{"id":"F2007L02469","name":"Broadcasting Services (Technical Planning) Guidelines 2007","slug":"broadcasting-services-technical-planning-guidelines-2007","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":67990,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2007L02469-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Definitions","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Definitions","content":"## Definitions\n\n> Note Unless defined below, words shall have the same meanings as in the Broadcasting Services Act, or the Radiocommunications Act, or the ITU Radio Regulations, as appropriate.\n\n1. In this standard the following definitions apply:\n\n> channel means an AM broadcasting channel that is described in guidelines 2 and 3.\n\n> C‑QUAM means compatible quadrature amplitude modulation.\n\n> M signal means a signal equal to the sum of the left hand signal (L) and the right hand signal (R). This signal forms the compatible monophonic signal used to amplitude modulate the carrier.\n\n> necessary bandwidth means, for a given class of emission, the width of the frequency band which is just sufficient to ensure the transmission of information at the rate and with the quality required under specified conditions.\n\n> out‑of‑band emission means an emission on a frequency or frequencies immediately outside the necessary bandwidth which results from the modulation process, but excluding spurious emissions.\n\n> pilot signal means a sinusoidal signal used to phase modulate the carrier of a stereo transmission to indicate to the receiver the presence of a (C‑QUAM) stereo transmission.\n\n> S signal means a signal equal to the difference between the left hand signal (L) and the right hand signal (R). This signal forms the stereo difference signal used to phase modulate the carrier.\n\n> spurious emission means an emission on a frequency or frequencies which are outside the necessary bandwidth and the level of which may be reduced without affecting the corresponding transmission of information. Spurious emissions include harmonic emissions, parasitic emissions, intermodulation products and frequency conversion products, but exclude out‑of‑band emissions.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"Radiated signal characteristics","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Radiated signal characteristics","content":"## Radiated signal characteristics\n\nChannels\n\n2. The width of the radio frequency channel shall be 9 kHz.\n\n3. The channel spacing shall be 9 kHz with the lowest channel centre frequency being 531 kHz and the highest channel centre frequency being 1602 kHz.\n\n4. Unless otherwise specified, the frequency of the carrier shall be maintained within 10 Hz.\n\n> Note Reference: ITU Radio Regulations (2001 edition), Appendix 2, Table of Transmitter Frequency Tolerances.\n\nMain carrier location and modulation\n\n5. The carrier shall be centrally located in the channel and shall be amplitude modulated to a maximum of 125 per cent positive and 100 per cent negative modulation by the sum signal (L+R). For stereo transmissions, the carrier shall also be phase modulated to a maximum of 1.26 radians by the combination of the difference signal (L‑R) and a 25 Hz pilot signal.\n\nPolarisation of the radiated signal\n\n6. The polarisation of the radiated signal shall be as specified by ACMA.\n\nOut‑of‑band and spurious emissions\n\n7. The necessary bandwidth of the radio frequency emission is deemed to extend 9 kHz from the carrier frequency.\n\n8. Any emission on a frequency removed from the carrier by more than 9 kHz, and up to and including 18 kHz, shall be attenuated at least 25 dB below the level of the carrier. Any emission on a frequency removed from the carrier by more than 18 kHz, and up to and including 27 kHz, shall be attenuated at least 35 dB below the level of the carrier. For frequencies removed from the carrier by more than 27 kHz, the level of any emission shall be further attenuated at a rate of 1 dB per kHz, or shall not exceed a level of 200 V/m, whichever is less stringent. The emission mask of the radiated signal is shown in figure A1‑1.\n\n9. Out‑of‑band and spurious emissions shall be quoted with respect to the carrier level and shall be measured at a distance of one kilometre from the antenna system.\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\nFigure A1.1: Emission mask for radiated field strength","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Program signal characteristics","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Program signal characteristics","content":"## Program signal characteristics\n\nMonophonic transmission\n\n10. The signal shall be double sideband amplitude modulated. The modulation depth is not to exceed 125 per cent for positive modulation and 100 per cent for negative modulation.\n\nThe instantaneous amplitude of the modulated carrier shall satisfy the expression:\n\n![](image.003.png)\n\nwhere\n\n> ![](image.004.png)\n\n> ![](image.005.png)\n\n> ![](image.006.png)\n\n> ![](image.007.png)\n\n> ![](image.008.png).\n\nStereophonic transmission\n\n11. The compatible quadrature amplitude modulation (C‑QUAM) system shall be employed for the transmission of stereophonic signals.\n\n12. The radiated signal shall consist of a carrier, amplitude modulated by the monophonic sum signal (L+R) and phase modulated by the stereophonic difference signal (LR). The pilot signal must be included in stereo transmissions.\n\n13. Amplitude modulation depth shall not exceed 125 per cent for positive modulation and 100 per cent for negative modulation.\n\n14. Phase modulation shall not exceed 1.26 radians including the pilot signal.\n\n15. The instantaneous amplitude of the modulated carrier shall satisfy the expression:\n\n![](image.009.png)\n\nwhere\n\n> ![](image.010.png)\n\nand\n\n> ![](image.011.png)\n\nwhere\n\n> ![](image.012.png), i.e. a 25 Hz sine wave\n\n> ![](image.013.png).\n\n> Note In the presence of modulation processing, the gamut of M and S signals must be constrained. The magnitude of the S signal must be limited in the presence of high negative amplitude modulation. See guideline 18 ‘Gamut of Sum and Difference Modulation’. This limiting is normally implemented in the C‑QUAM modulator.\n\nPilot tone\n\n16. The pilot tone (denoted above by P) must be included with all transmissions in the stereo mode. The frequency of the tone shall be 25 Hz 0.1 Hz and it shall phase modulate the carrier to 0.05 0.01 radians of deviation in the absence of (LR) channel signal.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"Audio frequency response","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Audio frequency response","content":"## Audio frequency response\n\n17. The steady state audio frequency response shall be nominally flat over the range of 50 Hz to 7 kHz.\n\n> Note 1 Appropriate audio filtering may be required at the input to the transmitter in order to meet the out‑of‑band and spurious emission requirements of guideline 8.\n\n> Note 2 Performance parameters are not specified in this standard. However, to obtain good monophonic reception from stereophonic broadcasts, the relative delay of L and R signals originating from the same source needs to be within acceptable limits on arrival at the modulator input, otherwise cancellation may take place in the M signal matrix. Such delays may occur in any section of the system where L and R signals follow separate routes ‑ such as in tape recorders and relay circuits, or in the acoustic paths to spaced microphones. Consequently, relative signal delay needs careful attention in program production and system engineering.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Gamut of sum and difference modulation","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Gamut of sum and difference modulation","content":"## Gamut of sum and difference modulation\n\n18. As a result of applying modulation processing separately to the sum (M) and difference (S) signals, unnatural combinations of M and S signals become possible. That is, M and S signals may be generated in combinations which are not realisable in natural sound fields.\n\nThe maximum permissible phase deviation of the carrier is not more than 1.26 radians and the instantaneous carrier amplitude must not be reduced to zero with phase modulation simultaneously present. Hence the C‑QUAM modulator must apply limits to the level of difference signals (i.e. the S signal magnitude) during high instantaneous negative amplitude modulation (i.e. negative values of the M signal) or vice versa.\n\nFigure A1.2 represents the gamut of M and S signals (normalised so that M lies between +1.25 and 1 and S lies between +1 and 1) that result in permissible levels of amplitude and phase modulation of the carrier.\n\n![](image.014.png)\n\nFigure A1.2: Gamut of C‑QUAM modulation\n\n> Note It will be observed that the limit on the S signal amplitude while the M signal is close to 1 is not a severe practical constraint. The long term average of normal stereo program material forms an ellipse on the above diagram with the major semi axis coinciding with the M axis. The ratio of major to minor axes of this ellipse is normally greater than 2:1.\n\nAppendix 2 Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service\n\nThe purpose of the emission standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service is to define the parameters to be used for sound broadcasting in the frequency band 87.5 to 108 MHz. This standard supersedes the Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service, published by the Department of Transport and Communications in July 1992. Provision is made for stereophonic as well as monophonic program transmission.\n\nThe standard for transmission of the main sound program follows international practice and is based on the pilot‑tone system specified in ITU‑R Recommendation BS.450.\n\nThe preferred standard for the transmission of an ancillary communications service (ACS) is that developed by the then Department of Communications and the Arts following field and laboratory tests. It is based on a 67 kHz sub‑carrier frequency. The scope of the ACS standard has been expanded to include specifications under which alternative ACS sub‑carrier frequencies may be used.\n\nIn general, tolerances are not specified as this standard is intended to define the nominal values for the transmitted signal.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Main program signal characteristics","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Main program signal characteristics","content":"## Main program signal characteristics\n\nMonophonic transmission\n\n11. The baseband signal shall comprise audio frequency components of the program signal within the band 30 Hz to 15 kHz. Pre‑emphasis of the audio signal shall be in accordance with the admittance/frequency characteristic of a parallel resistance‑capacitance circuit having a time constant of 50 microseconds (see figure A2.4).