INTERNATIONAL EDITION

Digital Radio
Mondiale
Drives Forward

February 2018
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4
What Is Local Radio’s
Digital Future?
Digital Radio
5
DRM — for Large Regions
Mondiale Drives
8
Convergence: Opportunity
or Dead End
Forward INTERN ATION AL EDITIO N

How has the Digital

9 Radio Mondiale digital

radio standard progressed Digital Radio
DRM Emergency Warning over the years, and what
Functionality Saves Lives are its prospects?
Mondiale
With recent major Drives Forward
12 installations taking place
in India and Hungary and
Commercial Stations’ a number of trials going
Marguerite
Digital Dilemma Clark on worldwide, broadcast-
Content Director ers are increasingly learn- Sponsored by
February 2018

13 ing how to best imple-

ment this digital radio technology, whether
DRM Goes Big on Two Continents for wide-range coverage or local reach.
They are also discovering the system’s additional functions, which include
14 using DRM to communicate with vulnerable populations in times of crisis
through its emergency warning system, as well as allowing users to provide
Digital: Catch All or Step by Step? supplementary information, such as traffic and weather updates by means
of datacasting.
16 This latest Radio World International eBook, sponsored by Digital Radio
Mondiale, explores DRM’s various applications, technical challenges, receiv-
The Potential of DRM Datacasting
er status and outlines DRM employment worldwide. It also provides insight
and advice from broadcasters and manufacturers on topics including the
19 standard’s datacasting potential; how to best approach receiver design;
emergency warning system functionality; when it is beneficial to use DRM
Listeners Want Choice, Possibilities
to cover smaller areas, such as was tested in South Africa and Indonesia, or
over vast regions, as achieved by All Air India.
20 In addition, this eBook features a compilation of recent blog articles writ-
DRM Advances Around the World ten by DRM Consortium Chairman Ruxandra Obreja. In these entries, Obreja
shares her thoughts on the global digital marketplace, as well as on various
pertinent issues that are influencing the radio industry and other media
21 today.
Digital Radio Mondiale for Radio World has published 41 eBooks exploring the many facets of radio
Local Coverage station and network operations, including mobile reporting, studio/trans-
mitter links, visual radio, studio apps, social media, consoles, digital radio
developments and more. Find them at www.radioworld.com/ebooks.
23 — Marguerite Clark
Podcast, Broadcast or Simulcast?

24
A Streamlined Approach to DRM
Receiver Design
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018

3
Cover image: iStockphoto/Bartosz Hadyniak
What Is Local Radio’s
Digital Future?
It’s time to zero in on the medium’s importance
and facilitate its digital transition
By Ruxandra Obreja
The author is chairman of Digital Radio Mondiale.
Much attention has been placed lately on the words
“fake news.” Who would have thought that as the media
in general are trying to retain or regain the trust of the
public, fake news is giving a boost to local radio?
BBC Director General Tony Hall surprised attendees at
a local radio celebration, which took place in Coventry in
November, by citing fake news as the reason for repriev-
ing BBC local radio of a $13 million budget cut. In battling
fake news, the BBC boss sees local radio as an essential
part of its role. “Local radio is in the DNA of our commu-
nities. I think it is more important than ever,” he said.
Local radio speaks directly to
the communities it serves.
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
4
Nelson Mattos, an ex-Google executive, reinforced this
sentiment by indicating that he feels Facebook and Goo-
gle have not yet successfully managed to engage with
relevant local content and that this point could possibly
be one of their main future challenges.
The good news is that local radio is exactly that, local.
It speaks directly and immediately to the communities
it serves. During emergencies, local radio is often on the
side of the heroes, as was demonstrated during the Man-
chester bombing or the Grenfell fire in western London.
Local stations, both public and commercial, were at the
center of the reporting, deftly changing schedules to
accommodate stories and provide necessary information.
We really shouldn’t be surprised then that, as in the
FUTURE, continued on page 6 ❱
www.flickr.com/photos/peraion
DRM — for Large
Regions
AM is being revitalized through Digital Radio Mondiale

GUESTCOMMENTARY
By Nigel Fry

The author is head of distribution for the BBC

World Service.

The BBC World Service, available on radio, TV

and online, is part of one of the largest news orga-
nization in the world, the BBC.
The weekly reach of the World Service on all
platforms accounted for 269 million (up from
246 million in 2015–16). Not long ago the World
Service announced its biggest expansion since
the 1940s, in a move designed to bring its independent
journalism to millions more people around the world,
including in places where media freedom is under threat.
BBC’s largest shortwave markets
are West Africa, Central Africa and
across South and South East Asia.
Medium wave is of importance in the
Arabic-speaking world and West Asia.
The World Service expansion includes new services in
Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Gujarati, Igbo, Korean, Marathi,
Pidgin, Punjabi, Serbian, Telugu, Tigrinya and Yoruba —
as well as enhancing existing services in Russia, Africa
and around the Arab world.
Large numbers of the BBC’s audience still need inter-
national radio broadcasts. Historically, people listened to
BBC World Service in English and BBC language services
through shortwave radio for an impartial news service.
And the audiences remain high; last year the World Ser-
vice radio audience was 154.5 million. The largest short-
wave markets are West Africa, Central Africa and across
South and South East Asia. Medium wave is of impor-
tance in the Arabic-speaking world and West Asia.
BENEFITS
Right from its late ’90s inception, the development
of Digital Radio Mondiale was fully supported and
enhanced by the BBC World Service. DRM was seen as an
efficient replacement for the analog AM transmissions.
When we consider scarcity of spectrum for new uses
and appreciate the characteristics of the radio broadcast
bands, we recognize the tremendous properties these
continue to offer broadcasters to deliver programs over
sometimes very large distances and areas or in difficult
terrain. Digitizing these bands with a system such as DRM
offers many more benefits to the audience and broad-
caster.
For example, we serve one of our markets with 32
low-power FM transmitters (each with a radius of about
40 km) and about 20 percent of the country is covered.
Apart from the electricity costs for these FM transmitters,
there are operational costs to do with staffing, service
and maintenance. In the future, one single DRM short-
wave transmitter using a near-vertical incidence and a
power consumption of 6 kW could offer at least two very
good audio services (plus data) and 100 percent territori-
al coverage. Eight million households in cities and remote
FRY, continued on page 6 ❱

DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD

Radio World International Edition | February 2018

5
❱ FUTURE, continued from page 4
United Kingdom, radio is the frontrunner when it comes
to trust for most Europeans. It is notably ahead of both
TV and the internet, with just one in three EU citizens say-
ing he or she trusts the internet.
Local radio is not lacking in challenges, however. Often,
what we value most about it is also the least tangible.
The CEO of the U.K. commercial radio industry group
Radiocentre said, on the back of its recent survey, “Break-
ing News: How Listeners Value Commercial Radio News,”
which finds radio to be the U.K.’s most trusted medium,
that “in the case of local information, news updates, com-
munity and charity appeals … this contribution is not
always acknowledged or understood.”
Being local also means radio
stations are often small and
have few resources, even when
they are part of national and
powerful broadcasting networks.
So localism, the embodiment of what makes radio
unique, is like a vitamin, something that is good for us,
that we need more of in the fight against ignorance and
malicious fake news.
But being local also means radio stations are often
small and have few resources, even when they are part
of national and powerful broadcasting networks. If the
broadcaster is public, then their future is somehow guar-
anteed, though they are under continuous examination
and financial consideration.
It is true that about 50 percent of the U.K. population
❱ FRY, continued from page 5
areas could be covered and the support costs consider-
ably reduced.
Where medium-wave frequencies and sites exist,
multi-channel (therefore multi-language, too) DRM
broadcasts can be offered at improved quality, with
reduced energy bills and running costs. Unlike analog,
DRM allows one frequency to be used repeatedly for
the same service over a large area (a single-frequency
network), making more efficient use of the spectrum.
DRM can transform the quality of the services on the
AM bands to be clear and free of any of the interfer-
ence and distortion. DRM provides text information
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
6
tunes into local commercial radio every week, according
to the Radiocentre survey, but for the small commercial
stations, the struggle is really uphill. Local stations equate
targeted advertising, and the coverage area and targeted
population are generally tiny with proportionate reve-
nue. Often, the importance of these stations is in inverse
proportion to their budgets.
What’s more, these local radio stations are now facing
the challenge of migrating to digital. At one point there
was a scenario in which the big players could go digital,
while the smaller stations were to remain anchored to
the familiar invention of 1933 — FM.
This scenario has become less acceptable in 2018, how-
ever, and other solutions are now being tested. Digital
Radio Mondiale, for example, has a local coverage solu-
tion able to work in the FM band and also in the same
Band III used by DAB+. In addition, small-scale DRM, or
local coverage DRM, allows for possible upgrading of
existing infrastructure, and, therefore, reasonable associ-
ated costs.
Small-scale DRM has been tested in India, Brazil, Indo-
nesia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Pakistan and South Africa.
Small-scale DAB is also being tested in various locations
relative to coverage area, spectrum savings and listen-
er acceptability. There are options for local stations if
(and when) they want or can go digital, and it is our job
to help ease the transition of these very much needed
small, local stations.
This raises the question of the availability of multi-stan-
dard receivers and their associated costs. Many profes-
sionals are working toward achieving a solution and
great strides have been made in recent months. But for
some, two standards mean more work, more costs and
more headaches.
Let me assure you, however, that while it’s true it takes
time and investment to obtain positive results, like with
mostly everything, the “negative” information some
would like us to believe is, in fact, just “fake news.” n
and images, to complement programs offering thus an
enhanced experience to the listener.
Recommended by ITU, DRM digital broadcasting
has been proven to work excellently in the shortwave
and medium-wave bands. These bands remain key for
international broadcasting delivering services without
constraints of local “gatekeepers,” in our case allowing
millions of people access to BBC News content free of
charge. The radio markets are still there, the need for
good quality audio with data enhancements is there.
The BBC is keen to exploit DRM in order to deliver, to
key markets, BBC content free of gatekeepers in a form
that can be accessed easily. n
OEM SOLUTIONS FOR
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE
Serving the Broadcast Equipment and Receiver Industry

BROADCAST EQUIPMENT
– Fraunhofer DRM ContentServer™ for audio encoding, data service management and multiplexing
– DRM Monitoring Receiver DT700 for on-air signal monitoring and recording

DRM RECEIVER SOFTWARE AND COMPONENTS

– DRM Chip Set and Receiver IP for SDR (Software-Defined Radio)
– Encoder and Decoder software modules for audio (incl. xHE-AAC),
data services, protocols, signalling and others
– NewsService Journaline core decoder kit
– Ready to use DRM MultimediaPlayer Radio App (Windows, iOS, Linux, Android)
including baseband and service layer decoding

SOLUTIONS FOR EFFICIENT RECEIVER DEVELOPMENT

– Fraunhofer Developer Solution (AM + VHF bands):
Fraunhofer DRM ContentServer™ – flexible and full-featured DRM multiplex generation for a complete test coverage
& DRM Test Equipment DT230 for lab on-air signal generation and channel simulation
– DCPServer Professional for an easy handling of DRM multiplex recordings

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

Digital Broadcasting
Phone +49 9131 776-6175
amm-info@iis.fraunhofer.de
www.iis.fraunhofer.de/broadcast
Convergence: Opportunity
or Dead End
Digital radio can be a part of intelligent convergence if we give it a chance
By Ruxandra Obreja
I was recently invited to chair a “convergence and digi-
tal radio” session at an international “Asia meets Europe”
conference held in Romania.
When I asked the audience how often they had sat
through such sessions in the past years, almost everyone
in the audience raised their hand. When I asked them to
define convergence in two or three words, there was no
rush.
As a notion, digital convergence has been around for
at least 40 years. Nicholas Negroponte, the MIT guru,
defined it some decades ago as being all about bits, or
rather bits and bytes. Simply put, most of us understand
digital convergence as combining multiple (digital) tech-
nologies into one.
When I asked the audience to define
convergence in two or three words,
there was a wave of silence.
At first glance digital, converged technology allows
2.4 billion people to have instant access to the world’s
knowledge, mainly on their smartphone, the ultimate
converged “black box.” Others say that it is much more
than that: a process, a new way of understanding and
engaging with the world.
Digital convergence is part of a much-repeated set
of labels that also includes phrases like the digital revo-
lution, virtual reality, augmented reality, hybrid reality,
artificial intelligence and so many more. It is a label but
also part of a reality in which Generation Z (those born
after 1995) are using digital formats at the expense of
traditional radio (at least in the United States).
The idea of digital convergence did take a knock how-
ever when the dot-com bubble burst in the late 1990s.
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
8
www.flickr.com/photos/peraion
This showed us that old media (TV and radio) couldn’t
be entirely replaced by the internet or new media. At the
same time, though, old media would not be able to sur-
vive in its splendid analog isolation.
Many thought radio was primed for a big fall to all
things internet. But this did not happen and in the
process the medium gained an aura of great resilience,
which is still strong today, despite the new threat from
digital services.
Paradoxically, radio has always had inherent conver-
gent attributes. Radio creates VR or AR in the mind; it is
immersive (you can get lost in the story); it can be local-
ized, even personalized; and it uses (real, not artificial)
intelligence as it builds on the greatest of all media ingre-
dients: storytelling.
But in the new converged world, the younger — and
not so young — listener or consumer is used to being
part of the story, to engage and interact. And analog
radio cannot satisfy this newly acquired necessity.
It is true that not everything one hears on the radio
needs to be reacted to, voted on or shared. It also means
that there is a new relationship between being passively
entertained and actively engaged, impossible without
“the bits and bytes.”
Digital convergence in 2017 is a fusion between new
and old media with digital radio as part of the mix. Radio
is no longer just in the audio business but can produce
long-form text, use internet material, supplement the
audio with pictures and even carry short live video (in
DRM this is called Diveemo), satisfying the need for
CONVERGENCE, continued on page 10 ❱
DRM Emergency Warning
Functionality Saves Lives
In times of distaster, it’s mandatory to reach the entire population

GUESTCOMMENTARY who don’t speak the local language.

