Thomson Broadcast’s new Futhura Plus ultra-efficient, high-power television transmitter is claimed to offer broadcasters substantial energy savings, with a 50% improvement in efficiency over current standard transmitters, thanks to its new drain modulation technology, writes David Fox.
The UHF wideband transmitter offers high-power capability suitable for HDTV and 3D services, with up to 35% transmitter efficiency and a claimed market-leading power density of up to 12.6kW OFDM. It is equipped for all OFDM standards in the UHF frequency band, and uses Thomson’s latest software enhancements for the exciters as well as a range of passive components including RF filters and new RF channel combiners.
Its design has been optimized for reliability and easy maintenance, using Thomson’s automatic real-time Digital Adaptive Pre-correction technology, which corrects linear and non-linear distortions, while low operating junction transistor temperature contributes to extended reliability. There is easy access to all modules for replacement, and it is claimed to be the first transmitter to make use of standard mass-market power supplies.
“The Futhura Plus is the most advanced and efficient energy-saving transmitter available to broadcasters today,” claimed Nicolas Dallery, president of Thomson Broadcast. “Incorporating the best technologies created to date by Thomson, the Futhura Plus stands out as a serious contributor to green broadcasting and profitable business.”
