Harris Press Release

Harris Corporation's New DTV Field Measurement Vehicle Monitors ATSC Signal Quality and Verifies Coverage

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, April 19, 1999 - Harris Corporation today introduced the DTVM-1, the broadcast industry's first commercial DTV field measurement vehicle. The DTVM-1 is designed to help broadcasters verify signal coverage within their FCC-allocated broadcast area.

Additional capabilities of the DTVM-1 are to identify ATSC signal quality issues such as multipath interference, noise areas, shadowing, reflections and weak signals.

"The transition to digital has required many broadcasters to build new towers or enter into joint community tower agreements, which means they have a whole new set of signal mapping and quality issues that need to be identified, monitored and corrected. The time to do this is now, while market penetration is still relatively low," said Jay Adrick, vice president - systems integration for Harris' Broadcast Communications Division. "We developed the DTVM-1 to make this process easier and more cost-effective for the station group owners and the community transmission site operator."

The DTVM-1 is capable of ATSC and NTSC signal analysis, and comes equipped with an integrated transmission monitoring system. The system includes: the Harris ARX-H200 professional ATSC receiver for off-air signal monitoring, a Hewlett-Packard 89441V 8-VSB signal analyzer, a Hewlett-Packard 8591E spectrum analyzer, a telescopic antenna mast with an automated pan and tilt unit and standard measurement antennas, and an integrated RF system that includes noise calibration equipment.

Additionally, Harris has incorporated the Navigator, a custom-designed, software-based control system that can perform a standard set of field tests in accordance with the field measurement practices recommended by WHD, the industry's model DTV station. The system can capture signal information data from each test performed, including the location and actual waveforms from the spectrum analyzer and RF signal analyzer. Captured information is automatically logged into a database and can be compiled to provide a complete profile of the station's coverage area.

"Field testing will become increasingly critical as broadcasters begin to sell advertising on their DTV channel," continued Adrick. "The DTVM-1's dual ATSC/NTSC measurement capability will be a valuable resource to broadcasters during the transition period because it allows them to make comparative coverage studies between their digital and analog signals. They need to be aware of any discrepancies and make adjustments accordingly so they can command top dollar when DTV receiver saturation occurs."

Harris' Broadcast Communications Division is the leading supplier of radio and television products, systems and services, serving broadcasters in more than 150 countries. The Broadcast Communications Division is part of Harris Corporation.

Harris Corporation (NYSE-HRS) is an international communications equipment company focused on providing product, system, and service solutions that take its customers to the next level. The company provides a wide range of products and services for commercial and government communications markets such as wireless, broadcast, government systems, and network support. The company has sales and service facilities in nearly 90 countries.

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