 and the National Television Conversion Scheme 1999;

‘interference’ means:

(a)in relation to radiocommunications - interference to, or with, radiocommunications that is attributable, whether wholly or partly and whether directly or indirectly, to an emission of electromagnetic energy by a device; or

(b)in relation to the uses or functions of devices - interference to, or with, those uses or functions that is attributable, whether wholly or partly and whether directly or indirectly, to an emission of electromagnetic energy by a device;

_{Note Clarifications on the level of interference allowed for analog or digital television or datacasting services is given in Parts 5 and 6 of these guidelines.}

‘licence area’ means an area designated by the ABA under section 29, 40 or 92G of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;

‘licence area plan (LAP)’ means a licence area plan prepared by the ABA pursuant to section 26 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;

‘licensee’ means either a ‘broadcasting licensee’ or a ‘datacasting licensee’;

‘locality’ means an area designated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as a locality at the 2001 Census;

_{Note In broad terms, a locality corresponds to a population cluster of between 200 and 999 people.}

‘low power open narrowcasting service’ means an open narrowcasting service operating with an effective radiated power not exceeding 1 watt (W) in a residential area and an effective radiated power not exceeding 10 W in a non-residential area;

‘narrowcasting service’ means a subscription or open narrowcasting service under section 17 or section 18 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;

‘narrowcasting service area’ means the geographical area in which the ABA has made available a channel for use by a narrowcasting service, as described in the LAP or transmitter licence;

‘national broadcasting service’ means an AM or FM radio or analog or digital television broadcasting service provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation or the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation;

‘national signal reception area’ means the signal reception area of a national broadcasting service. Unless otherwise specified in the LAP, DCP or transmitter licence conditions, the signal reception area of a national broadcasting service is defined as:

(a)For AM radio – the area in which the ground wave median field strength is equal to, or greater than, 0.5 mV/m;

(b)For FM radio – the area in which the median field strength is equal to, or greater than, 54 dBmV/m;

(c)For analog television – the area in which the median field strength is equal to, or greater than, the field strength for the frequency band of operation specified in table 5.1; and

(d)For digital television – the area in which the median field strength is equal to, or greater than, the field strength for the frequency band of operation specified in table 6.1;

‘nominal location’ means the location of the transmitter specified in a LAP or DCP;

‘planned minimum field strength’ means the minimum median field strength planned for a service and for which protection is afforded against interference. Unless otherwise specified in the LAP, DCP or transmitter licence conditions, the planned minimum field strength is defined as:

(a)For AM radio – 0.5 mV/m;

(b)For FM radio – 54 dBmV/m;

(c)For analog television – the field strength, for the frequency band of operation, specified in table 5.1; and

(d)For digital television – the field strength, for the frequency band of operation, specified in table 6.1;

_{Note A higher median field strength may be specified for some broadcasting services. For example, a service providing a suburban or urban grade of service in an area for which protection to the lower median field strength is not required, or an interference limited service.}

‘reference television receiving system’ means a television receiving system comprising a receiver and an antenna system. For analog television systems the reference television receiver is defined in Attachment 5C.BB of Technical Planning Parameters and Methods for Terrestrial Broadcasting. For digital television systems the reference television receiver is defined in Appendices B and E of the ABA’s Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook, supplemented by data on antenna directivity discrimination and orthogonal wave polarisation discrimination in Attachment 5C.BB of Technical Planning Parameters and Methods for Terrestrial Broadcasting;

‘related licence’ means the licence allocated or deemed to have been allocated under Part 4, Part 6 or Part 6A of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to which the transmitter licence issued pursuant to section 101A, 102 or 102A of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 relates;

‘residential area’ means the area within 20 km of the boundary of an urban centre or locality;

‘single frequency network (SFN)’ means a network comprising two or more transmitters that operate on the same frequency and transmit identical data streams with controlled timing between the transmitters;

‘technical operating specifications’ of a transmitter include all the characteristics of the transmitter in operation, including site, height of the transmitting antenna, frequency and radiation pattern;

‘transmitter’ means:

(a)anything designed or intended for radio emission; or

(b)any other thing, irrespective of its use or function or the purpose of its design, that is capable of radio emission.

In Part 3: AM radio, transmitter means a transmitter authorised to transmit an AM radio service. In Part 4: FM radio, transmitter means a transmitter authorised to transmit an FM radio service. In Part 5: analog television, transmitter means a transmitter authorised to transmit an analog television service. In Part 6: digital television, transmitter means a transmitter authorised to transmit a digital television or datacasting service;

‘transmitter licence’ includes a broadcasting service transmitter licence, a national broadcasting service transmitter licence, a narrowcasting service transmitter licence and a datacasting service transmitter licence;

‘unwanted’, in the context of an unwanted signal or unwanted service, means the signal or service that may cause interference under the specified circumstances or conditions;

‘urban centre’ means an area designated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as an urban centre at the 2001 Census; and

_{Note In broad terms, an urban centre corresponds to a population cluster of 1,000 or more people.}

‘wanted’, in the context of a wanted signal or wanted service, means the signal or service that may experience, or suffer from, interference under the specified circumstances or conditions.

9. All field strength predictions and measurements are to be made at a receive height of 10 metres above ground. Any specified field strength shall be predicted on the basis that the field strength would be exceeded at more than 50% of locations for more than 50% of the time.

_{Note At VHF and UHF frequencies, location variability is typically quoted for an area represented by a square with a side of 100 metres to 200 metres.}

10. Headings in these guidelines are for convenient reference only and have no effect in limiting or extending the language of the guidelines to which they refer.

11. Words in the singular number include the plural and words in the plural number include the singular.

PART 1: START UP PROCEDURE

Application of Part 1

12. The following procedure shall be followed by a licensee (except a licensee to which Part 7 applies) or authorised person when:

(a)planning to establish a transmitter to transmit a broadcasting service or datacasting service; or

(b)planning to change the technical operating specifications of a transmitter which is authorised for transmitting a broadcasting service or datacasting service (other than a change of transmission site – see Part 2: Change of Transmitter Site Procedure).

Start up procedure

13. The start up procedure is as follows:

(a)A licensee or an authorised person is required to place advertisements in newspapers circulating within the licence area or datacasting service area of the licence at least seven days prior to the commencement of test transmissions. The advertisement is to advise members of the public to contact the licensee or authorised person if the broadcast causes interference to other radiocommunications. The advertisement must detail the date and time of commencement of the test transmissions, the duration of the test transmissions, the frequency being used and the appropriate person’s contact details including the address and telephone number of the person responsible for the tests.

(b)A licensee or an authorised person shall advise:

(i)the ABA; and

(ii)the local ACA office; and

(iii)other broadcasting licensees and national broadcasting licensees that provide services within the licence area or datacasting service area; and

(iv)datacasting licensees that provide services within the licence area or datacasting service area; and

(v)narrowcasting (except low power open narrowcasting) licensees that provide services within the licence area or datacasting service area; and

(vi)other broadcasting licensees and national broadcasting licensees that provide services in areas adjacent to the licence area or datacasting service area; and

(vii)datacasting licensees that provide services in areas adjacent to the licence area or datacasting service area; and

(viii)narrowcasting (except low power open narrowcasting) licensees that provide services in areas adjacent to the licence area or datacasting service area,

of the date and proposed technical operating specifications of the test transmissions at least seven days prior to the commencement of test transmissions and provide contact details including the address and telephone numbers of the person responsible for the tests.

_{Note The ABA may require the licensee or authorised person to submit copies of press advertisements or other notifications mentioned in paragraph (a) and (b) of guideline 13.}

(c)Where practicable, test transmissions should include regular voice announcements, or, in the case of an analog television broadcasting service, voice or visual information, identifying the licensee or authorised person and providing sufficient details for members of the public to contact the licensee or authorised person if the broadcast causes interference to other radiocommunications.

(d)A licensee or an authorised person shall undertake test transmissions in accordance with this procedure for a period of at least seven (7) days.

(e)The licensee shall, for a period of at least seven (7) days, conduct test transmissions in accordance with the technical operating specifications that the licensee intends to apply to the transmissions after the test procedure is complete.

(f)The licensee or an authorised person is required to undertake any necessary further planning so as to eliminate or minimise interference identified during the test transmissions.

