New FPGA-based platform enhances low-power UHF transmitters, enabling cost-effective NextGen TV transitions for small-market broadcasters
GatesAir has unveiled a new innovation that brings ATSC 3.0 broadcasting within reach for low-power television (LPTV) stations and smaller market broadcasters. Designed around a newly developed FPGA-based modulator, this next-generation platform delivers the processing power needed for efficient ATSC 3.0 transmission—without the high costs typically associated with NextGen TV upgrades.
Set to debut at NAB Show 2025 (Booth W2720), GatesAir’s enhanced low-power UHF transmission solutions now include the PMTX-1 outdoor systems, the Maxiva UATK Ultra-Compact transmitters, and the Maxiva UATK-OP air-cooled units—all now capable of supporting ATSC 3.0 modulation. These upgrades make it possible for LPTV broadcasters to begin field-upgradeable transitions from ATSC 1.0 or even ISDB-T, thanks to the platform’s software-defined architecture based on GatesAir’s award-winning Maxiva XTE exciter.
“This technology represents a huge step forward for LPTV stations that want to participate in the NextGen TV revolution,” said Raymond Miklius, Vice President of Technology at GatesAir. “We’ve created an affordable and scalable path to ATSC 3.0 that works within the budgets of broadcasters in smaller or underserved markets.”
The release is well-timed as the industry prepares for the next wave of ATSC 3.0 deployments, which are expected to rely more heavily on single-frequency networks (SFNs). These network designs utilize multiple synchronized low-power transmitters to enhance signal reach and fill coverage gaps—an ideal match for GatesAir’s compact and flexible low-power solutions.
For LPTV operators, the benefits are clear: the PMTX-1-UK system, for example, can be mounted virtually anywhere due to its weatherproof, low-maintenance design—making it perfect for translator, gap filler, or SFN deployment strategies.
GatesAir’s platform also has implications for international broadcasters, particularly in Brazil, where regulators have approved a transition from ISDB-Tb to ATSC 3.0. The new modulator offers a future-proof solution capable of handling this migration through a simple software update.
As the ATSC 3.0 rollout evolves beyond lighthouse models into more distributed configurations, GatesAir’s innovation offers LPTV stations a critical opportunity to stay competitive, extend coverage, and deliver enhanced viewing experiences—all while maintaining cost-efficiency.
About GatesAir
Celebrating over 100 years of broadcast innovation, GatesAir provides over-the-air content delivery solutions for TV and radio broadcasters in more than 185 countries. Their U.S.-assembled products power mission-critical transmission systems with unmatched reliability. Learn more at www.gatesair.com.
