TSG, Vislink Partner to Support Statewide ATSC 3.0 Network Upgrade for Alabama Public Television
May 03 2021 - 8:00AM
Technical Services Group (TSG), a leading broadcast engineering and
commercial AV solutions provider, today announced it has been
awarded the bid to upgrade the statewide microwave distribution
system for Alabama Public Television (APT) to support ATSC 3.0
transmission. Valued at approximately $2.8 million, the project
will require an upgrade of 30 locations with bi-directional,
high-speed IP components from Vislink, Inc. (Nasdaq: VISL), the
global technology leader in collection, delivery, and management of
high-quality live video and associated data.
“Before we could upgrade to an ATSC 3.0 on our
transmitters, we had to have an IP network over the microwave
system designed to handle an ATSC 3.0 signal,” explained Windell
Wood, director of engineering and COO for APT. The current system
has been in place since 2010, and is only capable of supporting
ATSC 1.0.
The APT network utilizes nine transmitters and
21 repeaters to maintain statewide coverage. The master signal
originates from the network operations center at APT’s flagship
station, WBIQ, in Birmingham, Ala. To achieve bi-directional
connectivity and full redundancy across the entire network, TSG
will install 120 of Vislink’s most popular transceivers, the IPLink
3.0 – four at each site.
Vislink’s all-indoor digital video microwave
system, which features a touchscreen display and clean front panel
design in a 2RU chassis, will allow APT to transition from
traditional ASI transport to an IP-centric system architecture. The
new system will also utilize Simple Network Management Protocols
(SNMP), which will monitor and manage the overall health of the APT
network.
Both TSG and Vislink have worked with APT in the
past. During the recent FCC Repack, for example, TSG replaced three
IOT transmitters with GatesAir solid-state transmitters for APT, so
Wood is confident in the company’s ability to upgrade the microwave
distribution system. “We’re very pleased with their work,” he
added.
“Alabama has one of the best public television
organizations in the country, with one of the most robust microwave
infrastructures,” said Mickey Miller, CEO of Vislink. “We have
worked with APT for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to continue
our relationship as they prepare for an ATSC 3.0 migration and move
toward a total IP-centric network. TSG is an incredible company
that provides great technical solutions, and we value our
collaboration.”
Work on the project is expected to begin in
early summer and be completed by the end of the year. With the
built-in redundancy (and hot standby feed) of the system, APT
should be able to minimize or avoid signal disruption during the
upgrade, according to Wood.
Once ATSC 3.0 is implemented across the state, a
portion of the bandwidth will be allocated to emergency services,
including police and fire departments, while part will maintain
distribution of the ATSC 1.0 signal. The remaining bandwidth will
be allocated to the ATSC 3.0 feed.
Another key technical layer to the APT plan for
ATSC 3.0 adoption is a separate fiber network, currently in the
planning stage, which will connect all 30 transmission sites
throughout the state. Fiber connectivity will provide additional
redundancy and seamless failover for APT.
“ATSC 3.0 is the next step in the evolution of
broadcast television. With their emphasis on infrastructure,
Alabama Public Television is in front of the curve,” said Bo
Hoover, CEO of TSG. “APT’s transition to ATSC 3.0 is going to serve
as a model for other statewide networks, and we are excited to work
with Vislink to deliver this solution.”
About Vislink, Inc.
Vislink is a global technology business
specializing in the collection, delivery, and management of high
quality, live video and associated data from the scene of the
action to the viewing screen. For the broadcast markets, Vislink
provides solutions for the collection of live news, sports, and
entertainment events. Vislink also furnishes the surveillance and
defense markets with real-time video intelligence solutions using a
variety of tailored transmission products. The Vislink team also
provides professional and technical services utilizing a staff of
technology experts with decades of applied knowledge and real-world
experience to the areas of terrestrial microwave, satellite, fiber
optic, surveillance, and wireless communications systems, to
deliver a broad spectrum of customer solutions. Vislink’s shares of
Common Stock are publicly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under
the ticker symbol “VISL.” For more information, visit
www.vislink.com.
About TSG
With more than 30 years of industry experience,
Technical Services Group provides engineering teams and expert
solutions that are integrated by design. From transmitters to
control rooms, TSG offers design, installation, repair, and managed
services for radio and television broadcasters. Our commercial AV
solutions deliver innovative presentation and control technologies
for sports venues, government offices, schools, houses of worship,
healthcare facilities, and hospitality sites. Before you go live,
visit tsgcom.com.
Press ContactBrian GalanteDimension
PR207-494-8428brian@dimensionpronline.com
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