1. The DekTec DTU-215 is a USB modulator capable of modulating signals for nearly every digital TV standard including DVB-T, DVB-C, ATSC, and ISDB-T. 2. It can modulate existing transponder streams or test signals and output them via RF in the VHF/UHF bands. 3. The modulator is easily recognized by Windows and its software allows the user to select modulation standards, frequencies, and output levels and artificially introduce errors into the signal for testing receivers.

1. TEST REPORT Digital TV Modulator
DekTec
• Professional modulator for nearly every digital
modulation standard
• Ideal for use as a test signal modulator, for example,
for receiver manufacturers
DTU-215
• Capable of modulating transponder streams as well as
test signals
• Fully compatible with all HD standards
Gold Edition
• Plug&Play for Windows PC
TELE-satellite Magazine
Business Voucher
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136 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 12-01/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com www.TELE-satellite.com — 12-01/2012 — TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 137

2. TEST REPORT Digital TV Modulator
The Gold Modulator lation manual included by
the manufacturer regard-
ing the integration of the
One Modulator for
required drivers in the op-
erating system (Windows
XP/2003/Vista/2008 and
Every Terrestrial Digital
Windows 7 are supported).
This all functioned very eas-
ily with a double-click on the
installation assistant. The
TV Standard Stream Player Software, the
modulator’s actual control
center, was just as quickly
installed and set up only
after we found it hidden
behind a DTC-300 labelled
Digital TV has a number of facturer. DekTec, a com- The little modulator box folder on the included USB
different standards. Most of pany located in Holland, has doesn’t place too much of a stick.
the terrestrial receivers that developed a multi-standard demand on the PC: an Intel
we have introduced to you modulator just for this type Pentium III processor with Once all of the software
here in the pages of TELE- of application. It’s ideally 1 GB of memory is enough needs were taken care of,
satellite receive signals in suited to test terrestrial for almost all of the modula- we connected the modula-
the DVB standard, for ex- receivers in different TV tor’s functions; in the case tor to our PC via the USB 2.0
ample, DVB-T (most often standards and to take these of DVB-T2, a more powerful port. Windows instantly rec-
used for TV transmissions in digital TV signals and make processor would be needed, ognized the new hardware
standard definition) and the them available in the VHF/ for example, an Intel Core 2 and set it up in just a few
newer DVB-T2 (mostly used UHF range. Duo. seconds.
for high resolution signals).
For those receivers used All of the DekTec’s modu- All of the required drivers Before we can start test-
with cable TV networks, it’s lator hardware is enclosed and the necessary software ing this modulator, a few
mostly DVB-C while receiv- in an unremarkable, silver- are supplied by DekTec on basic settings have to be
ers in the ISDB-T standard gray aluminum box that is a USB stick. This USB stick taken care of first. This in-
are used in South America. 123 x 62 x 22mm in size. It not only contains the soft- cludes the modulation mode
comes with a single USB 2.0 ware for the DTU-215, but as well as the desired output
TELE-satellite test report- connector as well as the RF it also has DekTec’s en- frequency. The modulations
ers can be found all over the signal output on both ends tire software palette. This are listed in Table 1.
world and therefore have of the box. means the user has to
direct access to their corre- search through all the files The user can select an
sponding signal standards. If you’re all scratching on the USB stick to find the output frequency between
But the same can’t be said your heads now trying to matching software for the 47 and 1000 MHZ in the
for receiver manufacturers: a figure out where the in- DTU-215. VHF and UHF bands with
receiver production line sim- put signal comes from and a bandwidth from 2.7 to 8
ply can’t be moved from one how the box gets its power, Overall, the workmanship MHz. The modulators sig-
location to another for the DekTec has found a rather and packaging of the modu- nal output level for QAM is
purpose of receiving live TV interesting solution: the lator left us with a very good between -46 and -15 dBm;
signals in other standards. DekTec DTU-215 is designed impression; clearly, this is a with OFDM it lies between
to be used with any stan- high-end product for use by -49 and -18 dBm. The mod-
Obviously, it would be far dard PC and thus gets its professionals. ulator draws roughly 500mA
better to bring the neces- power from thePC via the at 5V; this can be obtained
sary signals to the manu- USB 2.0 interface. We referred to the instal- from a USB 2.0 interface so
138 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 12-01/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com

