Mapping of FM

and HD Radio Coverage

Brian Casey, Leandro Franca, and Thomas Shanks

March 9, 2009

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Project SummaryProject Summary

• Determine the actual radio reception quality and RF level throughout the coverage area

• Measure audio quality with and without IBOC (HD Radio®) present to determine if IBOC has an affect on the analog coverage

• Station can use the data to determine if target audience is receiving a good audio signal

• Results are of interest to radio stations and the broadcast industry

• Cost of project, including instruments and labor, calculated to be $22,500

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Objectives and GoalsObjectives and Goals

• Make maps of data

• Show statistical information of the audio quality (mean and variance of SNR)

• Make maps of coverage with and without IBOC using several radios

• Publish results

• Provide service to stations

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FM with IBOC SignalFM with IBOC Signal

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Block Diagram of SystemBlock Diagram of System

•BLUE 75Ω coax w/ F connector•RED 50Ω coax w/ UHF connector•GREEN Data connector•BLACK Audio cable RCA to 1/8”

Antenna

BPF88-108MHz

25dB AmpNF~5.6

SpectrumAnalyzer

HD RadioHD Radio

Analog FM Radio #1

Analog FM Radio #2

Audio Input (PC)

ComputerAnalyzingSoftware

GPS

DIOS

plitt

er

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Software DesignSoftware Design

• LabView controls the input devices and processes the audio to determine the SNR statistics.

• For SNR, signal measured from periodic tone and noise from silence• Program is a state machine and therefore modular.• LabView generates a file of the collected data to be processed and

mapped after capture has been completed.• Matlab will interpret the data and generate an image• Image will be overlaid on a Google Earth map

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Commercial UsageCommercial Usage

• Analog and Digital Coverage and RF signal strength

• Audio SNR distribution maps with and without IBOC

• Reception quality as comparedto target audience location

• Substantial information foradvertising strategies

• Financial benefit to stations

- FCC predicted- SW Generated low- SW Generated high

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Driving PathDriving Path

Vehicle path

• Drive multiple times in the selected path

• Total path has approximately 300 miles

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Demonstration and AcceptanceDemonstration and Acceptance

• Show working automated system

• Provide maps to customer

• Develop website to explain results

• Give presentation to peers

• Comparisons with NPR Labs predictions

• Verify system in lab

• Demonstrate use in field

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ProblemsProblems

• Limitations of software, hardware, and instrumentation

• Creating Matlab to generate images

• Time and environmental variances in RF signal

• Ensuring dynamic range of system

• Calibration of system

• Large coverage area

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ScheduleSchedule

• Software/Hardware Integration: 3/10-17

• Milestone: Working System: 3/17

• Calibration: 3/17-24

• Milestone: Calibrated System: 3/24

• Data Acquisition: 3/24-4/17

• Milestone: Maps of Collected Data 4/17

• Project Demonstration: Week of 4/20

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Current StatusCurrent Status

• Software component functional; ability to retrieve GPS data, audio SNR, and spectrum analyzer RF levels

• Integrated LabView GUI

• Instruments on hand: GPS, SA, DAQ, and Audio Interface

• Hardware on hand: Radios

• Hardware ordered; available week of March 9

• Driving path chosen

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Questions?Questions?