DRM FOR FM – MEASURES UP TO EXPECTATIONS IN INDONESIA

Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) has just conducted measurements proving the DRM in FM is spectrum, energy efficient delivering audio and text in superior quality without any interference even in very crowded FM environments.

RRI has always been on the forefront in the field of radio broadcasting and on-line radio.

The successful testing and measurements carried out in July came on the back of pioneering DRM deployments in the FM band.

PREPARATION

On 10 June 2020, a digital radio transmitter was installed and commissioned by RRI at Pelubharan Ratu in Sukabumi province, West Java. For this purpose, the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM)[1] digital radio system was used: this innovative step meant this is the first ever digital radio broadcasting station in Indonesia and in Southeast Asia.

Currently, the Pelubharan Ratu digital radio station is broadcasting three programmes in digital form, RRI Pro 1, RRI Pro 3 and, through its digital technology, news and current affairs information in textual form (in writing) in Bhasa Indonesia. The data provision is done through a digital system known as Journaline. The possibilities are immense as the system can cater to news and other information spanning 64,000 pages.

The second such digital radio transmitter was installed and commissioned on 11 June 2020 at Pantai Labuan in Banten Regency, West Java. Following this, the third DRM FM digital radio transmitter was installed and commissioned in July 2020 in Cilacap, Java Tengah province. These stations also provide similar programmes and digital services. In addition, by August 10, RRI plans to install and commission two more DRM FM transmitters in Painan, West Sumatra and in Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tengarah Timor province in eastern Indonesia.

In July RRI conducted the evaluation of trials and measurements of the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) technology in Pelabuhan Ratu area, Sukabumi, West Java, an area often struck by natural disasters.

These activities carried out on Wednesday (23/7/2020) and (Thursday (24/7/2020) were conducted in preparation for the implementation of digital radio.

DRM is an open all-band standard digital audio broadcasting radio technology recommended by ITU and ETSI (EN 302 245 and ES 201 980). DRM has several features and benefits including the incorporated feature of Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF).

DRM can be a digitisation solution both in the MF radio frequency band, or VHF Band II (FM). Irrespective of band, since the DRM standard is one, each DRM radio frequency channel can accommodate up to three broadcast programs (audio) along with text data (presented as news media, advertising, public information, and so on).

DRM is both spectrum and energy efficient and delivers local, regional, national and international coverage. Unlike analogue DRM can be used to achieve broader coverage using the Single Frequency Network (SFN) feature.

DRM can be used on the MF radio frequency bands using the same bandwidth as analogue (AM) and this was successfully demonstrated in Indonesia during the Bogor and Bali trials.

If DRM is used in the VHF Band II it only utilises a 96 kHz that can accommodate up to three audio channels and one data channel. This was also demonstrated by RRI in their trial conducted with the DRM Consortium in Batam. So, half the spectrum for up to three audio channels and one data channel, rather than one analogue audio only programme in FM.

In Indonesia FM is widely used in large cities, so there are not many FM radio frequencies available now. To avoid interference between FM radio broadcasts, the FM broadcast radio frequency channel is ideally separated by 400 kHz (adjacent-4). As DRM can fit in these guard spaces DRM can be a solution even in the cities with a very congested FM spectrum.

The DRM for FM RRI measurements in West Java were carried out for two days, namely 23 and 24 July 2020. The first day, they started with six Test Points (TP), namely TP1 on Karang Hawu Beach, TP2 Karang Papak Beach, TP3 Kadaka Beach, TP4 Vihara Nam Hay Kwan Se Im Pu Sa, TP5 Batu Bintang Beach and TP6 Pantai Loji.

The sixth test point location was obtained based on the results of simulated computer predictions of radiation coverage of an analogue 1 kW FM transmitter.

Measurements were aimed at technically evaluating DRM transmissions and features that can be broadcast through DRM transmitters.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the field measurements obtained in the six test points covered by the 1kW transmitter it was noted that these can be served with only 50 watts of DRM power delivering throughout a good DRM audio quality. In testing a simulcast broadcast using 1 kW and 800 Watt with spacing distance 150 kHz between the middle frequency FM and DRM, the measurement showed no interference between FM and DRM. The DRM quality was at least equally good to FM, but the sound quality of DRM was even better than FM.