\n\n12. For monophonic transmission, without pilot sub‑carrier, the deviation of the main carrier by the M signal shall not exceed 75 kHz.\n\nStereophonic transmission\n\n13. The pilot‑tone system shall be employed for the transmission of stereophonic signals. In this system the baseband signal consists of:\n\n(a) a compatible signal, M, which shall produce a deviation of the main carrier of not more than 67.5 kHz; and\n\n(b) a double sideband, amplitude modulated, suppressed sub‑carrier signal generated by the modulating signal S. This signal shall produce a frequency deviation of the main carrier not exceeding 67.5 kHz when L and R signals are equal and of opposite phase; and\n\n(c) a pilot signal which shall have a frequency equal to one half of that of the sub‑carrier, and shall produce a frequency deviation of the main carrier of not less than 6 kHz and no more than 7.5 kHz.\n\nFor stereophonic transmission, under all conditions of modulation by the composite baseband signal, the maximum instantaneous carrier frequency deviation shall not exceed 75 kHz.\n\nSub‑carrier frequency\n\n14. The frequency of the (suppressed) sub‑carrier shall be 38,000 4 Hz.\n\nSub‑carrier suppression\n\n15. The residual sub‑carrier shall not produce a deviation of the main carrier of more than 750 Hz.\n\nAudio frequency response\n\n16. The M and S channels shall substantially pass audio frequency components in the band 30 Hz to 15 kHz.\n\nPre‑emphasis\n\n17. Pre‑emphasis of the signal S shall be identical with that of the compatible signal M and shall be the same as that for monophonic transmission. The pre‑emphasis characteristic of the audio signal shall be in accordance with the admittance/frequency characteristic of a parallel resistance‑capacitance circuit having a time constant of 50 microseconds (see figure A2.4).\n\nModulation polarity\n\n18. The relative phase of the pilot signal and the sub‑carrier is such that, when the transmitter is modulated by a multiplex signal for which L is positive and R \\= L, this signal crosses the time axis with a positive slope each time the pilot signal has an instantaneous value of zero. The phase of the pilot signal should not differ by more than 3 degrees from the above state. Moreover, a positive value of the multiplex signal corresponds to a positive frequency deviation of the main carrier.\n\n> Note To obtain good monophonic reception from stereophonic broadcasts, the relative delay of L and R signals originating from the same source needs to be within acceptable limits on arrival at the encoder input, otherwise cancellation may take place in the M signal matrix. Such delays may occur in any section of the system where L and R signals follow separate routes ‑ such as in tape recorders and relay circuits, or in the acoustic paths to spaced microphones. Consequently, relative signal delay needs careful attention in program production and system engineering.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"Ancillary communications services","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Ancillary communications services","content":"## Ancillary communications services\n\nSub‑carrier signals\n\n19. Information supplementary to the main sound broadcasting program may be transmitted on sub‑carriers located above the M and S signals. In this standard, three classes of sub‑carrier are considered:\n\n(a) 67 kHz sub‑carrier; and\n\n(b) 57 kHz sub‑carrier; and\n\n(c) other sub‑carriers below 95 kHz.\n\n20. Ancillary Communications Service (ACS) sub‑carriers may be used singly or in combination on condition that:\n\n(a) the use of such sub‑carriers shall not cause interference to or degradation of the main channel or other channels; and\n\n(b) the deviation of the main carrier due to the entire baseband signal, including all ACS signals, shall not exceed 75 kHz; and\n\n(c) the deviation of the main carrier by any one ACS sub‑carrier alone shall not exceed 7.5 kHz.\n\nSub‑carrier frequencies below 57 kHz and above 95 kHz shall not be used.\n\n67 kHz ACS sub‑carrier\n\nSub‑carrier frequency\n\n21. The sub‑carrier frequency shall be 67 kHz 100 Hz.\n\nPeak deviation (sub‑carrier)\n\n22. For audio program and tone signals the peak deviation of the sub‑carrier shall be dependent on the highest frequency modulating the sub‑carrier in accordance with figure A2.1 (for audio program) and figure A2.2 (for audio frequency shift keyed data).\n\n23. For direct FSK modulation the peak deviation of the sub‑carrier shall be dependent on the injection level of the sub‑carrier in accordance with figure A2.3 when it is directly modulated with data signals.\n\nPre‑emphasis\n\n24. Pre‑emphasis to a time constant of 150 microseconds may be applied to an analog music or speech signal modulating the sub‑carrier (see figure A2.4).\n\nSideband products\n\n25. Sideband products in the baseband resulting from modulation of the sub‑carrier shall not degrade the main channel L and R (or M and S) signals. Additionally, such products shall be attenuated to the extent necessary to meet the out‑of‑band and spurious emission requirements of this standard (see guideline 10). This may require attenuation of such products, when averaged in a 3 kHz bandwidth of baseband frequencies below 53 kHz and above 81 kHz, to at least 60 dB below the level of the unmodulated sub‑carrier.\n\n57 kHz ACS sub‑carrier\n\nRadio data system (RDS)\n\n26. The 57 kHz sub‑carrier is primarily intended for use with systems complying with the specification for the Radio Data System (RDS) as published in CENELEC EN50076:1998.\n\nUse of RDS signals\n\n27. Elements of the RDS data signal intended to carry information about main program content shall be reserved for use by the broadcaster of the main sound broadcasting program service. Non‑program related data capacity of the RDS signal may be used for the transmission of supplementary information.\n\nNon‑RDS use\n\n28. 57 kHz ACS services, not complying with the EN 50076 specification, may operate provided they do not cause false operation in receivers equipped with decoders for the reception of RDS signals conforming with EN 50076.\n\nOther sub‑carriers below 95 kHz\n\nACS frequency\n\n29. An ACS sub‑carrier frequency, other than 57 kHz or 67 kHz, may be used subject to the provisions in guideline 20.\n\nSideband products\n\n30. Sideband products in the baseband resulting from modulation of the sub‑carrier shall not degrade the main channel L and R (or M and S) signals. Additionally, such products shall be attenuated to the extent necessary to meet the out‑of‑band and spurious emission requirements of this standard (see guideline 10). This may require attenuation of such products, when averaged in a 3 kHz bandwidth of baseband frequencies below 53 kHz and above 99 kHz, to at least 60 dB below the maximum level of the sub‑carrier.\n\nMultiple sub‑carriers\n\nACS frequencies\n\n31. Any combination of 57 kHz and frequencies in the range 65 to 95 kHz may be used subject to the provisions in guidelines 19 to 30.\n\nSideband products\n\n32. Sideband products in the baseband resulting from modulation of the sub‑carriers (used singly or in combination) shall not degrade the main channel L and R (or M and S) signals. Additionally, such products shall be attenuated to the extent necessary to meet the out‑of‑band and spurious emission requirements of this standard (see guideline 10). This may require attenuation of such products, when averaged in a 3 kHz bandwidth of baseband frequencies below 53 kHz and above 99 kHz, to at least 60 dB below the maximum level of one sub‑carrier.\n\nTable A2.1: Frequency limits of Australian FM channels\n\n| | Frequency in MHz | |\n| ----------- | ---------------- | ------------- |\n| 87.6 ‑ 87.8 | 94.4 ‑ 94.6 | 101.2 ‑ 101.4 |\n| 87.8 ‑88.0 | 94.6 ‑ 94.8 | 101.4 ‑ 101.6 |\n| 88.0 ‑88.2 | 94.8 ‑ 95.0 | 101.6 ‑ 101.8 |\n| 88.2 ‑88.4 | 95.0 ‑ 95.2 | 101.8 ‑ 102.0 |\n| 88.4 ‑88.6 | 95.2 ‑ 95.4 | 102.0 ‑ 102.2 |\n| 88.6 ‑88.8 | 95.4 ‑ 95.6 | 102.2 ‑ 102.4 |\n| 88.8 ‑89.0 | 95.6 ‑ 95.8 | 102.4 ‑ 102.6 |\n| 89.0 ‑89.2 | 95.8 ‑ 96.0 | 102.6 ‑ 102.8 |\n| 89.2 ‑89.4 | 96.0 ‑ 96.2 | 102.8 ‑ 103.0 |\n| 89.4 ‑89.6 | 96.2 ‑ 96.4 | 103.0 ‑ 103.2 |\n| 89.6 ‑89.8 | 96.4 ‑ 96.6 | 103.2 ‑ 103.4 |\n| 89.8 ‑90.0 | 96.6 ‑ 96.8 | 103.4 ‑ 103.6 |\n| 90.0 ‑90.2 | 96.8 ‑ 97.0 | 103.6 ‑ 103.8 |\n| 90.2 ‑90.4 | 97.0 ‑ 97.2 | 103.8 ‑ 104.0 |\n| 90.4 ‑90.6 | 97.2 ‑ 97.4 | 104.0 ‑ 104.2 |\n| 90.6 ‑90.8 | 97.4 ‑ 97.6 | 104.2 ‑ 104.4 |\n| 90.8 ‑91.0 | 97.6 ‑ 97.8 | 104.4 ‑ 104.6 |\n| 91.0 ‑91.2 | 97.8 ‑ 98.0 | 104.6 ‑ 104.8 |\n| 91.2 ‑91.4 | 98.0 ‑ 98.2 | 104.8 ‑ 105.0 |\n| 91.4 ‑91.6 | 98.2 ‑ 98.4 | 105.0 ‑ 105.2 |\n| 91.6 ‑91.8 | 98.4 ‑ 98.6 | 105.2 ‑ 105.4 |\n| 91.8 ‑92.0 | 98.6 ‑ 98.8 | 105.4 ‑ 105.6 |\n| 92.0 ‑92.2 | 98.8 ‑ 99.0 | 105.6 ‑ 105.8 |\n| 92.2 ‑92.4 | 99.0 ‑ 99.2 | 105.8 ‑ 106.0 |\n| 92.4 ‑92.6 | 99.2 ‑ 99.4 | 106.0 ‑ 106.2 |\n| 92.6 ‑92.8 | 99.4 ‑ 99.6 | 106.2 ‑ 106.4 |\n| 92.8 ‑93.0 | 99.6 ‑ 99.8 | 106.4 ‑ 106.6 |\n| 93.0 ‑93.2 | 99.8 ‑ 100.0 | 106.6 ‑ 106.8 |\n| 93.2 ‑93.4 | 100.0 ‑ 100.2 | 106.8 ‑ 107.0 |\n| 93.4 ‑93.6 | 100.2 ‑ 100.4 | 107.0 ‑ 107.2 |\n| 93.6 ‑93.8 | 100.4 ‑ 100.6 | 107.2 ‑ 107.4 |\n| 93.8 ‑94.0 | 100.6 ‑ 100.8 | 107.4 ‑ 107.6 |\n| 94.0 ‑94.2 | 100.8 ‑ 101.0 | 107.6 ‑ 107.8 |\n| 94.2 ‑94.4 | 101.0 ‑ 101.2 | 107.8 ‑ 108.0 |\n\n![](image.015.png)\n\nFigure A2.1: Maximum deviation of 67 kHz ACS sub‑carrier versus audio modulated frequency for music and voice\n\n![](image.016.png)\n\nFigure A2.2: Maximum deviation of 67 kHz ACS sub‑carrier versus audio modulating frequency for audio FSK\n\n![](image.017.png)\n\nFigure A2.3: Maximum deviation versus injection for direct FSK of 67 kHz ACS sub‑carrier\n\n![](image.018.png)\n\nFigure A2.4: Audio frequency pre‑emphasis characteristics for 50 and 150 microsecond time constant\n\nAppendix 3 Emission Standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service\n\nThe purpose of the emission standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service is to define the parameters to be used for terrestrial broadcasting of analog television. This standard supersedes the Emission Standard for the Australian Terrestrial Television Service ‑ sixth edition (Department of Transport and Communications, March 1989).\n\nThe standard is a variant of the PAL‑B system described in ITU‑R Recommendations BT.1700, BT.1701 and BS.707.\n\nThe standard incorporates changes to channel numbering consequent to the adoption of 7 MHz channel spacing in Bands IV and V; specifications for the dual channel sound system; and line allocations in the vertical blanking interval for Teletext and closed caption data transmission.\n\nThe following characteristics are at variance with the PAL‑B standard:\n\n(a) depth of vision modulation (see guideline 5); and\n\n(b) use of lines in the vertical blanking interval (see guideline 19); and\n\n(c) group delay pre‑correction (see figure A3.7).","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Video characteristics","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Video characteristics","content":"## Video characteristics\n\nScanning\n\nAspect ratio\n\n10. The aspect ratio of the television picture shall be four units horizontally to three units vertically.