ATSC Standards Update: New Version of A/344 Published

An update of A/344, “ATSC 3.0 Interactive Content,” has been published on the ATSC web site. The new version incorporates an amendment approved on May 19 titled, “RF Signal Change API.” This amendment adds an API (application programming interface) to return RF (radio frequency) signal strength, which will allow a Broadcaster Application to collect RF reception data in order to compare with RF propagation maps to display as a “heat map” for comparative analysis. Data collected by the broadcaster could be used to optimize broadcast emission.
Also approved in May was a ballot to withdraw A/72 Part 2:2014, “AVC Video Transport Subsystem Characteristics.” This document was replaced by A/53-3 Amendment No. 1, approved in February. When a document is withdrawn, it is no longer recommended by the ATSC, and it is removed from the ATSC website. Copies remain available upon request.

Last month, an amendment to A/327, “Guidelines for the Physical Layer Protocol,” was approved and published. The amendment modifies Annex C of the Recommended Practice to add various profiles of the physical layer.