Jens Stockmann from GatesAir looks at the DAB+ transmission system and compares the costs with other broadcast technologies. Presented in Kiev in March 2016

1. Overview
DAB+ Transmission System
Jens Stockmann
Kyiv, 11th March 2016

2. 1
• Transmission chain DAB+ versus FM
• Equipment for DAB+ operation
• Cost Advantages of DAB+ operation
Contents

3. 2
Contents
• Transmission chain DAB+ versus FM
• Equipment for DAB+ operation
• Cost Advantages of DAB+ operation

4. 3
Transmission System - analog Radio AM, FM
Distribution
Network
Freq 1
Freq 3
Freq 2
Radio Service 1
Distribution
Network
Radio Service 1
AM Radio
FM Radio
Service Provider
(Radio Studio)
Network Operator

5. 4
Transmission System - digital Radio DAB+
Ensemble Operator Network Operator
Contribution
Radio Service 1
Radio Service 2
Radio Service 26
.
.
.
Data Services
Distribution
Single Frequency Network (SFN)
All transmitter on same frequency
DAB+
Head-End
Multiple Services … … sharing one infrastructure … with same same coverage
Service Provider
(Radio or Data)

6. 5
Contents
• Transmission chain DAB+ versus FM
• Equipment for DAB+ operation
• Cost Advantages of DAB+ operation

7. 6
• Audio Encoder
• Data Server
• Multiplexer
• Transmitter
• Band Pass Filter
• Antenna
Main components of DAB+
DAB+ Head-End System
DAB+ Transmission System

8. 7
End-to-End System DAB+
Modulation
Amplification
High efficient
Content Head-End Distribution AntennaContri-
bution
Transmitter Filter Feeder
ETI over E1 or
EDI over IP
Audio
Encoding
(HE AAC)
Encoding
Data Insertion
Mutliplexing
STI E1
or
AoIP
High Gain
Antenna
Low loss
band pass
Filter
GPS
GPS

9. 8
Head-End System DAB+, ways of implementation
Audio
Encoder
Multiplexer
Data
Server
Separate Hardware
traditional
Integrated Head-End
recent
Cloud Solution
coming
Cloud
Head-End

10. 9
• MPEG-4 High Efficient AAC+ v2, with DAB specific parametric
• 48 - 128 kbps most used audio data rate
• 64 kbps = good audio quality
• Program Associated Data (PAD) (typ. 8 kbps)
Station Logo, CD Label, Text
• Non Program Associated Data NPAD) Services
EPG ( typ. 8 kbps)
TPEG Traffic Information ( typ. 32 kbps)
Journaline Text News ( typ. 8 kbps)
• Provides the Ensemble Multiplex incl. all Audio, Data and FEC
• 2048 kbps gross data capacity
• 576 to 1728 kbps net data capacity available (depending on protection
level)
• Protection Level 3A most common (1152 kbps)
DAB+ Head-End System – Parameters
Audio
Encoder
Multiplexer
Data
Server

11. 10
DAB+ signal distribution via E1 over G.703
Audio
Data
(NPAD)
Transport
Mux
Ensemble
Multiplexer
STI-C/D
ETI
ETI = Ensemble Transport Interface
STI = Service Transport Interface
RFSTI-C
PAD = Program Associated Data
NPAD = Non Program Associated Data
STI-D = Data Channel
STI-C = Control Channel (bi-directional)
E1 G.703
Network
Data
Inserter
Data
(PAD)
E1 G.703
Network
Modulator
Enc.+Insert
DAB+
Radio Studio
DAB+
Head-End Operator
DAB+ Transmitter
Network Operator

12. 11
DAB+ signal distribution via EDI over IP
Audio
Data
(NPAD)
PC
Ensemble
Multiplexer
EDI
EDI = Encapsulated Data Interface
RF
PAD = Program Associated Data
NPAD = Non Program Associated Data
IP Network
Data
Inserter
Data
(PAD)
IP Network
Modulator
Soft Encoder.+Insert
EDI
DAB+
Radio Studio
DAB+
Head-End Operator
DAB+ Transmitter
Network Operator