\n\nScanning sequence\n\n11. During active scanning intervals the scene shall be scanned from left to right horizontally, and from top to bottom vertically, at uniform velocities.\n\nNumber of lines and interlace\n\n12. The number of scanning lines per picture shall be 625 interlaced two to one.\n\nPicture and field frequencies\n\n13. The nominal picture and field frequencies shall be 25 Hz and 50 Hz respectively, and equal to the appropriate sub‑multiples (625 and 312.5 respectively) of the line frequency.\n\nColour sub‑carrier and line frequencies\n\n14. The colour sub‑carrier frequency (sc) shall be 4433618.75 Hz ±5 Hz and the relationship between sc and the line frequency (H) shall be:\n\n![](image.019.png)\n\nVideo signal\n\n15. The video signal comprises the synchronising information occurring alternately on a time division basis with the picture signal as shown in figure A3.1. The picture signal comprises the luminance component together with the chrominance components if present. The nominal synchronising pulse amplitude shall be 3/7 of the blanking to reference white amplitude. Table A3.2 specifies the timing intervals of the video signal and figure A3.2 illustrates this relationship.\n\nColour picture signal\n\n16. Coding of the colour information shall be in accordance with the Phase Alternation Line (PAL) system. In this system the colour picture signal, EM, contains a luminance component E’Y, and also simultaneous chrominance components E’U sin(2sct) and E’V cos(2sct) with the phase of the latter component being changed by 180° on alternate lines. The equation of the colour picture signal is:\n\n![](image.020.png)\n\nwhere:\n\n(a) the luminance component\n\n> ![](image.021.png)\n\n(b) the chrominance modulation signals\n\n> ![](image.022.png)\n\n> ![](image.023.png)\n\n(c) the colour difference signals\n\n> ![](image.024.png)\n\n> ![](image.025.png)\n\nE’R, E’G, E’B are, respectively, the red, green and blue gamma corrected voltages required for tristimulus matching. The value of the exponent for this correction shall be related to a display tube gamma of 2.8, and shall be consistent with optimum colour fidelity.\n\nThe sign of the term E’V cos(2sct) is positive during odd lines of the first and second fields and during even lines of the third and fourth fields (see figure A3.4).\n\nAs a consequence of the choice of colour difference signals the chrominance components both disappear in the absence of colour.\n\nThe resulting video signal for fully saturated primary and complementary colours at full luminance is shown in figure A3.2.\n\nBandwidth of colour difference signals\n\n17. The colour difference signals shall be limited in bandwidth prior to modulation of the colour sub‑carriers by a circuit having an approximate Gaussian response, with an attenuation of not more than 3 dB at 1.3 MHz, but greater than 20 dB at and above 4.0 MHz.\n\nColour synchronisation\n\n18. A burst of 10 cycles of the colour sub‑carrier frequency shall occur during each line blanking period, commencing nominally 5.6 microseconds after the half amplitude point of the leading edge of the line synchronising pulse. At the point of encoding the peak to peak amplitude of the sub‑carrier burst shall be 3/7 of the blanking to reference white signal amplitude and thereafter the amplitude and phase of the burst shall be preserved relative to the chrominance signal. The envelope of the sub‑carrier burst signal shall have a build‑up time consistent with the bandwidth restriction of the colour difference signals.\n\nThe sub‑carrier burst shall be omitted for nine consecutive lines starting at or before the beginning of each field blanking interval in a four field sequence as illustrated by figure A3.4. The phase sequence of the colour sub‑carrier burst is also detailed in figure A3.4.\n\nThe phase of the sub‑carrier burst relative to the +E’U signal reference phase axis shall be +135° on odd lines of the first and second fields and on even lines of the third and fourth fields and –135° on even lines of the first and second fields and on odd lines of the third and fourth fields (see figure A3.3).\n\nDuring the transmission of monochrome signals the colour burst may be suppressed.\n\nSpecial signals in the vertical blanking interval\n\n19. Lines 10 to 22 and lines 323 to 335 may be transmitted for such purposes as control of equipment, source identification, data transmission and circuit performance testing.\n\nLines 17, 18, 330 and 331 are preferred for circuit performance testing purposes.\n\nTeletext signals on lines 21 and 334 shall be restricted to closed caption services.\n\n> Note Closed caption signals are transmitted on page 801 of the teletext magazine.\n\nLines 22 and 335 are preferred for the measurement of noise, ie. only blanking level should be transmitted on these lines.\n\nDetailed specifications relevant to Teletext and closed caption data transmissions are given in the Teletext System Standard, issued by the former Department of Transport and Communications.\n\n> Note Current Australian teletext and closed caption transmissions conform with the full presentation level 1 facilities defined in the Enhanced Teletext Specification given in European Standard (Telecommunications Series) ETSI EN 300 706 V1.2.1 (2003‑04).\n\nThe line numbering sequence is detailed in figure A3.4.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"Primary colour signals","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Primary colour signals","content":"## Primary colour signals\n\n20. Spectral response of the optical section in the colour picture signal source, together with any matrix of the three sensor outputs, shall be such that the E’R, E’G, E’B signals will reproduce an image with optimum colour fidelity on a colour picture tube having phosphors with the following CIE\\*15 chromaticity coordinates, and balance for a white chromaticity of CIE Illuminant D65, shown in table A3.1.\n\nTable A3.1: CIE\\*15 Chromaticity coordinates and balance for a white chromaticity of CIE illuminant D65\n\n| | Chromaticity | Coordinates |\n| -------------- | ------------ | ----------- |\n| | X | Y |\n| Red phosphor | 0.64 | 0.33 |\n| Green phosphor | 0.29 | 0.60 |\n| Blue phosphor | 0.15 | 0.06 |\n| Illuminant D65 | 0.313 | 0.329 |\n\n\\* Colorimetry, International Commission on Illumination\n\n(Comité Internationale d’Éclairage)","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"Vision signal characteristics","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Vision signal characteristics","content":"## Vision signal characteristics\n\nCharacteristics of the vision transmitter\n\n21. Vestigial sideband transmission shall be used. The response at the television channel limits shall be reduced by at least 20 dB, relative to the response at 1.5 MHz above the vision carrier.\n\nGroup delay/frequency response\n\n22. The vision transmitter shall incorporate group delay correction so that the overall group delay/frequency response of the transmitter and standard vestigial sideband demodulator shall be flat to 5 MHz. The group delay characteristic shall be in accordance with figure A3.7.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"Sound signal characteristics","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Sound signal characteristics","content":"## Sound signal characteristics\n\nCharacteristics of the sound transmitter\n\n23. The sound transmitter or transmitters shall be capable of operating with audio modulating frequencies between 40 Hz and 15 kHz. The audio modulating signal shall be pre‑emphasised, as shown in figure A3.6, in accordance with the impedance/frequency characteristic of a series resistance‑inductance network having a time constant of 50 microseconds.\n\nFirst or single sound carrier modulation\n\n24. For a single sound carrier system the carrier shall be modulated by the audio signal. The modulation of the first sound carrier of a dual sound system for the various transmission modes shall be in accordance with the following:\n\n(a) monophonic transmission — the carrier shall be modulated by the audio signal;\n\n(b) stereophonic transmission — the carrier shall be modulated by the compatible monophonic, or sum, component of the stereophonic audio signal, (L+R)/2;\n\n(c) separate sound signal transmission — the carrier shall be modulated by the monophonic signal of the first sound channel.\n\nSecond sound carrier modulation\n\n25. The modulation of the second sound carrier of a dual sound system for the various transmission modes shall be in accordance with the following:\n\n(a) monophonic transmission — the carrier shall be modulated by the same audio signal as the first sound carrier;\n\n(b) stereophonic transmission — the carrier shall be modulated by the audio signal arriving from the right hand signal source (R);\n\n(c) separate sound signal transmission — the carrier shall be modulated by the monophonic signal of the second sound channel.\n\nIdentification of transmission mode\n\n26. To identify the type of signal being transmitted, the second sound carrier shall be frequency modulated to a deviation of ±2.5 kHz ±500 Hz by a sub‑carrier of 3.5 times the line frequency (ie. 54.6875 kHz). This sub‑carrier shall be:\n\n(a) unmodulated for monophonic transmission; and\n\n(b) 50 per cent amplitude modulated with 117.5 Hz (line frequency divided by 133) for stereophonic transmission; and\n\n(c) 50 per cent amplitude modulated with 274.1 Hz (line frequency divided by 57) for separate sound signal transmission.\n\nTable A3.2: Timing intervals of the video signal\n\n| Duration(measured between half amplitude points) | MicrosecondsNominal Value | Tolerance |\n| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------- | ---------- |\n| Field period (V) | 20000 | |\n| Line period (H) | 64 | |\n| Line blanking interval | 12 | +0.0, –0.3 |\n| Front porch interval | 1.5 | +0.3, –0.0 |\n| Line synchronising pulse interval | 4.7 | ±0.2 |\n| Field blanking interval | 25 H + 12 | +0, –0.3 |\n| Duration of field synchronising pulse sequence | 2.5 H | |\n| Duration of pre‑equalising pulse sequence | 2.5 H | |\n| Duration of post‑equalising pulse sequence | 2.5 H | |\n| Duration of equalising pulse | 2.35 | ±0.1 |\n| Interval between field synchronising pulses | 4.7 | ±0.2 |\n| Colour sub‑carrier burst | | |\n| ‑ start, from leading edge of line synchronising pulse | 5.6 | ±0.1 |\n| ‑ duration (nominally 10 cycles) | 2.25 | ±0.25 |\n| ‑ duration of burst blanking pulse (per field) | 9 H | |\n| Build‑up time (10 to 90 per cent amplitude points) | | |\n| Edges of | | |\n| ‑ blanking pulses | 0.3 | ±0.1 |\n| ‑ synchronising signals | 0.3 | ±0.1 |\n\nTable A3.3: Colour sub‑carrier amplitudes and phases for fully saturated primary and complementary colours\n\n```html\n