The field test results are thus consistent with the ITU-R Recommendations BS. 1114 and BS. 1660. The next measurement is scheduled to be held at RRI Central Jakarta in August 2020.

For the map, click here : https://tinyurl.com/yxgnwo4d

Related :

DRM Trial Begins Digital Radio Implementation

Translated version :   https://tinyurl.com/y3a4yrkf

Video of field tests : https://youtu.be/sc4_4MZ6AvY

Engineers Help Train Ecuadorian Telecommunications Staff in Digital Technology

By Ralph Kurtenbach

Ecuador’s telecommunications authorities have agreed to explore and test the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) international digital radio standard with help from two organizations based in the small South American country.

Radio Station HCJB and the Unión Nacional de Periodistas (UNP or National Journalists’ Union) representatives agreed with the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUPERTEL) to offer training and assist in testing the DRM standard that Ecuador is considering. SUPERTEL will also evaluate other digital radio standards.

After a short signing ceremony in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito on Friday, Oct. 7, training sessions with SUPERTEL technicians began four days later on the campus of Radio Station HCJB.

DRM is an open global standard with intellectual property contributions shared by the consortium members. As an associate member of the consortium, the mission has conducted periodic shortwave DRM tests since 2000. Engineers at the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind., have also helped develop DRM transmission equipment.

In recent years the governments of India and Russia have selected DRM as the standard for broadcasting bands in those countries. In Latin America, the DRM standard is under consideration by Brazil where the Ministry of Communication held a seminar on digital radio standards in September. DRM consortium members participated in the high-level seminar in the capital, Brasilia.

Many in the broadcasting industry agree that the success of DRM hinges on the availability of low-cost receivers. Manufacturers displayed the receivers (including a USB receiver, stand-alone and car receivers, and one with a GPS system) at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam in September.

HCJB Global Voice’s roots run deep in Ecuador’s broadcasting history, beginning regular radio broadcasts in 1931.Then three decades later the station, established by evangelical missionaries, launched regular television broadcasts. Staff engineers have also developed technologies in the vanguard of the broadcasting industry.

Sources: HCJB Global, DRM

Note: This story appears with a short DRM digital radio promotional video at the Call of the Andes blog site, http://calloftheandes.wordpress.com/

(Harold Goerzen, senior editor, HCJB Global)

Digital Radio and the Future of Shortwave

Digital shortwave radio is no dream: It exists today. Right now, foreign-service broadcasters in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceana and the Americas are providing regular digital radio broadcasts over shortwave, using the DRM30 transmission standard.

Full story at :
http://www.rwonline.com/article/digital-radio-and-the-future-of-shortwave/24599

Voice of Nigeria testing in DRM mode ?

Probably Voice of Nigeria testing in DRM mode ?

http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2359

Pictures of DRM Receivers at IBC Amsterdam

Pictures from IBC 2011 showing DRM's successful Receiver showcase can now be seen on flickr..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drmorg/

Spain Plans DRM/DRM+ Tests

The Spanish Ministry of Telecommunications and Information has started to plan the complete transformation of the country's radio broadcasting facilities to digital from analog & plans to test to assess the feasibility of the use of DRM/DRM+ on medium-wave and VHF bands .
Full story at : http://radiomagonline.com/digital_radio/spain-analog-digital-transition-0801/

DRM+ Gets High-Power Test

by Lawrie Hallett

http://www.radioworld.com/article/drm-gets-high-power-test/23468

In Latin America, the Future of Digital Radio Is a Murky One

Read the Radio World story here :

http://www.radioworld.com/article/in-latin-america-the-future-of-digital-radio-is-a-murky-one/23347

Digital Radio Week at the EBU

The European Broadcasting Union hosted the Digital Radio Week event in Geneva, Switzerland. Standardization around an open source and royalty-free codec could be just what the radio industry needs to make the switch from analogue to digital happen on a global scale.

Read this interesting blog entry here :
http://sourcefabric.org/en/community/blog/509/

DW Trincomalee DRM Txer photo's

Interesting photo's of Deutsche Welle DRM transmitter & aerials at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka :

www.arugam.info/2006/11/20/deutsche-dauer-welle-dw/

Sri Lanka to go digital by 2017

Sri Lanka's terrestrial broadcasting system will be fully converted to digital by 2017, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said, the Daily News reports.