Digital Radio Mondiale can round
By Alexander Zink off the established set of national
tools for early warning dissemination.
The author is senior business development manager Radio receivers have long been a
for Digital Radio and Streaming Applications at core component of warning systems
Fraunhofer IIS. worldwide. Receivers can be battery-,
solar- or wind-up powered, and
When disasters are about to strike, getting the transmission infrastructure is both
message to everyone affected as quickly as possible easily secured against power losses
is of the utmost importance. Technical solutions need and can reach the affected area from outside. Radio
to be able to meet specific requirements for this and transmissions are often the last way to maintain contact
ensure reliability, even when the local infrastructure is with people in heavily hit areas, when local power, cell
down. In addition, everybody in a disaster area needs to and TV towers are gone.
be reachable, even people with impairments or visitors ZINK, continued on page 10 ❱

The diagram shows how DRM’s Emergency Warning Functionality works during emergencies.

DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD

Radio World International Edition | February 2018

9
❱ ZINK, continued from page 9
ENHANCED INFORMATION
DRM’s support for Emergency Warning Functionality
allows digital radio sets to automatically switch from the
current service to the emergency program when need-
ed, and even automatically switch on the emergency
program when on standby. In addition, the volume is
increased and the emergency state is visually indicated
(e.g. through a flashing screen or LED). In an emergency,
a DRM digital radio set can wake up its user and provide
the required information. The same is true for cars and
mobile phones: Alerts and information will reach you
even if the car radio is off or when your mobile phone is
disconnected from the internet.
The emergency program via DRM consists of the audio
announcement (e.g. a quickly repeated headline in a sin-
gle language) plus accompanying text information based
on the standardized Journaline service component, a
core DRM element. The structured text feature allows
users to look up relevant information on the device’s
screen much quicker and in more detail than what would
be available over audio channels.
This enhanced information can include locations and
descriptions of shelters sorted by region, contact details
of public authorities, or general advice for before, during
and after the event. The information can be dynamically
updated and enhanced at any time as the situation
evolves. In addition, Journaline is designed to reach the
❱ CONVERGENCE, continued from page 8
depth and raising curiosity.
Now how about the one single digital device pre-
senting this diverse, digital content? The idea of the
unique and magic black box has already been proven
wrong. Digital radio can be delivered through digital
TV but at a high cost. Digital TV cannot fully replace
radio, while it can carry it as part of its bouquet of dig-
ital channels. Besides, have you ever thought of carry-
ing your huge plasma TV in the shower to listen to the
morning show?
We can get emails on the phone but still use a lap-
top with full internet and email features. Other better
boxes complement the one “black box.” While digital
radio incorporated in mobiles but delivered terrestri-
ally remains a dream, digital radio delivered through
the mobile networks is just a digital and money waste.
Mobile streaming has an astronomical price tag when
compared with the average cost of digital terrestrial
broadcasting.
A DRM transmitter, for example, can cover up to
thousands of kilometers. How many cell phones do
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
10
hearing impaired, as well as travellers who don’t speak
the local language through its multilingual support.
Journaline also carries an exact description of the
affected area to limit unwanted receiver switching.
On a technical level, implementing EWF functionality
into any DRM receiver is not complicated, because EWF
is a combination of standard functionalities that need to
be supported by any DRM receiver. It combines DRM’s
alarm announcement and alternative frequency signaling
and switching (AFS) with audio decoding and Journaline
presentation.
There is very little manufacturers need to do for the
receiver to be EWF compliant. Mainly, they just need
to ensure the receiver is equipped with an automatic
volume increase and visual alarm indication. To ensure
that the automatic receiver wake-up functionality will be
available on the widest possible set of DRM receivers in a
country, regulators are encouraged to mandate this ele-
ment in addition to general DRM EWF support as part of
a policy for the receiver and automotive industry.
On the transmission side, all modern DRM encoder
and multiplexer solutions today support EWF natively.
To issue alarm signaling (typically triggered by a nation-
al authority) and to provide core information in audio
and textual form to the DRM multiplexers for imme-
diate playout, many countries rely on the commonly
deployed Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) protocol, or
its enhanced derivatives such as the Modular Warning
System (MoWaS) standard in Germany. n
you need for that? Probably no smartphone, 4G or IP
will wipe out direct terrestrial broadcasting to car radi-
os, the standalone receivers and, one day, mobiles with
incorporated digital radio. It will just add to the many
ways in which interesting digital content reaches the
listener.
Convergence and aggregation at the level of content
must be doubled by varied and appropriate digital
distribution channels. There is not one single black box
or one single cable or wave that is cheap, converged
and ready to solve all the ambitions of broadcasters
or users. The sooner broadcasters begin to implement
convergence where it works and stop trying to con-
verge at any price, the better.
At the end of the conference session held in Septem-
ber, we concluded that convergence was new and old
woven with intelligence in new creative ways. We must
hurry, though, as, according to Negroponte, “biotech
is the new digital” and we are soon to ingest our infor-
mation.
I, personally, am not ready to swallow my radio
yet. n
Commercial Stations’
Digital Dilemma
Why are they so attached to FM?
By Ruxandra Obreja
For many commercial stations, the
dollar sign still shines brightly on the
radio screen. Radio advertising revenue is
continuing to grow in the United States,
United Kingdom and many parts of the
world.
In the U.S., radio is the third most pow-
erful medium reaching over half the pop-
ulation daily. The advertising revenue for
the country’s more than 10,000 AM and
FM commercial stations was a staggering $14.71 billion in
2015. A good chunk, but still under a billion was delivered
by online advertising linked to the radio output.
Even in India, where there are under 300 commercial
FM stations, with just another 400 run by the public
broadcaster, the projection is a 10 percent increase in
advertising revenue this year compared with 2016. Radio,
our good, local, intimate friend, at home or in the car, is
ubiquitous.
Advertisers like the medium’s simplicity, the fact that
they can target their messages locally. Its well-crafted
words and jingles establish a clear personal connection
that works. Radio does not depend on internet or even
electricity. In the 1970s, FM was a revelation and, in many
countries (including the U.S.), together with medium
wave, FM was and is doing very well, still.
However, FM is spectrum- and energy-hungry. There
is this idea that, once you have invested in the infrastruc-
ture, are broadcasting a decent program and have lined
up some advertisers with deep pockets, you are “made.”
After all, you are selling air or airtime, a very nice and
cheap commodity and the business model is simple and
well tested.
In parallel, in the last 10 to 15 years, the inventors and
promoters of digital radio have tried to introduce a bet-
ter, digital version of radio with energy and spectrum
savings and more services and advantages. In Europe, 25
years ago, public broadcasters carried the baton. DAB/
DAB+ was promoted and introduced by big players such
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
12
as the BBC and, more recently, in Norway
by NRK.
For them digital is very effective, espe-
cially for national coverage. In the U.S.,
the regulator (i.e., the FCC) mandated a
U.S.-invented and owned digital solution
that has been embraced with varying
degrees of enthusiasm by the FM and AM
stations. Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM),
the latest digital radio standard, was first
devised as a clear-sound, multi-service
replacement for AM.
The commercial radio sector has,
in general, been less enthusiastic
about getting involved in the
digital journey.
DRM for medium wave and shortwave is being rolled
out in India, where its signal already reaches 600 million
people. Six years ago, a second DRM mode that works
for all VHF bands was introduced. It has been tested
thoroughly on all continents (currently in South Africa).
Pakistan is introducing it, but the driver is again the pub-
lic broadcaster.
The commercial radio sector, however, has been less
enthusiastic about being involved in the digital journey.
Why is this? Because FM works for them. In some parts of
the world, like Africa and India, FM is still the new kid on
the block.
Not all the features of digital radio are known or appre-
ciated. Digital radio requires knowledge, a new business
model, investment, effort, passion and new affordable
receivers. Commercial players, focused on “the here and
now,” know that their main requirement is to deliver
increasing revenue and maintain their advertising share
COMMERCIAL, continued on page 14 ❱