Colour

Luminance

Peak to Peak Chrominance

Chrominance Angle(2)

E’Y

2E’U

2E’V

2S(1)

Line n(3)

Line n+1

White/Reference

100.0

Yellow

88.6

87.4

20.0

89.6

167.1°

192.9°

Cyan

70.1

29.5

123.0

126.4

283.5°

76.5°

Green

58.7

57.9

103.0

118.1

240.7°

119.3°

Magenta

41.3

57.9

103.0

118.1

60.7°

299.3°

Red

29.9

29.5

123.0

126.4

103.5°

256.5°

Blue

11.4

87.4

20.0

89.6

347.1°

12.9°

Burst

0

30.3

30.3

42.9

135.0°

225.0°

Reference black

0

\n```\n\n> Note 1 G \\= (E’U2 + E’V2)½ E’U \\= 0.493(E’B – E’Y) E’V \\= 0.877(E’R – E’Y)\n\n> Note 2 The chrominance angles are measured anti‑clockwise from the E’U axis.\n\n> Note 3 Line n corresponds to the odd numbered lines of the first and second fields & the even numbered lines of the third and fourth fields.\n\n![](image.026.png)\n\nFigure A3.1: Video signal\n\n![](image.027.png)\n\nFigure A3.2: Video signal corresponding to fully saturated colours\n\n![](image.028.png)\n\nFigure A3.3: Phase of burst E’U & E’V signals\n\n![](image.029.png)\n\nFigure A3.4: Four field sequence of burst blanking and subcarrier phase\n\n![](image.030.png)\n\nFigure A3.5: Location of carriers and sidebands within the channel\n\n![](image.031.png)\n\nFigure A3.6: Sound transmitter modulating signal pre‑emphasis\n\n![](image.032.png)\n\nFigure A3.7: Nominal group delay precorrection characteristic\n\nAppendix 4 Transmission Standard for the Australian Digital Terrestrial Television Service\n\nThe transmission standard applicable to Australian digital television broadcasting and datacasting services is identified below. The standard has been prepared by Standards Australia and may be adopted by broadcasters and datacasters according to their own requirements.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"Transmission standard","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Transmission standard","content":"## Transmission standard\n\n1. Aside from clause 6.2.8, which is mandatory under guideline 107, Australian Standard AS 4599.1‑2007 Digital television – Terrestrial broadcasting – Part 1: Characteristics of digital terrestrial television transmissions is recommended by ACMA only and is not mandatory under these guidelines.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"Channels","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Channels","content":"## Channels\n\n2. Channels that may be used for the Australian Digital Terrestrial Television Service are shown in table A5.1 (see Appendix 5).","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"Other relevant standards","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Other relevant standards","content":"## Other relevant standards\n\n3. Under subsection 130A(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act, ACMA has made the Broadcasting Services (Digital Television Format — Audio Component — Transmissions in SDTV Digital Mode) Technical Standard 2007, which sets a requirement that if a television or datacasting service that is transmitted in SDTV digital mode has an audio component, the component must be capable of being decoded by a receiver that has only MPEG‑1 Layer 2 audio decoding capability.\n\nAppendix 5 Channels for the Australian Terrestrial Television Service\n\nTable A5.1: Channels for the Australian Terrestrial Television Service\n\n```html\n

VHF

UHF

BAND I(1)

BAND IV

47

659‑666 MHz

0

45‑52 MHz

27(5)

520‑526 MHz

48

666‑673 MHz

1

56‑63 MHz

28

526‑533 MHz

49

673‑680 MHz

2

63‑70 MHz

29

533‑540 MHz

50

680‑687 MHz

30

540‑547 MHz

51

687‑694 MHz

31

547‑554 MHz

52

694‑701 MHz

BAND II(1)

32

554‑561 MHz

53

701‑708 MHz

3

85‑92 MHz

33

561‑568 MHz

54

708‑715 MHz

4

94‑101 MHz

34

568‑575 MHz

55

715‑722 MHz

5

101‑108 MHz

35

575‑582 MHz

56

722‑729 MHz

57

729‑736 MHz

BAND V

58

736‑743 MHz

BAND III

36

582‑589 MHz

59

743‑750 MHz

5A(2)

137‑144 MHz

37

589‑596 MHz

60

750‑757 MHz

6

174‑181 MHz

38

596‑603 MHz

61

757‑764 MHz

7

181‑188 MHz

39

603‑610 MHz

62

764‑771 MHz

8

188‑195 MHz

40

610‑617 MHz

63

771‑778 MHz

9

195‑202 MHz

41

617‑624 MHz

64

778‑785 MHz

9A(3)

202‑209 MHz

42

624‑631 MHz

65

785‑792 MHz

10(4)

208‑215 MHz (superseded)

43

631‑638 MHz

66

792‑799 MHz

209‑216 MHz (current)

44

638‑645 MHz

67

799‑806 MHz

11(4)

215‑222 MHz (superseded)

45

645‑652 MHz

68(6)

806‑813 MHz

216‑223 MHz (current)

46

652‑659 MHz

69(6)

813‑820 MHz

12(3)

