SFN Networks
APPLICATIONNOTEVersion 4

Application ideally suited for:
• Networks where there is limited available radiospectrum• Regional broadcasts where low-cost localized
programming is required• SFN networks where GPS independence isneeded for increased security, control andresiliencel• Existing SFN networks that need to extend
coverage and increase efficiency
Advantages of SFN Networks:• Excellent spectral efficiency (low BW consumption)

APPLICATION NOTESFN Network Synchronization
with Media Links’ MDP3020
For an overall more secure, resilient and ultimately less expensive SFN
network. The standards-based Media Links MDP3020 SFN Edition carrying
PTP (Precision Timing Protocol) synchronization packets over terrestrial IP
networks provides an excellent alternative to conventional GPS receivers• Lower energy consumption (greater powerefficiency)• More homogenous field strength for better
reception & user experience• Better suited for Digital Video Broadcast to mobileHandsets• Better assurance for indoor reception versus MFN(Multi Frequency Networks)
Standards and specification• ST 2022-2 Standards based transmission• ST 2022-7 Seamless Protection Switching andAuto Protection

PTP GRANDMASTERIEEE1588 V2• ST 2022-5 Forward Error Correction• ETSI TR 101-290 TS compliant monitoring• Two 10GbE/1GbE optical trunk interfaces• PTP (IEEE1588 V2) for Advanced Sync Functions• 1 PPS & 10Mhz Synchronization Outputs• BC over 10GbE interfaces for externalinterconnection• On-board provisioning interface• 1RU, Half-rack width; 2 units per standard 19” rack• 2.7Kg / 5.95Ibs, 108VA power consumption• Redundant, dual power supply support

Related Products
MDP3000 Series of compact, portable
IP Media Gateways
ProMD EMS Software

Single Frequency Networks (SFN) are multi-transmitter networks that combine tocover an area with the same frequency and transmit the same information for an
extended footprint of coverage without the need to use additional frequencies.
This is SFN’s big advantage.
The main characteristic of SFN networks is that they operate with low(er)powered transmitters for more uniform field strength. All transmitters are perfectly
synchronized, operate at the same frequency, and with the same digital information.
Conventional SFN networks use Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers tosynchronize all transmitting sites.
Media Links’ MDP3020 SFN Edition provides synchronization via terrestrial IP
networks using the ‘Precision Time Protocol’ (IEEE1588 V2) standard. This results inless expensive, more reliable operation and delivers a far greater level of security andcontrol when compared to GPS based SFN networks. Additional benefits include fullscale network management, onboard redundancy, and the ability to more easily scalewith additional transmitters (and therefore network size) should needs change.

Trade-off’s ...
what’s great and not so great about Single Frequency Networks
SFN networks work well and use modulation schemes that are immune to, and resilient against multipath reception of the samesignal (i.e. echoes). So, in a SFN network where the same signal is transmitted by multiple transmitters with resultant signal overlap,
the weaker of the same frequency signals are considered an ‘echo’ and rejected by the receiver, leaving the strongest signal
for maximum reception. The big hurdle with SFN networks is the need to synchronize all the transmitters, traditionally with GPSreceivers, and this translates into a significant additional cost.

The current MORE COSTLY and RISKIER way of SFN Synchronization
Typically, GPS Receivers are used on each transmitter site to generate
the clocking signals for the synchronization of the transmitters
On each transmitter a GPS receiver is needed, a second one for
redundancy
Additional installation effort is required for the GPS antennas,
receivers and cabling
GPS receivers can be jammed, willfully or by accident
The GPS system itself is not in the hands of the network provider.
It may not even be based in the same country, region or continent
Any distortion/outage on the GPS can result in a major
disturbance of the whole SFN network
Traditional SFN
w/ GPS synchronizationand duplicated hardware
for redundancy

Program 1

Program 2Standard
Station

GPS/Beidou

SFN Adaptor(Main)SFN Adaptor(Standby)

Terrestrial digitaltransmission
network
Cable/Telecom
Automatic Switch

SFN
HeadendSingle Frequency
Network w/ IP
synchronization,
resiliance, and built-in
redundancy

GPS/Beidou
Transmission
adaptionTransmission
adaption

1PPS
10MHz
ASI

Stationmonitoring

Transmitter
DigitalexciterPower supplysystem

Transmission
adaption

GPS/Beidou

GPS/Beidou

Transmission
adaptionStandardStation

Stationmonitoring

1PPS
10MHz
ASI

Transmitter
DigitalexciterPower supplysystem

The GPS alternative, a less costly and more robust/secure solutionusing the Media Links MDP3020 SFN Edition – IP Media Gateway
Introducing the Media Links MDP3020 SFN Edition
A terrestrial IP network is implemented using the ‘Precision TimeProtocol’* (IEEE1588 V2) for time synchronization of each transmitter site
in the SFN network.
The PTP packets can be provided from single or multiple ingests within
the network. The necessary 1PPS‡ and 10MHz signals can be derived
from the receiving MDP3020 SFN Media Gateways to provide therelevant clocking information for each of the transmitters.
* PTP is defined by the IEEE 1588-2008 standard‡ 1PPS is defined as 1 pulse per second

