ATSC advances Broadcast-to-Everything with candidate standard

ATSC has approved a candidate specification that could help smartphones, wearables and other connected devices find future Broadcast-to-Everything (B2X) transmissions. The document, S44-2-002r6, sets out a system for discovery and signaling—the process by which compatible devices identify and access B2X services.

The specification was approved for public review by ATSC Technology Group 3 (TG3). It marks an early step in developing B2X, a proposed platform intended to extend broadcast transmission beyond conventional television receivers. The standard is not yet a finished, deployed service: the Candidate Standard designation allows companies and organizations to assess the proposal, test implementations and submit technical feedback.

B2X aims to combine broadcast’s ability to send the same content to many receivers at once with mobile communications networks. That approach could help distribute high-demand content without establishing a separate connection for each device, while giving broadcasters new ways to deliver services beyond TV programming.

What the specification covers

The current document focuses on discovery and signaling, rather than defining the full range of future B2X services. It is intended to give compatible equipment a common way to recognize and access transmissions. ATSC says the mechanism is being developed independently of existing ATSC 3.0 specifications, so it does not require changes to the current broadcast television standard.

Potential recipients include smartphones, wearable devices, remote sensors and other connected equipment. ATSC also sees possible uses for devices with limited power resources. The organization has not announced specific services, products or a deployment timetable.

What happens next

The public review gives companies and other organizations a chance to evaluate the proposed specification, test how it works in implementations and provide technical feedback before further standardization. The approval therefore starts a review and testing phase; it does not establish that compatible B2X devices or transmissions are already available.

ATSC President Madeleine Noland said the effort is intended to bring broadcast technology into closer connection with other communications networks. Joe Fabiano, EdgeBeam Wireless chief technology officer and chair of TG3’s B2X specialist group, said the platform could extend broadcast-based services to a broader range of devices, including wearables and remote sensors.

This report draws on information from TheDesk.net.