223‑230 MHz

\n```\n\n> Note 1 Television Band I (channels 0, 1 & 2) and Band II (channels 3, 4 & 5) are not being considered for new analog television services or for the introduction or ongoing transmission of digital television services.\n\n> Note 2 VHF channel 5A is currently within the Broadcasting Services Bands (BSB) and has been recommended for clearance by ACMA to allow for the introduction of Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites. Channel 5A is not being considered for new analog television services or for the introduction or ongoing transmission of digital television services.\n\n> Note 3 Clearance of radiocommunication services from 202‑208 MHz and from 222‑230 MHz has allowed a revised channel arrangement to be implemented. The current channel arrangement has two new channels (channels 9A and 12). To accommodate channel 9A, channels 10 and 11 were shifted up in frequency 1 MHz.\n\n> Note 4 The majority of existing services on channels 10 and 11 were assigned using the superseded channel arrangement. Services on channels 10 and 11 may be required to shift in frequency to align with the current channel arrangement. Any such requirement will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. New services on channels 10 and 11 will be assigned according to the current channel arrangement i.e. channel 10 (209‑216 MHz) and channel 11 (216‑223 MHz).\n\n> Note 5 UHF Television channel 27 has a bandwidth of 6 MHz and therefore is not currently suitable for digital television services. ACMA is considering ways of making use of channel 27 as a 7 MHz channel.\n\n> Note 6\n\n: ACMA is considering spectrum that may be re‑allocated for non‑broadcasting purposes due to the increased spectral efficiency with Digital Television. In particular the use of part, or the entire frequency band 806‑820 MHz is under consideration. Where practicable, ACMA will endeavour to avoid the use of channels 68 and 69.\n\n> Note 7 Offsets from these nominal channel frequencies may be applied. In the case of digital television offsets of +125 kHz and –125 kHz may be applied.\n\nAppendix 6 Digital radio (DAB) frequency blocks\n\nTable A6.1: Frequency blocks for digital radio services (174-230MHz)\n\n| Digital Radio (DAB) Frequency Block Identifier | Australian television channel number | Centre frequency (MHz) | Frequency range (MHz) |\n| ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ---------------------- | --------------------- |\n| 5A | 6 | 174.928 | 174.160‑175.696 |\n| 5B | 6 | 176.640 | 175.872‑177.408 |\n| 5C | 6 | 178.352 | 177.584‑179.120 |\n| 5D | 6 | 180.064 | 179.296‑180.832 |\n| 6A | 7 | 181.936 | 181.168‑182.704 |\n| 6B | 7 | 183.648 | 182.880‑184.416 |\n| 6C | 7 | 185.360 | 184.592‑186.128 |\n| 6D | 7 | 187.072 | 186.304‑187.840 |\n| 7A | 8 | 188.928 | 188.160‑189.696 |\n| 7B | 8 | 190.640 | 189.872‑191.408 |\n| 7C | 8 | 192.352 | 191.584‑193.120 |\n| 7D | 8 | 194.064 | 193.296‑194.832 |\n| 8A | 9 | 195.936 | 195.168‑196.704 |\n| 8B | 9 | 197.648 | 196.880‑198.416 |\n| 8C | 9 | 199.360 | 198.592‑200.128 |\n| 8D | 9 | 201.072 | 200.304‑201.840 |\n| 9A | 9A | 202.928 | 202.160‑203.696 |\n| 9B | 9A | 204.640 | 203.872‑205.408 |\n| 9C | 9A | 206.352 | 205.584‑207.120 |\n| 9D | 9A | 208.064 | 207.296‑208.832 |\n| 10A | 10 | 209.936 | 209.168‑210.704 |\n| 10B | 10 | 211.648 | 210.880‑212.416 |\n| 10C | 10 | 213.360 | 212.592‑214.128 |\n| 10D | 10 | 215.072 | 214.304‑215.840 |\n| 11A | 11 | 216.928 | 216.160‑217.696 |\n| 11B | 11 | 218.640 | 217.872‑219.408 |\n| 11C | 11 | 220.352 | 219.584‑221.120 |\n| 11D | 11 | 222.064 | 221.296‑222.832 |\n| 12A | 12 | 223.936 | 223.168‑224.704 |\n| 12B | 12 | 225.648 | 224.880‑226.416 |\n| 12C | 12 | 227.360 | 226.592‑228.128 |\n| 12D | 12 | 229.072 | 228.304‑229.840 |\n\n> Note 1 This table is for information only. For more detail, refer to ETSI TR 101 496-3 V1.1.2 (2001-05) Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Guidelines and rules for implementation and operation; Part 3: Broadcast network.\n\n> Note 2 This table excludes DAB frequency blocks 10N, 11N and 12N as these are not applicable to Australia.\n\nExplanatory Notes","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"Introduction","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Introduction","content":"## Introduction\n\nUnder section 33 of the Broadcasting Services Act, ACMA is required to prepare technical guidelines for the planning of individual radio and television services that use the broadcasting services bands. Despite their name, the Technical Planning Guidelines (TPGs) contain mandatory technical requirements to be met by commercial, community (including temporary community) broadcasting licensees and datacasting licensees using the broadcasting services bands when planning and operating new transmission facilities or proposing changes to existing facilities.\n\nBy reason of paragraphs 108A (1) (d), 109 (1) (e), 109A (1) (f) and 109B (1) (n) of the Radiocommunications Act, the licensee of a transmitter licence issued to the holder of a temporary community broadcasting licence issued under Part 6A of the Broadcasting Services Act, or a commercial radio or television broadcasting licence issued under Part 4 of the Broadcasting Services Act, or a community radio or television broadcasting licence issued under Part 6 of the Broadcasting Services Act, or the holder of a datacasting transmitter licence or a digital radio multiplex transmitter licence issued under Part 3.3 of the Radiocommunications Act, or any authorised person, must comply with these guidelines.[\\[3\\]](#_ftn3)\n\nNote that transmitter licences for National Broadcasting Services issued under sections 100 or 100B, or narrowcasting licences issued under section 100 of the Radiocommunications Act, may also include a licence condition requiring compliance with specified guidelines or parts of these guidelines.\n\nThese explanatory notes are designed to assist broadcasters and others involved with the broadcasting industry to understand how the TPGs apply to the planning and operation of transmitters using the broadcasting services bands.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"Planning before the Broadcasting Service","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Planning before the Broadcasting Services Act","content":"## Planning before the Broadcasting Services Act\n\nPlanning under the Broadcasting Act 1942 was carried out by the appropriate Government Department on a site‑specific basis with detailed engineering specifications of the transmitting antenna radiation performance.\n\nGuidance to broadcasters was provided through a document known as the draft Planning Guidelines (also known as GS1 through GS4). These guidelines were never given status other than draft because of uncertainty as to what head of power was appropriate for such documents and what force they might have. In 1992, GS1 through GS4 were restructured into a single document and published as the Technical Planning Parameters and Methods for Terrestrial Broadcasting (the TPPs) by the then Department of Transport and Communications.\n\nThe TPPs were developed in consultation with the industry and its engineering consultants and included all of the essential planning requirements, plus a great deal of advisory information to assist facilities planners. The TPPs were based on relevant Reports and Recommendations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and on planning methods and practices developed in North America, United Kingdom and Europe, as well as broadcasting planning techniques and planning parameters developed in Australia.\n\nThe TPPs did not have the force of law but rather were detailed planning guides based on generally accepted planning methods, which if applied to proposals by licence applicants, were likely to meet the requirements of the regulator.\n\nTransmitter specifications issued as a result of this planning process (a licence warrant under the former Act) had the force of law, and essentially required even slight changes to the antenna system to be approved by the Department (on behalf of the Minister) even though such changes may have no impact on other users of the spectrum or the public at large. The planning process, although spelt out in the Draft Guidelines and later the TPPs, did not provide clear guidance as to how licensees should interpret them, and there was no widely available public database of Australia‑wide frequency assignments against which licensees could plan changes. As a result even small changes to specifications required considerable dialogue between the applicant and the regulator, with attendant high resource costs, a risk of somewhat arbitrary decisions, and time delays.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"Overview of planning under the Broadcast","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Overview of planning under the Broadcasting Services Act","content":"## Overview of planning under the Broadcasting Services Act\n\nThe Broadcasting Services Act moved the focus on service planning by the regulator to one based on establishment of a strategic framework of frequency assignments and licence and technical specifications for services throughout the country, leaving the detailed implementation of the specifications for transmitting facilities to individual licensees.\n\nUnder the Broadcasting Services Act, the ABA was first required to determine through a public consultation process, the Planning Priorities; that is, the priority in which various services and areas of Australia would be planned. The Planning Priorities were determined by the ABA in September 1993. This was followed by determination of the Frequency Allotment Plan (FAP), which identifies the channel capacity that is to be planned for broadcasting services. The FAP, while it outlines the number of services that are to be planned in each area, does not contain specific frequencies. The FAP was first determined in August 1994 and is varied from time to time. The third and final stage of the planning process is the determination of Licence Area Plans. Licence area plans specify the number and characteristics, including technical specifications, of broadcasting services to be made available in each area of Australia.\n\nACMA was created on 1 July 2005. Amongst other things ACMA has responsibility for functions previously undertaken by the ABA and the ACA. This includes administration of the Broadcasting Services Act and the Radiocommunications Act.\n\nTechnical specifications and licence area plans (LAPs)\n\nIn developing licence area plans (LAPs) and digital radio channel plans (DRCPs), the approach taken by ACMA is to establish technical specifications for transmitters in a way that provides a performance envelope within which the transmitter and its associated transmitting antenna or radiating system must operate.\n\nIn determining the technical specifications for each service in the LAP or DRCP, the frequency planning is highly dependent upon the physical location of the transmitter and the height of its antenna. The location of the transmitter relative to the licence area to be served determines the radiated power required in various directions, commonly referred to as the radiation pattern. However, the requirement to reuse channels in other areas means there is an upper limit on the radiated power that might be permitted in certain directions in order to provide a substantially interference free service for other users of the same or adjacent channels in neighbouring licence areas.\n\nThe LAP or DRCP specifies the nominal location of the transmitting site and provides the performance envelope within which transmitters must operate; licensees, in implementing their transmitting facilities to meet these specifications, are also required to take account of the mandatory requirements of the TPGs.\n\nThe technical specifications for digital television services specified in Digital Channel Plans (DCPs) are broadly based on the analog television specifications from the relevant LAP.\n\nCompliance with technical specifications of a licence and the TPGs\n\nThe licensee, having established the transmission facilities, must be able to provide evidence of appropriate engineering and interference analysis having been conducted and be able to demonstrate that the operating transmitting arrangements comply with the technical specifications in the LAP and with the TPGs. Such evidence, provided it appears prima facie to meet this requirement, will be accepted at face value but will remain a matter of record in the event of the transmitter’s operating specifications subsequently being found non‑compliant.\n\nACMA, in discharging their responsibilities, may at any time, and without notice, conduct or commission spot checks of operating services to confirm compliance with licence specifications. In the event that problems are discovered, ACMA will bring the matter to the attention of the licensee and provide the licensee with an opportunity to provide relevant material indicating all reasonable steps have been taken to comply and to ensure continued compliance with the licence specifications. The licensee will be required to take appropriate action to restore the service to compliance. These arrangements assume licensees will take all reasonable steps to comply and that non‑compliance is more likely to be the result of technical equipment failure or misalignment, rather than blatant disregard for the specifications.\n\nACMA will take appropriate action under the relevant Acts in the event of blatant or reckless disregard for the specifications.\n\nVariations to technical specifications\n\nACMA cannot make substantive changes to existing specifications in a LAP, DCP or DRCP except by way of production of a new LAP, DCP or DRCP, or formal variation of the existing LAP, DCP or DRCP. In many cases, the change is more likely to be initiated by a licensee seeking a variation to the transmitter licence (such as a frequency change or power increase).\n\nProduction of, or variation to, a LAP requires wide public consultation in accordance with section 27 of the Act. This will include consultation with all potentially affected parties.\n\nProduction of a DCP requires consultation in accordance with section 10 of the Commercial Television Conversion (CTC) Scheme or section 10 of the National Television Conversion (NTC) Scheme. In varying a DCP under section 14 of the CTC Scheme or section 13 of the NTC Scheme, ACMA must decide whether it is appropriate to invite comments on the variation.\n\nProduction of, or a variation to, a DRCP requires public consultation in accordance with subsection 44A (7) of the Radiocommunications Act.