““Innovations in AM BroadcastingInnovations in AM Broadcasting””Broadcast Engineering Society Broadcast Engineering Society
Delhi, India, February 25th 2008Delhi, India, February 25th 2008
David BirrerDirector Marketing & Strategy
Agenda
• Times of transitions and changes• Technology is changing• Environmental situation is changing• Conclusions
Times of transitions and challenges
• Times of transition and change call for innovation• Technology is changing
– analog to digital– tubes to solid state– digitalization opens whole new options and influences all areas of
communication
• Environmental situation is changing– global warming and consequences for transmitters (more lightning)– development of energy costs
• All these changes have consequences for radio broadcast technology
• Thomson Radio Broadcast, with its strong tradition of innovation, is presenting interesting, effective new solutions to meet the new demands
Technology and Communication Platforms go Digital and Mobile
• The media landscape changes rapidly together with fast-paced developments in coding and compression technologies
AM
FM
DRM / HD radio
DAB (T, S)
DMB (T, S)
DSR
DVB (T, S, C, H)
Web radio (internet)
Pod casts (internet)
Worldspace (S)
XM radio, Sirius (S) US only
2000 2006199019501900
analog digital
2012
DRM + / HD radio
Overview terrestrial digital radio systems
100 kHz 1 MHz 10 MHz 100 MHz 1 GHzFrequency
10 GHz
LW MW SW B I B II(FM)
B III L-BANDRADIO BANDS
DRM
DAB
HDradio
DRM30 DRM+
US only
testing nowin use world wide
UStesting in other countries
in use world wide
testingWorld wide standard Proprietary standard
in use world wide
Common Advantages DRM / DRM+ / DAB
– Open, non-proprietary international ITU standardsdoes not depend on one single commercial supplier
– All systems share data service capabilities and common alternative frequency signalling and linking
– Efficient receiver implementation(modulation schemes, common decoders, …)
– Family of standards cover full range of terrestrial radio broadcast bands
– Easy adoption of new common features
– Transparent, non-discriminatory licensing scheme(for broadcast and receiver equipment),no running royalties for operation
Common Advantages DRM / DRM+
– Up to 4 services on 1 frequency (max. 72 kbps DRM, 186 kbps DRM+)
– Supports efficient audio encoding(HE-AAC, Speech codecs, Surround Sound)
– Supports all DRM data services (Electronic Programme Guide),all DAB (!) data services (Journaline, Slideshow, TPEG, TMC, …),and any proprietary data transport (IP, stream data, file structures, etc.)
Decoder sharing between DRM, DRM+ and DABEfficient data handling for broadcasters and receiver manufacturers
– Enables Emergency Notification/Switchingand transport of detailed information
DRM+ Key Features
– Supports 30-120 MHz incl. Band I (largely available) and Band II (FM)
– Extends the international DRM standard– Service signalling, data encoding and modulation
fully compatible with existing DRM standard– Fits in existing FM channel pattern (96 kHz bandwidth)
with high spectrum efficiency (1,9 bits per kHz)– Efficient frequency allocation with flexible slot configurations– Full SFN capability (Single Frequency Network)– Analog FM channels can individually be switched over to DRM+– Simulcast with FM broadcast via service linking;
Analog FM broadcast remains completely unaffected;DRM+ channel can be added anywhere in the free spectrum
Technology and Communication Platforms go Digital and Mobile
• The media landscape changes rapidly together with fast-paced developments in coding and compression technologies
• The trend moves from analog to digital and from fixed to mobile reception
Technology and Communication Platforms go Digital and Mobile
• The media landscape changes rapidly together with fast-paced developments in coding and compression technologies
