ABU Technical Committee 2006 Annual Meeting 2-5 November 2006 Beijing Doc T-6/44-3

DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF HELICOPTER HDTV CONTRIBUTION SYSTEM

EIICHI MATSUO NEWS ENGINEERING DIVISION ENGINEERING ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT NIPPON HOSO KYOKAI, JAPAN

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Development and expansion of helicopter HDTV contribution system

Eiichi Matsuo News Engineering Division Engineering Administration Department NHK, Japan
1. Introduction NHK maintains helicopters at eleven (11) locations around Japan for aerial news coverage of emergencies such as earthquakes. In order to equip helicopters with HDTV equipment, it was necessary to overcome limitations relating to weight, space, and power supply. But NHK improved its technology to deduce the power consumption, size and weight of HDTV equipment, NHK has a plan to have all its helicopters fitted with HDTV video systems until December this year. This report presents an outline of NHKs work in the development and implementing its HDTV video system for helicopters. 2. Features of News Helicopters equipped HDTV 2.1 Helicopters NHK uses two models of helicopters for HDTV reporting. These were selected through a comprehensive evaluation of characteristics including safety, body size, carrying capacity (number of passengers), space, and power supply. Medium Twin Helicopter AS365N2 (Eurocopter) This model features a long flying range, and is usually based in Tokyo, Osaka, and other major Japanese cities. Light Twin Helicopter EC135T2 (Eurocopter) This model is relatively quiet, and is useful where maneuverability is important. It is usually based in regional cities

Picture1; Medium Twin Helicopter (AS365N2)

Picture2; Light Twin Helicopter (EC135T2)

2.2 HDTV Reporting Functions The main functions of the HDTV systems fitted in the HDTV news helicopters are as follows. HDTV Video Capture The video camera fitted in the helicopters is equipped with a function that suppresses shaking due to the vibration of the helicopters, thereby enabling capture of stable HDTV video images.
1

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 HDTV VTR Recording This function enables video captured from the camera and video transmitted from the ground to be recorded in HDTV format. HDTV/SDTV Signal Transmission This function enables HDTV and SDTV signals to be transmitted to terrestrial base station of micro wave. HDTV/SDTV Signal Reception This function enables HDTV and SDTV signals to be received from an ENG vehicle on the ground. 3. Main Reporting Facilities An outline of the helicopter reporting system is given in Fig. 1. This is the simplest possible system, allowing operation only by a camera operator.

Video and Audio system

ICS (Inter-Communication System) Video: HD SDI Router Audio: Audio Switcher and Inter-Communication

Wireless Communication
VHF: communication UHF: transmitting data
UHF VHF

HDTV Anti-vibration camera

Disaster area Receiving signal (HDTV /SDTV )

Microwave
(HDTV/SDTV)

NH K

Base Station

Rear Transmission Antenna

ENG Vehicle

Front Transmission Antenna

Figure1;

News helicopter system

3.1 HDTV anti-vibration Camera In order to allow capture of steady video images unaffected by the effects of helicopter vibration, the HDTV camera installed in the helicopter is equipped with a function that prevents shaking due to vibration (anti-vibration function). For safety reasons, the camera itself is fixed outside the helicopter, and controlled from inside using a remote controller. (See picture3) The cameraman operates the camera using a joystick on the control panel inside the helicopter, to control panning, tilting, etc. of the camera. (See picture4.) The camera system features an anti-vibration camera platform that uses an optical gyroscope, and a discrete 2.2-million-pixel FIT-type 3-CCD imaging device with 40X optical zoom HDTV lens. These elements combine to enable the capture of stable, high-definition, high-magnification video images.

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Picture3; HDTV anti-vibration Camera

Picture4; Operation inside helicopter

3.2 HDTV VTR The VTR system incorporates a compact HDTV VTR that can be used for recording and playing back video. When the helicopter flies out of the area of transmission coverage , the video can be temporarily recorded to the VTR. Then, after the helicopter moves into an area where transmission is possible, the recorded video can be played back and transmitted to the receiver. 3.3 Video and audio system