\n\nBroadcasting licensees and datacasting licensees should note that commercial disagreement on the cost of access to a site (especially where there is no alternative) would not, of itself, be regarded as a sound basis for seeking a LAP, DCP or DRCP variation. ACMA has provided wide opportunity for potential licensees to explore and propose alternative sites during the LAP, DCP or DRCP public consultation process. Consistent with broadcast planning objectives, and the desire to use established sites for both economic and environmental reasons, ACMA has endeavoured to avoid creating situations that force the use of a particular site and hence may potentially escalate the entry price. However, in some situations there may be no alternative and the cost of use of the site has to be accepted as a price of entry and operation of the service.\n\nTransmitter operation away from the nominal location\n\nThe TPGs provide some flexibility for licensees wishing to use an alternative transmitter site to the nominal location specified in the LAP, DCP or DRCP.\n\nThe TPGs contain the criteria ACMA will use when considering whether to approve an alternative site. The criteria are designed to ensure, amongst other things, that use of the alternative site will not cause interference to licensed radiocommunication services, or to existing or planned broadcasting services shown in the LAP, DCP or DRCP. The licensee must continue to comply with the other technical specifications contained in the LAP, DCP or DRCP, as well as all applicable requirements of the TPGs.\n\nNotwithstanding this new relative freedom, ACMA must know precisely where transmitters are located and their characteristics so that they can be taken into account in planning and interference analysis. Hence, before transmissions at any alternative site can commence an appropriate transmitter licence (which will specify the exact site and primary radiation parameters) must be obtained.\n\nThe procedure to be followed by a broadcasting licensee or datacasting licensee seeking to locate a transmitter at an alternative site is further explained below, under Change of Transmitter Site Procedure.\n\nPlanning and development approvals from other Authorities\n\nIn addition to the requirements of the LAP, DCP or DRCP technical specifications and the TPGs, licensees are reminded of their responsibility to obtain all necessary approvals for site planning and environmental matters from the relevant Federal, State/Territory and local government authorities. Licensees must also comply with ACMA regulatory arrangements for human exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), which are applicable to broadcasting transmitters. Further information on ACMA’s EMR regulatory arrangements can be obtained from the ACMA website ([www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au)).","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"Outline of the Technical Planning Guidel","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Outline of the Technical Planning Guidelines","content":"## Outline of the Technical Planning Guidelines\n\nThe TPGs are divided into a number of sections, covering issues which are common to all broadcasting services, and sections covering issues specifically related to AM radio, FM radio, analog television, digital television or digital radio, including the emission standards for these broadcasting services.\n\nIntroduction\n\nThe introduction outlines the relevance of the TPGs to the LAP, DCP or DRCP. The introduction also details the broadcasting services bands and gives the definition for terms used in the TPGs. The TPGs are to be read in conjunction with the technical specifications of the relevant LAP, DCP or DRCP.\n\nIt should be noted that there is provision for some of the parameters specified in the TPGs to be varied by exception in the LAP, DCP, DRCP or transmitter licence, as appropriate. For instance, the planned minimum field strength for an FM service in rural areas is normally 54 dBV/m, however a higher median field strength may be specified in the LAP for a service that is only planned to serve suburban or urban areas.\n\nPart 1: Start‑up procedure\n\nWith development and expansion of broadcasting services, the density of transmitters leads to circumstances where existing services might be subject to interference as new services commence. Often this is because the radiocommunications environment has changed and better engineering practices are needed at existing sites to allow more services to operate free from interference.\n\nThe start‑up procedures require anyone seeking to establish, or to change the technical operating specifications of, a transmitter for a commercial, community (including temporary community) broadcasting service, datacasting service or digital radio multiplex to follow a specified procedure to confirm that the transmitter is operating in compliance with the approved specifications and the TPGs, and that it does not cause interference to other services.\n\nAM and FM radio, analog television, datacasting transmitter and digital radio multiplex transmitter licensees are required:\n\n(a) to advertise in the newspapers circulating in the licence area, the designated BSA radio area or datacasting service area of the approved service at least 7 days before commencing test transmissions; and\n\n(b) to advise ACMA of the date and time of commencement of the test transmissions, the duration of the test transmissions and proposed technical operating specifications of the test transmissions; and\n\n(c) to advise broadcasters that are within and adjacent:\n\n(i) to the licence area; or\n\n(ii) to the datacasting service area;\n\nof the date and time of commencement of the test transmissions, the duration of the test transmissions and proposed technical operating specifications of the test transmissions; and\n\n(d) if practicable — to make regular announcements during the test transmissions identifying the licensee and providing sufficient information for members of the public to contact the licensee if the broadcast causes interference.\n\nThe start‑up procedures for television or datacasting services provided in digital mode differ to those for analog television services, although they share many of the above‑mentioned requirements. The requirements for digital television are specified in Part 7 (Interference Management Scheme for Digital Television) of the TPGs.\n\nPart 2: Change of transmitter site procedure\n\nThe TPGs include some flexibility in the choice of transmitting site. Where a licensee does not propose to site a transmitter at the nominal location specified in the LAP, DCP or DRCP, the licensee must complete appropriate electromagnetic compatibility calculations for the alternative site to show that no interference will be caused to other services. The licensee must submit the EMC calculations to ACMA, together with an application for a test transmission licence. If ACMA is satisfied that the EMC calculations prove that operation from the alternative site will not cause interference and that relevant guidelines of the TPGs will be complied with, ACMA will allocate a test transmission licence. The licensee must then conduct test transmissions in accordance with the terms of the test transmission licence.\n\nOn completion of the test transmission, the licensee must provide to ACMA the results of the test transmissions including any interference assessment reports, and details of any complaints of interference made during the tests, together with a completed application form seeking variation of the relevant transmitter licence. If ACMA is satisfied that operation of the transmitter from the alternative site will not cause interference to other services provided by radiocommunications licensees and that relevant guidelines of the TPGs will be complied with upon commencement of transmissions from the new site, then it will vary the conditions attaching to the transmitter licence issued under the relevant provisions of the Radiocommunications Act.\n\nPart 3: AM radio\n\nThis Part of the TPGs applies to a licensee (or authorised person) who intends to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, an AM radio broadcasting service.\n\nUnder this Part the AM licensee is required to site the transmitter within the licence area of the broadcasting service, unless otherwise permitted by the LAP. The radiated power of the transmission (in terms of cymomotive force or CMF), in any given direction, must also not exceed the maximum power specified by the LAP.\n\nUnless otherwise specified in the LAP or transmitter licence, the licensee is required to provide a minimum CMF to urban centres within the licence area. This is to ensure that an adequate level of service is provided to all communities of significance, and not just to the larger population centres in the licence area.\n\nThe TPGs specify a maximum field strength that is permitted within population centres. The purpose of this requirement is to avoid excessive signal levels that may interfere with, or degrade the performance of, receivers.\n\nThe LAP process will normally ensure the location and corresponding transmission characteristics specified for the service are sufficient to achieve adequate coverage of population centres within the licence area, while ensuring any signal overspill in to adjacent areas is minimised. Where a licensee proposes to site a transmitter away from the nominal location specified in the LAP, the TPGs require that the field strength of the transmission, in any urban centre beyond the licence area boundary, not exceed that which would be received from a transmitter operating at the nominal location, or a specified maximum field strength, whichever is greater. Therefore, licensees seeking to operate away from the nominal location must have particular regard to signal overspill into adjacent areas.\n\nThe TPGs also require that operation of the transmitter not cause interference to other AM radio services or licensed radiocommunication services. In the event of interference to an AM service the licensee is required (at the licensees expense) to fit devices to the transmitter or the affected receivers, or undertake other measures necessary to eliminate or minimise the interference. The licensee must ensure the AM broadcasting service transmission complies with the Emission Standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service, which is at Appendix l of the TPGs.\n\nPart 4: FM radio\n\nThis Part applies to a licensee (or authorised person) seeking to implement, or change the technical operating specification of, an FM radio broadcasting service.\n\nThe FM licensee must ensure the transmitter is sited within the licence area of the broadcasting service, unless otherwise permitted by the LAP. The radiated power of the transmission (expressed in terms of the effective radiated power or ERP), in any given direction, must also not exceed the maximum power specified in the LAP.\n\nTo minimise the possibility of interference to receivers, the TPGs impose constraints on the permitted discrepancy in received field strength between adjacent FM services separated in frequency by 800 kHz. This requirement is only applicable to licensees who propose to site their transmitting facilities away from the nominal location specified in the LAP.\n\nA minimum level of service requirement is also specified for FM services in order to ensure all communities of significance within the licence area are adequately served.\n\nFM licensees are required to ensure the height of the transmitting antenna does not exceed the maximum height specified in the LAP. Where the transmitter is sited at a location other than the nominal location specified in the LAP, the licensee must ensure the antenna height, when specified in terms of the Australian Height Datum (AHD), does not exceed the maximum antenna height above AHD at the nominal location permitted by the LAP.\n\nThe TPGs also specify the maximum field strength permitted within the licence area, as well as beyond the licence area boundary. The maximum field strength within a licence area is determined so that receivers do not suffer overload from excessive signal levels, while the maximum field strength beyond the licence area is specified so as to minimise overspill of the signal in to adjacent areas.\n\nThe licensee must ensure the FM broadcasting service transmission complies with the Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service, which is at Appendix 2 of the TPGs.\n\nPart 5: Analog television\n\nThe requirements for analog terrestrial television services using the VHF or UHF television broadcasting services bands are very similar to those for FM radio.\n\nOne notable exception relates to transmitter siting. It is desirable that a television transmitter be located so that, for a particular band, ie. VHF or UHF, viewers within population centres of the licence area of the service receive all television services, licensed to serve that area, from a single direction. The need for viewers to install multiple same band antennas reduces the protection from interference assumed in the licence area planning process.\n\nThe radiated signal characteristics of analog television services are required to comply with the Emission Standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service, which is at Appendix 3 of the TPGs.\n\nPart 6: Digital television\n\nThe guidelines related to digital television broadcasting and datacasting services follow a generally similar approach to those of analog television. There are, however some additional considerations due to, for example, the possibility of single frequency network operation and its implications for adjacent channel services. Some further explanatory notes on aspects of digital television are provided in Annex A.\n\nThe radiated signal characteristics of digital television services are required to comply with clause 6.2.8 of Australian Standard AS 4599.1‑2007 Digital television – Terrestrial broadcasting – Part 1: Characteristics of digital terrestrial television transmissions (see Appendix 4).\n\nPart 7: Interference management scheme for digital television\n\nPart 7 contains the Interference Management Scheme for digital television. This scheme applies to digital television broadcasting and datacasting transmitter licensees and is designed to ensure that a viewer’s analog television service is protected from interference from digital transmissions, and where such interference does occur, that resolution is achieved in a timely manner.\n\nPart 8: Digital radio\n\nThe guidelines related to digital radio and restricted datacasting services follow a generally similar approach to those of digital television. However, in some instances, the digital radio provisions reflect provisions contained in Part 4: FM radio.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"Emission standards for broadcasting tran","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Emission standards for broadcasting transmitters","content":"## Emission standards for broadcasting transmitters\n\nThe TPGs also contain the standards applicable to analog broadcasting transmitters that operate in the terrestrial broadcasting services bands. The emission standards for AM and FM radio and analog television services are substantially the same as those published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in the period 1989‑92.