DRM Digital Radio – at the Forefront of FM Broadcasting

A live event was organised by Indian and international hosts in New Delhi on 21st July 2022. Among the participants were the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), five leading private broadcasters in India, representatives of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), Micromax – the Cellphone manufacturer, NXP,  Technomedia Solutions Private Ltd and Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd (BECIL) – the broadcast system integrators, Inntot Technologies Pvt Ltd – the Indian DRM receiver manufacturer, OptM Media Solutions Pvt Ltd – the broadcast solution provider, and the DRM Consortium.

The participants were reminded that the global, open, and all-band DRM standard, offers full broadcaster independence allowing broadcasters the freedom to broadcast any content without any fees.There is also no revenue cut, as all technical details are openly standardised. And no technology license is needed to implement products and solutions of DRM.

DRM is most efficient in terms of spectrum usage as one DRM block requires about 100 kHz (half the bandwidth of analogue FM) for 4 services (up to 3 audio and 1 multimedia). DRM FM allows for simulcasting DRM FM and FM analogue from the same transmitter without the need of replacing an existing FM transmitter. Each block can represent one single broadcaster who has full control of the spectrum and content. The participants explored together the three ways of possible DRM FM introduction in India: broadcast of up to 18 audio services in DRM digital from a single FM transmitter, broadcast up to 12 audio services in DRM digital along with a service in analogue and broadcast of up to 15 audio services in DRM digital in the white space between the two analogue FM transmitters.

Broadcast of multimedia content along with the digital audio services was demonstrated, including DRM's Journaline advanced text application with support for all Indian scripts through Unicode. DRM standalone receivers as well as car radios already available in the Indian market for the reception in the DRM in the MW band, have been proven to be software-upgradable (without any hardware changes) to receive DRM in FM band, too. DRM's efficient digital transmission results in huge savings in transmission power and thus distribution costs. Only about one-tenth power of DRM transmitter is sufficient in digital to deliver same coverage as existing analogue transmissions.

India is the world's largest digital radio deployment by All India Radio (AIR) with 39 transmitters (35 MW and 4 SW). AIR is also providing some exclusive radio broadcast content (24-hour News), multilingual Journaline information and has tested DRM for Emergency Warning Functionality (EWF) signals. DRM digital signals in India today can reach over 900 million people when all the installed transmitters work in full digital operation. Over 5 million cars on the Indian roads or 30% of new cars (from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Mahindra, Toyota, MG Hector and Mercedes Benz) have already DRM radio reception facility – at no extra cost to buyers. The Starwaves DRM SoftRadio app is now available in various Android app stores to upgrade existing phones for DRM reception, and that Gospell, Starwaves, Inntot and many other DRM desktop receiver manufacturers are coming up with various standalone DRM receivers.

During the New Delhi event participants enjoyed a live transmission on many standalone receivers, a car radio, Android mobile phones and tablets.

Reception of DRM FM in a car parked outside the venue was also demonstrated. The participants took a keen interest in the presentations,  demonstrations, and the discussions. They got a very good opportunity to debate not only how the DRM system can maintain the established

FM environment but also how it defines and advances the future of FM broadcasting by creating whole new revenue sources besides audio-ads while enabling targeted broadcasting with an overall audience increase, as well as cutting distribution costs significantly.

Involving commercial broadcasters in practical demonstrations of sharing same infrastructure and introducing DRM at reduced spectrum and energy use, while giving receiver manufacturers a chance to develop new solutions, will be the next step in digitising the FM broadcast and firmly establishing it as a core medium of India in the 21st century. 

About DRM

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) is the universal, openly standardised digital radio system for all broadcasting frequencies and coverage needs.

DRM on short, medium and long wave up to 30 MHz provides for the efficient coverage in large areas with at least FM quality, while significantly reducing power consumption. DRM in the FM & VHF bands above 30 MHz enables flexible local and regional broadcaster-controlled services, with up to 3 stereo audio programmes plus multimedia compon

ents in half the bandwidth of a single analogue FM signal. 