(g)All interference caused by the transmissions in guideline 13(e) above should be eliminated or minimised before the test transmission procedure is completed.

(h)Interference assessment reports and documentation of any relevant calculations are to be made available on request to the ABA or the ACA. Information on interference assessment investigations shall also be provided on request to any person claiming to be adversely affected due to interference as a result of the operation of the licensee’s transmitter during the period of the test transmissions.

PART 2: CHANGE OF TRANSMITTER SITE PROCEDURE

Application of Part 2

14. The following procedure shall be followed by a licensee or authorised person when proposing to locate a transmitter at a site that is not at:

(a)the current location; or

(b)the location specified in the technical conditions of the transmitter licence; or

(c)the location specified in the technical specifications of a LAP or DCP (or an approved implementation plan).

Change of transmitter site procedure

15. The change of transmitter site procedure is as follows:

(a)The licensee or an authorised person shall cause appropriate electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) calculations to be performed by a person competent to carry out such calculations.

_{Note For services described in a LAP or DCP, calculations are to be performed assuming maximum ERP specifications as set out in the LAP or DCP.}

(b)The licensee or an authorised person shall then provide to the ABA the EMC calculations together with a completed application for a test transmission licence.

(c)If the ABA is satisfied that:

(i)the EMC calculations indicate that operation from the alternate site will not cause interference to radiocommunications services, including any existing broadcasting services, national broadcasting services, narrowcasting (except low power open narrowcasting) services or datacasting services, or any service described in a LAP or DCP; and

(ii)the relevant guidelines will be sufficiently complied with,

then the ABA will allocate a test transmission licence.

_{Note The licensee must comply with all relevant guidelines at the new location. The ABA may request the licensee or authorised person to submit supplementary information to demonstrate compliance with relevant requirements included in these guidelines.}

(d)The licensee or an authorised person may then conduct test transmissions in accordance with the terms of the test transmission licence.

_{Note The conditions attaching to this licence will be substantially similar to those for the start up procedure (see Part 1 of these guidelines).}

(e)The licensee or an authorised person shall then provide to the ABA the results of the test transmissions including any interference assessment reports and details of any complaints of interference received during the conduct of the tests, together with a completed application form seeking a variation of the transmitter licence.

(f)If the ABA is satisfied that:

(i)the results of the tests demonstrate that operation from the alternative site will not cause interference to radiocommunications services including any existing broadcasting services, national broadcasting services, narrowcasting (except low power open narrowcasting) services or datacasting services, or any service described in a LAP or DCP; and

(ii)all other relevant requirements of these guidelines will be complied with upon commencement of transmissions from the new site,

then the ABA or the ACA will vary the conditions attaching to the transmitter licence.

16. Interference assessment reports and documentation of any relevant EMC calculations are to be made available on request to the ABA or the ACA. Information on interference assessment investigations shall also be provided on request to any person claiming to be adversely affected due to interference as a result of the operation of the licensee’s transmitter during the period of the test transmissions.

PART 3: AM RADIO

Application of Part 3

17. This part of the guidelines applies to a licensee or an authorised person who intends to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, an AM radio broadcasting service occupying a channel in the 526.5 to 1606.5 kHz band of the radiofrequency spectrum.

Location of transmitter site

18. The transmitter site shall be located within the licence area of the related licence, unless otherwise stated in the technical specifications of the LAP.

Cymomotive Force (CMF)

19. Regardless of the location of the transmitter site, the CMF of the transmission in any given direction shall not exceed the maximum CMF specified in the LAP.

20. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the CMF of the transmission in any given direction shall not exceed that specified in the technical conditions of the transmitter licence.

_{Note 1 Guideline 20 does not preclude a licensee seeking a variation of the relevant licence condition.}

_{Note 2 The maximum CMF is defined in terms of an envelope specification for all azimuth angles in the horizontal plane. CMF limits may also be specified in the vertical plane where this is necessary to limit skywave interference to other AM radio services.}

Minimum level of service requirements

21. Unless otherwise specified in the LAP or transmitter licence conditions, a licensee is required to provide a minimum level of service within the licence area. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location and an omnidirectional pattern is specified for the transmitter in the LAP, the CMF of the transmission is to be no more than 5 dB below the maximum CMF specified in the LAP. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location and a directional radiation pattern is specified for the transmitter in the LAP, the CMF of the transmission is to be no more than 5 dB below the maximum CMF specified in the LAP, over at least 60 per cent of each defined arc. The licensee must ensure that the CMF of the transmission in the direction of any urban centre within the licence area is no more than 5 dB below the maximum CMF specified in the LAP.

_{Note The ABA in considering whether to exercise its discretion in relation to the minimum power of a service will have regard to the fact that operation at power levels below that planned for the service may result in interference to the service. The ABA’s planning framework will not generally protect services from interference in these circumstances.}

22. If a transmitter is not sited at the nominal location, the licensee shall provide at least a minimum level of service to those urban centres in the licence area that would have received a service from a transmitter operating from the nominal location at the minimum CMF requirements specified in guideline 21.

23. For the purpose of application of guideline 22, the minimum level of service in an urban centre is achieved if the received median ground wave field strength is equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

Maximum field strength within the licence area

24. A transmitter shall be sited so that not more than 1 per cent of the total population of the licence area reside in areas with received field strengths greater than 1000 mV/m.

_{Note Guideline 24 deals with potential interference and/or degradation in receiver performance due to excessive signal levels at the input terminals of the AM radio receiver.}

Maximum field strength beyond the licence area

25. If a transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location, the licensee must ensure that the median ground wave field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary does not exceed the greater of:

(a)the level that would be received if the transmitter was operating from the nominal location; or

(b)2.5 mV/m.

26. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the median ground wave field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary must not exceed 2.5 mV/m unless otherwise specified in the transmitter licence conditions.

Interference to other services

27. If the operation of a transmitter causes interference to an AM radio service, the licensee must (at the licensee’s own expense) adjust, or fit devices to, the transmitter or the affected receivers, or undertake other measures in order to eliminate or minimise the interference.

28. For the purpose of application of guideline 27, an AM radio service will be afforded protection against interference if:

(a)operating within the terms of the relevant LAP or transmitter licence conditions, as appropriate; and

(b)is being received within its licence area, national signal reception area or narrowcasting service area, as applicable; and

(c)is being received with median ground wave field strengths equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

29. In addition to guidelines 27 and 28 (which relate to AM radio services), a licensee shall, in consultation with affected parties, resolve complaints of interference to other radiocommunication services where that interference is caused by operation of the transmitter pursuant to the licensee's AM radio broadcasting service.

30. A licensee shall, in consultation with affected parties, resolve complaints of interference in areas where the received field strength exceeds 1000 mV/m.

_{Note The ABA is obliged to plan for AM broadcasting services in accordance with the Final Acts of the Regional Administrative LF/MF Broadcasting Conference (Regions 1 and 3) Geneva, 1975. Additional or alternative requirements necessary for compliance with the Geneva 75 Plan will be reflected in the LAP or technical conditions of the transmitter licence.}

Radiated signal characteristics

31. The radiated signal characteristics of a transmitter shall comply with the Emission Standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service (see appendix 1).

PART 4: FM RADIO

Application of Part 4

32. This part of the guidelines applies to a licensee or an authorised person who intends to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, an FM radio broadcasting service occupying a channel in the 87.5 to 108 MHz band of the radiofrequency spectrum.

Location of transmitter site

33. The transmitter site shall be located within the licence area of the related licence, unless otherwise stated in the technical specifications of the LAP.

Required field strength between adjacent frequencies

34. If:

(a)a transmitter (the ‘first transmitter’) is not sited at the nominal location; and

(b)the frequency specified in the LAP for the transmitter is separated by 800 kHz from a frequency specified for use by another transmitter at the nominal location of the first transmitter,

then, unless otherwise specified in the LAP or transmitter licence conditions, the licensee must ensure that the difference in received field strength between signals from the transmitters does not exceed 24 dB in any urban centre or locality that is within the licence area of either service.

Effective radiated power

36. Regardless of the location of the transmitter site, the ERP of the transmission in any given direction shall not exceed the maximum ERP specified in the LAP.

37. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the ERP of the transmission in any given direction shall not exceed that specified in the technical conditions of the transmitter licence.

_{Note Guideline 37 does not preclude a licensee seeking a variation of the relevant licence condition.}

Minimum level of service requirements

38. Unless otherwise specified in the LAP or transmitter licence conditions, a licensee is required to provide a minimum level of service within the licence area. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location and an omnidirectional pattern is specified for the transmitter in the LAP, the ERP of the transmission is to be no more than 5 dB below the maximum ERP specified in the LAP. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location and a directional radiation pattern is specified for the transmitter in the LAP, the ERP of the transmission is to be no more than 5 dB below the maximum ERP specified in the LAP, over at least 60 per cent of each defined arc. The licensee must ensure that the ERP of the transmission in the direction of any urban centre within the licence area is no more than 5 dB below the maximum ERP specified in the LAP.

39. If a transmitter is not sited at the nominal location, the licensee shall provide at least a minimum level of service to those urban centres in the licence area that would have received a service from a transmitter operating from the nominal location at the minimum ERP requirements specified in guideline 38.

40. For the purpose of application of guideline 39, the minimum level of service in an urban centre is achieved if the received median field strength is equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

Maximum antenna height

41. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location, the licensee shall ensure that the height of the electrical centre of the transmitting antenna above ground does not exceed the maximum height specified in the LAP.

42. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the height of the electrical centre of the transmitting antenna above ground shall not exceed that specified in the technical conditions of the transmitter licence.

_{Note Guideline 42 does not preclude a licensee seeking a variation of the relevant licence condition.}

43. If a transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location, the licensee shall ensure that the height of the electrical centre of the transmitting antenna above Australian Height Datum does not exceed the maximum antenna height above Australian Height Datum at the nominal location permitted by the LAP.

_{Note The LAP specifies the maximum antenna height above ground at the nominal location. To determine the equivalent antenna height above Australian Height Datum, the maximum antenna height specified in the LAP must be added to the height above Australian Height Datum of the nominal location.}

Maximum field strength within the licence area

44. A transmitter shall be sited so that not more than 1 per cent of the total population of the licence area reside in areas with received field strengths greater than 110 dBµV/m.

45. A transmitter shall not be sited so that a significant part of the population of the licence area resides in areas with received field strengths greater than 120 dBµV/m (1 V/m). For the purpose of this guideline, 0.1 per cent of the population or 100 persons, whichever is less, constitutes a ‘significant part’.

_{Note 1 Guidelines 44 and 45 deal with potential interference and/or degradation in receiver performance due to excessive signal levels at the input terminals of the FM radio receiver.}

_{Note 2 Subject to guidelines 41 to 43, the height of the antenna above ground level and/or the vertical radiation pattern may be altered to assist in complying with guidelines 44 and 45.}

Maximum field strength beyond the licence area

46. If a transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location, the licensee must ensure that the median field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary does not exceed the greater of:

(a)the level that would be received if the transmitter was operating from the nominal location; or

(b)54 dBmV/m.

47. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the median field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary must not exceed 54 dBmV/m unless otherwise specified in the transmitter licence conditions.

Interference to other services

48. If the operation of a transmitter causes interference to an FM radio service, analog television service, digital television service or datacasting service, the licensee must (at the licensee’s own expense) adjust, or fit devices to, the transmitter or the affected receivers, or undertake other measures in order to eliminate or minimise the interference.

49. For the purpose of application of guideline 48, an FM radio service, analog television service, digital television service or datacasting service will be afforded protection against interference if:

(a)operating within the terms of the relevant LAP, DCP (or approved implementation plan) or transmitter licence conditions, as appropriate; and

(b)is being received within its licence area, national signal reception area, narrowcasting service area or datacasting service area, as applicable; and

(c)is being received with median field strengths equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

50. In addition to guidelines 48 and 49 (which relate to FM radio services, analog television services, digital television services and datacasting services), a licensee shall, in consultation with affected parties, resolve complaints of interference to other radiocommunication services where that interference is caused by operation of the transmitter pursuant to the licensee’s FM radio broadcasting service.

Radiated signal characteristics

51. The radiated signal characteristics of a transmitter shall comply with the Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service (see appendix 2).

PART 5: ANALOG TELEVISION

Application of Part 5

53. This part of the guidelines applies to a licensee or an authorised person who intends to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, an analog television broadcasting service occupying a channel in the 45 to 52 MHz, 56 to 70 MHz, 85 to 108 MHz, 137 to 144 MHz, 174 to 230 MHz, or 520 to 820 MHz bands of the radiofrequency spectrum.

Location of transmitter site

54. The transmitter site shall be located within the licence area of the related licence, unless otherwise stated in the technical specifications of the LAP.

_{Note The transmitter should desirably be located so that, for a particular broadcasting band, viewers within population centres of the licence area of the service are able to receive all television services licensed to serve that area by means of a single outdoor antenna appropriate for that band.}

Effective radiated power

56. Regardless of the location of the transmitter site, the ERP of the transmission in any given direction shall not exceed the maximum ERP specified in the LAP.

57. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the ERP of the transmission in any given direction shall not exceed that specified in the technical conditions of the transmitter licence.

_{Note Guideline 57 does not preclude a licensee seeking a variation of the relevant licence condition.}

Minimum level of service requirements

58. Unless otherwise specified in the LAP or transmitter licence conditions, a licensee is required to provide a minimum level of service within the licence area. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location and an omnidirectional pattern is specified for the transmitter in the LAP, the ERP of the transmission is to be no more than 5 dB below the maximum ERP specified in the LAP. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location and a directional radiation pattern is specified for the transmitter in the LAP, the ERP of the transmission is to be no more than 5 dB below the maximum ERP specified in the LAP, over at least 60 per cent of each defined arc. The licensee must ensure that the ERP of the transmission in the direction of any urban centre within the licence area is no more than 5 dB below the maximum ERP specified in the LAP.

59. If a transmitter is not sited at the nominal location, the licensee shall provide at least a minimum level of service to those urban centres in the licence area that would have received a service from a transmitter operating from the nominal location at the minimum ERP requirements specified in guideline 58.

60. For the purpose of application of guideline 59, the minimum level of service in an urban centre is achieved if the received median field strength is equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

_{Table 5.1: Minimum median field strength figures for analog television}

_{(50% of locations, 50% of the time, measured at 10 metres above ground level – see guideline 9)}

*_{TV Transmission Band}*	*_{Frequency Range}_(MHz)***	*_{Field Strength (dBµV/m)}*
_I	_{45 ‑ 70}	₅₀
_II	_{85 ‑ 108}	₅₀
_III	_{137 ‑ 230}	₅₀
_IV	_{520 ‑ 582}	₆₂
_V	_{582 ‑ 820}	₆₇

Maximum antenna height

61. If a transmitter is sited at the nominal location, the licensee shall ensure that the height of the electrical centre of the transmitting antenna above ground does not exceed the maximum height specified in the LAP.

62. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the height of the electrical centre of the transmitting antenna above ground shall not exceed that specified in the technical conditions of the transmitter licence.

_{Note Guideline 62 does not preclude a licensee seeking a variation of the relevant licence condition.}

63. If a transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location, the licensee shall ensure that the height of the electrical centre of the transmitting antenna above Australian Height Datum does not exceed the maximum antenna height above Australian Height Datum at the nominal location permitted by the LAP.

_{Note The LAP specifies the maximum antenna height above ground at the nominal location. To calculate the equivalent antenna height above Australian Height Datum, the maximum antenna height specified in the LAP must be added to the height above Australian Height Datum of the nominal location.}

Maximum field strength within the licence area

64. A transmitter shall be sited so that not more than 1 per cent of the total population receiving at least the planned minimum field strength reside in areas with received field strengths greater than 110 dBµV/m.

65. A transmitter shall not be sited so that a significant part of the population receiving at least the planned minimum field strength reside in areas with received field strengths greater than 120 dBµV/m (1 V/m). For the purpose of this guideline, 0.1 per cent of the population or 100 persons, whichever is less, constitutes a ‘significant part’.

