World-renowned IBC technical papers address real-world problems facing the international broadcast and digital media industry, producing original and innovative research and innovation. IBC2024 technical paper submissions are currently being accepted and shortlisted papers will be presented at his IBC2024.
Yoffe, a postdoctoral fellow at StrathSDR and a senior systems engineer at Neutral Wireless, is the author of a paper, “5G Standalone Non-Public Networks: Modernizing Wireless Production,” which will help broadcasters push the boundaries of experimental production using 5G networks. Contributed to.
The team took inspiration from the broadcast of Queen Elizabeth II’s final departure from Scotland and 5G at the Commonwealth Games, the impact and feedback on the industry and overcoming the inevitable technical challenges.
Live broadcast and 5G system
“The IBC technical paper has been compiled by BBC R&D and Neutral Wireless/University of Strathclyde, led by Mark Waddell and myself, and includes contributions from an extensive list of authors,” Yoffe explained.
“Neutral Wireless is a commercial spin-out from the Software Defined Radio Group at the University of Strathclyde and has many years of experience in the development and deployment of wireless networks. These include software-defined radio networks and large-scale rural fixed wireless access networks in remote or poorly connected areas.
read more: IBC2023: Technical paper presentation session
“Neutral Wireless’ journey in the live broadcast space began in 2021 and since then we have rolled out a network that supports many broadcasters, including both electronic newsgathering (ENG) posting style and low-latency production style workflows. From English Premier League rugby, to the award-winning IBC 2022 Media Accelerator Project of the Year, to the Danish parliamentary elections, to Queen Elizabeth II’s final departure from Scotland at Edinburgh Airport… and, of course, King Charles. Until the coronation of the Third Generation and Queen Camilla.”
paper
After carrying out multiple rigorous tests, from a 5G testbed in the Strathclyde countryside on the shores of Loch Lomond in Scotland to outside Buckingham Palace, the team determined that the broadcaster’s ‘combined cellular devices could be used to connect public and private networks. We have tested and proven how it can be used. There are no changes to the operational workflow of photographers or news teams. ”
“Capacity, range and cell handover were investigated. Up to 20 HD video feeds were streamed simultaneously using a 900 meter tree-lined street used as a model for The Mall in London.”
The team successfully established a connection outside Buckingham Palace and carried out radio frequency modeling in time for the coronation to determine the location and network parameters used to support the application for a shared access license to Ofcom. We demonstrated the “verification” workflow. Day.
“We use this paper to openly discuss the decisions made and configurations deployed to support such a historic event using the world’s largest pop-up standalone private network for media submissions. I was hoping for that.”
A call for innovation
Yoffe pointed to the number of broadcast stations currently using bonded cellular video encoders to provide ENG and contribution feeds and the problems this causes in high demand environments.
Broadcast standard workflows become problematic in crowded locations where many devices saturate network resources. “BBC News experienced exactly this during its coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, and predicted that the expected crowds at the coronation would cause similar problems. Not just their wireless posting feed, but all Also includes broadcaster feeds: BBC News and BBC R&D approach Neutral Wireless to provide private 5G connectivity outside Buckingham Palace during the Coronation Ceremony to support a collection of international broadcasters To support the many potential contributions, we needed to work with experienced partners to develop an uplink-biased network at a scale never before attempted.”
PoC for inspiration and technical challenges
Mr Ioffe also added that the project has been built on “previous PoCs and deployments, including the award-winning IBC2022 Media Accelerator Project of the Year and subsequent support for wireless cameras at Edinburgh Airport during Queen Elizabeth II’s final departure. He also acknowledged that it is largely based on his experience. Originally from Scotland.
He said there are some significant technical challenges in designing network support, from wet weather conditions to latency, logistics and hardware challenges, and demonstrating seamless connectivity with other broadcasters. I continued to explain.
“The BBC’s first concern was whether the network could support a large number of simultaneous video feeds. The network was configured to use a 2:7 frame structure, and uplink connections would use more network resources. Testing by LiveU in Scotland demonstrated that devices can support more than 20 HD video streams on a single cell while moving towards the edge of the cell. If you set up a second cell, this test also demonstrated that cell handover is not an issue for your contribution workflow.”
When the network was scaled up to provide connectivity throughout The Mall, additional challenges were discovered: His RF survey on-site identified key broadcast infrastructure locations (considering seating stands, tree canopy locations, etc.) suitable for cell locations to provide connectivity to targeted locations. Next, we performed RF modeling to plan the cell sites and parameters. After implementation, on-site measurements using mobile phones showed that the modeling was very accurate and the actual coverage actually exceeded predictions. ”
Success and industry recognition
After the huge success of the project, Ioffe noted the outstanding results: the scale and capacity of the network, where connectivity is in high demand, and the sharing of resources with different broadcasters to “benefit the whole community.” I looked back on that.
“Deploying the world’s largest pop-up 5G standalone private network for media contributions was amazing, but it was unusual for it to be such a high-profile and historically significant event. The trust from the BBC to test technology on a scale we don’t have before is a huge responsibility, and the support from all our partners to ensure a successful delivery was a great example of what collaboration can do.”
Ioffe said the response from the industry was overwhelmingly positive, and broadcasters were able to experience the technology for themselves at Coronation. “Many broadcasters have publicly pointed out that live streaming would not have been possible without their private networks due to congestion on public networks,” the network said. As well as ambitious networks, Ofcom itself has commented on the good use of shared spectrum. ”
The team has also won several industry awards, including the EBU Technology & Innovation Award, the IBC Innovation Award for Content Creation, and several highly recognized honorable mentions.
“There is much more awareness of the use of 5G in broadcast production, and there is much more interest in using private 5G for programming, including IBC.
“While there are still some challenges to adoption, such as current spectrum licensing, the industry is steadily increasing awareness and acceptance of 5G as a broadcast connectivity tool. , which was great for engaging and reaching the right audience.”
Mr. Ioffe, considering the way in which his involvement has caused him pain, concluded: “We have a good relationship with the BBC and between our partners and we look forward to working together to support further events in the future. ON-Funded by Glasgow-based DSIT There are some interesting collaborative use cases in development as part of the SIDE project. Neutral Wireless has some exciting events planned over the next year and we look forward to sharing them as future IBC technical papers .”
read more: IBC2023 Technical Paper