3. 1 2 5 6
3 4 7 8
that an external power sup- modulation mode (for ex- worldwide satellite opera- To record such a stream those from a DVB-S2 tran- sented with three large text 1. The DekTec DTU-215 modulates a DVB-T signal from
an original transponder stream via satellite
ply is not necessary. ample, MPEG-2 or MPEG- tors are more likely to deal you can use a standard sponder with multiple HD fields that contain informa-
2. Signal measurement without artificially introduced
4). The more complete the with correct streams than DVB-S/S2 card for a PC (you channels. tion on the transponder errors
All of the popular trans- stream is, the better the are smaller national opera- can find suitable cards in stream, which channels it 3. Signal measurement with artificially introduced
port streams can be used. result at the modulator’s RF tors). this issue of TELE-satellite Streams stored in this contains, the PIDs that are errors through the modulator
Since the box modulates output. on the overview pages of manner find their way 1:1 in in use and the data rate that 4. The signal curve in the spectrum with high output
level
the stream 1:1 and passes it In addition to a complete the award winning HDTV PC the Stream Player Software was used to send it.
5. The signal curve in the spectrum with low output
on to the attached receiver, How do you recognize a PMT, you should look for card). which are then completely signal
raw MPEG, AVI or even DivX complete stream and where numerous other features read and modulated into the Since the DekTec DTU- 6. Signal measurement with artificially introduced
content is not suitable. The do you get it from? You of the individual channels This PC card communi- desired output data stream. 215 cannot receive a live in- errors through the modulator
DTU-215 does not modify should direct yourself to a in the stream of the tran- cates with the PC through put signal and instead relies 7. Through the introduction of data containing errors,
the display on our analyzer was significantly distorted
the stream, rather, it pass- stream from a satellite op- sponder such as EPG, Sub- the PCI-e port so that there In the software’s main on a stream that is already
8. Clean image without any modulator introduced error
es it along with all its infor- erator that is known for its title, teletext, multiple audio won’t be any problems re- window the user is pre- available, the Stream Player bits
mation in the preselected proper streams (Tip: larger tracks or even encryption. cording large data rates like
Norm SD HD Main Usage Areas Transmission Receiver
DVB-T yes no Europe, Parts of Asia and Africa, Australia Terrestrial STB
DVB-T2 yes yes Parts of Europe and Africa Terrestrial STB
DVB-H yes no Parts of Europe and Asia Terrestrial Smartphone*
DVB-C yes yes Europe Cable STB
DVB-C2 yes yes Parts of Europe Cable STB
QAM yes no Europe Cable, MVDS STB
ISDB-TB yes yes South America Terrestrial STB
ATSC yes yes North America Terrestrial STB
DMB-TH yes yes China Terrestrial STB
CMMB yes no China Terrestrial Smartphone*
Table 1: The most important modulation standards supported by the DTU-215 Gold Edition
(*Note: If you are connecting to a SmartPhone without an antenna input jack, an external transmitter would be necessary)
140 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 12-01/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com www.TELE-satellite.com — 12-01/2012 — TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 141

4. 1 4
2 5
3
6
Software can play it back Software can simulate the The DTU-215 also lets 1. The Stream Player’s main window
in an endless line; even loss of data packets, bit er- you adjust the signal level 2. Detailed information can be
displayed for every PID in the
individual portions of the rors as well as entire byte between -46 and -15 dBm transponder stream
stream can be replayed. errors in amounts and fre- with QAM and between -49 3. Frequency selection in ISDB-T
quencies that are user-se- and -18 dBm with OFDM. Mode
As a professional unit, lectable. By looking at the screen- 4. Using the Channel Simulator
the DTU-215 can also mod- shots that came with this function an AWGN signal can be
created; even the transmission of
ify the transport stream in This is an outstanding test report, you can clearly the signal can be simulated over
ways that a user with nor- feature in that it allows you see how the signal curve multiple stations
mal TV reception would to thoroughly test the input changes in the spectrum of 5. Through a total of six stations
never want: it can artifi- sensitivity and error cor- our signal analyzer. the signal can be individually
adjusted for attenuation and delay
cially introduce errors. In rection capability of a re-
6. Various additional options in
this way the Stream Player ceiver. Even the simulation of a DVB-T/H mode
142 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 12-01/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com