13. 12
DAB+ signal distribution via AoIP and EDI over IP
Audio over IP
(MP3, HE AAC)
NPAD
Encoder
Inserter
Ensemble
Multiplexer
EDI
EDI = Encapsulated Data Interface
RF
PAD = Program Associated Data (MOT Slide Show, Text)
NPAD = Non Program Associated Data, i.e. TPEG, Journaline, EPG, Broadcast Web Side)
IP Network
PAD IP Network
Modulator
EDI
DAB+
Radio Studio
DAB+
Head-End Operator
DAB+ Transmitter
Network Operator

14. 13
Head-End DAB, example 1+1 Rediundancy
5 Audio Panels for 18 Services
Master FlexiDAB
EasyWay EDI/ETI Switch (one cold spare)
Slave GPS Receiver
5 Audio Panels for 18 Services for the
Slave FlexiDAB
 18 DAB+ Audio encoders
 18 PAD DLS inserters
 18 PAD MOT Inserters
 1 EPG NPAD inserter
 1 TPEG NPAD inserter
 1+1 automatic redundant system
Master GPS Receiver
Slave FlexiDAB
Example: 1+1 redundant DAB+ Head-End

15. 14
DAB+ Cloud based Head-End solution
Audio over IP
(MP3, HE AAC)
NPAD
Cloud
Connector
EDI = Encapsulated Data Interface
RF
PAD = Program Associated Data (MOT Slide Show, Text)
NPAD = Non Program Associated Data, i.e. TPEG, Journaline, EPG, Broadcast Web Side)
IP Network
PAD IP Network
DAB
Modulator
Cloud
Head-End
DAB+
Radio Studio
DAB+
Head-End Operator
EDI IP
ETI G.703
DAB+ Transmitter
Network Operator

16. 15
• Company Paneda (Norway) provides first DAB+ Cloud solution
Cloud Connector DAB+

17. 16
• Cost effective Soft Defined DAB+ solution based on Open Code Software
• Implemented on Standard PC for DAB Head-End (Audio live encoding, Multiplexing)
• IP audio streaming from Studio to DAB+ Head-End
• First local Radio operating in Switzerland
• Trials in UK initiated from OFCOM
• www.opendigitalradio.org , www.wiki.digris.ch
www.mmbtools.crc.ca
Small Scale DAB+ for local Radio
Laptop
• Stream Audio Player
• Audio Encoder
• DAB+ MUX
DAB Tx
Transmission
Studios
IP DAB+ (EDI)
Open Source
Head-End
IP Audio
(streamed)
Internet
Filter

18. 17
Transmission System DAB+
DAB+
Modulator
Cooling
air or liquid
Power Ampl.
high efficient
Transmitter Band Pass Filter
(Mask Filter)
Antenna
MAXIVA
• Vertical polarized
• Panels or Dipol
• High gain antenna
recommended
• Broadband VHF TX
• 10W – 15kW
• Typ. 100W – 1,5 kW
• >1kW liquid cooling
• Keeps spectrum within
the limits
• 6 cavities standard
• 8 cavities for critical
situation
• air or liquid cooling
Band 3
174-230 MHz
GPS

19. 18
Transmitter RF Power DAB+
MAXIV
A
Example: Gatesair Flexiva VAX
300 W– 2,5 kW DAB+
Example: R&S THV9
1,3 kW – 15,0 kW DAB+
1 kW 2,5 kW
Air cooled Liquid cooled
• Lower 1kW air cooled is used, >1kW liquid cooling is dominating
• 100 W to 1,5 kW are actual the most installed RF powers in DAB+

20. 19
• Mandatory to secure the RF spectrum emission limits (shoulder distance)
• Similar principle as for DVB-T/ T2, but different limits, frequency and bandwidh
• DAB filter of 1,5MHz bandwidth, FM or DVB filter not usable (different frequency and
bandwidh)
• 6 cavity filter standard,
• 8 cavity filter for critical circumstannces (Ch 12D) and adjacent channel situations
DAB Band Pass Filter
MAXI
VA
Improved shoulder distance after filter