\n\nReference to the relevant digital television standard is provided in Appendix 4. This standard has been prepared by Standards Australia and may be adopted by broadcasters and datacasters according to their own requirements. Aside from the radiated signal spectrum mask of Australian Standard AS 4599.1‑2007, which is mandatory under guideline 107, the standard is recommended by ACMA only and is not mandatory under the TPGs.\n\nIt should however be noted that the Broadcasting Services (Digital Television Format — Audio Component — Transmissions in SDTV Digital Mode) Technical Standard 2007 sets a requirement that if a television or datacasting service that is transmitted in SDTV digital mode has an audio component, the component must be capable of being decoded by a receiver that has only MPEG‑1 Layer 2 audio decoding capability.\n\nEmission standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service\n\nThe AM emission standard is based on the Draft Emission Standard for the Australian Amplitude Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in 1992.\n\nThe standard follows international practice with provision for stereophonic program transmission based on the C‑QUAM system.\n\nThe emission standard details the channel assignments for the AM radio broadcasting service, program signal characteristics for mono and stereo transmission and the radiated signal characteristics of the AM transmission.\n\nEmission standard for the Australian FM Sound Broadcasting Service\n\nThe FM radio emission standard is based on the Emission Standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound Broadcasting Service determined by the Minister for Transport and Communications pursuant to s.125D of the Broadcasting Act 1942, and published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in July 1992.\n\nThe emission standard covers the radiated signal characteristics of the transmission, nominal channel assignments for the FM radio broadcasting service, main program signal characteristics for both mono and stereo transmission, and includes requirements for ancillary communications services carried as subcarriers on the main FM carrier.\n\nEmission standard for the Australian Analog Terrestrial Television Service\n\nThe analog television emission standard is based on the Emission Standard for the Australian Terrestrial Television Service determined by the Minister of Transport and Communications pursuant to section 125D of the Broadcasting Act 1942, and published by the former Department of Transport and Communications in March 1989.\n\nThe emission standard details the channelling arrangements for the analog television service as well as the video, vision and sound signal characteristics of the transmission.\n\nThe emission standard does not include the standard for teletext services provided in conjunction with the television transmission.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"TPGs and Planning handbooks","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"TPGs and Planning handbooks","content":"## TPGs and Planning handbooks\n\nBecause they are legally binding, the TPGs include only the mandatory requirements to be met by broadcasters in planning and operating new transmission facilities, or in seeking changes to existing facilities. Supporting information on suitable analog planning and measurement methods is contained separately in Technical Planning Parameters and Methods for Terrestrial Broadcasting (TPPs), first published by the Department of Transport and Communications in June 1992.\n\nThe TPGs and TPPs were included as Parts 1 and 2 respectively of the Interim Australian Broadcasting Planning Handbook until December 2000, when the Handbook was superseded. The TPGs and TPPs are now included in the Broadcasting Planning Manual (BPM) – a new publication which brings together all planning related documents, as well as additional reference material, in to a single publication. Copies of the TPGs, TPPs and other documents that form part of the Broadcasting Planning Manual are available from the ACMA website ([www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au)).\n\nThe TPPs are based on broadcasting planning parameters and methods of measurement defined in Recommendations and Reports of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), as well as planning practices developed in Australia, North America, Europe and Britain over many years.\n\nThe TPPs are intended for broadcasters, planning consultants and operators of broadcasting facilities involved in detailed design of broadcasting transmitting facilities or in the preparation of planning submissions to ACMA.\n\nThe planning values and methods set out in the TPPs are generally consistent with international practice. Alternative method(s) may be used but facilities planners would need to be in a position to demonstrate that the alternative method(s) yield results comparable with those set out in the TPPs.\n\nIn respect of such alternative method(s), which may include various computer based prediction models, system designers need to be aware that no model is an exact replication of real propagation phenomena. The type of terrain and other variable factors make some models better in some circumstances than others, and the probabilistic nature of radio frequency propagation requires statistical methods of prediction. The methods set out in the TPPs represent accepted international practice and include statistical allowances based on many years and many different field measurements of propagation in different parts of the world.\n\nFor planning of digital television and datacasting services, the information contained in the TPPs is also supplemented by the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook. This Handbook is also available from the ACMA website.\n\nThe basic planning principles for digital radio are similar to those used in planning for FM radio and television broadcasting services. Parameters specific to digital radio are drawn from widely recognised international sources including the ITU and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as well as ACMA and Australian industry measurements. ACMA may publish material relating to digital radio planning in the future. Any digital radio planning material published by ACMA will be made available on the ACMA website.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"Relationship between the TPGs, FAP, LAPs","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Relationship between the TPGs, FAP, LAPs, the Broadcasting Services Act and the Radiocommunications Act","content":"## Relationship between the TPGs, FAP, LAPs, the Broadcasting Services Act and the Radiocommunications Act\n\nTechnical planning guidelines\n\nThe Broadcasting Services Act requires ACMA to develop technical planning guidelines (TPGs) for the technical planning of individual services that use the broadcasting services bands as a means of delivery. The TPGs set out the mandatory requirements that are to be met by licensees when completing the detailed planning of broadcasting transmitting facilities, and are to be read in conjunction with the technical specifications contained in the LAP.\n\nThe TPGs may also be applied to national broadcasting transmitters and to narrowcasting services that use the broadcasting services bands, through Licence Conditions Determinations or special conditions attached to transmitter licences issued under the powers contained in the Radiocommunications Act.\n\nFrequency allotment plan\n\nThe Frequency Allotment Plan (FAP) determines the number of channels that are to be available in particular areas of Australia to provide broadcasting services using the broadcasting services bands. The FAP identifies the capacity that is to be available for AM radio, FM radio and VHF/UHF television services and digital radio.\n\nThe FAP apportions broadcasting services bands in particular parts of Australia to accommodate existing and future radio and television services. The FAP was determined by the ABA in August 1994, following wide public consultation, and is varied from time to time.\n\nLicence area plans\n\nA LAP details the number and characteristics of the broadcasting services that are to be made available within particular areas of Australia. The characteristics of each service include the service’s licence area, category, carrier frequency(s), transmitter site(s) and technical conditions, including maximum effective radiated power in each direction from the transmitter site.\n\nIf there are changes to the number of available channels arising from the determination of a LAP, the relevant FAP is varied to reflect those changes.\n\nThe determination of a LAP follows wide public consultation and is based on the preparation of a draft LAP to allow comment by affected communities, as well as broadcasters and other interested parties, before finalisation.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"How to obtain a broadcasting service lic","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"How to obtain a broadcasting service licence and the relevant transmitter licence","content":"## How to obtain a broadcasting service licence and the relevant transmitter licence\n\nFor commercial and community broadcasting services, completion of the LAP process for an area makes capacity available for new broadcasting services. The LAP will describe the type of services to be made available and the technical specifications applicable to those services.\n\nACMA will advertise the availability of spectrum capacity and invite applications for a broadcasting service licence. For new commercial broadcasting services, ACMA will conduct a price based allocation process to determine which applicant(s) are to be granted the licence(s) on offer. For new community broadcasting services, ACMA will invite applications and will conduct a merit‑based allocation process to determine which of the applicants will be granted a licence.\n\nWith the issue of a broadcasting service licence comes an entitlement to a radiocommunications apparatus licence (i.e. transmitter licence) to operate the broadcasting transmission facilities to provide the service.\n\nFor more information about applying for a transmitter licence for new commercial or community broadcasting services, please refer to the ACMA web site ([www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au)).","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"Alternative uses of the broadcasting ser","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Alternative uses of the broadcasting services bands","content":"## Alternative uses of the broadcasting services bands\n\nWhere planned spectrum capacity is not used for broadcasting services, that capacity may be made available for alternative uses, such as open narrowcasting. Allocation of rights to use the available spectrum capacity may entail a price based allocation process similar to that used for allocation of commercial broadcasting service licences.\n\nThe TPGs may be applied to transmitter licences for these services as a condition of the transmitter licence, in addition to the licensed technical specification for the service.\n\nAnnex A Explanatory notes related to digital television","sortOrder":26},{"sectionNumber":"Minimum level of service requirements","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Minimum level of service requirements","content":"## Minimum level of service requirements\n\nThe DCPs specify the ERP levels expected to meet the ‘same level of coverage’ objectives given in paragraph 6 (3) (f) of Schedule 4 of the Broadcasting Services Act. However, some DCPs include channel allotments with directional ERP restrictions on some services that apply until certain analog television services cease transmission. Notwithstanding the legislative requirement, these limits may mean, in some instances, that it will not be practicable to achieve the same coverage goal until the concerned analog transmission ceases.","sortOrder":27},{"sectionNumber":"Maximum antenna height requirements","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Maximum antenna height requirements","content":"## Maximum antenna height requirements\n\nThe digital television section does not include guidelines relating to maximum antenna height. The guidelines relating to maximum field strength beyond the licence area or datacasting service area, minimum level of service and not causing interference to other services more directly address ACMA’s concerns than would a restriction on antenna height.\n\nA nominal antenna height specification is included in the technical specifications associated with the DCP for information. This nominal height is used by ACMA in performing interference predictions as part of its channel planning process.","sortOrder":28},{"sectionNumber":"Adjacent channel and SFN operation","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Adjacent channel and SFN operation","content":"## Adjacent channel and SFN operation\n\nPlanning for digital television and datacasting services has made use of adjacent channel operation (either between two adjacent digital services, or between a digital service and an adjacent analog service) on the assumptions that: the adjacent channel transmissions are effectively co‑sited; and the ratio of adjacent channel ERP levels is constrained to be within an appropriate range.\n\nWhen applying the guidelines related to adjacent channel interference, account should be taken of variable factors affecting the relative levels of received adjacent channel transmissions, such as differences in transmitter radiation patterns (in both the horizontal and vertical planes), frequency dependency of receiving antenna system performance and differences in the actual transmission sites. Until better information is available, a value of 5 dB has been applied to the basic protection ratio values.\n\nWhere additional transmission sites are proposed, it may prove difficult to satisfy the necessary adjacent channel protection requirements in cases where transmitters are not effectively co‑sited, and/or in cases where widely different ERP levels are used by the adjacent channel services.\n\nRecognising this constraint, guideline 96 has been written to ensure that digital services operating in accordance with the DCP are protected.\n\nIn the particular case of potential adjacent channel interference between two digital services where one, or both, of the proposed digital services is not included in a DCP, it may be possible to satisfy the adjacent channel interference conditions through negotiation between the operators of the adjacent channel services. The required end result is that, in each area where adjacent channel interference could arise, the transmitters providing the adjacent channel services should be effectively co‑sited and their relative ERP levels should be co‑ordinated to ensure that the conditions of Part 6 of the Technical Planning Guidelines covering adjacent channel interference are satisfied.