computer science

MVDDS

MVDDS is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand MVDDS rather than just read about it. In short: MVDDS (Multichannel Video and Data Distribution Service) is a type of television and Internet delivery technology licensed for use in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This was subsequently tested by The MITRE Corporation for the FCC.

Key takeaways

MVDDS belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect MVDDS to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of MVDDS from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

MVDDS (Multichannel Video and Data Distribution Service) is a type of television and Internet delivery technology licensed for use in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This was subsequently tested by The MITRE Corporation for the FCC. A report was filed in the 98-206 Docket before the FCC. This terrestrial based wireless transmission method reuses Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) frequencies for distribution of multichannel video and data over large distances. The spectrum is in the 12.2–12.7 GHz range, offering fast downloads but requiring other frequencies for uploads. It is seen as a potential competitor to cable for delivery of triple play or triple-threat services (voice, data, video).

History

The MVDDS service was created as a result of a "Spectrum Grab" by the now defunct Northpoint Technology LLC. While Northpoint was fighting with the DBS companies, MDS America Inc provided the FCC with engineering information to assist the FCC in formulating the first US MVDDS rules. MDS America was granted permission to conduct experimental testing of their service in Clewiston Florida. This testing was completed by LCC International under the direction of Dr. Bahman Badipour (now President and CEO of Analytical Consulting Services Inc.) in July 2001 and submitted to the FCC in October of that year.

FCC MVDDS auctions MVDDS spectrum was auctioned by the FCC in two separate auctions. The first was FCC auction 53 (1/14/2004 - 1/27/2004) and this auction with 14 qualified bidders lasted 49 rounds over 9 bidding days. 10 bidders won 192 licenses with Gross Bids of $136,936,200 Each allocated license is exclusive in one geographic area. The second was FCC auction 63 (12/7/2005 - 12/7/2005) and this auction with 3 qualified bidders lasted 3 rounds over 1 bidding day. 32 bidders won the remaining 22 licenses with Gross Bids of $204,000 MVDDS spectrum (214 licenses) is held by 11 companies, but the largest chunks are owned by three, South.com (an affiliate of Dish Network) with 37 areas, DTV Norwich (an affiliate of Cablevision) with 46 areas, and MDS Operations (an affiliate of MDS America) with 80 areas. In 2012 Dish Network acquired Cablevision's areas making Dish Network the largest owner of MVDDS spectrum in the US.

US Based MVDDS systems The system listed below operates using MVDDS to cover an entire Metro area.

Cibola Wireless Albuquerque, New Mexico This system was built by MDS America, a US-based MVDDS company.

International MVDDS-like systems Although MVDDS is a US only service, the systems listed below operate on similar frequencies to MVDDS but with differing power levels. There are presently other countries using MVDDS for television signal delivery, these also being built by MDS America, for example:

United Arab Emirates Ireland

See also MMDS MVDS Digital television in Europe Ku-band

Notes

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with MVDDS

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what MVDDS claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to MVDDS before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about MVDDS ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of MVDDS

In research: MVDDS appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses MVDDS in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: MVDDS is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Network access, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for MVDDS outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study MVDDS in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what MVDDS means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain MVDDS out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is MVDDS in simple terms?

Why does MVDDS matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study MVDDS?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on MVDDS.