_{Note 1 Guidelines 64 and 65 deal with potential interference and/or degradation in receiver performance due to excessive signal levels at the input terminals of the analog television receiver.}

_{Note 2 Subject to guidelines 61 to 63, the height of the antenna above ground level and/or the vertical radiation pattern may be altered to assist in complying with guidelines 64 and 65.}

Maximum field strength beyond the licence area

66. If a transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location, the licensee must ensure that the median field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary does not exceed the greater of:

(a)the level that would be received if the transmitter was operating from the nominal location; or

(b)the field strength, for the frequency band of operation, specified in table 5.1.

67. If there is no technical specification specified in a LAP for a transmitter, the median field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary must not exceed the field strength for the frequency band of operation specified in table 5.1 unless otherwise specified in the transmitter licence conditions.

Interference to other services

68. A licensee of an analog television broadcasting service shall not cause unacceptable interference to an analog television service that is:

(a)operating within the terms of the relevant LAP or transmitter licence conditions, as appropriate; and

(b)being received within its licence area, national signal reception area or narrowcasting service area, as applicable; and

(c)being received with median field strengths equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

69. For the purpose of application of guideline 68, it is assumed that analog television services are being received using a television receiving system that has equivalent performance to the analog reference television receiving system. Where receiving systems are employed which have inferior performance to that of the analog reference television receiving system, or where their performance exceeds the performance of the analog reference television receiving system in ways that make them more sensitive to interference, interference protection will only be afforded to the level provided by the analog reference television receiving system.

70. For the purpose of application of guideline 68 to co-channel interference, ‘unacceptable interference’ means degradation in the ratio of wanted to unwanted signals, at the receiver input terminals of an analog reference television receiving system, of 2 dB or more due to the unwanted service, where the resulting co-channel ratio of wanted to unwanted signals is 40 dB or less.

71. A licensee of an analog television broadcasting service shall not cause unacceptable interference to a digital television service or a datacasting service that:

(a)commenced operation prior to that analog service; and

(b)is operating within the terms of the relevant DCP (or approved implementation plan) or datacasting transmitter licence, as appropriate; and

(c)is being received within its licence area, national signal reception area or datacasting service area, as applicable; and

(d)is being received with median field strengths equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

72. For the purpose of application of guideline 71, it is assumed that digital television services or datacasting services are being received using a television receiving system that has equivalent performance to the digital reference television receiving system. Where receiving systems are employed which have inferior performance to that of the digital reference television receiving system, or where their performance exceeds the performance of the digital reference television receiving system in ways that make them more sensitive to interference, interference protection will only be afforded to the level provided by the digital reference television receiving system.

73. For the purpose of application of guideline 71 to co-channel interference, ‘unacceptable interference’ means degradation in the ratio of the wanted to unwanted signals, at the receiver input terminals of a digital reference television receiving system, of 1 dB or more due to the unwanted service, where the resulting co-channel ratio of wanted to unwanted signals is 3 dB or less.

74. If the operation of a transmitter causes unacceptable interference to an analog television service, digital television service or datacasting service, the licensee must (at the licensee’s own expense) adjust, or fit devices to, the transmitter or the affected receivers, or undertake other measures in order to reduce the interference to a level that is no longer unacceptable interference.

75. In addition to the conditions of guidelines 68 to 74 (which relate to analog television services, digital television services and datacasting services), a licensee shall, in consultation with affected parties, resolve complaints of interference to other radiocommunication services where that interference is caused by operation of the transmitter pursuant to the licensee's analog television broadcasting service.

76. Where the same set of analog television services can be received from more than one transmission site with signal levels above the planned minimum field strength, application of these guidelines shall ensure that the reception of at least one of the sets of services, but not necessarily all of the sets of the same services, is protected against interference from the unwanted service. Similarly, where multiple transmissions of the same analog television service can be received from a single transmission site with signal levels above the planned minimum field strength, these guidelines shall ensure that the reception of at least a UHF transmission is protected against interference from the unwanted service.

77. Where the same digital television service or datacasting service can be received from more than one transmission site with signal levels above the planned minimum field strength, application of these guidelines shall ensure that the reception of at least one of the signals is protected against interference from the unwanted service.

Radiated signal characteristics

78. The radiated signal characteristics of a transmitter shall comply with the Emission Standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service (see appendix 3).

PART 6: DIGITAL TELEVISION

Application of Part 6

79. This part of the guidelines applies to a licensee or an authorised person who intends to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, a digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service occupying a channel in the 174 to 230 MHz, or 520 to 820 MHz bands of the radiofrequency spectrum.

Location of transmitter site

80. Unless otherwise specified in the technical specifications of the DCP (or approved implementation plan), the transmitter site shall be located within the licence area of the related licence or within the datacasting service area of the datacasting service, whichever is applicable.

_{Note The transmitter should desirably be located so that, for a particular broadcasting band, viewers within population centres of the licence area or datacasting service area are able to receive all television services licensed to serve that area by means of a single outdoor antenna appropriate for that band.}

Effective radiated power

81. If a transmitter intended to serve a particular area is not sited at the nominal location, the ERP of the transmission in any given direction from the alternative site shall not exceed that specified for the nominal location in the DCP.

_{Note 1 Guideline 81 does not preclude a licensee from making an application to vary a DCP where operation at higher ERP levels is required.}

_{Note 2 Guideline 106 deals with the situation where a licensee proposes to operate transmitters additional to those included in a DCP.}

Minimum level of service requirements

82. Under the policy objectives given in 6(3) (f) of Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, ‘.. as soon as is practicable after the start of the simulcast period for a licence area, and throughout the remainder of that period, the transmission of a commercial television broadcasting service in SDTV digital mode in that area should achieve the same level of coverage and potential reception quality as is achieved by the transmission of that service in analog mode in that area’. The DCPs provide the ERP levels expected to meet this objective, and where applicable, any ERP restrictions that need to be applied to protect specified analog television services from interference.

83. After the simulcast period mentioned in guideline 82, transmitters providing digital television broadcasting services (i.e. not datacasting services) which operate from a site, or sites, other than the nominal location(s) specified in the DCP shall at least provide a minimum level of service to those urban centres in the licence area of the related licence that would have received a service from a transmitter (or transmitters) operating from the nominal location(s).

84. For the purpose of application of guideline 83, the minimum level of service in an urban centre is achieved if the received median field strength is equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

_{Note No Minimum Level of Service Requirements are applicable to datacasting services. However, protection of a datacasting service against interference from other services will only be provided on the basis that the datacasting service provides a median field strength equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.}

85. In applying guidelines 82, 83 and 84, changes to sites or operating parameters of transmitters after the simulcast period should not cause a reduction in the level of service that was being provided during the simulcast period.

_{Table 6.1: Minimum median field strength figures for digital television}

_{(50% of locations, 50% of the time, measured at 10 metres above ground level – see guideline 9)}

*_{TV Transmission Band}*	*_{Frequency Range}_(MHz)***	*_{Field Strength (dBµV/m)}*
_III	_{174 ‑ 230}	₄₄
_IV	_{520 ‑ 582}	₅₀
_V	_{582 ‑ 820}	₅₄

Maximum field strength within the licence area or datacasting service area

86. A transmitter shall be sited so that not more than 1 per cent of the total population receiving at least the planned minimum field strength reside in areas with received field strengths greater than 110 dBµV/m.

87. A transmitter shall not be sited so that a significant part of the population receiving at least the planned minimum field strength reside in areas with received field strengths greater than 120 dBµV/m (1 V/m). For the purpose of this guideline, 0.1 per cent of the population or 100 persons, whichever is less, constitutes a ‘significant part’.

_{Note 1 Guidelines 86 and 87 deal with potential interference and/or degradation in receiver performance due to excessive signal levels at the input terminals of the digital television receiver.}

_{Note 2 The height of the antenna above ground level and/or the vertical radiation pattern may be altered to assist in complying with guidelines 86 and 87.}

Maximum field strength beyond the licence area or datacasting service area

88. If a transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location, the licensee must ensure that the median field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary or datacasting service area boundary (whichever is applicable) does not exceed the greater of:

(a)the level that would be received if the transmitter was operating from the nominal location; or

(b)the field strength, for the frequency band of operation, specified in table 6.1.