DRM Goes Big on
Two Continents
Antenna Hungaria and All India Radio update infrastructure with Nautel
By Wendell Lonergan
The author is head of broadcast sales for Nautel. He is also
sales manager, Europe and Russia
Two large broadcasters, one in Hungary and one in
India, have recently adopted the Digital Radio Mondiale
digital radio standard. Antenna Hungaria and All India
Radio are now broadcasting in DRM to nearly 1 billion
listeners, thanks to infrastructure updates using Nautel
MW transmitters.
In November 2017, a 2-megawatt, DRM-enabled Nau-
tel transmitter went on the air at Antenna Hungaria’s
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
13
Part of the 2-megawatt Nautel system at Antenna Hungaria. Shown
from left to right are two of the five NX400 transmitters and the 2,000
kW combiner. On the extreme right is part of the original 40-year-old,
custom-built, vacuum-tube-based transmitter.
transmission facility near Solt, Hungary. Claiming to be
the most powerful medium-wave broadcaster in Europe,
Antenna Hungaria chose Nautel to replace a 40-year-old,
custom-built vacuum-tube-based transmitter. The proj-
ect involved large infrastructure changes at the site as
well as installation of the new transmitter. Nautel person-
nel procured and managed the logistics of all third-party
equipment from six countries; infrastructure updates,
installation and commissioning were completed in 16
months.
Nautel’s 2-megawatt transmitter comprises five sol-
id-state NX400 transmitters and a 2,000 kW combiner
feeding a single antenna. Building the world’s first 2,000
kW combiner gave Nautel’s engi-
neers a design challenge they say
they “tackled with enthusiasm.”
The result was the new NXC2000
combiner, which can be reconfig-
ured if one or more transmitters
NAUTEL, continued on page 15 ❱
More of the Antenna Hungaria
2-megawatt system. Transmitters
shown from left to right are the
2,000 kW combiner and three of the
five NX400 transmitters with 6-inch
hard lines shown above.
Digital: Catch All
or Step by Step?
What is the best and surest way to digitize radio?
by Ruxandra Obreja
Digital radio standards celebrate different milestones,
as they are at different stages of their life and develop-
ment.
DAB is 21, HD Radio was born in 2001 and Digital Radio
Mondiale has just become a teenager, with 2003 as its
birth year.
But digital radio as a whole is still in its formative years.
As demonstrated during the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting
Union (ABU) General Assembly, the Caribbean Broadcast-
ing Union (CBU) General Assembly in October, as well as
at various African events, many developing countries are
just starting to focus on radio digitization.
Many administrations have quickly discovered that dig-
itizing radio is not simple, as there is no clear and “juicy”
digital dividend at the end of the process. Unlike digital
TV, where there is a standard consensus, in radio there
are different options and models, not to speak of a per-
ceived competition between standards.
Then IP, or even DTT, are sometimes thrown into the
mix and touted as possible replacements for terrestrial
❱ COMMERCIAL, continued from page 12
in a crowded market with few spaces for newcomers.
The 100-kHz bandwidth delivers two to three audio
channels and one data channel in DRM for local cover-
age on VHF, instead of the current single FM program.
When compared to FM, this results in less spectrum
usage, a lower electricity bill, the same or better cover-
age, more channels for more content and advertising
slots, as well as capacity, to sublet to newcomers and
increase revenue.
Commercial operators are cautious and watching all
experiments very carefully. They will not invest in new
technologies unless the benefits are clear. Often, they
expect the government, or other broadcasters, to offer
incentives in the form of money and licensing advan-
tages, doubled by a clean digital switchover decisions.
In this equation only the listeners are the unknown
and unpredictable element. They do not care if a big
multiplex is expensive or that radio can save spectrum.
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
14
broadcasting. And there
are also different possible
digitization models. Is it
better to start in the big
cities and then digitally
colonize the rest of the
country? Or should we go
for complete country cov-
erage (big city and small Digital Radio Mondiale demon-
village in one go) using strates DRM digital radio in a car
during the BES conference in India.
existing AM and VHF
capabilities?
Each option seems to have its merits. If you start with
the big cities, you can show some quick wins, as the num-
ber of listeners will be good and advertising, read “reve-
nues,” will be healthy, too. The disadvantage is that, as you
are trying to spread the digital jam all over the country,
every new percentage in coverage or listeners’ number
becomes increasingly expensive. Unless there is some
substantial government intervention and support, or some
other more economical, easier to implement solution,
some communities might remain digital outcasts.
They simply want their audio wherever they are and
whenever they are not using other platforms.
And while radio advertising revenue might be hold-
ing up, listening time on analog gradually is decreas-
ing. Between 2013 and 2107 radio listening in the
U.K. has dropped approximately 10 percent. Research
shows that a successful commercial station that stands
still for up to five years is doomed.
Change might mean new formats, new presenters,
new streaming and online “bells and whistles” but also
new technology and investment in digital broadcast-
ing. Digital is not the enemy but an acquaintance ready
to turn into a friend and ally.
Fortunately, some commercial broadcasters have
applied this strategy. The latest official figures in the
U.K. show that — thanks to digital — for the first time
in nearly a century of radio broadcasting, commercial
radio has overtaken the BBC. As we say in DRM, digital
delivers! n

