GSM Based Automation Of TV Program Delivery (A Case Study On ORTVO Transmitter Stations)

Abstract

Remote monitoring system is a very important communications tool that will be extremely valuable to a multitude of broadcasting stations as well as industrial applications. ORTVO is a broadcasting media that has terrestrial transmitters (TV, FM) and generators for power standby at different zones in Oromia region. Out of 16 zonal transmitter stations of ORTVO, 9 stations have generators, VHF TV and FM transmitters all together and the rest 7 stations have generators and VHF TV transmitters. The core idea of this study is to identify problems that cause generators to fail and transmitters‟ program disruption thereby providing integrated GSM based remote monitoring system from central monitoring station which further enables the central monitoring station to take actions prior to any failures and/ or program transmission interruption. Broadcasting stations need constant monitoring and continuous power supply for consistent program delivery. If a power failure occurs the program will be disrupted and thereby leading to loss of audiences. My thesis focuses on the detection of generator power failure, transmitters‟ status and takes reflex action to solve the problem with help of modem communication using GSM which is installed in RDF. The Microcontroller inside GSM modem is designed to send SMS alerts from any integrated machine (generator, TV and/or FM transmitter) to central station server that archive the alerted SMS and resend it to the authorized persons‟ mobile number. The result has been done using Netpod software.