89. If there is no technical specification specified in a DCP for a transmitter, the median field strength of the transmission in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary must not exceed the field strength for the frequency band of operation specified in table 6.1 unless otherwise specified in the transmitter licence conditions.

Interference to other services

90. A licensee of a digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service shall not cause unacceptable interference to an analog television service that is:

(a)operating within the terms of the relevant LAP or transmitter licence conditions, as appropriate; and

(b)being received within its licence area, national signal reception area or narrowcasting service area, as applicable; and

(c)being received with median field strengths equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

91. For the purpose of application of guideline 90, it is assumed that analog television services are being received using a television receiving system that has equivalent performance to the analog reference television receiving system. Where receiving systems are employed which have inferior performance to that of the analog reference television receiving system, or where their performance exceeds the performance of the analog reference television receiving system in ways that make them more sensitive to interference, interference protection will only be afforded to the level provided by the analog reference television receiving system.

92. For the purpose of application of guideline 90 to co-channel interference, ‘unacceptable interference’ means degradation in the ratio of the wanted to unwanted signals, at the receiver input terminals of an analog reference television receiving system, of 2 dB or more due to the unwanted service, where the resulting co-channel ratio of wanted to unwanted signals is 41 dB or less.

93. For the purpose of application of guideline 90 to adjacent channel interference, ‘unacceptable interference’ means that the digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service occupies a channel that is adjacent to an analog television service and the relative level of the unwanted digital signal is more than 5 dB above the level of the wanted analog signal when measured at the receiver input terminal of an analog reference television receiving system. This value applies equally for upper or lower adjacent channel combinations.

94. Practical application of guideline 93 should take account of variable factors affecting the relative levels of the received adjacent channel transmissions. Where adjacent channel transmissions are provided from a common antenna an allowance of 5 dB shall be applied (i.e. a ratio of wanted to unwanted signals of 0 dB). Cases involving transmissions from different antennas require case-by-case consideration.

95. Where the same set of analog television services can be received from more than one transmission site with signal levels above the planned minimum field strength, application of these guidelines shall ensure that the reception of at least one of the sets of services, but not necessarily all of the sets of the same services, is protected against interference from the unwanted service. Similarly, where multiple transmissions of the same analog television service can be received from a single transmission site with signal levels above the planned minimum field strength, these guidelines shall ensure that the reception of at least a UHF transmission is protected against interference from the unwanted service.

96. A licensee of a digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service shall not cause unacceptable interference to a digital television service or datacasting service that is:

(a)operating within the terms of the relevant DCP (or approved implementation plan) or datacasting transmitter licence, as appropriate; and

(b)being received within its licence area, national signal reception area or datacasting service area, as applicable; and

(c)being received with median field strengths equal to, or greater than, the planned minimum field strength.

97. For the purpose of application of guideline 96, it is assumed that digital television services or datacasting services are being received using a television receiving system that has equivalent performance to the digital reference television receiving system. Where receiving systems are employed which have inferior performance to that of the digital reference television receiving system, or where their performance exceeds the performance of the digital reference television receiving system in ways that make them more sensitive to interference, interference protection will only be afforded to the level provided by the digital reference television receiving system.

98. For the purpose of application of guideline 96 to co-channel interference, ‘unacceptable interference’ means degradation in the carrier-to-noise-plus-interference ratio, at the receiver input terminals of a digital reference television receiving system, of 1 dB or more due to the unwanted service, where the resulting co-channel carrier-to-noise-plus-interference ratio is 20 dB or less.

99. For the purpose of application of guideline 96 to adjacent channel interference, ‘unacceptable interference’ means that the digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service occupies a channel that is adjacent to a digital television or datacasting service and the relative level of the unwanted digital signal is more than 30 dB above the level of the wanted digital signal when measured at the receiver input terminal of a digital reference television receiving system. This value applies equally for upper or lower adjacent channel combinations.

100. Practical application of guideline 99 should take account of variable factors affecting the relative levels of the received adjacent channel transmissions. Where adjacent channel transmissions are provided from a common antenna an allowance of 5 dB shall be applied (i.e. a ratio of wanted to unwanted signals of -25 dB). Cases involving transmissions from different antennas require case-by-case consideration.

101. If the operation of a transmitter causes unacceptable interference to a digital television service or datacasting service, the licensee must (at the licensee’s own expense) adjust, or fit devices to, the transmitter or the affected receivers, or undertake other measures in order to reduce the interference to a level that is no longer unacceptable interference.

_{Note Part 7 of these guidelines deal with the digital licensee’s responsibilities in the event of interference to an analog television service.}

102. Where the same digital television service or datacasting service can be received from more than one transmission site with signal levels above the planned minimum field strength, application of these guidelines shall ensure that the reception of at least one of the signals is protected against interference from the unwanted service.

103. If a digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service:

(a)does not provide a service from a transmission site included in a DCP technical specification; or

(b)operates at an alternative site from that specified in the DCP technical specification; or

(c)operates from an additional site not included in a DCP technical specification (see guideline 106), then,

the service will be afforded protection against interference from other digital television services or datacasting services included in the DCP based on the assumption that it is operating from the nominal location(s) included in the DCP.

104. In addition to the conditions of guidelines 90 to 103 (which relate to analog television services, digital television services and datacasting services), a licensee shall, in consultation with affected parties, resolve complaints of interference to other radiocommunication services where that interference is caused by operation of the transmitter pursuant to the licensee's digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service.

Single frequency networks and additional co-channel transmitters

_{Note 1 The ABA’s planning responsibility is limited to determining channels, nominal transmitter sites and radiation pattern envelope specifications. Detailed design and implementation of Single Frequency Networks (SFNs), including determination of relative ERP levels and timing relationships between signals from each of the transmitters within an SFN, is the responsibility of individual licensees.}

_{Note 2 Through its DCPs the ABA has defined a set of channels, transmission sites and radiation pattern envelope specifications that will permit digital television and datacasting services to be provided. Where a digital television or datacasting licensee proposes to deploy additional transmitters on the same channel as an existing channel allotment within a DCP (i.e. transmitters in addition to those shown in the technical specifications associated with the DCP), it is the licensees responsibility to: ensure that these guidelines, which inter alia deal with interference to other services, are complied with; and, to design and site the additional transmitters to avoid co-channel or adjacent channel interference from other services within the intended coverage area of the additional transmitters.}

105. A licensee of a digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service may configure co-frequency transmitters whose technical specifications are included in a DCP, into an SFN. However, the licensee is responsible for the detailed implementation and management of internal self-interference within the SFN.

106. A licensee of a digital television broadcasting service or datacasting service may be permitted to establish additional digital transmitters on the same channel as an existing channel allotment within a DCP assignment for that service (which may, or may not, be operated in an SFN arrangement), without requiring a variation to the DCP, subject to the following conditions:

(a)the area to be covered is not adequately served by transmitters operating in accordance with the DCP technical specifications; and

_{Note 1 Guidelines 82 to 84 define the Minimum Level of Service Requirements for digital television broadcasting services. For the purpose of application of paragraph 106(a) to datacasting services, an area may be considered under served if the received median field strength is less than the planned minimum field strength.}

_{Note 2 For the purpose of application of paragraph 106(a), an area may also be considered under served if an existing co-channel allotment determined in a DCP does not allow sufficient coverage due to self-interference.}

(b)transmitter licence applications relating to the additional transmitters are submitted to the ABA; and

(c)the licensee is responsible for managing self-interference arising from the additional co-frequency transmitters, and for resolving co-channel or adjacent channel interference from other services within the intended coverage area of the additional transmitters; and

(d)the characteristics of the additional transmitters comply with guideline 80 (Location of Transmitter Site), 86 and 87 (Maximum Field Strength within the Licence Area or Datacasting Service Area), 89 (Maximum Field Strength beyond the Licence Area or Datacasting Service Area), 90 to 104 (Interference to other Services), 107 (Radiated Signal Characteristics) and with Part 7 (Interference Management Scheme for Digital Television) of these guidelines; and

(e)in addition to the interference conditions set out in guidelines 90, 91, 92 and 95 in respect of co-channel interference to analog television services, where the ratio of wanted to unwanted signals due to existing interferers is 41 dB or less, the interfering field strength from the proposed additional transmission is at least 6 dB below the root-sum-squared value of the existing co-channel interferers; and

(f)in addition to the interference conditions set out in guidelines 96, 97, 98 and 102 in respect of co-channel interference to digital television services or datacasting services, where the ratio of wanted to unwanted signals due to existing interferers is 20 dB or less, the interfering field strength from the proposed additional transmission is at least 10 dB below the root-sum-squared value of the existing co-channel interferers.