• The trend moves from analog to digital and from fixed to mobile reception
• Technology is changing from tube to solid-state
• high voltage• low current• high safety
margin
• low voltage• high current• low safety margin
against lightning
Tube TechnologyTube Technology SolidSolid--State TechnologyState Technology Solutions for Complex Solutions for Complex FunctionsFunctions
Technology and Communication Platforms go Digital and Mobile
• The media landscape changes rapidly together with fast-paced developments in coding and compression technologies
• The trend moves from analog to digital and from fixed to mobile reception
• Technology is changing from tube to solid-state
• Broadcasting gets more and more diversified with each new functionality that is at the broadcaster’s command today
Example for the use of a multiple Programme Structure
transmission linesand ATU
DRM Transmitter
1008 kHz
Content generation and
streaming
Antenna
00:00 h 01:00 h 02:00 h
Music Music
de
en
kis
de
en
kis
en
kis
German
Kisuaheli
Speech / Informational Channel
German
English
YesterdayYesterday
SWAM
DSB
MWAM
DSB
TodayToday
1089
1053
1107
1071
kHz
High power transmitterFiller transmitter
FUTURE: Possible DRM useILLUSTRATIVE
National Network 1-1089kHz
A range of local or community services on 1107 & 1071kHz –these could be used in different places from the existing national filler transmitters
National Network 2 -1053kHz+
+
National MW frequencies of a UK broadcaster
NOW: AM national network
Example of SFN in medium wave
Source: OFCOM 2007
Example of shortwave DRM Station New Zealand:
- Servicing 10 islands with the 100 kW SW DRM Transmitter
- The map illustrates the coverage area of the new DRM transmitter
- Transmitter and DRM equipment from Thomson
Example of DRM application: FM – Rebroadcasting (1)
- The strong high quality DRM shortwave signal is an attractive alternative to satellite link broadcasting
- With DRM technology, the broadcaster has all his technical means in his own hands and does not depend on third parties for program distribution
- The start-up costs with DRM Shortwave might be higher, but operational costs are significantly less
- The use of DRM and shortwave together with rebroadcast on FM offers a highly interesting, cost-efficient possibility of achieving nationwide as well as local coverage.
Example of DRM application: FM – Rebroadcasting (3)
Simulcast option testing in India 2007
100 kW M2W transmitter
9 kHz Digital, 9 kHz Analog Simulcast 18 kHz Full Digital
SIMULCAST MW SCS: CONCLUSIONS
The simulcast mode tested in New Delhi (AM 97 kW – DRM 2.5 kW) performed very well
• No noticeable degradation on AM(tested on 5 different AM receiver models)
• A very good coverage inside the city• Some spots (bridges. noise) without coverage despite the
mode/power: all those also apply for current commercial AM service
The AM and DRM coverage were compared along a radialroute up to 100km away from the city: EQUAL RESULTS!!
• in fact DRM worked well inside the city of Panipat (km. 50) whereas AM failed
Example distance learning system
For many countries education is a priority, but not easy to achieve when the students are in remote area, small village, nomad, and when there is no “electricity thus internet”…
Example distance learning system
• Protoype receiver with high resolution display available and already shown on various exhibitions
• Market access expected in 2008
Example data services in cars
Example Audi MMI Display
Example of Football Live Ticker, Germany ‘07
Rearseat Entertainment wiht data services
Data transmission withThomson DRM Content Server
Environment is Changing as Well
• Worldwide electricity needs will nearly double before 2030• Cost of electricity and other fuels are rising greatly• Energy efficient products and systems reduce energy costs and
consumption : this is a must!this is a must!
