NPL-designed testing facilities are helping aerial manufacturers maintain high standards in aerial design, which in turn enables people up and down the country to receive a clearer digital television signal.

When the only company in the UK authorised to benchmark digital television aerials closed their test site, this presented a major problem for the switchover from analogue to digital television.

Around one in ten homes will require a new digital rooftop aerial, due to the poor quality of the digital signal in some parts of the UK. This means that about two million homes will need new aerials installed.

Working with the industry body the Confederation of Aerial Industries, NPL developed test methods to offer a calibration service for digital aerials, and have now carried out tests on several different products.

The switchover to digital has already begun in parts of the UK, with the whole country due to switch by 2012. If you find that you need a new aerial as a result, chances are the new model on your roof was benchmark tested by NPL.

For further information, please contact David Knight

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