ST 2022-2 Standards based transmission

1 PPS & 10Mhz Synchronization Outputs

ST 2022-7 Protection Switching and Auto Protection

BC over 10GbE interfaces for external interconnection

ST 2022-5 Forward Error Correction

On-board provisioning interface

ETSI TR 101-290 TS compliant monitoring

1RU, Half-rack width; 2 units per standard 19” rack

Two 10GbE/1GbE optical trunk interfaces

2.7Kg / 5.95Ibs, 108VA power consumption

PTP (IEEE1588 V2) for Advanced Sync Functions

Redundant, dual power supply support

Using the Media Links MDP3020 SFN IP Media Gateway
1No changes to the existing network are needed(assuming the tower sites are already connected
to an IP network for delivery of the DVB-T/DABtransport streams)

2

By enabling the IP network to PTP, the same network
can be used to transport the 1PPS and 10MHz
synchronization signals to the towers

3

In addition, the same MDP3020 Media Gateways can beused to encapsulate one or multiple ASI Transport Streams
over IP into DVB-T2 Base-band frames. The resulting T2-basemultiplex uses the T2-MI (T2-Modulator Interface) protocol
through IP. At the same time, the MDP3020 can transport the1PPS and 10MHz signals for synchronization

Advantages of the integrated Media Links MDP3020
SFN Edition solution
Uses the same existing IP network for delivery of TS
streams and synchronization
Independence from external GPS sources w/ noadditional GPS antennas & receivers
Capability of IP network 1+1 redundancy for the TS
streams and synchronization
End to End Network Management with Media Links’
ProMD-EMS
Overall lower network cost with greater service
Traditional SFN
w/ GPS synchronization
assurance and robustness

and duplicated hardware
for redundancy

Single Frequency
Network w/ IPsynchronization,
resilience, and built-inredundancy

Synchronization using the Media Links MDP3020 SFN Edition
DVB-T(2) Playout
DVB-T(2) Playout

IEEE1588 v2
IEEE1588 v2

PTP
PTP
GrandMasterGrand Master
1PPS
1PPS
MPEG TS
MPEG TS
Multiplexer
Multiplexer

PTP enabled
PTP enabled
Ethernet based
Ethernet based
Distribution
Distribution
NetworkNetwork

PTP
PTPSwitch
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch

DVB-ASI
DVB-ASIover IPover IP

10MHz
10MHz

SFN adaptor
SFN
Syncadaptorsystem
Sync system

DVB-ASI
DVB-ASI

Transmitter Site A
Transmitter Site A

DVB-ASI
DVB-ASI
1PPS
1PPS
10MHz
10MHz

Media Gateway
Media Gateway

Transmitter Site B
Transmitter Site B DVB-ASI

Media Gateway
Media GatewayDVB-ASI
1PPS
1PPS

Media Gateway
Media Gateway

10MHz
10MHz

SFN adaptor
SFN adaptor
Sync
SystemSync System

DVB-T
DVB-T
Modulator
Modulator

SFN adaptor
SFN adaptor
Sync
SystemSync System

DVB-T
DVB-T
Modulator
Modulator

SFN adaptor
SFN adaptor
Sync
SystemSync System

DVB-T
DVB-T
Modulator
Modulator

Media Links MDP3020 SFN Edition in a redundant 1+1 Configuration
DVB-T(2) Playout
DVB-T(2) Playout

IEEE1588 v2
IEEE1588 v2

PTP
PTP
Grand
MasterGrand Master

1PPS
1PPS

SFN adaptor
SFN
Syncadaptor
systemSync system

PTP
PTPSwitch
Ethernet
Ethernet SwitchDVB-ASI
DVB-ASIPTP enabled
PTP enabled
Ethernet based
Ethernet based
Distribution
Distribution
Network (B)Network (B)Media Gateway
Media Gateway

DVB-ASI over IP
DVB-ASI
overRedundant
ASIIPover API
Redundant
ASIv2)
over APIPTP (IEE1588
PTP(IEE1588v2)
Redundant
PTP
Redundant PTP

Front View

Circuit Graph
MDP3020-SFN4 (MDP3020-SFN)

Fans
Power

OK

Temps.

