MediaFLO Technology: FLO Air Interface Overview

MediaFLOTM is a mobile broadcast technology based on open and global standards. A key component of MediaFLO is the FLOTM (Forward Link Only) air interface technology which has multiple published Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) [13] specifications. FLO is also recognized by ITU-R as a recommended technology for mobile broadcasting and is in the approval process at the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Global standardization efforts are driven and supported by the FLO Forum [3], an industry consortia consisting of 90+ member companies throughout the global mobile broadcast value chain. MediaFLO technology has been launched commercially in the United States (USA) through the nationwide mobile broadcast network built by MediaFLO USA, Inc [10]. Verizon Wireless has deployed MediaFLO services in 50 U.S. markets, and AT&T expects to launch commercial services in early 2008 leveraging the MediaFLO USA network. In addition, MediaFLO technology is being trialed in major markets around the world. Unlike other mobile broadcast technologies that have evolved from legacy systems, MediaFLO was designed from the ground up for the mobile environment. Consequently, it can deliver mobile broadcast services in a very efficient manner and offers unique advantages such as low receiver power consumption, fast channel switching time, robust reception in mobile fading channels, high spectral efficiency and efficient statistical multiplexing of service channels. MediaFLO technology achieves all of these advantages simultaneously without compromising one for another. Figure 7.1 shows the MediaFLO protocol stack on the interface between the MediaFLO network and the MediaFLO device. The FLO Air Interface specification consists of Physical Layer, MAC (Medium Access Control) Layer, Control Layer