\n\nWhere digital licensees wish to locate transmitters at sites that are significantly separated from planned LAP, DCP or DRCP sites, where the effective co‑siting assumption does not hold[\\[4\\]](#_ftn4), viewers may face a situation where they are trying to receive a distant, low level signal in the presence of a high level interfering signal from a nearby transmitter. This places a much greater onus on the digital licensee at the non‑DCP site to carefully plan and engineer the site to ensure that the required protection ratios are achieved and interference to nearby receivers is avoided. This is most important when a digital service is adjacent to a wanted analog service. However, other potential interference mechanisms also need to be considered.\n\nThe interference mechanism of next greatest concern is image channel interference from a digital service to analog television reception. Image channel interference is an artefact of superheterodyne television receiver design[\\[5\\]](#_ftn5). It may occur if a high level signal exists on a channel that is 10 or 11 channels above the wanted channel[\\[6\\]](#_ftn6). The susceptibility of receivers to image channel interference is dependent on the design of the radio frequency input stages of the receiver. Available information on wanted‑to‑unwanted image channel protection ratios is that a digital image channel causing interference to an analog television service will usually present a higher interference risk than a first adjacent channel digital‑to‑digital case.\n\nAfter co‑channel, first adjacent channel and image channel interference, other potential interference mechanisms (eg. second adjacent channel interference) are less important and are also possibly subject to greater variation between different receiver makes and models. Therefore specific limits for those potential interference mechanisms have not been specified. However, if the ratio of unwanted signal to wanted signal is high enough, interference management issues may still arise. The requirement for interference management in these cases is captured by the general onus on licensees not to cause interference and to resolve interference problems if they occur (see paragraphs 13 (e) to (g) and guidelines 128 to 130) rather than in specific guidelines within Part 6.","sortOrder":29},{"sectionNumber":"Levels of allowable interference","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Levels of allowable interference","content":"## Levels of allowable interference\n\nWhenever any new service is added into an existing service arrangement there will be some increase, even if it is very small, in the interference received by the existing services. In assessing whether the general objective that ‘there should be no noticeable increase in interference to other services’ is satisfied, in terms of practical engineering, the task is to set guidelines that ensure that any increase in interference is constrained to a level that would not adversely impact on existing services. These guidelines have quantified the amounts of interference that would be allowable for the cases of (i) interference to analog television services, and (ii) interference to digital television services. The signal degradation characteristics of analog and digital television systems have been taken into account in determining these limits.\n\nNo attempt has been made to quantify levels of interference that would be allowable for other licensed radiocommunication services (including broadcasting services other than analog and digital television). Unlike television‑to‑television interference mechanisms where the characteristics of the device potentially suffering interference can be fairly readily defined, potential interference mechanisms between television and services other than television are much less amenable to detailed specification because the range and characteristics of the devices that could potentially suffer interference is large and diverse. This problem is particularly complex when potential interference mechanisms between services operating in different bands of the radiocommunication spectrum are considered. The current interference management process, which is complaints based and prefaced on the incoming service resolving any interference to existing services, appears to have worked adequately without the need for inclusion of such detailed definitions within the TPGs.\n\nFor analog television where the ratio of wanted to unwanted (digital) signals is 41 dB or lower, a degradation of no more than 2 dB in the co‑channel carrier‑to‑noise ratio measured at the receiver input terminals has been permitted. This 2 dB degradation value is based on the interfering signal causing no more than 0.5 grades of degradation on a 5‑grade impairment scale. The basis for this is that the human perception descriptors applicable to impairments to planned television reception (grade 5 – imperceptible; grade 4 – perceptible, but not annoying; grade 3 – slightly annoying) are fairly closely spaced and it seems reasonable to assume that defining a 0.5 grade change as an allowance for interference will not be perceived as having a noticeable impact on the level of interference to the signal. The relationship between subjective impairment gradings and carrier‑to‑noise (or unweighted video‑signal‑to‑noise) ratio is given in texts such as ITU‑R Recommendation BT.654 or Hutson, G.H. – Colour Television: system principles, engineering practice, and applied technology, 2nd Ed, McGraw Hill 1990.\n\nFor digital television where the received co‑channel carrier‑to‑noise‑plus‑interference ratio is 20 dB or lower, a degradation of no more than 1 dB in the carrier‑to‑noise ratio measured at the receiver input terminals has been permitted. This 1 dB degradation value was suggested in the report of the sub‑group on ‘same level of coverage and potential reception quality’ (Appendix B of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Planning Handbook). The allowable value for digital television was chosen to be more stringent than for the comparable analog case. This was done in recognition of the concern that viewers in a marginal reception situation for a digital service could suffer a complete loss of service with a small increase in interference whereas in a marginal analog reception situation a slight increase in interference would cause a slight increase in visible and/or audible noise.","sortOrder":30},{"sectionNumber":"Measurement and assessment of interferen","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Measurement and assessment of interference","content":"## Measurement and assessment of interference\n\nThe interference ratio limits discussed above specify levels that are measured at the input terminals of a reference receiver. While this definition is closely tied to the receiver performance degradation due to interference, it does present difficulties in relating these values to field strength measurements.\n\nField strength measurements can be subject to considerable variability. Even when measured at 10 metres above ground, the field strength may vary considerably with small changes in location or frequency; this is particularly so if the environment is subject to clutter. Field strength measurements can also be subject to short term and seasonal time variations. Variations in the field strengths of wanted and interfering signals will not necessarily be well correlated. Ideally, to obtain reliable and repeatable results it would be necessary to perform a large set of wanted and interfering signal field strength measurements. Notwithstanding time and cost considerations, in many situations terrain or access considerations would make this difficult or impractical. Experienced field strength surveyors may, however, be able to select representative sites where clutter and other confounding effects are minimised and where reproducible results can be obtained from a limited number of field strength measurements.\n\nCalculated field strength predictions do not suffer the variability of measured field strength values. However, as with any mathematical or empirical model, the accuracy of predicted field strength values depends on how well the prediction model represents the real situation. Predicted field strength values can be a convenient method by which to assess claims about potential interference but their use should be tempered by knowledge of how well the prediction model fits the actual situation. Predictions can be used with greatest confidence where they are supported by field strength measurements from nearby areas.\n\nIn the final analysis judgements may need to be made based on the combination of data that is available. This could include whatever field strength measurements are available, comparative measurements made when the suspected interfering source is cycled on and off, or reduced in power by a known number of dB, and field strength prediction calculations for wanted and unwanted signals (especially where these predictions have been validated by field measurements in nearby areas). It is noted that while cycling of power of suspected digital interference sources could be a very useful technique for investigation of interference during the start up period, it may be more difficult to apply this technique for high power digital services once they commence normal operation.","sortOrder":31}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-realtime","completionTokens":2191},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The guidelines have significantly expanded beyond their original scope focused on analog AM/FM radio and analog television. This 2007 version incorporates comprehensive standards for digital terrestrial television, datacasting services, and digital radio (DAB), including single frequency network operation and interference management schemes specific to digital-to-analog coexistence. The document also adds detailed provisions for ancillary communications services (ACS) such as Radio Data Systems (RDS) that were not present in earlier planning guidelines."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive technical engineering specifications including mathematical formulas for C-QUAM stereo modulation, phase deviation calculations, and chrominance signal encoding","Five distinct emission standards across different technologies (AM, FM, analog TV, digital TV, digital radio) each with unique channel arrangements and tolerances","Heavy cross-referencing to external technical standards including ITU Radio Regulations, CENELEC EN50076, Australian Standard AS 4599.1-2007, and ETSI specifications","Complex defined technical terms requiring specialized knowledge (cymomotive force, vestigial sideband transmission, pre-emphasis time constants, group delay pre-correction)","Conditional requirements varying by frequency band, transmitter location, service type (monophonic vs stereophonic), and whether operation is at nominal or alternative sites","Nested interference management rules with specific protection ratios, field strength limits, and degradation allowances measured in decibels","Integration with overlapping statutory frameworks including the Broadcasting Services Act, Radiocommunications Act, and various Licence Area Plans (LAPs) and Digital Channel Plans (DCPs)"],"plain_english_summary":"These ACMA guidelines set mandatory technical rules broadcasters must follow when building or changing transmission equipment, specifying exactly how AM, FM, analog and digital TV and digital radio signals must be transmitted to prevent interference. \n\nThey apply to commercial and community radio/TV broadcasters, datacasters, multiplex operators and any transmitter licence-holder — ensuring clear reception, protecting existing services and managing where and how transmitters operate."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Guidelines convert earlier advisory planning material (the TPPs) into legally binding technical requirements for broadcasters and datacasters. They embed mandatory emission standards, start‑up and site‑change procedures and an interference management regime, tie detailed technical compliance to LAP/DCP/DRCP processes, and increase ACMA’s enforcement role while shifting engineering, measurement and remediation costs onto licensees."},"complexity_factors":["High technical specificity: extensive numeric parameters (frequencies, tolerances, emission masks, modulation limits) and diagrams for multiple services (AM, FM, analog TV, digital TV, DAB).","Cross‑legislative links: requirements operate with the Broadcasting Services Act, Radiocommunications Act and Licence Area Plans (LAP/DCP/DRCP), creating layered legal dependencies.","Multiple service streams and modes: separate, interlocking rules for mono/stereo, ancillary sub‑carriers, analog vs digital, and terrestrial vs multiplex services increase rule permutations.","Operational procedures: mandatory start‑up, test transmission, site‑change procedures and EMC calculations require engineering evidence and reporting.","Interference management: quantitative protection ratios, measurement challenges, complaint‑based resolution and onus on new/altering licensees to remedy interference.","Discretion and variation: ACMA may specify offsets, variations and enforce compliance; LAP/DCP/DRCP processes permit exceptions but require public consultation.","Reliance on external standards: references to ITU, Australian Standards (AS 4599.1‑2007), ETSI/CENELEC and other technical handbooks add implementation complexity.","Measurement and proof burdens: field strength prediction vs measurement trade‑offs, need for validated models, and potential iterative testing/corrections."],"plain_english_summary":"These Guidelines make technical planning rules mandatory for broadcasting transmitters (AM, FM, analog/digital TV and digital radio). They set frequencies, emission masks, field‑strength and modulation requirements, start‑up and site‑change procedures, and an interference‑management regime. They bind commercial and community broadcasters, datacasting licensees and transmitter‑licence holders and are enforced by ACMA. They aim to ensure consistent national planning and protection of services but place engineering, measurement and interference‑remediation costs and administrative compliance burdens on licensees."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/broadcasting-services-technical-planning-guidelines-2007","history":"/api/acts/broadcasting-services-technical-planning-guidelines-2007/history","analysis":"/api/acts/broadcasting-services-technical-planning-guidelines-2007/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/broadcasting-services-technical-planning-guidelines-2007/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/broadcasting-services-technical-planning-guidelines-2007/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/broadcasting-services-technical-planning-guidelines-2007/documents"}}