Radiated signal characteristics

107. The radiated signal characteristics of a transmitter shall comply with clause 4.8.2 (Aus) of section 3 of Australian Standard AS4599-1999 Digital Television – Terrestrial Broadcasting – Characteristics of digital terrestrial television transmissions (see appendix 4).

108. Australian Standard AS4599-1999 Digital Television – Terrestrial Broadcasting – Characteristics of digital terrestrial television transmissions provides for a range of options relating to modulation, code rate and guard interval. While other operating modes are not excluded, the ABA will apply a Reference Modulation for planning purposes based on modulation of 64-QAM, code rate of 2/3 and guard interval of 1/8. This leads to a minimum C/N requirement of 20 dB (including implementation margin) for receivers operating in Ricean channels. Operation with other parameters will only be protected to the extent provided by the Reference Modulation.

Transmitter operation away from the nominal location

The TPGs provide some flexibility for licensees wishing to use an alternative transmitter site to the nominal location specified in the LAP or DCP.

The TPGs contain the criteria the ABA will use when considering whether to approve an alternative site. The criteria are designed to ensure, amongst other things, that use of the alternative site will not cause interference to radiocommunications services, or to existing or planned broadcasting services shown in the LAP or DCP. The licensee must continue to comply with the other technical specifications contained in the LAP or DCP, as well as all applicable requirements of the TPGs.

Notwithstanding this new relative freedom, the ABA and ACA must know precisely where transmitters are located and their characteristics so that they can be taken into account in planning and interference analysis. Hence, before transmissions at any alternative site can commence an appropriate transmitter licence (which will specify the exact site and primary radiation parameters) must be obtained.

The procedure to be followed by a broadcasting licensee seeking to locate a transmitter at an alternative site is further explained below, under Change of Transmitter Site Procedure.

Planning and development approvals from other Authorities

In addition to the requirements of the LAP or DCP technical specifications and the TPGs, licensees are reminded of their responsibility to obtain all necessary approvals for site planning and environmental matters from the relevant Federal, State/Territory and local government authorities. Licensees must also comply with Australian Communications Authority (ACA) regulatory arrangements for human exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), which are applicable to broadcasting transmitters. Further information on the ACA’s EMR regulatory arrangements can be obtained from the ACA website ( of the technical planning guidelines

The TPGs are divided into a number of sections, covering issues which are common to all broadcasting services, and sections covering issues specifically related to AM radio, FM radio, analog television or digital television, including the emission standards for these broadcasting services.

Introduction

The introduction outlines the relevance of the TPGs to the LAP or DCP; it details the broadcasting services bands and gives the definition for terms used in the TPGs. Essentially, the TPGs are to be read in conjunction with the technical specifications of the relevant LAP or DCP.

It should be noted that there is provision for some of the parameters specified in the TPGs to be varied by exception in the LAP or DCP or transmitter licence, as appropriate. For instance, the planned minimum field strength for an FM service in rural areas is normally 54 dBmV/m, however a higher median field strength may be specified in the LAP for a suburban or urban only service.

Part 1: Start‑up procedure

With development and expansion of broadcasting services, the density of transmitters leads to circumstances where existing services might be subject to interference as new services commence. Often this is because the radiocommunications environment has changed and better engineering practices are needed at existing sites to allow more services to operate free from interference.

The start‑up procedures require anyone seeking to establish, or to change the technical operating specifications of, a transmitter for a commercial, community (including temporary community) broadcasting service or datacasting service to follow a specified procedure to confirm that the transmitter is operating in compliance with the approved specifications and the TPGs, and that it does not cause interference to other services.

Radio, analog television and datacasting licensees are required to: advertise in the newspapers circulating in the licence area or datacasting service area of the approved service at least seven days before commencing test transmissions; to advise the ABA, the ACA and other broadcasters within, and adjacent to, the licence area or datacasting service area of the date and time of commencement of the test transmissions, the duration of the test transmissions and proposed technical operating specifications of the test transmissions; and, where practicable, to make regular announcements during the test transmissions identifying the licensee and providing sufficient information for members of the public to contact the licensee if the broadcast causes interference.

The start-up procedures for television or datacasting services provided in digital mode differ to those for analog services, although they share many of the above-mentioned requirements. The requirements for digital television are specified in Part 7 (Interference Management Scheme for Digital Television) of the TPGs.

Part 2: Change of transmitter site procedure

The TPGs include some flexibility in the choice of transmitting site. Where a licensee does not propose to site a transmitter at the nominal location specified in the LAP or DCP, the licensee must complete appropriate electromagnetic compatibility calculations for the alternative site to show that no interference will be caused to other services. The licensee must submit the EMC calculations to the ABA, together with an application for a test transmission licence. If the ABA is satisfied that the EMC calculations prove that operation from the alternative site will not cause interference and that relevant guidelines of the TPGs will be complied with, the ABA will allocate a test transmission licence. The licensee must then conduct test transmissions in accordance with the terms of the test transmission licence.

On completion of the test transmission, the licensee must provide to the ABA the results of the test transmissions including any interference assessment reports, and details of any complaints of interference made during the tests, together with a completed application form seeking variation of the relevant transmitter licence. If the ABA is satisfied that operation of the transmitter from the alternative site will not cause interference to other radiocommunication services and that relevant guidelines of the TPGs will be complied with upon commencement of transmissions from the new site, then it will vary the conditions attaching to the transmitter licence issued under the relevant provisions of the Radiocommunications Act.

Part 3: AM radio

This part of the TPGs applies to a licensee (or authorised person) who intends to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, an AM radio broadcasting service.

Under this part the AM licensee is required to site the transmitter within the licence area of the broadcasting service, unless otherwise permitted by the LAP. The radiated power of the transmission (in terms of cymomotive force or CMF), in any given direction, must also not exceed the maximum power specified by the LAP.

Unless otherwise specified in the LAP or transmitter licence, the licensee is required to provide a minimum CMF to urban centres within the licence area. This is to ensure that an adequate level of service is provided to all communities of significance, and not just to the larger population centres in the licence area.

The TPGs specify a maximum field strength that is permitted within population centres. The purpose of this requirement is to avoid excessive signal levels that may interfere with, or degrade the performance of, receivers.

The LAP process will normally ensure the location and corresponding transmission characteristics specified for the service are sufficient to achieve adequate coverage of population centres within the licence area, while ensuring any signal overspill in to adjacent areas is minimised. Where a licensee proposes to site a transmitter away from the nominal location specified in the LAP, the TPGs require that the field strength of the transmission, in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary, not exceed that which would be received from a transmitter operating at the nominal location, or a specified maximum field strength, whichever is greater. Therefore, licensees seeking to operate away from the nominal location must have particular regard to signal overspill into adjacent areas.

The TPGs also require that operation of the transmitter not cause interference to other AM radio services or radiocommunications services. In the event of interference to an AM service the licensee is required (at the licensees expense) to fit devices to the transmitter or the affected receivers, or undertake other measures necessary to eliminate or minimise the interference. The licensee must ensure the AM broadcasting service transmission complies with the Emission Standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service, which is at appendix l of the TPGs.

Part 4: FM radio

This part applies to a licensee (or authorised person) seeking to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, an FM radio broadcasting service.

The FM licensee must ensure the transmitter is sited within the licence area of the broadcasting service, unless otherwise permitted by the LAP. The radiated power of the transmission (expressed in terms of the effective radiated power or ERP), in any given direction, must also not exceed the maximum power specified in the LAP.

To minimise the possibility of interference to receivers, the TPGs impose constraints on the permitted discrepancy in received field strength between adjacent FM services separated in frequency by 800 kHz. This requirement is only applicable to licensees who propose to site their transmitting facilities away from the nominal location specified in the LAP.