The big challenge is not how to start digitizing but
how to bring it to a successful conclusion in a reasonable
period. This is the experience in the United Kingdom,
where DAB is finally well established but at a cost, after
a false start. This hard work is not rewarded yet with a
switch-off date, though it might not be so far away. The
incremental coverage has an impact on the car industry,
too. If a country does not have large, continuous and
demonstrable digital coverage, the city dwellers will be
easily disappointed once they jump in their cars and start
on their journey to go see grandma in the smaller town
or village.
As a DRM proponent, I see the decision to ensure good
and complete coverage of a territory as the better solu-
tion. Even so, this has its own pitfalls and challenges. AM
digitization can offer total coverage at a stroke. However,
AM is, for some less informed people, an old-fashioned
analog solution with poor sound and high energy costs.
The truth is that digital AM is a different proposition that
delivers perfect, FM, or better than FM sound, with ener-
gy savings of up to 60 to 80 percent.
And of course, DRM has also a good, FM-band digi-
tization solution. But then the receiver question arises,
though these digital receivers clearly are appearing. It
is also certain that no matter what standard is involved,
receivers will not be produced if there are no digital sig-
nals on air. And if there are plenty of receivers, but patchy
digitization, then those receivers won’t sell.
For governments and stakeholders to take a wholesale
decision and to implement digital radio for the good of
all the citizens in a country is a big act of faith and cour-
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
15
age. India has done it as 600 million people are covered
by digital signals. But, even there, the fine-tuning of
the transmissions and the content enhancement is just
beginning. It is a project that needs to involve journalists,
planners, advertisers, the industry and listeners in its next
stage.
So, wholesale or piecemeal? The easy answer could be:
It depends. If you want to offer digital radio to 2 million
Slovenes, perhaps going concentrically is acceptable. If
you want to do the same with over 1 billion people or
even in a country with a population of more than 100
million spread over a large territory, the decision may be
different.
The path taken depends on a lot of criteria, budgets,
political resolve and might go one way or another or be
a combination of the two, which is just fine. However,
beyond technologies, what must underpin such a deci-
sion is the answer to a much deeper question: Are all citi-
zens entitled to the same services, regardless of whether
they live in big cities, small towns or on islands? Is each
government ready to treat everyone equally, even if this
might take money and time?
There are no easy answers, but then digital radio is
quickly becoming an adult, leaving its teenage years
behind. This, of course, brings with it responsibilities
and — hopefully — the ability to make responsible deci-
sions. n
❱ NAUTEL, continued from page 13
are shut down, ensuring that maximum power is
always delivered to the antenna.
According to Nautel, the NX2000 system brings
efficiency — 90 percent AC-to-RF — and “significant
power savings” to an operation that had been run-
ning at only 55 to 60 percent efficiency with its older
equipment. Control and monitoring are accom-
plished via Nautel’s Advanced User Interface.
On the Asian continent, India’s All India Radio
recently added to the most extensive DRM transmis-
sion project in the world, expanding its high-power
MW broadcasts to 33 facilities across the country.
With the goal of bringing digital radio to nearly a
billion residents of India, Prasar Bharati and Nautel’s
in-country partner Comcon installed DRM-enabled
transmitters ranging from 100 kW to 300 kW in
power.
Nautel says the transition from analog to digital
broadcasting has allowed AIR to use alternate plat-
forms such as podcasting, SMS, webcasting and
mobile services and has enabled a 24-hour news
channel along with other programming. AIR contin-
ues to add services to its operation. n
The Potential of
DRM Datacasting
A cost-effective solution for distributing special application data
GUESTCOMMENTARY
By Jens Schroeder
The author is managing director for RFmondial.
Digital radio transmissions can be used as an
efficient and cost effective solution for providing
data services to single users, specific regions or vast
areas. In this context, the DRM system can be seen
as a point-to-multipoint digital data channel, called
DRM datacasting.
There are several reasons why DRM broadcasting can
be the technology of choice. These include:
COSTS
DRM broadcasting can simply be cheaper than a
dedicated satellite link: A BGAN 64 kbps stream with
a net data rate of approximately 40 kbps results in
costs of about US$5 per minute per reception. DRM
shortwave with a guaranteed bitrate of 40 kbps costs
approximately $5 per minute as well; however, the signal
can be received by all receivers within the service area
and increases the profitability the more receivers are
involved, e.g. for naval fleets.
SERVICE AREA
As satellite data services are rarely available at high lati-
tudes, DRM transmission can be the only service, which
can provide data links to these areas.
Furthermore, in many cases where no satellite anten-
nas can be installed due to technical or esthetic reasons
on the reception site (e.g. sailing boats), shortwave
antennas are already present.
INFRASTRUCTURE MODEL
DRM transmitter infrastructure can be self-operated
from a friendly location. Nevertheless, any area world-
wide can be reached from such a station, without being
dependent on a third-party infrastructure operator (e.g.
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
16
satellite, mobile).
Furthermore, many existing ana-
log transmitters can efficiently be
upgraded to digital transmission,
enabling the opportunity to create
new markets.
In the following several applica-
tions of datacasting, the technical
solution as well as various experi-
ences from the field are described.
DATACASTING APPLICATIONS
The main advantage of DRM datacasting lies in its
exploitation of the inherent broadcasting concept, i.e.
providing data that serve many customers. In the mari-
time context, nautical and weather data, safety informa-
tion, but also general data like training material or info-
tainment can be transmitted.
For maritime and landline applications, the provision of
differential GNSS information is necessary for high-preci-
sion localization information. Farming, marine navigation,
offshore construction, autonomous driving and others
can benefit from receiving the differential information
via DRM. Further examples for datacasting are digital
signage as well as energy load management and street
lighting control. A direct integration of DRM with relevant
standards (e.g. ECDIS, GRIB, AIS, RTCM) has been proven
to be applicable. Of course, audio can always be transmit-
ted in parallel to the data channels.
TECHNICAL SOLUTION
As DRM has been developed with such applications in
mind, the technical implementation is straightforward.
The desired data can either be integrated in one of the
existing data services like Journaline or Slideshow or be
sent via a transparent IP-channel. If desired, the trans-
mission can be encrypted including a conditional access
for single users and groups. DRM furthermore provides a
fully integrated disaster and early warning service called
Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF).
DATACASTING, continued on page 18 ❱
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 A typical DRM datacasting setup for a
maritime application providing weather and
maps to a fleet of ships.

❱ DATACASTING, continued from page 16

After receiving and decoding the DRM signal, the data
are available via standard interfaces (e.g. Wi-Fi, LAN, seri-
al) and can be connected to the respective application.
The illustration above shows a typical setup for providing
nautical data to a fleet of ships.
DRM DATACASTING IN THE FIELD
Various applications have already been implemented,
others are under investigation. Some examples are listed
in the following, technically supported by Media Broad-
cast, Fraunhofer, and RFmondial:
sea ice stage), NAVTEX, Marine Safety Information (MSI)
Bulletins, NOAA data buoy, and Automated Identification
System (AIS), Application Specific Messages (ASM), virtual
aids to navigation, along with the latest news and sports.
The received data is both integrated into the vessel’s
Electronic Chart System (ECS) and provided in a brows-
er-based application. The participants are excited to read
the latest news and weather forecast on their cell phones
without having to utilize expensive satellite links. If suc-
cessful, the USCG will investigate bringing the system in
operation.

