R A D I O A C T I V I T Y: Radio France Internationale's DRM tests for project Smart Cast

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Radio France Internationale's DRM tests for project Smart Cast

Radio France Internationale is doing tests in DRM30 mode for project Smart Cast from Issoudun.

Test transmission received by shortwave listener Marcel in North East France on 10th June 2016 , 6170 kHz. Later on tests were noted on 6175 kHz.

The frequency is listed as DRM-Test between 0900 and 1200 UTC in the A16all00.TXT.

FREQ. TIME CIRAF SITE PWR AZ DAYS NOTES

6175 0900 1000 27SE,28SW,37NE ISS 200 153 1234567 DRM-Tes

6175 0900 1000 27SW,37NW ISS 200 267 1234567 DRM-Tes

6175 1000 1100 27SE,28SW,37NE ISS 200 153 1234567 DRM-Tes

6175 1000 1100 27SW,37NW ISS 200 267 1234567 DRM-Tes

6175 1100 1200 27SW,37NW ISS 200 267 1234567 DRM-Tes

6175 1100 1200 27SE,28SW,37NE ISS 200 153 1234567 DRM-Tes

15300 1600 1700 41,42S,43SW from ISS

SmartCAST is a joint project led by TDF and supported by the "Fonds Unique Interministériel" (FUI). All project partners have complementary skills covering the full range of all required studies and developments.

The project SmartCast aims to study and build a long range broadcast system, with potential interactivity where appropriate - thanks to a low-speed wireless return path. Data including audio will be broadcast in a shared stream based on standard DRM 30 ("Digital Radio Mondiale"). The project targets both mass and corporate markets.

Use of medium and short wave bands provides for massive coverage at low cost in inaccessible locations or those at a disadvantage due to lack of infrastructure. This approach offers a credible alternative to existing radio systems, making better use of this part of the spectrum, use of which is declining worldwide. Work underway includes development of services and equipment focused on two markets :

⦁ Maritime Navigation, with a set of services designated as "NavCAST".

⦁ International Broadcasting, with a set of services designated as "WideCAST".

The block diagram below is related to the NavCAST configuration of the project. It helps you understand the different subsets of the system, and their locations. In a second step, developments will be adapted to the WideCAST environment.