CEA Standards Committee Makes Smart Antennas Smarter

New Standard Enables DTV Reception Without Antenna Alignment [The following is a release from the Consumer Electronics Association]

April 10, 2008

The Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA)® Antennas Committee, which develops standards for antennas used with broadcast receivers, today announced revisions to CEA-774-A, TV Receiving Antenna Performance Presentation and Measurement. This standard defines methods for testing antennas used to receive free over-the-air TV signals. This update adds testing of “smart antenna,” for antennas that, when used with compatible TV receivers, automatically steer themselves for optimum reception. “The smart antenna is a terrific new technology that enables truly remarkable reception of digital television without any antenna alignment or adjustment,” said Ray Conover, consultant to Hubbard Broadcasting and chairman of the CEA Antennas Committee. “The smart antenna will allow consumers to enjoy free over-the-air television in locations that were never possible with analog television. It’s our hope that this project will lead to a smart antenna certification program, and then to AntennaWeb.org recommendations for the use of certified smart antennas.” CEA-774-A, along with a companion standard CEA-2028, Color Codes for Outdoor TV Receiving Antennas, define the color coding system used by www.AntennaWeb.org to make outdoor TV antenna selection easy for consumers. AntennaWeb.org predicts television reception when given an address, and recommends the types of antennas that will provide best reception at the address. Participation in CEA standards activities is open to companies and organizations with direct and material interest. CEA membership is not required to participate. For more information about, or to join, the Antennas Committee or its working groups, please contact Dave Wilson at dwilson@ce.org. CEA leads technology manufacturers in fostering CE industry growth by developing industry standards and technical specifications that enable new products to come to market and encourage interoperability with existing devices. CEA maintains an unmatched reputation as a credible and flexible standards making body and has earned ANSI accreditation. Through more than 70 committees, subcommittees, and working groups, the CEA Technology and Standards program provides a unique and efficient forum where technical professionals throughout the industry develop a unified technology roadmap and address technical issues critical to CE industry growth. Are you part of the process? For information about CEA Technology and Standards, visit www.CE.org/standards.

Read More:
http://www.antennaweb.org
http://www.ce.org/standards