Nautel reports that its digital multiplexing technology has been used in the recent digital broadcast tests conducted in India. All India Radio, operated by Prasar Bharati, has been testing methods of broadcasting multiple digital signals from a single FM transmitter in order to provide a wider range of services. Both DRM and HD Radio standards are being evaluated, says the transmitter manufacturer, and in both cases, Nautel’s proprietary multiplexing technology has played a role in demonstrating the full potential of digital transmission.
“Our digital multiplexing concept allows you to combine multiple digital radio signals in the FM band, which are received via existing digital radio receivers,” said Philipp Schmid, Nautel’s chief technology officer. “Nautel transmitters using digital multiplexing allow broadcasters to operate multiple channel allocations out of one transmitter, one antenna, and one location, which reduces their equipment needs.”
The tests conducted by Prasar Bharati have demonstrated the viability of operating up to six separate digital channels from one transmitter, each of which carries multiple HD Radio or DRM services. Each channel can be operated independently, allowing several broadcasters to use the same transmitter while maintaining control over their content and distribution.
“The concept of digital multiplexing is an ideal solution for nationwide rollouts of digital broadcasting, especially in applications where multilingual services are required,” said Schmid. He noted that this technology is applicable to single-frequency networks, with some of the content remaining local or regional while other channels are sent nationwide.
Nautel previously supplied India with 33 high-power NX Series transmitters to support the implementation of medium-wave DRM. “We are pleased to have been a part of India’s revolutionary rollout of digital broadcasting and are excited about their next steps in bringing digital FM radio to listeners across the country,” said Kevin Rodgers, Nautel President and CEO. “The digital multiplexing technology developed by Nautel engineers makes it possible to easily transition from analog broadcasting to hybrid analog-digital to fully digital, all using the same transmitter and receivers. It’s a great way of moving digital radio forward worldwide.”
Schmid will present a paper on digital multiplexing on April 6, 2021 at the upcoming ABU virtual conference.
