PROGIRA Chosen To Support ATSC 3.0 Implementation And Single Frequency Network Planning For Sinclair Broadcast Group

Early Activities Aimed at Highlighting SFN Planning and Impact on Future Services

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Acrodyne Services, has chosen PROGIRA plan software for the planning of digital TV networks, including SFNs (Single Frequency Networks), in the U.S. with the new ATSC 3.0 standard.

“We are very proud to introduce Sinclair as our new PROGIRA plan customer and start the cooperation with one of the leadingbroadcast operators in the U.S. Our new customer and partner in the U.S. market gives us a chance to work closely with the North American broadcasters and help introduce the new ATSC 3.0 standard in the U.S. market,” said Patrik Engstedt, CEO at PROGIRA Radio Communication AB.

“We knew that taking full advantage of ATSC 3.0 capabilities would require new planning software, and we found in PROGIRA acapable partner willing to take on the challenge of developing a product for ATSC 3.0 applicable to the U.S. marketplace. We are confident that PROGIRA’s knowledge of OFDM systems, combined with Sinclair’s expertise in the U.S. market and the technical capabilities of Dielectric and Acrodyne Services, will help us extract the optimum capabilities of ATSC 3.0, including widespread implementation of SFNs (Single Frequency Networks),” stated Andy Whiteside, President of Dielectric/General Manager of Acrodyne Services, both Sinclair Broadcast Group subsidiaries.

Sinclair is an active proponent of “Next Gen” broadcast services, which allow for new business opportunities to be developedfrom the ATSC 3.0 standard. The PROGIRA planning/design tools complement the unique engineering and technology talent that exists within the Sinclair Engineering group and the Acrodyne and Dielectric teams of RF, antenna and transmission system experts. This level of ‘vertical implementation’ and planning has not previously existed in the U.S. because the current broadcast standard does not support the widespread use of SFNs. PROGIRA and its principals have been engaged in the planning and provisioning of OFDM based MFNs (Multi Frequency Networks) and SFNs at all levels in numerous countries for decades, andthey bring a level of experience that complements the collaborative engineering teams within Sinclair.

At PROGIRA we want to make a difference. By identifying actual client needs we can provide truly great solutions and real valueto the organizations we work with. We started out as pioneers in our field in 1990. Today, we provide cost effective network solutions and our expertise to clients in more than 50 countries. We are broadcast network planning craftsmen. We are independent and our main areas of expertise are Network Coverage, Infrastructure Investment Optimization, Digital Dividend Possibilities, Frequency Planning and Digital Cartography. For more information, visit www.progira.com.