•C  rew infotainment on several frigates of the German CONCLUSION

Navy as well as on a cruise ship passing the Northwest
Passage and a cargo vessel from Hamburg (Germany) to
Shanghai (China)
• Data transmission with the German Navy for submarines
•D  ifferential GPS on DRM long- and shortwave in Germa-
ny for farming and autonomous driving
DRM datacasting is a powerful option for providing
cost-effective data services for a variety of special appli-
cations, which benefit from the point-to-multipoint capa-
bility of modern digital long-, medium- and shortwave
transmissions. n

A trial project is
being conducted
by the United States
Coast Guard (USCG),
investigating the Next
Generation Arctic
Navigational Safety
Information System
(ANSIS) using existing
infrastructure trans-
mitting to the North-
west Passage.
A wide range of
information is broad-
cast such as detailed
weather maps (e.g.
current, surface, wind),
Screenshots of the USCG trial are shown. Pictured left is the ECS system. At right is the browser-based
ice maps (e.g. daily application.

DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD

Radio World International Edition | February 2018

18
Listeners Want Choice,
Possibilities
Digital has to be flexible and dynamic to follow consumers’
shifting taste and offer innovative content
By Ruxandra Obreja

When digital radio was launched

— in some cases before the internet
took a foothold — its main selling
point was excellent digital audio
quality. Today, however, it is the
combination of services digital radio

offers that makes it attractive to
consumers.
Digital radio has had trouble
catching the listeners’ imagination
or making large enough strides to
meaningfully replace analog. The
reasons are many. These include no digital dividend,
increased costs during the simulcast (analog-digital) tran-
sition period and, sometimes, simply resistance to the
multiplex option.
Furthermore, the initial lack of interest from the car
industry, no new innovative content and hazy messaging
have not helped matters. After all, FM is ubiquitous, resil-
ient and offers abundant and cheap receivers. Listeners
don’t care if FM isn’t spectrum-efficient, has limited cov-
erage and can be costly, while still cheaper than being
part of a digital multiplex. Generally, listeners think FM
audio quality is good enough, if what is on offer is attrac-
tive to them.
Promoters of digital radio have to be very clear and
compelling in their messages about the benefits of com-
pleting the digital migration. These advantages will be
different for broadcasters (energy efficiencies and more
valued added services), regulators (spectrum savings), the
industry (new products with the multi-standard receiver
having the opportunity of being sold in billions) and then
the listeners.
We often hear that digital offers more choice. But what
does choice mean? For some it signifies more music and
niche stations. Digital certainly allows for experimenta-
tion. One-day pop-up stations are a fantastic opportunity
to promote an event or attract young people to radio
and radio journalism.
www.flickr.com/photos/peraion
According to annual figures published by the United
Kingdom regulator, Ofcom, 16- to 24-year-olds spent
29 percent of their audio listening time tuning in to live
radio in 2015, compared with 71 percent for all adults.
And the general listening time per week has fallen in
a decade by five hours from 20 to 15. All this despite
“more choice” but also while radio is trying to keep its
place among a number of proliferating platforms, fully
embraced by the younger generation.
So it looks like young people do have more choice, but
they are also more selective. Studies prove that their par-
ents are not very different, either.
The interesting part of the recent Ofcom data is that in
2016, between April and June (in the pre-Brexit period),
U.K. listeners of all ages flocked to the main BBC speech
channel, the news and sport channel and the new music
one. These are not exclusively digital channels. The fig-
ures show that listeners have shifting allegiances and
that when there is a big news story they want context.
When they want music they want something different
and new. Digital has to be flexible enough to follow the
shifting taste and offer something amazing. It needs to
enhance the audio with extra information, pictures and
data to satisfy the curiosity of the new selective listeners.
Just duplicating analog in digital is not enough.
But how many people know that one’s digital radio
CHOICE,continued on page 20 ❱

DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD

Radio World International Edition | February 2018

19
DRM Advances
Around the World
As India pursues rollout, other countries continue to test the standard
By Radu Obreja
Digital Radio Mondiale has recently made significant
advances worldwide, in Asia specifically, it has made
great strides.
In India, for example, the world’s largest DRM rollout is
taking place. The country’s public broadcaster,
All India Radio, has deployed and com-
missioned 35 medium-wave and four
shortwave transmitters nationwide.
AIR broadcasts in simulcast as well
as in pure DRM and is estimated to
reach some 600 million people.
In addition, Pakistan’s public
broadcaster Pakistan Broadcasting
Corp. installed a transmitter at its
headquarters in Islamabad in 2017 and
began testing DRM for local coverage on
VHF. The broadcaster says it is also consider-
ing using DRM in the AM Band.
Finally, from 2015 to 2017, Indonesia’s Radio Republik
Indonesia tested DRM in AM and FM for local and large,
regional coverage.
In other parts of the world, 15 countries in Southern
Africa are cooperating on social, political and media
❱ CHOICE, continued from page 19
(DAB or DRM) not only provides good audio but
can also offer content in several languages (as
demonstrated on DRM receivers), pictures of albums,
singers, politicians, and sports people, information
feeds from the internet, stock exchange data, health,
weather, emergency information and so much more?
The choice is there and listeners would be inter-
ested — if they knew about it. Rather than promote
individual standards or receiver brands, digital radio
needs to become synonymous with relevant and
special content. This undertaking costs money, but
until digital content becomes attractive enough to
listeners they might just choose to stick with FM. n
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
20
development within the Southern Africa Development
Community. The Communications Regulator Association
of Southern Africa has analyzed and concluded that DRM
can help broadcasters enhance their programs and dis-
seminate news, education and entertainment in the best
sound quality.
During 2017, the first DRM tests for local coverage on
the African continent were carried out by communi-
ty radio station Koffifi FM in VHF Band II in Johan-
nesburg. Radio Pulpit, located in Pretoria, con-
ducted a medium-wave DRM test in 2015 and
2016 and submitted the results to the ITU.
In Europe, Russia has organized several tri-
als in AM and most recently in VHF on Band
II. Officials in the country say they are inter-
ested in assessing how DRM can be deployed
in large cities and in areas in the north.
On the receiver side,
there has been major
progress. India-based
Avion Electronics Inc.
now manufactures
a DRM receiver, and
an important step
has been made in
the development of
Software Defined Radio,
based on Android and
available on tablets, which
can be implemented in receivers
globally. United States-based Titus SDR Inc. is working
on such a product. In addition, Chinese firm Gospell has
developed a multi-standard DRM receiver, which also
supports the DRM Emergency Warning Functionality.
As regards in-car advances, in India — and thanks to
the swift DRM rollout there — the automotive industry
has begun to introduce cars with line-fit DRM receivers.
Brands that offer models with DRM receivers include
Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra. More car brands
are currently working on placing DRM receivers in their
cars. n
Digital Radio Mondiale
for Local Coverage
DRM allows for green and efficient solutions in the FM band
with extra benefits and revenue
By Ruxandra Obreja and Alexander Zink

Ruxandra Obreja is DRM chairman. Alexan-

der Zink is senior business development man-
ager for Digital Radio and Streaming Applica-
tions at Fraunhofer IIS.