More at :
http://www.abu.org.my/abu/index.cfm/elementid/65579/Sri-Lanka-to-go-digital-by-2017

Digital broadcasting revolution, where does radio stand?

By: Issa Sikiti da Silva

As the whole analogue world is gripped by the arrival of digital broadcasting, much of the debate and discussions have focused on digital television and how it will affect people and businesses.

Full story at :
http://retail.bizcommunity.com/Article/410/59/55014.html

Japan on track for full digital broadcasting

Japan will be the 15th country in the world – and the first in Asia – to switch to fully digital broadcasting when it completes the transition in July 2011.

Read the full report here : http://tinyurl.com/38gvf4o

Digital radio switchover gets poor reception

Senior broadcasters and leading industry figures have joined a backlash against the rush to digital radio following the Government's decision to set 2015 as the target date for the switchover.

Read the Telegraph story here :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7753364/Digital-radio-switchover-gets-poor-reception.html

DRM tests in Brazil on 26 MHz

Tests in the frequency 26.040 MHz - Sao Paulo - Brazil

Source:Tele-Hours Summary - Digital Radio

The FCC has issued authorization to the Padre Anchieta Foundation, an organization maintains the Radio and TV Culture, for the testing of the System of Digital Audio Broadcasting DRM -Digital Radio Mondiale, standard developed in Europe. Tests will be done in the frequency 26.040 MHz, with bandwidth digital signal that is radiated between 10 kHz and 20 kHz, in Sao Paulo.

The tests will be conducted over a period of one year but may be extended for an equal period, and aim to support the choice of standard to be adopted by the country. The experiments will be
suspended if found the occurrence of harmful interference to radio stations regularly licensed and installed.

At the end of March, decree published by the Ministry of Communications announced the technical guidelines of what should be the model of digital radio to be deployed in Brazil. One of the requirements is that the standard to be adopted meets both the AM and FM systems, ensuring that the consumer has to buy different devices for each system.

According Minicom, so far, the two patterns tested - DRM and IBOC European American - did not meet all technical requirements. According to the tests already carried out, the digital systems in the world today do not bring a quality far superior to the one presented by the FM (Frequency Modulated) analog.

The European standard, DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale), also has the preference of the government for being an open system, which opens the possibility of technology transfer. U.S. standard, the IBOC (In-Band-On-Channel), already tested in Brazil, besides depending on the payment of royalties for their use, presents difficulties for transmissions in Medium and Short Wave, where there is greater interest of the government. (From the Newsroom)

(PP5AZF-Ataliba via drmrx forum)

http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2219

DRM+ Symposium Slated for May 27 in Germany

The State Media Authority of Rhineland-Palatine (LMK) and the University of Applied Sciences of Kaiserslautern have scheduled a symposium to explore prospects for the use of DRM+ in VHF band III. Entitled "Together with DAB+: The Positive Potential for Digital Broadcasting," the event is scheduled for May 27, 2010, at Novotel Kaiserslautern, in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

More at :
http://radiomagonline.com/digital_radio/drm-symposium-may-27-0505/

Say goodbye to your transistor radio - digital switchover is coming

By Neil Midgley

Published: 8:30AM BST 08 Apr 2010

But now the hiss and crackle of the analogue radio set are finally set to become a thing of the past, with a new law passed yesterday paving the way for digital radio switchover in 2015.

Read the full story here :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7564692/Say-goodbye-to-your-transistor-radio-digital-switchover-is-coming.html

Digital makeover for DD, AIR soon

Nandini R Iyer, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, April 07, 2010

In three years from now, when the spectrum wars hot up, and television and radio channels will be fighting left, right, and centre for space, our own home-brewed Doordarshan and All India Radio will be sailing through with twice their present capacity.

Read the full story here :
http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/Digital-makeover-for-DD-AIR-soon/Article1-528462.aspx

Doordarshan plans to go digital by 2017

http://www.ptinews.com/news/583781_Doordarshan-plans-to-go-digital-by-2017

Digital radio to boost presence

GLENN MULCASTER
March 26, 2010
DIGITAL radio will become a more compelling choice for listeners in Melbourne by the middle of the year when there will be 49 radio stations broadcasting in the DAB+ digital format.
Source: The Age

Read the full article here :

http://www.smh.com.au/business/digital-radio-to-boost-presence-20100325-qzyw.html