• Environment is becoming key: transmitter sites have to move outside cities transmitter sites have to move outside cities
• Pollution is getting to be more and more a topic• Nature takes its revenge if we ignore her (global warming)
Global Electricity Generation 2004 - 2030
0
5'000
10'000
15'000
20'000
25'000
30'000
35'000
2004 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Billion Kilowatt HoursBillion Kilowatt Hours
ProjectionProjection
Global electricity generation Global electricity generation increases by 2.4 percent per increases by 2.4 percent per yearyear
1.5%
2.9%
2.9%
3.1%
3.9%
4.4%
5.2%
0% 2% 4% 6%
North America
Central/SouthAmerica
Middle East
Europe
India
China
Asia
Annual Growth (%) in Annual Growth (%) in Electricity Generation by Electricity Generation by Region 2004 Region 2004 -- 20302030
These changes affect Broadcasters in various ways
• Need of enhanced lightning protection for solid-state transmitters and interface supervision to increase system reliability
• Need of services and remote control options to increase system availability
• Increase of energy costs causes need of high system efficiency to reduce operation costs
• Need of DRM capability and know-how to keep up with latest media developments
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1
Average Increase of Global Temperature in °C
Incr
ease
of L
ight
ning
Act
ivity
in %
DarwinTropical ZoneEurope
Dramatic Increase of Lightning as a Dramatic Increase of Lightning as a Consequence of Global WarmingConsequence of Global Warming
∆t = 1 °C
Thomson Optimizes Overall System Efficiency
η TX
TransmitterTransmitter Feeder LinesFeeder Lines AntennaAntenna
Reality with slewing Reality with slewing ““rotating beamsrotating beams””
RadiationRadiation Perfect Coverage Perfect Coverage
• ground losses
• ohmic losses
• radiation losses
η Feeder η Antenna η RadiationModern TX: 75 to 80 %Older TX: 50 to 55 %
System Efficiency = System Efficiency = ηηTransmitter Transmitter x x ηηFeederFeeder x x ηηAntennaAntenna x x ηηRadiationRadiation
Best: 95 %Very Often: 70 %
Best: 98 %Very Often: 95 %
Perfect Design: 99 %With Shielding: 70 %
η TotalBest: ~ 70 %Very Often: ~25 %
Conclusion
• Transition to digital is on going– Not a question whether it will happen– Its only the question when it happens
• DRM offers a platform for various kinds of application up to 120 MHz– DRM is in operation– Receivers are available– Most economic way to transport information today
• Environmental conditions call for innovative products– Focus on system efficiency, availability and reliability
Single Frequency Distribution Network SFN
DistributionNETWORK
DRM/DI(MDI or MDI+MCI)
DRM/DI(MDI or MDI+MCI)
DRM/DI(MDI or MDI+MCI)
Transmitter
MW Station
Transmitter
MW Station
Transmitter
MW Station
Nimbo-Stratus
(+ GPS)
Multiplexed Distribution
GPS
ContentServer
DRM MultimediaMultiplexer
Cirrus
DRM MultiprogramMultiplexer
OR
Cirro-Stratus*
Nimbo-Stratus
(+ GPS)
Cirro-Stratus*
Nimbo-Stratus
(+ GPS)
Cirro-Stratus*
* limited to 1 audio service
Multi Frequency Distribution Network MFN
Multiplexed Distribution(without audio synchronisationfor receiver)
I/Q Baseband
I/Q BasebandPhase & Amplitude
Modulated RF
toLinear AM TX and Antenna
Phase & Amplitude Modulated RF
Short Wave Station (or MW/LW)
Stratus
Nimbo-Stratus
Nimbo-Stratus
RF Synthesizer
EnvelopePhase & Amplitude
Modulated RF
DRM/DI(MDI or MDI+MCI)
DRM/DI(MDI or MDI+MCI)
Content
DRM/DI(MDI or MDI+MCI)
Stratus Phase & Amplitude Modulated RF
DRM/DI(MDI or MDI+MCI)
DR
M D
igita
l Ana
lyse
r/ R
ecei
ver
DistributionNETWORK
M2W Medium Wave Station
Linear AM Tx Station
Cirro-Stratus*
ContentServer
DRM MultimediaMultiplexer
Cirro-Stratus*
* limited to 1 audio service
Phase & Amplitude Modulated RF
Phase modulated RF
SiroccoDRM Digital Reference Monitoring Analyser
ZephyrDRM Digital Base Band Rack Analyser
DRM Digital Laptop Receiver