Radio’s main attribute remains its localism.

The Digital Radio Mondiale Standard can
be used in all frequency bands (in the AM
and VHF bands) with the same features and
benefits, such as extra capacity to carry addi-
tional programs, free text news, traffic and
emergency warning information.
The DRM mode in the VHF bands above
The FM spectrum in Batam after the FM transmitter at 105.1 MHz was converted to
LOCAL, continued on page 22 ❱ DRM/FM simulcast operation.

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for Digital Broadcasting
Multiplexer, Audio Encoder (ContentServer)
Exciters & Modulators incl. SFN
Monitoring & Measurement Receivers
Distributed Monitoring & Archiving Systems
Livewire Audio Nodes
Field Trials, Consulting, Design Services
Digital Standards: DRM, DAB, HD-Radio

Products are available as stand-alone or for licen-

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mail info@rfmondial.com
phone +49 (511) 762 19704

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❱ LOCAL, continued from page 21

30 MHz (including the widely used

FM band), sometimes referred to as
“DRM+,” has been recommended by
the ITU since 2011 and tested on all
continents. It is tailored for local cov-
erage (large and small cities), as well
as regional coverage. Within the band-
width of a single analog FM program,
two DRM transmissions (96 kHz each)
with a total of six audio programs plus
multimedia applications can be broad-
cast.
Just like the established FM trans-
missions in the past, DRM maintains
broadcaster-controlled transmissions,
targeting groups of listeners in a specif-
ic area in their own language.
The predicted coverage area of the digital DRM portion (at about 200 W) of the DRM/
By migrating to DRM, broadcasters FM simulcast.
can enhance the current analog trans-
missions in the VHF band II (i.e. the FM band) without
interrupting the ongoing and still revenue-generating
analog FM services. As recent trials have demonstrated,
DRM services can be successfully between high-power
analog FM services in situations where the FM band
seemed completely full. Thanks to DRM’s simulcast
capability to broadcast analog FM and digital DRM ser-
vices simultaneously from the same transmitter, existing
broadcast infrastructure can cost-efficiently be upgrad-
ed, and broadcasters stay in full control of their own
broadcast infrastructure (studios, transmitters, antennas)
without having to rely on third-party multiplex services.
The most recent tests of DRM for local coverage have
taken place in South Africa and Indonesia. After having
verified DRM’s performance in the medium-wave band,
the public Indonesian broadcaster RRI tested DRM for
local coverage in simulcast mode in the FM Band II on the
island of Batam, just opposite Singapore, after upgrading
The actual measured coverage.
one of the high-power FM transmitters to DRM simulcast
operation with a small plug-in module.
The conclusion of RRI’s Batam trial is that DRM does
not interfere with the nearby FM transmissions, is spec-
trum and power efficient and can enhance the capacity
of the FM band even where it seems fully occupied. The
full report can be found here.
Another DRM demonstration in the FM band took place
in Johannesburg in 2017 by the Kofifi community FM sta-
tion. Two programs plus a community oriented Journaline
service were carried on the 97.2 kHz frequency.
The technical objectives to acquire evidence of no
interference with adjacent FM channels and evaluate
the propagation characteristics have thus far been suc-
cessfully achieved. Measurements confirmed a similar
or better service availability than FM reception without
interference. It was demonstrated that the existing FM
spectrum can accommodate a larger number of addition-
al DRM channels (with up to three
programs each) without impacting
existing analog stations. A draft
report can be read here.
FM broadcasters realize that
to keep up with modern digital
media and to secure their audienc-
es and revenues in the future, they
need to innovate while bringing
down costs. DRM is the right tool
for a smooth transition from ana-
log FM services to digital offerings
for a modern listenership; thus
DRM also allows broadcasters to
tap into new revenue sources. n

DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD

Radio World International Edition | February 2018

22
Podcast, Broadcast
or Simulcast?
Is costly internet access for many users worldwide
hindering accessibility to new platforms?
By Ruxandra Obreja

On a recent trip to Nigeria, I had the chance to meet

many well-informed professionals. One young man who
works for a multi-national company told me that his data
plan, which allows him access to the internet on a mobile,
exceeds the country’s average monthly salary.
When I asked him how young people in Nigeria obtain
news, he explained that it was common for them to listen
to the radio in the morning and then go to the internet
later in the day for only a few minutes (to avoid reaching
the monthly limit) to get updates. They subsequently
disseminate the most important news via WhatsApp or
Twitter to those who don’t have internet access at all.
This is just one example of why radio and terrestrial
broadcasting may not be as endangered as some would
like to make us believe. The internet, mobiles and all the
new platforms are popular, disruptive, even sometimes
addictive; but they cannot fully replace radio or TV.
In fact, radio is still the top source of information across
36 African countries, according to Afrobarometre, with
about half of the population using radio as the primary
information source, even if daily usage is not increasing
in some countries and decreasing in a few.
Radio listening in the United Kingdom is on the
increase, and radio advertising in India demonstrated an
uptrend in 2015. So, it appears a little premature to elim-
inate breakfast radio from one’s phone to make place for
Spotify.
While a narrative on the way all things related to
broadband (including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, radio-free dash-
boards in cars) is taking over the world and may turn
heads, the fact of the matter is that, according to Edison
Research, FM/AM radio is still being used by 84 percent
of motorists in the United States, while only 21 percent
listen to the radio online.
There is a lot of data predicting rising levels of data
usage by the mobile industry. But how valid is this infor-
mation? We are told that for the BBC, for instance, distri-
bution over the internet is predicted to be on par but not
to overtake the airwaves before circa 2027.
Pictured from left are Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium chairman;
George Ross, TWR Media Services account executive; and Alexander
Zink, senior business development manager at Fraunhofer IIS and
vice chair, DRM Consortium.
Radio is here to stay, and the cyclical announcements
and debates about its demise are highly exaggerated,
while, of course, they shouldn’t be ignored. The medi-
um needs to invest in its strong points and go digital in
order to enrich the same great qualities that have always
defined it — portability, immediacy, quality, adaptability
and innovation — with the added choice of multimedia
options.
Take the example of India, where DRM is delivered to
nearly 50 percent of the population and listeners now
have access to additional programs and music, when
before they had a limited selection. FM today cannot
offer this same choice, nor can the approximately 1 bil-
lion Indian mobiles on the market.
While the availability of digital receivers is still a chal-
lenge, how great it would be if listeners could access
this new content on mobiles free of charge and not via
expensive data plans?
In the U.K. it is possible for listeners to get all the radio,
television and online services the BBC provides for as lit-
tle as just under US$1. But that is, unfortunately, only the
exception. Giant steps still need to be taken in order to
offer the equivalent in other parts of the world. n

DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD

Radio World International Edition | February 2018

23
A Streamlined Approach
to DRM Receiver Design
Software defined radio turns digital radio reception into an application
GUESTCOMMENTARY
By Martin Speitel and Alexander Zink
Martin Speitel is head of Infotainment Group at
Fraunhofer IIS. Alexander Zink is senior business devel-
opment manager for Digital Radio and Streaming
Applications at Fraunhofer IIS.
Software Defined Radio (SDR) turns the hardwired,
task-specific and very elaborate chip development of the
past into a flexible software-based design running on a
generic, efficient and mass-produced hardware platform.
It is not a new concept, but it is becoming a reality in
more and more technical systems. Digital radio receivers
are one major example for SDR technology, because
In consumer radios, the SDR
technology offers the ability to
implement multiple radio standards
on the same hardware.
modern processor platforms offer enough computing
power to build almost the complete radio functionality in
software.
ADVANTAGES
This approach offers great advantages for both the
radio architecture itself and the companies developing
and using the radio receiver technologies. The software
development becomes widely decoupled of the hard-
ware development. The selection of software vendors is
independent of the providers of the underlying hardware
platform.
DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD
Radio World International Edition | February 2018
24
In some cases,
it makes sense to
optimize the soft-
ware for processor
families to reduce
the overall system
power and extend
battery lifetime. Still,
the well-tested and
field-proven soft-
ware that encapsu-
lates all digital radio functionality can easily be ported to
the next generation of hardware. Existing products can
be enhanced to support future functional upgrades or
even completely new radio standards.
Especially in the production chain of car radio sys-
tems, the selection of the final software components,
which are typically dependent on the target market and
required feature set, can be carried out at the end of the
production line. This prevents the time-consuming need
to swap hardware components, or the costs involved
with provisioning multiple hardware options. Even after
the shipment of a car to the customer, the radio system
can be upgraded with latest features over the vehicle’s
extensive lifetime.
In consumer radios, the SDR technology offers the
possibility to implement multiple radio standards on
the same hardware. This allows for a low-cost hardware
production on a mass scale, even if the devices need to
support different radio standards in different markets.
Likewise, the addition of DRM functionality to existing
hardware platforms has proven that the extra effort —
and thus cost to support DRM on those products — is
drastically reduced compared with new developments
from scratch.
In the current world of mobile phones, analog FM
reception is a feature in several markets. It grants users
access to latest information without the need for expen-
sive data plans or mobile network coverage typically only
found in big cities.
 INTERNATIONAL EDITION
February 2018
AN APPLICATION www.radioworld.com
This is particularly true for emerging markets in Asia, Africa and South
America, which are of high interest to the industry due to their growth FOLLOW US
potential. For those markets, the addition of DRM reception in the FM band www.twitter.com/radioworld_news

can easily be designed into upcoming phones as no hardware changes are www.facebook.com/RadioWorldMagazine

required. Even DRM networks for large-area coverage in the AM bands are
supported through USB plugins.
Thanks to DRM’s SDR approach, digital radio reception effectively
becomes an application — but one that is independent of IP traffic and
mobile network infrastructure. This presents a major USP to mobile phone
manufacturers, for whom it has become increasingly difficult to compete on
other relevant features due to the uniformly deployed Android platform.
In future, customers will quickly demand DRM digital radio support when
selecting new phones the same way they demand analog FM support today.
This is thanks to DRM’s free-to-air services with all their added-value fea-
tures, such as Journaline advanced text services, EWF Emergency Warning
Italy: Davide Moro, Giuseppe Camonita; Kenya: Gregory
CONTENT
Managing Director, Content Paul J. McLane,
pmclane@nbmedia.com
Content Director Marguerite Clark
rwieditor@nbmedia.com
Senior Content Producer — Technology Brett Moss,
bmoss@nbmedia.com
Content Manager Emily M. Reigart,
ereigart@nbmedia.com
Technical Advisors Thomas R. McGinley, Doug Irwin
Technical Editor, RWEE W.C. “Cris” Alexander
Contributors: Argentina: Jorge J. Basilago; Australia:
James Cridland; Belgium: Marc Maes; Canada: James
Careless; Estonia: Urmas Loit; Finland: Tapani Ranki;
France: Emmanuelle Pautler; Greece: Panos Polyzoidis,
Andreas Tzanakos; Hong Kong: Martyn Green;
Hungary: Drew Leifheit; India: Frederick Noronha;
Indonesia: Mark Timpany; Ireland: Kevin Branigan;
Lagat; Malawi: Lameck Masina; Malta: Charles Flores;
Morocco: Sébastien Nègre; Poland: Cesco van Gool;
Portugal: Nuno de Sousa; Serbia: Blazo Guzina;
Singapore: Patricia Lee; Spain: Raúl Llarull; Turkey:
Tayfun Kesgin; United Kingdom: Lawrie Hallett, Will
Jackson, Andy Bantock; John Masuku
Production Manager Caroline Freeland
Art Director Karen Lee

ADVERTISING SALES
VP/Market Expert, AV/Consumer
Electronics, Education & Pro Audio
Adam Goldstein, agoldstein@nbmedia.com,
212-378-0465
VP/Market Expert, TV/Video/Radio
Eric Trabb, etrabb@nbmedia.com, 212-378-0400 x532
A screenshot of the Fraunhofer MultimediaPlayer radio app under Android, combining baseband VP/Market Expert, Broadcasting,
decoding for DRM (AM and VHF bands), DAB(+), and analog AM and FM with a full-featured service Cable & Broadband TV
layer decoder. Charlie Weiss, cweiss@nbmedia.com, 212-378-0478

REPRINTS/PERMISSIONS
Functionality, and increased diversity of program offerings at a significantly This magazine may not be reproduced or quoted
improved quality. in whole or in part by printed or electronic means
Finally, professional equipment, such as monitoring receivers, measure- without written permission from NewBay. To obtain
permissions, contact Wright’s Media, 877-652-5295.
ment systems or head-ends for in-house radio distribution, benefit greatly
from SDR implementations, as they can constantly be upgraded to follow
the latest standard upgrades and continuous feature enhancements.
President and CEO Steve Palm
In summary, the SDR approach for digital radio reception helps bring Chief Financial Officer Paul Mastronardi
down cost and at the same time speeds up the development of versatile Chief Revenue Officer Tom Rousseau
and feature-rich radio receivers. Its benefits apply to all classes of receiv- Chief Content Officer Joe Territo
Controller Rick Ng
ers — from professional equipment to low-cost kitchen radios and mobile EVP/Content & Business Operations Carmel King
solutions. It enables manufacturers with flexibility and constantly growing VP/Digital Media Robert Ames
maturity, which is hard to achieve with a traditional, hardware-centric radio VP/NewBay Plus Joe Braue
Managing Director/Europe Mark Burton
architecture. The SDR approach is a key component for the availability of VP/Audience Development Meg Estevez
affordable and complete DRM radio sets and receiver solutions. n VP/Content Creation Anthony Savona
VP/Information Technology Anthony Verbanac
Contact: engage@nbmedia.com

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DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE DRIVES FORWARD

Radio World International Edition | February 2018

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