San Diego
Chapter 36
Seminar Sponsors:
March 17, 2004
ATSC Digital VSB
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM SEMINAR
By Gary Stigall
We're honored to host an all-day seminar given by one of the HDTV industry heavyweights, Gary Sgrignoli. You have a rare chance to learn about the many aspects of digital television transmission systems from one of its developers. Join us Wednesday, March 17, 2004 at Radyne Comstream in the Sorrento Mesa area of San Diego.
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| Gary Sgrignoli received his MSEE from the University of Illinois in 1977. He was with Zenith Electronics Corporation from 1977 till February 2004, and has left to become a consulting engineer. Gary has worked in the R&D design area on television "ghost" canceling, cable TV scrambling, and cable TV two-way data systems before turning to digital television transmission systems. Since 1991, he has been extensively involved in the VSB transmission system design, its prototype implementation, and lab and field tests. He holds 35 U.S. patents. Gary was involved with the DTV Station Project in Washington DC, helping to develop DTV RF test plans. He has also been involved with numerous television broadcast stations around the country, training them for DTV field testing and data analysis, and participated in numerous DTV over-the-air demonstrations with the Grand Alliance and the ATSC, both in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to publishing technical papers and giving presentations at various conferences, he has given many of these VSB transmission system tutorials around the country. |
The subject of the course is ATSC's digital television (DTV) vestigial sideband (VSB) transmission system. This seminar is aimed at broadcasters, broadcast consultants, equipment manufacturers, translator/LPTV operators, and cable operators. The seminar will develop a basic understanding of the digital VSB transmission system and its performance attributes as well as current practical application information.
The seminar will focus on the following topics:
- NTSC and DTV: Past, present & future
- Basic data communication and modulation theory review
- Brief ATSC system overview
- ATSC VSB transmission system tutorial
- VSB lab test plan, methodology & test results
- VSB transmitter measurements, ATSC & FCC compliance
- Introduction to the FCC channel allocation factors (OET 69)
- ATSC cable carriage methodology
- ATSC repeater technology (Translators & on-channel repeaters)
- VSB field test plan, methodology & test results
- DTV receiver improvements
Note that the course will count as a full continuing education credit toward SBE certification renewal.
Hours are from 8:30AM till 5:45PM, Wednesday, March 17. Gary encourages Q&A throughout his all-day PowerPoint™ presentation. Attendees will receive valuable, in-depth seminar notes and reference materials. A deli box lunch and beverages will be provided to all registrants. Location is Radyne Comstream, 6340 Sequence Drive, in the Sorrento Mesa area of San Diego. Here is a map. Park in the rear of the building in spaces marked "Radyne ComStream" or "Memec" Lost or questions? Call the switchboard at 858-458-1800.
Dress is casual. During our breaks, sponsors will show their wares at tables in the back of the room. At the end of the day, we'll give out a couple of door prizes, including an LG LST-3100A HDTV over-the-air receiver.
Enrollment is limited, so reserve your seat now. Cost is $35 for each SBE, IEEE, NCTA, SMPTE, STE member or active University student; $50 for non-members. For more information about the program, call Gary Sgrignoli at 847-259-3086, locally call Gary Stigall at KFMB, 858-571-8888 ext. 473. If you'd like to join the SBE and take advantage of the discount, go here. Note that most of the costs associated with this event are being covered by our generous sponsors.
Ready to Register?
Use our new secure PayPal™ checkout system to register for the seminar using a valid PayPal or major credit card account. Each attendee with need to register separately. In the event of a cancellation of the event or your inability to attend, refunds will be sent after March 17 via check. Eligible IEEE, NCTA, SMPTE, or STE members, as well as students will be required to show proof of membership at the door. SBE members should be registered here by the time of the seminar or submit at the door a completed application with the required dues on a separate check.
- Mail-in registration available using this PDF flyer.
- Online registration for members and students through PayPal:
- Online registration for guests through PayPal:
- On-site registration: Reserve your seat by e-mailing your name(s), address, phone, and discount affiliation to sbe36@broadcast.net. You may then complete registration at the door, but only checks or money orders will be accepted at that time--no credit cards will be accepted.
Appreciation
It's my belief that this kind of event is the real value of SBE and other technical organizations like it. A great deal of effort went on behind the scenes.
Our many thanks to:
- Radyne ComStream for hosting, with Jack Herbert site and sales coordinator;
- Microwave Radio Communications, event sponsor;
- Western Radio Electronics, event sponsor with chapter VP Jim Dujowich, sales and food coordinator;
- Ross, event sponsor;
- Triveni, event sponsor;
- Gepco, event sponsor;
- Agilent Technologies and Tektronix, tour supporting sponsors;
- Speaker Gary Sgrignoli, time, publicity and coordination;
- SBE local officers Craig Claytor of TV Magic and Donn Johnson of KPBS, who helped with publicity and accounting.