§ 73.626   DTV distributed transmission systems.

   (a)  A  DTV station may be authorized to operate multiple synchronized
   transmitters on its assigned channel to provide service consistent with the
   requirements  of  this section. Such operation is called a distributed
   transmission system (DTS). Except as expressly provided in this section, DTV
   stations operating a DTS facility must comply with all rules applicable to
   DTV single-transmitter stations.

   (b) For purposes of compliance with this section, a station's “authorized
   service area” is defined as the area within its predicted noise-limited
   service contour determined using the facilities authorized for the station
   in a license or construction permit for non-DTS, single-transmitter-location
   operation.

   (c) Table of Distances. The following Table of Distances describes (by
   channel and zone) a station's maximum service area that can be obtained in
   applying for a DTS authorization.
   Channel Zone F(50,90) field strength
   (dBU) Distance from reference point
   2-6 1 28 108 km. (67 mi.)
   2-6 2 and 3 28 128 km. (80 mi.)
   7-13 1 36 101 km. (63 mi.)
   7-13 2 and 3 36 123 km. (77 mi.)
   14-51 1, 2 and 3 41 103 km. (64 mi.)

   (1) DTV station zones are defined in § 73.609.

   (2) DTS reference point. A station's DTS reference point is established in
   the  FCC  Order  that  created  or  made  final  modifications  to the
   Post-Transition DTV Table of Allotments, § 73.622(i), and the corresponding
   facilities for the station's channel assignment as set forth in that FCC
   Order.

   (d) Determining DTS coverage. The coverage for each DTS transmitter is
   determined  based on the F(50,90) field strength given in the Table of
   Distances (in paragraph (c) of this section), calculated in accordance with
   § 73.625(b). The combined coverage of a DTS station is the logical union of
   the coverage of all DTS transmitters.

   (e) DTS protection from interference. A DTS station must be protected from
   interference  in accordance with the criteria specified in § 73.616. To
   determine  compliance with the interference protection requirements of
   § 73.616, the population served by a DTS station shall be the population
   within the station's combined coverage contour, excluding the population in
   areas that are outside both the DTV station's authorized service area and
   the  Table  of Distances area (in paragraph (c) of this section). Only
   population that is predicted to receive service by the method described in
   § 73.622(e)(2)  from  at  least  one individual DTS transmitter will be
   considered.

   (f) Applications for DTS. An application proposing use of a DTS will not be
   accepted for filing unless it meets all of the following conditions:

   (1) The combined coverage from all of the DTS transmitters covers all of the
   applicant's authorized service area;

   (2) Each DTS transmitter's coverage is contained within either the DTV
   station's  Table  of Distances area (pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
   section) or its authorized service area, except where such extension of
   coverage beyond the station's authorized service area is of a minimal amount
   and necessary to meet the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this section;

   (3) Each DTS transmitter's coverage is contiguous with at least one other
   DTS transmitter's coverage;

   (4) The coverage from one or more DTS transmitter(s) is shown to provide
   principal community coverage as required in § 73.625(a);

   (5) The “combined field strength” of all the DTS transmitters in a network
   does not cause interference to another station in excess of the criteria
   specified in § 73.616, where the combined field strength level is determined
   by a “root-sum-square” calculation, in which the combined field strength
   level at a given location is equal to the square root of the sum of the
   squared field strengths from each transmitter in the DTS network at that
   location.

   (6) Each DTS transmitter must be located within either the DTV station's
   Table of Distances area or its authorized service area.

   [ 73 FR 74063 , Dec. 5, 2008]

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