[cma-l] DRM+

Mon Jan 10 17:54:45 GMT 2011

I understand that DRM+ has multiplex capabilities so it is possible to include more than one broadcast service within a transmission. However, part of the design criteria is that it can be used by a small station for a single service without significant changes to the existing FM system or huge extra costs. It has been suggested that a DRM+ transmitter should cost no more that 20% more than an equivalent FM one.

If you have an existing FM transmission site you would need to add a second transmitter (for DRM+) and a second antenna (assuming DRM+ would be using the same VHF Band II frequencies of 88-108 MHz). The DRM+ signal would need to be on a different frequency (perhaps adjacent or perhaps all grouped together within a sub-band) and you would need a lower powered transmitter to get the same coverage area as the existing FM signal.

I am not a broadcast engineer but I have been discussing this with one who understands all this (and has experimentally set up a DRM+ system to try it out). I conclude that implementing a DRM+ service would be fairly easy, certainly in comparison with DAB where you need to be able to send your signal to a remote central multiplex which, assuming you want it to be a decent quality signal, is costly.

Of course, the big problem is finding listeners with DRM+ radios (of whom there are basically none at present!). The chips in DAB/DAB+ radios are capable of handling this in theory but it will need all manufacturers to be told to switch on this capability for future receivers. So any introduction of DRM+ or any other new digital system will take many years, just as DAB has.

Not really a practical solution then!

regards,

Clive Glover

On 9 Jan 2011, at 21:29, mark polden wrote:

> Correct me if I am wrong but I always understood that DRM was not a multiplexed system so therefore the cost would remain with the broadcaster, which would be better for this sector although you would all have the same problems as we are having with MW in siting an antenna with planning permission and greenbelt
> 
> Mark Polden
> Flame CCR
> 
> Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2011 11:35:07 -0800
> From: martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> To: transplanfm at hotmail.com; cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] DRM+
> 
> I have to disagree slightly, although i see an upgrade from DAB to another system in the future (similar to Freeview to HD Freeview etc) its a long way off in the future.
> 
> We are going to be using DAB for another 5-10 years at least..
> 
> Because its all down to money at the end of the day.. Unless the government wants to spend alot of money on a new network, transmissions costs etc then its not going to happen..
> 
> Do you think commercial radio groups and stations would replace technology, do you think multiplex operators will pay for another / new licence and kit...
> 
> Do you think the public will replace their DAB radios? (which arent compatible, although most new Digital radios can work on other systems there are still tens of thousands of current sets that are DAB only) or do you think they will agree to the Government and BBC spending lots of money to replace the system.
> 
> What we really need is for all broadcasters to get behind it and work together, and ideally more spending by the government on transmitters, publicity, radio exchanges who knows what else... and an inclusive plan forward that includes community broadcasters and the promoted longevity of FM as well as DAB.
> 
> Digital radio is good for everyone, the listener with more choice and maybe better quality, the stations with more opportunities.. including community radio stations
> 
> Martin
> 
> From: Ian Hickling <transplanfm at hotmail.com>
> To: martin at martinsteers.co.uk; cma-l <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
> Sent: Sun, 9 January, 2011 10:08:19
> Subject: [cma-l] DRM+
> 
>  
> My view is that it's excllent news.
> Digital radio is certainly here to stay.
> DAB frankly isn't.
> We'll have to endure its shortcomings whilst enjoying its benefits - and see negligeable expansion other than that entirely caused by blind political pressure.
> It illustrates a headlong rush to unilaterally achieve a poorly-conceived goal without the right research or the correct level of collaboration with the rest of the world-wide Industry.
>  
> Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2011 07:22:06 -0800
> From: martin at martinsteers.co.uk
> To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Fwd: DRM+ tests in the UK
> 
> This isnt great news.. good and interesting granted.
> 
> I have nothing against trailing an system and seeing what happens.
> 
> HOWEVER as a radio industry there has to be a continuation of the digital expansion and migration, to attempt to alter the plan now at this stage would be disastrous.
> 
> DAB no matter what peoples thoughts are, is here to stay for a while.
> 
> Martin
> 
> From: Alan Coote <alan.coote at btinternet.com>
> To: jaqui devereux <jaqui.devereux at commedia.org.uk>; cma-l <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
> Sent: Fri, 7 January, 2011 17:16:30
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Fwd: DRM+ tests in the UK
> 
> At last!!!!!,
> 
> Although it doesn't seem as Ofcom are actively involved. Anyone know if they
> have just sanctioned the trial for DRM Consortium to run? And where will be
> result go?
> 
> Alan
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk
> [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of jaqui devereux
> Sent: 06 January 2011 2:23 PM
> To: cma-l
> Subject: [cma-l] Fwd: DRM+ tests in the UK
> 
> Dear all
> 
> You might be interested in this - DRM+ trials in Scotland
> 
> Will keep you posted when we get more information
> 
> Best wishes and Happy New Year to you all
> 
> Jaqui
> 
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Christer Hederström | Ideosphere <christer.hederstrom at comhem.se>
> Date: 6 January 2011 13:22
> Subject: [Members_cmfe] DRM+ tests in the UK
> To: CMFE Members <members_cmfe at lists.freie-radios.at>
> 
> 
> DRM+ trial in the UK in first quarter of 2011
> 
> The DRM Digital Radio Mondiale standard was extended in 2009 to add an
> additional mode for operation in the VHF broadcasting bands (known as
> DRM+), enhancing the established capability of DRM for digital radio
> services in the bands below 30 MHz.
> 
> DRM provides many features to allow user-friendly, high quality radio to be
> broadcast, including use of station names rather than frequencies,
> consistent digital audio, additional text and visualisation, an EPG,
> alternate service signalling, and automatic service following to DRM, DAB,
> FM and AM services.
> 
> After the successful trial in Sri Lanka (November 2010) the DRM Consortium
> will mount a comprehensive DRM+ trial in the UK. The trial will take place
> in the Edinburgh area of Scotland in the first quarter of 2011.  Its
> objectives are:
> 
>        • To measure the coverage of DRM+ operating in various transmission
> modes (lower capacity, higher ruggedness; higher capacity, lower
> ruggedness)
>        • To compare the coverage of FM and DRM+ in terms of transmit power
>        • To assess the impact of DRM+ on FM and vice-versa
>        • To demonstrate the performance of DRM+ in a range of environments
> throughout the coverage area, for example, urban, suburban, rural, etc., and
> therefore provide an analysis of performance in the presence of multipath
> interference, terrain shielding, man-made obstructions, etc., in both strong
> and weak signal areas;
>        • To measure the pattern of the antenna in order to correlate
> performance in different directions with expected performance;
>        • To provide suitable measurement data to international regulatory
> bodies, such as CEPT and ITU.
> (Source: DRM Consortium)
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> Members_cmfe at lists.freie-radios.at
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> 
> 
> 
> --
> Jaqui Devereux
> Director, Community Media Association
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