5. 7 8 7. Individual portions of the data 16 17
stream can easily be marked for
playback
8. The modulator can introduce
missing data packets into the
output data stream
9. The modulator can introduce
bit errors into the output data
stream
10. The modulator can introduce
byte errors into the output data
stream
9 10
a test signal in any of the It became interesting DTU-215 SP nor are some the DekTec drivers.
modulation standards as though when we tried to of the modulations (ISDB-T,
well as an AWGN (Additive take an HDTV transpon- CMMB, DTMB). This would seem to be a
White Gaussian Noise) sig- der with a total of three HD good time to point out that
nal. If you introduce this channels and modulate it in If you have sufficient pro- DekTec offers not only Win-
11 12 AWGN signal to the actual DVB-T2. It was easy to see gramming experience, you dows drivers but Linux driv-
11. In Loop mode you can signal and manipulate its that the USB 2.0 port was can develop your own soft- ers as well although the
customize the time information amplitude according to a at the limits of its capabili- ware with the help of the matching modulator control
in the data stream
Gauss curve, you can model ties. But if you reduce the C++ API available for down- software is not yet available
12. In addition to a transponder
stream, a test signal can also what would happen to the number of HD channels in load from the manufacturer for Linux; the user must de-
be generated, if desired, in any original signal if it should get the transport stream, it can that would access the at- velop it themselves using
of the supported modulation disturbed by white noise. be processed without any tached hardware through the C++ API.
standards
problems.
13. Customizing the output level
During our tests we were
14. Information on the hardware
in use quite surprised at the high The DekTec DTU-215 is TECHNICAL
15. Even modulation of HD efficiency of the modula- available from the manufac- DATA
content is possible without any tor and the relatively small turer in two versions: While Manufacturer DekTec Digital Video B.V., Van Riebeeckweg 43A,
13 problems load it placed on the PC. the DTU-215 Gold Edition 1212 EH Hilversum, The Netherlands
16. Detailed information on an
HD channel
We were able to modulate can handle every possible Email sales info@dektec.com
17. Thanks to Plug&Play, the a transport stream with five modulation including future Internet www.dektec.com
DTU-215 is easily recognized in TV channels and multiple versions and can simulate Model DTU-215 Gold Edition
the Windows Device Manager radio channels along with a complex signal distribu- Function USB 2.0 digital VHF/UHF Modulator
all of the additional services tion network plus generate Frequency range 47 . . 1000 MHz (+/- 1ppm)
15 and display them on a TV an AWGN signal, these op- Bandwidth 2.7 .. 8 MHz
via DVB-T. tions are not available in the
Modulations ATSC VSB, ADTB-T/DTMB, CMMB, DVB-C, DVB-C2
DVB-T/DVB-H, DVB-T2, ISDB-T, QAM
Expert Opinion MER (OFDM)
RF Connector
> 42dB
75 Ohm (F)
The DekTec DTU-215 is a professional signal Return loss 15dB (47 .. 862 MHz)
14 modulator for nearly every digital modula- Level (QAM) -46 .. -15dBm (+/-2 dB)
tion standard via satellite, terrestrial or cable.
Level (OFDM) -49 .. -18dBm (+/-2 dB)
+ Thanks to the multifaceted Stream Player
Software, it makes an exceptional test instru-
Amplitude Step Size 0.5dB
Adjacent Channel -54dB (QAM), -52dB (OFDM)
ment and can also be used for demonstration Thomas Haring
TELE-satellite Phase Noise < -95dBc @ 10kHz
purposes. Test Center
Austria Spectral Purity > 50dB ( 47 .. 1000MHz)
No information is provided on which of the many drivers USB Port USB 2.0
– stored on the included USB stick are actually for use with Power (through USB 2.0) 5V, 500mA
the modulator Dimensions 123 x 62 x 22 mm
complex signal distribution
and transmission system is
possible with the DTU-215.
You can use the box to in-
troduce signal attenuation
(in dB) at multiple transmis-
sion points as well as trans-
mission delays (in µs).
You can even generate
144 TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 12-01/2012 — www.TELE-satellite.com www.TELE-satellite.com — 12-01/2012 — TELE-satellite International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine 145