Someone You Should Know: Tariq Islam – National Association of Broadcasters

Posted on September 8, 2016 in ATSC News

Tariqul (Tariq) Islam is that Advanced Technology Director for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the inventor/co-inventor of 17 granted U.S. patents.  He serves in a leadership role with ATSC with his primary attention given to S32 and its various subgroups working on the physical layer of the standard. Islam also participates in the S33 specialist group on management and protocols and S34 group focused on the transport layer and video presentation.

“ATSC 3.0 will help the TV broadcast industry compete with the other video delivery players in the market,” said Islam.  “Everyday consumers will notice a number of improvements in the broadcast TV service.”

Expanding Access Through Devices

Islam started his career as a communication system designer and a DSP engineer at Hughes Network Systems in Maryland.  He designed wireless modems, simulated wireless communication systems, developed bit-exact C/C++ models for ASIC implementation, and wrote DSP and embedded code.

Islam also worked at Andrew Corporation, later knows as CommScope, in Virginia developing wireless geolocation technologies, managed R&D projects, and managed the department’s patent portfolio. 

In addition to ATSC 3.0 standard development, he also is involved in big-data projects and investments in startup companies.

“I like the potential of Layered Division Multiplexing (LDM) of ATSC 3.0.  This technology enables transmitting the same broadcast service with two or more robustness within the same band,” he said.  “In my opinion, LDM will help mobile and indoor reception.  This technology can also be used in audience targeting based on geographic location.  Since no other broadcast standard has this capability, the LDM makes ATSC 3.0 unique in that sense.”

He says with the implementation of ATSC 3.0 it will be easy to watch TV on many devices such as smartphones and computers along with traditional televisions. 

“Viewers will experience a better reception with indoor antennas; many will receive TV signals directly on the smartphones.  Wireless gateways that distribute TV signal within a home over WiFi would become common, and the internet enabled devices within the home can receive broadcast TV services.”

He also points to improved audio and video quality with ATSC 3.0 and having more relevant advertisements thanks to 3.0’s targeted advertising capabilities.

“Viewers might have a choice to enhance the audio and video quality and receive additional programming using the broadband pipe in addition to the over the air broadcast service,” said Islam.  “In general, higher interactivity and viewer engagement would be a noticeable improvement.”

Tennis Champion

Islam live in Germantown, Maryland with his wife and two children.  A passionate tennis player, Islam plays in the USTA recreational leagues at the 4.0 level.  His 6.5 level doubles team was the Montgomery County, Maryland champion in 2011.  He also plays cricket and soccer and has started learning golf.

Islam has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech, and an MBA from Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.

Posted in ATSC News