A minimum level of service requirement is also specified for FM services in order to ensure all communities of significance within the licence area are adequately served.

FM licensees are required to ensure the height of the transmitting antenna does not exceed the maximum height specified in the LAP. Where the transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location specified in the LAP, the licensee must ensure the antenna height, when specified in terms of the Australian Height Datum (AHD), does not exceed the maximum antenna height above AHD at the nominal location permitted by the LAP.

The TPGs also specify the maximum field strength permitted within the licence area, as well as beyond the licence area boundary. The maximum field strength within a licence area is determined so that receivers do not suffer overload from excessive signal levels, while the maximum field strength beyond the licence area is specified so as to minimise overspill of the signal in to adjacent areas.

The licensee must ensure the FM broadcasting service transmission complies with the Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service, which is at appendix 2 of the TPGs.

Part 5: Analog television

The requirements for analog terrestrial television services using the VHF or UHF television broadcasting services bands are very similar to those for FM radio.

One notable exception relates to transmitter siting. It is desirable that a television transmitter be located so that, for a particular band, ie. VHF or UHF, viewers within population centres of the licence area of the service receive all television services, licensed to serve that area, from a single direction. The need for viewers to install multiple same band antennas reduces the protection from interference assumed in the licence area planning process.

The radiated signal characteristics of analog television services are required to comply with the Emission Standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service, which is at appendix 3 of the TPGs.

Part 6: Digital television

The guidelines related to digital television broadcasting and datacasting services follow a generally similar approach to those of analog television. There are, however some additional considerations due to, for example, the possibility of single frequency network operation and its implications for adjacent channel services. Some further explanatory notes on aspects of digital television are provided in Annex B.

The radiated signal characteristics of digital television services are required to comply with clause 4.8.2 (Aus) of section 3 of Australian Standard AS4599-1999 Digital Television – Terrestrial Broadcasting – Characteristics of digital terrestrial television transmissions (see appendix 4).

Part 7: Interference management scheme for digital television

Part 7 contains the Interference Management Scheme for digital television. This scheme applies to digital television broadcasting and datacasting transmitter licensees and is designed to ensure that a viewer’s analog television service is protected from interference from digital transmissions, and where such interference does occur, that resolution is achieved in a timely manner.

Emission standards for broadcasting transmitters

The TPGs also contain the standards applicable to broadcasting transmitters that operate in the terrestrial broadcasting services bands. The emission standards for radio and analog television services are substantially the same as those published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in the period 1989-92.

Reference to the relevant digital television standard is provided in appendix 4. This standard has been prepared by Standards Australia and may be adopted by broadcasters and datacasters according to their own requirements. Aside from the radiated signal spectrum mask of Australian Standard AS4599-1999, that is mandatory under guideline 107, the standard is recommended by the ABA only and is not mandatory under the TPGs.

Emission standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service

The AM emission standard is based on the Draft Emission Standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in 1992.

The standard follows international practice with provision for stereophonic program transmission based on the C-QUAM system.

The emission standard details the channel assignments for the AM radio broadcasting service, program signal characteristics for mono and stereo transmission and the radiated signal characteristics of the AM transmission.

Emission standard for the Australian FM Sound Broadcasting Service

The FM radio emission standard is based on the Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service determined by the Minister for Transport and Communications pursuant to s.125D of the Broadcasting Act 1942, and published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in July 1992.

The emission standard covers the radiated signal characteristics of the transmission, nominal channel assignments for the FM radio broadcasting service, main program signal characteristics for both mono and stereo transmission, and includes requirements for ancillary communications services carried as subcarriers on the main FM carrier.

Emission standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service

The analog television emission standard is based on the Emission Standard for the Australian Terrestrial Television Service determined by the Minister of Transport and Communications pursuant to section 125D of the Broadcasting Act 1942, and published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in March 1989.

The emission standard details the channelling arrangements for the analog television service as well as the video, vision and sound signal characteristics of the transmission.

The emission standard does not include the standard for teletext services provided in conjunction with the television transmission.

TPGs and Australian Broadcasting Authority planning handbooks

_{Because they are legally binding, the TPGs include only the mandatory requirements to be met by broadcasters in planning and operating new transmission facilities, or in seeking changes to existing facilities. Supporting information on suitable analog planning and measurement methods is contained separately in Technical Planning Parameters and Methods for Terrestrial Broadcasting (TPPs), first published by the Department of Transport and Communications in June 1992.}

_{The TPGs and TPPs were included as Parts 1 and 2 respectively of the Interim Australian Broadcasting Planning Handbook until December 2000, when the Handbook was superseded. The TPGs and TPPs are now included in the ABA’s Broadcasting Planning Manual (BPM) – a new publication which brings together all planning related documents, as well as additional reference material, in to a single publication. Copies of the TPGs, TPPs and other documents that form part of the Broadcasting Planning Manual are available from the}_{ABA website (} TPPs are based on broadcasting planning parameters and methods of measurement defined in Recommendations and Reports of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), as well as planning practices developed in Australia, North America, Europe and Britain over many years.

The TPPs are intended for broadcasters, planning consultants and operators of broadcasting facilities involved in detailed design of broadcasting transmitting facilities or in the preparation of planning submissions to the ABA.

The planning values and methods set out in the TPPs are generally consistent with international practice. Alternative method(s) may be used but facilities planners would need to be in a position to demonstrate that the alternative method(s) yield results comparable with those set out in the TPPs.

In respect of such alternative method(s), which may include various computer based prediction models, system designers need to be aware that no model is an exact replication of real propagation phenomena. The type of terrain and other variable factors make some models better in some circumstances than others, and the probabilistic nature of radio frequency propagation requires statistical methods of prediction. The methods set out in the TPPs represent accepted international practice and include statistical allowances based on many years and many different field measurements of propagation in different parts of the world.

For planning of digital television and datacasting services, the information contained in the TPPs is also supplemented by the ABA’s Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook. This Handbook is also available from the ABA website.

Relationship between the TPGs, FAP, LAPs, the Broadcasting Services and Radiocommunications Acts

Technical planning guidelines

The Broadcasting Services Act requires the ABA to develop technical planning guidelines (TPGs) for the technical planning of individual services that use the broadcasting services bands as a means of delivery. The TPGs set out the mandatory requirements that are to be met by licensees when completing the detailed planning of broadcasting transmitting facilities, and are to be read in conjunction with the technical specifications contained in the LAP.

The TPGs include the emission standards for AM, FM and television broadcasting transmitters, and are applied to commercial, community (including temporary community) broadcasting licensees and datacasting licensees through the powers contained in the Broadcasting Services Act. The TPGs may also be applied to national broadcasting transmitters and to narrowcasting services that use the broadcasting services bands, through Licence Conditions Determinations (prepared by the ACA) or special conditions attached to transmitter licences issued under the powers contained in the Radiocommunications Act.

Frequency allotment plan

The Frequency Allotment Plan (FAP) determines the number of channels that are to be available in particular areas of Australia to provide broadcasting services using the broadcasting services bands. The FAP identifies the capacity that is to be available for AM radio, FM radio and VHF/UHF television services.

The FAP apportions broadcasting services bands in particular parts of Australia to accommodate existing and future radio and television services. The FAP was determined by the ABA in August 1994, following wide public consultation, and is varied from time to time.

Licence area plans

A LAP details the number and characteristics of the broadcasting services that are to be made available within particular areas of Australia. The characteristics of each service include the service’s licence area, category, carrier frequency(s), transmitter site(s) and technical conditions, including maximum effective radiated power in each direction from the transmitter site.

If there are changes to the number of available channels arising from the determination of a LAP, the relevant FAP is varied to reflect those changes.

The determination of a LAP follows wide public consultation and is based on the preparation of a draft LAP to allow comment by affected communities, as well as broadcasters and other interested parties, before finalisation.

How to obtain a broadcasting service licence and the relevant transmitter licence

For commercial and community broadcasting services, completion of the LAP process for an area makes capacity available for new broadcasting services. The LAP will describe the type of services to be made available and the technical specifications applicable to those services.