Video TX

Video TX

Video TX

Video TX

Video

Video

Video

Video

Circuit Graph for PanelJoinCircuit(SrcId=35995) => 36013

Data

Trunk

Trunk

TX

TX

TX

TX

10 Gbps

10 Gbps

10 Gbps

1080p 59.94

1080p 59.94

1080p 59.94

1080p 59.94

TX

TX

TX

8.00 G

9.09 G

1Line

2Line

121Line

2Line

12RX

Alarm

8.00 GHardw.

RX8.71 G

MDP3020 SFN Trunk TX [#1]9.09 G

MDP3020 Video Tx [Video 3]
MDP3020-JXS 1 (MDP3020-JXS)
locationRX8.71 G

OK

OK

OK

OK

OK

OK

OK

Video 3

Video 4

Video 5

Video 6

Data 1

Trunk 1

Trunk 2

MDP3020 Video Rx [Video 6]

Hitless

Service Enabled:
Rx Activation L1 | L2:
Rx Packet L1 | L2:
Rx Trunk Sel. L1 | L2:
Rx VLAN ID L1 | L2:
Rx Current Line:
Output Signal Format:

Hitless Status:
Manual Line Select:
Rx Delay diff. (ms):
Shortest Path:

Trunk #2
Trunk #1
211212
Line 11080p 59.94

MDP3020 SFN [#2]

MDP3020 SFN [#2]

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 1]
MDP3020-SFN 2 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 2]
MDP3020-SFN 2 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

OKActive
Line 11
Line 1

OK

MDP3020 SFN [#3]

MDP3020 SFN [#3]

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 1]
MDP3020-SFN 3 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 2]
MDP3020-SFN 3 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

OKErrors
Rx Packet Error L1 | L2:
Rx Buffer Error L1 | L2:
FEC Corrected L1 | L2:
FEC Uncorrected L1 | L2:
FEC Calc. Status L1 | L2:

OK

MDP3020 SFN [#4]

MDP3020 SFN [#4]

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 1]
MDP3020-SFN 4 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 2]
MDP3020-SFN 4 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

OK

OK

MDP3020 SFN [#5]

MDP3020 SFN [#5]

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 1]
MDP3020-SFN 5 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

All Device Table

MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 2]
MDP3020-SFN 5 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

OKOK

All DevicesStatus
OKOKOKOK
OKMajor
OK
OK
OK

Filter

MDP3020 SFN [#6]
MDP3020 Trunk [Trunk 1][Trunk 2]
MDP3020-SFN 6 (MDP3020-SFN)
location

Name

Location

Type

IP(s)

MDX3020-SFN_PTPMaster
MDX3020-SFN1
MDX3020-SFN2
MDX3020-SFN3
MDX3020-SFN4
MDX3020-SFN5
MDX3020-SFN6
MDX3020-SFN7
MDX3020-SFN8------locaton
location
location-------MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN
MDX3020-SFN

192.168.16.200
192.168.16.58
192.168.16.61
192.168.16.53
192.168.16.52
192.168.16.62
192.168.16.63
192.168.16.51
192.168.16.55

Media Gateway (B)Media Gateway (B)

SI
B-ASI
DVB-A
DV PS
1PPSz1PMH
10MHz
10SFN Network Management using Media Links’
ProMD-EMS Enhanced Management System
MDP3020 can also be managed with Media Links’ ProMD-EMS••••

Network Configuration and Fault Management
Stream Flow Management
Device and Topology View
Statistics

OK

ProMD EMS 2.0 Sample Screenshot

Media Links (Headquarters)
Kawasaki Tech Center 18F
580-16 Horikawa-cho,
Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi,
Kanagawa 212-0013 Japan
Phone: +81 44-589-3440
query@medialinks.co.jp

Media Gateway (A)Media Gateway (A)

DV
DVB-A
1P B-ASISI
1PPSPS
1010MHzMHzOK

Module Status

Port Status

Transmitter Site A
Transmitter Site A

DVB-ASI
DVB-ASIover IPover IP

10MHz10MHz

MPEG TS
MPEG TS
Multiplexer
Multiplexer

PTP enabled
PTP enabled
Ethernet based
Ethernet based
Distribution
Distribution
Network (A)Network (A)9 items total

Media Links Americas
431-C Hayden Station Road
Windsor, CT 06095
USA
Phone: +1 860-206-9163
Fax: +1 860-206-9165
info@medialinks.com

APPLICATION-EN-MDP3020SFN-06-2023

3rd party devices can additionally be added for acomprehensive end-to-end remote monitoring and control
software solution.

Media Links EMEA
Suite 18242, PO Box 6945,London W1A6US
UK
Phone: +44 207 096 9569
emea_info@medialinks.com

Media Links Australia
2-12 Rokeby Street,
Collingwood, VIC 3066,
Australia
Phone: +61 3-9017-0175
Fax: +61 3-8456-6339
info@medialinksaustralia.com.au

www.medialinks.com© 2023 Media Links. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
Media Links and Media Defined Networking are trademarks of Media Links.