Cambridge-based technology innovation company TTP has been awarded a research project by UK radio regulator Ofcom to assess the potential for future improvements in the performance of radio receivers, in particular for TV.  The project builds on a previous research programme conducted by TTP for Ofcom in 2009.

As demands on spectrum increase, regulators are looking to enable services such as mobile broadband and White Space to operate alongside broadcast TV.  Dr Antony Rix from TTP’s Wireless group commented that, “if TV spectrum in 700MHz is to be released for LTE or other uses, it is critical that TV receivers operating close to these frequencies continue to be able to operate with a very high quality of service.”

TTP’s research will assess the potential for TV receiver performance, specifically adjacent channel selectivity, to be increased.  Lewis Davies, who is leading the project at TTP, highlights that, “although the performance of best-in-class silicon tuners now broadly matches the canned tuners that they replace, there are several challenges to overcome in order to achieve further improvements; for example, handling the intermittent and potentially high power transmissions from a nearby mobile device.  Our work will shed light on what might be possible in the future whilst remaining within the same broad cost profile as today.”

TTP and Ofcom welcome input from industry stakeholders who would like to contribute to the study.  TTP’s findings are expected to be published as a report later in 2013 and will be discussed at a stakeholder workshop planned to be held in London on November 25th 2013.

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