(a) ICS (Intercommunication System) The video and audio systems of the helicopter are integrated in an ICS. Video signals are carried over an HD SDI interface, using an 8x8 HDTV matrix switcher, which provides the necessary and sufficient capabilities for reporting. In addition, direct switching from the air enables live broadcasts from the helicopter. Audio signal resource lines can be switched by pushing a button, to carry audio for different configurations, such as reporter + guest , reporter + VE (video engineer) , or camera operator , thereby enabling flexible operation to suit the makeup of the helicopter crew. The compact system ICS even incorporates a wireless capability for contact and communication between the people on board the helicopter. (b) Up/down converter The entire in-helicopter video system is HDTV-based, so SDTV video is up-converted and handled as a HDTV signal. In addition, by down-converting the output of the HDTV MTX to SDTV, the system is capable of transmitting both HDTV and SDTV video. 3.4 Transmission system Video images taken from the helicopter at the report scene are transmitted to the TV broadcast station via a terrestrial base stations. A diagram outlining the transmission network is shown in the figure below.

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HDTV Helicopter

Base Station

Base station

HDTV-ENG Vehicle
Figure2; Microwave Link Network

Broadcast Station

Next, we will explain the transmission system of the helicopter. The helicopter system is equipped with a variety of functions to enable live broadcast from the report scene. (a)Video transmission system Transmission of video signals is achieved using an FPU transmitter and ADS (Antenna Directional System). (1) Transmitter The system uses a 7GHz-band microwave transmitter, capable of transmitting both HDTV (*QAM modulation) and SDTV (FM) video signals, over approximately the same range for each. * QAM : Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (2) ADS (Antenna Directional System) In order to transmit video from the helicopter, it is necessary to use a parabolic antenna for microwave transmission, oriented in the direction of the ground base station. In order to allow operation by a camera operator , the antenna automatically adjusts itself to the direction of the ground base station. This automatic direction finding is achieved principally through two functions, as described below. Antenna switching function Since the transmission of video may be blocked by the helicopter itself, depending on the relative orientation of the terrestrial base station and helicopter, two transmission antennas are installed on each helicopterat left and right on the Medium Twin Helicopter; at front and back on the Light Twin Helicopter. There is mechanism to ensure that when the direction of the helicopter changes, there is automatic switching to the other antenna, which is directed in the approximate direction of the terrestrial base station.

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Left Antenna Switching Point Right Antenna Switching Point

Figure3; Antenna switching function Automatic tracking system This function ensures that the direction of the helicopters parabolic transmission antenna is automatically adjusted to remain oriented towards the terrestrial base station. (1) WB (wide band width) command tracking Helicopter : Receives a UHF WB wireless signal indicating the angle of the base station antenna, then calculates the bearings of the base station and adjusts antenna direction accordingly Base station : Antenna automatically adjusts to the direction of maximum received signal strength

Helicopter

Transmission Antenna Adjusting to base station based on data of UHF-WB Receiving Antenna Automatically adjusted to the direction of maximum received signal strength

UHF-WB wireless signal Transmitting the angle of the base station antenna

Base station

Figure4; UHF WB command tracking (2) GPS tracking Helicopter: Calculates and adjusts antenna direction from helicopters GPS data and latitude and longitude of the base station. The latitude and longitude of the base station must be set in the helicopter before the flight. Base station: Antenna is automatically adjusted based on position data received from helicopter via UHF narrow band width.

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Detector for Searching Tx Direction

Receiving Antenna

Receiving Process Searching Tx position based on microwave strength Receiving antenna automatically adjusted to Tx position

Tx
Figure5; GPS tracking (b) Video receiving system By using a helicopter as a relay point , a helicopter are able to receive microwaves from an ENG vehicle on the ground. (1) Receiver The system uses a microwave receiver, capable of receiving both HDTV (QAM/*OFDM modulation) and SDTV (FM) video signals. * OFDM : Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (2) DFR ( Direction Finding Receiver ) A detection antenna detects the arrival direction of the microwaves, and the receiving antenna is then automatically adjusted to the point of transmission on the ground.

Detector for Searching Tx Direction

Receiving Antenna

Receiving Process Searching Tx position based on microwave strength Receiving antenna automatically adjusted to Tx position

Tx
Figure6; DFR system

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4. Summary This report provides an introduction to NHKs development and implementation of a HDTV reporting system for its news helicopters. Until December 2006, NHK has a plan to install HDTV video system to all helicopters. These systems will make it possible for NHK to deliver live broadcast coverage of earthquakes, accidents, and other emergency situations in HDTV video, from anywhere in Japan within a short time. (See figure.) Through the safe and accurate reporting of its HDTV-equipped helicopters, NHK hopes to continue making a contribution to public broadcasting by helping to save lives and property.

Figure7; NHK helicopter base

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