Advanced radio functionality thanks to DRM comprises: More services based on the highly efficient audio codec MPEG xHE-AAC and free-to-air Journaline multi-lingual text information, detailed  service signalling, service linking (including to analogue AM/FM services) and DRM EWF – Emergency Warning Functionality. Enhanced DRM features include native Unicode support, station logos via SPI, Slideshow images and traffic and travel information. 

(Press Release)

DRM India Trial proves to be the ideal digital radio standard also in the FM band

Digital Radio Mondiale – DRM India Trial proves to be the ideal digital radio standard also in the FM band

The international, not-for-profit DRM Consortium has just concluded the demonstration and trial of the DRM digital radio standard in the FM band (VHF band-II) in New Delhi and Jaipur on March 22nd.  It was highly successful and generated a lot of interest.

The overwhelming success of the trial, which had started on February 24th, was registered in all the aspects required by Prasar Bharati (All India Radio): extensive features allowing radio innovation for broadcasters and listeners, excellent coverage, flexibility, spectrum and power efficiency, and proven CTI spectrum compliance.

In Delhi, the trial demonstrated excellent results when transmitting a single DRM signal, multiple pure digital DRM signals side-by-side from the same transmitter ("Multi-DRM" configuration), and also using DRM's simulcast option by putting on air both an analogue FM and a digital DRM signal from a single transmitter.

The Multi-DRM option proves DRM's highly economic potential when it comes to frequency and equipment upgrades: A single FM-band transmitter with a bandwidth of 600 kHz can transmit 6 independent DRM signals (blocks) carrying up to 24 DRM services, e.g. 18 audio and 6 multimedia services. These can represent up to 6 independent broadcasters who remain in full control over their individual content and signal configuration.

In Jaipur, the DRM Consortium showed on a separate antenna on the same tower for the first time in a live on-air environment, how Multi-DRM configurations with 4 and even 5 DRM blocks (each capable of carrying up to 3 audio services and one multimedia service like Journaline), can perfectly and efficiently use the white-spaces in-between two existing analogue FM services, while not affecting the reception of those ongoing FM services at all.

DRM services can be broadcast from the same 'Common Technical Platform' (CTI) in use today, housing multiple FM transmitters with a shared site and antenna. However, DRM takes this concept a step further by also turning the FM-band transmitter itself into a shared resource. This approach, ideal for the quickest introduction of digital services in the FM band without affecting the existing analogue services, not only minimises the one-time equipment investment for broadcasters in addition to the significant power cost savings. It also opens the door, for example, for public broadcasters to provide many regional services across the country from every local transmitter site by installing a single FM-band transmitter.

The trial in India proved the excellent expertise, cooperation and support of the DRM Consortium, whose 100 members' aim is to promote the only digital radio standard to upgrade existing AM and FM band services while maintaining established industry business models and regulatory aspects. Key Indian and international companies giving their full support to the trial included: Fraunhofer IIS, Nautel, NXP, RFmondial, Technomedia, BECIL and the DRM Indian Platform, along with various receiver manufacturers and automotive Tier-1s.

During the demonstration, DRM clearly showcased that the DRM standard, used in the FM band is backward compatible and receiver ecosystem for both AM and FM band services, is ready for India's mass market, based in the in-country know-how build-up and chipset design and production over the past years, which in turn is enabled by DRM being an open standard with all specifications published. Even DRM receiver models made in China today are based on Indian technology and DRM chipsets.

The DRM receivers in operation during the trial all supported DRM in both AM and FM bands. They comprised car receivers (line-fit and customer installed receiver upgrades), DRM reception on mobile phones and tablets, portable and desktop radios, as well as professional monitoring receivers.

With regards to car receivers, the trial was supported by companies like Mobis (Hyundai demo car), Harman (Maruti-Suzuki demo car), Starwaves' "India CarBox Radio" (customer installed car radio upgrade solution) and the whole DRM Automotive India Group. The DRM Automotive India Group, a recently launched industry representation body to help with the DRM roll-out, has already requested Prasar Bharati, All India Radio (AIR) and the government to support DRM in-car radios for both AM and FM band services, as the upgrade of existing car receivers to support DRM in FM band is a mere firmware upgrade without requiring redesigns or hardware changes. Therefore, DRM is perfectly positioned to quickly roll-out FM-band support by building on the over 2.5 million cars already deployed in India with DRM fitted receivers today.