21. 20
Different Transmitter for DAB+ and FM
- DAB OFDM modulation
- ETI G.704 / EDI IP Input interface
- Automatic Amplifier linearization
- GPS synchronization for SFN
Exciter/ Modulator
Power Amplifier
• FM Transmitter cannot re-used for DAB+ due to different frequency & modulation
• existing Band 3 -TV transmitter could be converted into DAB+
- Frequency 174-240 MHz
- Broadband amplifier class AB
- high efficient Doherty
- linearized amplifier
Band Pass Filter
- Frequency 174 – 230 MHz
- 1,5MHz Channel spacing
- Frequency Moduklation (FM)
- L/R , AES, Composit inputs
- No linearization
- GPS and SFN not common
- Frequency 87,5 - 108 MHz
- Narrow band class C
- Frequency 87,5 - 108 MHz
- 100 kHz Channel spacing
Key differences: DAB+ Transmitter FM Transmitter

22. 21
Contents
• Transmission chain DAB+ versus FM
• Equipment for DAB+ operation
• Cost Advantages of DAB+ operation

23. 22
Why to move to DAB+ digital terrestrial Radio?
Save operational costs !
… is another strong argument for DAB+

24. 23
• Kyiv with appr 34 FM Radio Services on air
• FM spectrum almost full
• 2 DAB+ Channels (Blocks) of 1,5 MHz needed to migrate all Services to DAB+
• Only 2 DAB+ infrastructure to operate
Migration scenario FM to DAB+
VHF Band 2
34 FM Transmitter 2x DAB+ infrastructure
108 MHz87,5 MHz
17 Radio Services per channel
174 MHz 240 MHz
1,5 MHz
VHF Band 3
2 DAB+
…
…
34 FM

25. 24
• Fictive assumption for the calculations on next slides:
18 FM high power Radio Services in Kyiv replaced by DAB+
Cost Advantages of DAB+ , Generic Scenario
1 10
9 18

26. 25
• Equipment Capital Expenses (CAPEX)
• Distribution
• Energy
• Cooling Operational Expenses (OPEX
• Floor space
• Service & maintenance
• Simulcast period, dual operation of analog and digital Radio, until FM switch-off
Main cost factors of terrestrial Radio operation

27. 26
• Equipment Capital Expenses (CAPEX)
• Distribution
• Energy
• Cooling Operational Expenses (OPEX
• Floor space
• Service & maintenance
Main cost factors of terrestrial Radio operation

28. 27
• 18 Radio Programs with good audio quality operated on one DAB+ Channel
• Only 1 DAB+ transmitter high power needed
• Same investment in FM requires 18 FM transmitter high power!
Required transmission equipment DAB+ vs FM
18 x FM Transmitter
1x DAB+ Transmitter

29. 28
• Example: 18 Radio Services
• comparison of investment in Transmitter equipment FM and DAB+ for same coverage
• DAB+ Transmitter investment costs < 10% compared to FM
Transmitter investment costs FM and DAB+
Transmitter FM DAB+
Power 10 kW 2,5 kW
Price per Transmitter 50.000 USD 80.000 USD
Transmitter 18 1
Price all Transmitter 900.000 USD 80.000 USD
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1,000
FM DRM+ DAB+
90% savings

30. 29
• Equipment Capital Expenses (CAPEX)
• Distribution
• Energy
• Cooling Operational Expenses (OPEX
• Floor space
• Service & maintenance
Main cost factors of terrestrial Radio operation

31. 30
• DAB+ covers the same area as FM with appr. a quarter of RF power
• Example: 2,5kW DAB+ compares to 10kW transmitter for same coverage
Transmission RF power DAB+ vs FM
Coverage Area
RF Power FM
RF Power DAB+2,5kW
10 kW

32. 31
DAB+
FM
Power budget transmission system DAB+ vs. FM
Transmitter
60% losses
Filter
20% losses
Feeder cable
18% losses
Antenna
10dB Gain
2,5 kW 2,0 kW 1.6 kW6,25 kW
100 m
40% eff.
82 kW ERP
(5x of DAB+)
Transmitter
30% losses
Filter
6% losses
Feeder cable
13% losses
Antenna
10dB Gain
10 kW 9,4 kW 8,2 kW13,9 kW
72% eff.
16 kW ERP
• Transmitter RF power is 4 times higher in FM compared to DAB+
• System losses in Band 3 (DAB+) are higher compared to Band 2 (FM)
Total app. 40% losses in FM chain
Total app. 75% losses in DAB+ chain

