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 HD Radio is an in-band on-channel (IBOC) that lets broadcasters build digital capabilities without sacrificing their established analog audience and frequency.
You can start by simply adding a high-quality digital copy of your existing analog content to your FM or AM transmitted signal. Analog listeners will see no change but customers with digital receivers will now receive the high-quality digital signal. Signal fading, static, hisses and pops are a thing of the past. FM broadcasters can choose to add up to three new digital channels and even new digital data content, all on your original station frequency. Data services such as displayed song and artist information, weather and traffic alerts and much more will revolutionize the way you experience AM and FM radio. And it’s all FREE for consumers, just like today’s analog AM and FM radio. To learn more about HD Radio broadcasting, go to iBiquity Digital Corporation Nautel HD Radio Innovations
NPR HD Radio CalculatorCalculate a proposed IBOC power increase using our exclusive Asymmetrical IBOC Sideband Elevated Power Calculator from NPR Labs® |
Nautel FM RADIO Solutions
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PLUG-IN EXGINETo get started with HD Radio broadcasting with your NV Series transmitter just insert Nautel’s optional Exgine card into the NV chassis and deploy an Exporter Plus at your studio site. For VS Series transmitters add Nautel’s VSHD which includes the Exgine card. This configuration allows the simultaneous transmission of an analog program and a premium quality digital format. Additional digital channels can be added by deploying an optional Nautel Importer Plus and appropriate iBiquity Corporation licenses. |
EXPORTER PLUSA required component of all HD Radio systems, the Nautel Exporter Plus codes the main program audio stream for digital broadcast. If an optional Importer is deployed the Exporter also combines the digital version of the main audio stream with the secondary audio and data services from the Importer. Nautel’s 1RU rack mount Exporter Plus is a 100% solid-state device that provides outstanding reliability. |
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IMPORTER PLUS FOR MULTICASTINGAn optional component of HD Radio systems, the Nautel Importer Plus codes the secondary program and data services of an IBOC transmission including digital channels two to four. The Nautel Importer is a 1RU solid state device. A convenient user interface permits the selection of IBOC service modes and partitioning of IBOC signal bandwidth for a variety of audio multicasting and data services. |
HD POWERBOOST FOR EVEN MORE IBOC POWER (OPTIONAL)The NV and VS Series transmitters support Nautel’s unique patent-pending technique for optimizing IBOC peak to average power ratios, HD PowerBoost. By using intelligent algorithms, peak power requirements are reduced allowing the NV or VS Series to transmit up to 30% higher IBOC carrier power levels and at the same time achieve greater transmitter efficiency. HD PowerBoost also supports asymmetrical sidebands for maximum power with minimum impact on a station broadcasting on a next adjacent frequency. |
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DIGITAL ADAPTIVE PRE-CORRECTIONThe NV integral exciter can monitor RF output and provide continuous correction signals to ensure the radio signal is within specified spectral limits. This can eliminate the need for expensive external bandpass filters. Improved linearity results in worry-free occupied spectrum and fewer digital errors ensuring the highest quality HD Radio signal. This same capability comes as part of the VS HD for VS Series transmitters. |
ASYMMETRICAL SIDEBANDSThe use of asymmetrical sidebands can help some broadcasters achieve maximum coverage of their digital signal. Many jurisdictions including the United States have made allowances for higher power digital carriers. Broadcasters may be limited in their ability to use increased IBOC injection levels on both sidebands due to concerns about interference with an adjacent station. Faced with this situation a broadcaster might chose to broadcast asymmetrically with one sideband at a lower power to avoid interference issues with the adjacent station. Nautel includes asymmetrical HD Radio transmission capability free with all new HD equipped versions of its transmitters. Please note that FCC approval is required for asymmetrical transmission. |
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Nautel AM RADIO Solutions
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PLUG-IN EXGINEThe Exgine card decodes data and produces I and Q signals for the NX Series exciter which then outputs phase and magnitude for the transmitter allowing it to broadcast a digital signal. Having been designed from the ground up to be in a digital transmitter, the Exgine card plugs directly into NX Series transmitters. |
AM IBOCWhile the NX Series accepts an Exgine card directly, other Nautel AM transmitters can be upgraded for HD Radio broadcast capability using what is called the AM IBOC. The AM IBOC includes a sophisticated digital exciter and an Exgine. The AM IBOC is a robust 1RU solid-state device that offers fast boot times and maximum reliability. |
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EXPORTER PLUSA required component of all HD Radio systems, the Nautel Exporter Plus codes the main program audio stream for digital broadcast. Nautel’s 1RU rack mount Exporter Plus is a 100% solid-state device that provides outstanding reliability. |
Nautel Reliable HD Transport Suite
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Nautel’s patent-pending Reliable HD Transport Suite is a software solution that helps eliminate IBOC audio drop-outs.
The protocol buffers the IBOC data sent from the studio to the transmitter site by a user-configurable amount of time to allow for data retransmission. This reduces the chance of losing packets on the receive end. It also restructures the data stream so that instead of sending one large burst followed by several frames of almost no data, the data is repackaged into a continuous stream that occupies a constant bit rate. This solution is applicable to every HD Radio deployment and allows various multiple exciter configurations to be implemented, such as main standby exciters, multi frequency networks, single frequency networks and satellite distribution applications. Learn more – read the Radio Guide article, Addressing Packet Loss in HD Transmission >> |
