NAB FASTROAD has released the final report on field testing of digital single frequency network technology for FM in-band/on-channel (IBOC) digital radio. This work has been undertaken by iBiquity Digital Corporation, developers of the HD Radio? IBOC system used by U.S. broadcasters to transition to digital radio, and is being co-funded by iBiquity and NAB FASTROAD.
The technical report just released describes field testing of a single frequency network using Greater Media's Boston area station WKLB-FM and experimental booster station WKLB-FM1. Both digital-only and digital-plus-analog booster configurations were tested. Also included in the report are the results from experimental broadcast stations WD2XAB and WD2XAB-1, located near Baltimore, MD which were first reported on in November 2010. Here are the conclusions drawn from the testing:
The Baltimore tests showed that:
-Single-frequency networks using digital-only boosters selectively expand HD Radio signal coverage;
-Digital time delays between main and booster signals need to be adjusted to account for propagation delays in the overlap regions to minimize inter-symbol interference.
Boston tests showed that:
-Digital coverage is enhanced within the station?s protected contour when using a SFN with a digital-only booster;
- Two overlapping, properly aligned and synchronized, digital signals do not degrade HD Radio performance;
- A Delphi automotive receiver with attributes of a well-designed, modern, FM receiver experienced little interference to the main station?s host analog signal near an all-digital booster station;
- An older Chrysler automotive receiver and a typical analog clock radio had difficulty receiving the main station?s host analog signal near an all-digital booster station.
See the full text of the final report HERE or http://www.nabfastroad.org/.
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