33. 32
• Example 18 Radio Programs same coverage:
• Transmitter energy consumption DAB+ is 2,5% of FM
• Drastic reduction of energy bill with DAB+
Energy savings with DAB+ compared to FM
Transmitter FM DAB+
Power 10 kW 2,5 kW rms
Efficiency 72% 40%
Energy consumption
per Transmitter
13,9 kW 6,25 kW
Transmitters 18 1
Energy all Transmitters 250 kW 6,25 kW
Annual cost of energy 328.500 USD 8.000 USD
Assumes 0,15 USD per kWh
3.2 Mio $
10 Years
Savings on enrgy bill

34. 33
• Equipment Capital Expenses (CAPEX)
• Distribution
• Energy
• Cooling Operational Expenses (OPEX
• Floor space
• Service & maintenance
Main cost factors of terrestrial Radio operation

35. 34
• The transmitter wastes parts of the energy into heat
• The amount of wasted energy depends from the power efficiency of the used
transmitter model
• Wasted heat of the transmitter needs to be removed from the transmitter room
• Energy needed for room cooling system
Cooling of the transmitter room
13,9 kW FM
6,25 kW DAB+
AC Power
10 kW FM
2,5 kW DAB+
3,9 kW FM
3,75 kW DAB+
Wasted energy
Used energy

36. 35
Energy saving for room cooling FM and DAB+
18 x FM Transmitter @3,9 kW = 70,2 kW
1x DAB+ Transmitter @ 3,75 kW
• Wasted heat of the transmitter needs to be removed from room
• Energy needed for room cooling system
• Example 18 Radio Services in FM and DAB+ transmission:
DAB+ with only 6% heat dissipation compared to FM, 94% savings with DAB+

37. 36
Air cooling
• Ducted Air racks
• Evacuate the heat from the
building
Liquid cooling
• Directly evacuate heat out side
of the building
• Drastic reduced building
cooling costs with both
solutions
Power saving cooling installations
Building externalBuilding internal

38. 37
• Equipment Capital Expenses (CAPEX)
• Distribution
• Energy
• Cooling Operational Expenses (OPEX
• Space
• Service & maintenance
Main cost factors of terrestrial Radio operation

39. 38
• In not owned stations the operator need to pay for occupied floor space in
transmitter hall and antenna aperture on the transmission tower
• Example 18 Radio Services same coverage:
• Occupied floor for DAB+ Transmitter is <6% of FM, 94% savings
Space savings in transmission room FM and DAB+
Foot-print of 18 x FM Transmitter = 10,8 m2
1 m
0,6 m
Foot-print of 1x DAB+ Transmitter = 0,6m2
1 18 1 m
0,6 m
FM

40. 39
Space saving for Antennas with DAB+
Analoge FM
• Many towers and Antennas
• Interferences
DAB+
• Single Antenna
• No interference

41. 40
• Equipment Capital Expenses (CAPEX)
• Distribution
• Energy
• Cooling Operational Expenses (OPEX
• Floor space
• Service & maintenance
Main cost factors of terrestrial Radio operation

42. 41
Reduced Service & Maintenance Cost FM and DAB+
18 x FM Transmitter, different models, different manufacturer1x DAB+ Transmitter
Example 18 Radio Services: Drastic service cost reductions using DAB+
 reduced spare part stock
 reduced part diversity
 reduced maintenance effort
Multiple FM Towers and AntennasSingle DAB+ Antenna

43. 42
Summary
• DAB+ is the most common Digital Radio Standard worldwide
• State of the art operational equipment for DAB+ available and widely proofed
• Significant savings of operational costs with DAB+ due to single technical
infrastructure for multiple Radio Services
• With Cloud – and Software based solutions DAB+ follows the media trend

44. 43
Thank you
For further information, contact:
www.worlddab.org