The ABA will advertise the availability of spectrum capacity and invite applications for a broadcasting service licence. For new commercial broadcasting services, the ABA will conduct a price based allocation process to determine which applicant(s) are to be granted the licence(s) on offer. For new community broadcasting services, the ABA will invite applications and will conduct a merit-based allocation process to determine which of the applicants will be granted a licence.

With the issue of a broadcasting service licence comes an entitlement to a radiocommunications apparatus licence (i.e. transmitter licence) to operate the broadcasting transmission facilities to provide the service.

For more information about applying for a transmitter licence for new commercial or community broadcasting services, please refer to the ABA fact sheet Transmitter licences for new commercial and community broadcasters.

Alternative uses of the broadcasting services bands

Where planned spectrum capacity is not used for broadcasting services, that capacity may be made available for alternative uses, such as open narrowcasting. Allocation of rights to use the available spectrum capacity may entail a price based allocation process similar to that used for allocation of commercial broadcasting service licences.

The TPGs may be applied to transmitter licences for these services as a condition of the transmitter licence, in addition to the licensed technical specification for the service.

Annex A:

Policy Assumptions used in Planning

The policy assumptions used in analog and digital broadcasting planning are contained in the following documents:

The ABA’s General Approach to Analog Planning; and

The ABA’s General Approach to Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning.

Annex B:

Explanatory Notes related to Digital Television

Minimum level of service requirements

The DCPs specify the ERP levels expected to meet the ‘same level of coverage’ objectives given in 6(3) (f) of Schedule 4 of the Broadcasting Services Act. However, some DCPs include channel allotments with directional ERP restrictions on some services that apply until certain analog television services cease transmission. Notwithstanding the legislative requirement, these limits may mean, in some instances, that it will not be practicable to achieve the same coverage goal until the concerned analog transmission ceases.

Maximum antenna height requirements

The digital television section does not include guidelines relating to maximum antenna height. The Maximum Field Strength beyond the Licence Area or Datacasting Service Area, Minimum Level of Service Requirements and guidelines relating to not causing interference to other services more directly address the ABA’s concerns than would a restriction on antenna height.

A nominal antenna height specification is included in the technical specifications associated with the DCP for information. This nominal height is used by the ABA in performing interference predictions as part of its channel planning process.

Adjacent channel and SFN operation

Planning for digital television and datacasting services has made use of adjacent channel operation (either between two adjacent digital services, or between a digital service and an adjacent analog service) on the assumptions that: the adjacent channel transmissions are effectively co-sited; and the ratio of adjacent channel ERP levels is constrained to be within an appropriate range.

When applying the guidelines related to adjacent channel interference, account should be taken of variable factors affecting the relative levels of received adjacent channel transmissions, such as differences in transmitter radiation patterns (in both the horizontal and vertical planes), frequency dependency of receiving antenna system performance and differences in the actual transmission sites. Until better information is available, a value of 5 dB has been applied to the basic protection ratio values for sites where the adjacent services are transmitted from common antennas. Other cases will require more detailed case-by-case examination.

Where additional transmission sites are proposed, it may prove difficult to satisfy the necessary adjacent channel protection requirements in cases where transmitters are not effectively co-sited, and/or in cases where widely different ERP levels are used by the adjacent channel services.

Recognising this constraint, guideline 96 has been written to ensure that digital services operating in accordance with the DCP are protected.

In the particular case of potential adjacent channel interference between two digital services where one, or both, of the proposed digital services is not included in a DCP, it may be possible to satisfy the adjacent channel interference conditions through negotiation between the operators of the adjacent channel services. The required end result is that, in each area where adjacent channel interference could arise, the transmitters providing the adjacent channel services should be effectively co-sited and their relative ERP levels should be co-ordinated to ensure that the conditions of Part 6 of the Technical Planning Guidelines covering adjacent channel interference are satisfied.

Levels of allowable interference

Whenever any new service is added into an existing service arrangement there will be some increase, even if it is very small, in the interference received by the existing services. In assessing whether the general objective that “there should be no noticeable increase in interference to other services” is satisfied, in terms of practical engineering, the task is to set guidelines that ensure that any increase in interference is constrained to a level that would not adversely impact on existing services. These guidelines have quantified the amounts of interference that would be allowable for the cases of (i) interference to analog television services, and (ii) interference to digital television services. The signal degradation characteristics of analog and digital television systems have been taken into account in determining these limits.

No attempt has been made to quantify levels of interference that would be allowable for other radiocommunications services (including broadcasting services other than analog and digital television). Unlike television-to-television interference mechanisms where the characteristics of the device potentially suffering interference can be fairly readily defined, potential interference mechanisms between television and services other than television are much less amenable to detailed specification because the range and characteristics of the devices that could potentially suffer interference is large and diverse. This problem is particularly complex when potential interference mechanisms between services operating in different bands of the radiocommunication spectrum are considered. The current interference management process, which is complaints based and prefaced on the incoming service resolving any interference to existing services, appears to have worked adequately without the need for inclusion of such detailed definitions within the TPGs.

For analog television where the ratio of wanted to unwanted (digital) signals is 41 dB or lower, a degradation of no more than 2 dB in the co-channel carrier-to-noise ratio measured at the receiver input terminals has been permitted. This 2 dB degradation value is based on the interfering signal causing no more than 0.5 grades of degradation on a 5-grade impairment scale. The basis for this is that the human perception descriptors applicable to impairments to planned television reception (grade 5 – imperceptible; grade 4 – perceptible, but not annoying; grade 3 – slightly annoying) are fairly closely spaced and it seems reasonable to assume that defining a 0.5 grade change as an allowance for interference will not be perceived as having a noticeable impact on the level of interference to the signal. The relationship between subjective impairment gradings and carrier-to-noise (or unweighted video-signal-to-noise) ratio is given in texts such as ITU-R Recommendation BT.654. or Hutson, G.H. – Colour Television: system principles, engineering practice, and applied technology, 2nd Ed, McGraw Hill 1990.

For digital television where the received co-channel carrier-to-noise-plus-interference ratio is 20 dB or lower, a degradation of no more than 1 dB in the carrier-to-noise ratio measured at the receiver input terminals has been permitted. This 1 dB degradation value was suggested in the report of the sub-group on ‘same level of coverage and potential reception quality’ (appendix B of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook). The allowable value for digital television was chosen to be more stringent than for the comparable analog case. This was done in recognition of the concern that viewers in a marginal reception situation for a digital service could suffer a complete loss of service with a small increase in interference whereas in a marginal analog reception situation a slight increase in interference would cause a slight increase in visible and/or audible noise.

Measurement and assessment of interference

The interference ratio limits discussed above specify levels that are measured at the input terminals of a reference receiver. While this definition is closely tied to the receiver performance degradation due to interference it does present difficulties in relating these values to field strength measurements.

Field strength measurements can be subject to considerable variability. Even when measured at 10 metres above ground, the field strength may vary considerably with small changes in location or frequency; this is particularly so if the environment is subject to clutter. Field strength measurements can also be subject to short term and seasonal time variations. Variations in the field strengths of wanted and interfering signals will not necessarily be well correlated. Ideally, to obtain reliable and repeatable results it would be necessary to perform a large set of wanted and interfering signal field strength measurements. Notwithstanding time and cost considerations, in many situations terrain or access considerations would make this difficult or impractical. Experienced field strength surveyors may, however, be able to select representative sites where clutter and other confounding effects are minimised and where reproducible results can be obtained from a limited number of field strength measurements.

Calculated field strength predictions do not suffer the variability of measured field strength values. However, as with any mathematical or empirical model, the accuracy of predicted field strength values depends on how well the prediction model represents the real situation. Predicted field strength values can be a convenient method by which to assess claims about potential interference but their use should be tempered by knowledge of how well the prediction model fits the actual situation. Predictions can be used with greatest confidence where they are supported by field strength measurements from nearby areas.

In the final analysis judgements may need to be made based on the combination of data that is available. This could include whatever field strength measurements are available, comparative measurements made when the suspected interfering source is cycled on and off, or reduced in power by a known number of dB, and field strength prediction calculations for wanted and unwanted signals (especially where these predictions have been validated by field measurements in nearby areas). It is noted that while cycling of power of suspected digital interference sources could be a very useful technique for investigation of interference during the start up period, it may be more difficult to apply this technique for high power digital services once they commence normal operation.