Also proven was DRM's capability to being received on off-the-shelf Android phones deployed in India today by the billions, thanks to the Fraunhofer DRM MultimediaPlayer Radio App. DRM made the point that existing phone owners can easily upgrade their devices without the need to immediately buying new models, simply by attaching an external off-the-shelf dongle. The same dongle can also be used with tablets, laptops and desktop PCs to receive radio services, in all broadcast bands, not only in analogue but in DRM digital. too. The user-friendly radio handling, low battery consumption and stellar reception sensitivity of such solutions was demonstrated.

For the future deployment in India, native support of DRM FM-band reception is easily possible on all phones supporting analogue FM reception today by way of a simple firmware upgrade, without requiring manufacturers to add hardware components or carry out costly re‑designs. In addition, the superior xHE-AAC audio codec in use by DRM is already a default feature of all major mobile phone platforms, saving manufacturers IP royalty payments.

In both Delhi and Jaipur, a variety of portable and mobile DRM receivers checked the excellent performance of DRM in all configurations and at impressive distances from the transmitter. The broad variety of receiver types included a range of models of the Gospell 216 and the GR-22x series, the Starwaves DRM Stereo Radio Receiver W293, as well as multiple RFmondial RF-SE professional monitoring receivers.

Today, DRM has been adopted in India for successfully digitizing the AM bands. Extending the same global, open, non-proprietary DRM standard to the FM-band will not only save manufacturers enormous cost (as there is NO additional IP royalties) and lead to more affordable receivers for India. It will also create new revenue opportunities for commercial broadcasters, thanks to the option for multiple audio programmes and the Journaline advanced and interactive text feature. DRM in the FM band will also bring significant distribution and energy cost savings for better coverage, given that a single DRM transmitter can broadcast the DRM signals of multiple broadcasters and thus become a part of the cost-shared CTI infrastructure. In addition, DRM proved it can be introduced in the otherwise unusable frequency gaps between existing analogue FM services, while not affecting those FM services or their coverage at all.

The DRM Consortium is thankful for their great cooperation to All India Radio experts and staff and to all those who have made this highly successful, high-tech and ultra-efficient trial possible. It urges the Indian government to extend the use of the single DRM standard as the common solution for all radio bands in India: for maximum manufacturing efficiency and receiver penetration, for best-in-class features and coverage efficiency, for full support of the Indian automotive industry, and for building on the DRM know-how, expertise and manufacturing industries built-up in India over the past years for a speedy digitisation of the FM band.

For more information on DRM and how to get involved in the work of the Platform please go to: www.drm.org.

5x Multi-DRM signal as shown in Jaipur in-between two high-power analogue FM services

Basic DRM transmission with 3 audio services +Jounaline and slideshow (with station logos and Unicode support)

                                     DRM provides drivers with traffic and travel information

 

DRM Consortium Announces Creation of DRM Automotive Workgroup for India

The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium has announced the creation of the first DRM Automotive Workgroup for India on November 25th during the second annual NXP India Cockpit and Infotainment Forum organized by NXP Semiconductors. NXP (www.nxp.com) is the number one in automotive infotainment systems and the global market leader for digital car radio solutions[1].  During this event, All India Radio presented recent optimizations of the national DRM coverage as well as upcoming, exclusive service offerings for their listeners on DRM.

Currently, on the Indian roads there are over 2.5 million cars (representing all the big automotive brands) fitted with DRM receivers at no extra cost to consumers.

The Forum was a high-power event including comprehensive presentations on the recent NXP milestones and future plans, as NXP is supplying inclusive and up-to-date infotainment solutions to the powerful automotive industry, the undisputed driver for radio consumption worldwide. NXP, a DRM Consortium member, continues to work hard on DRM firmware development (in the AM and FM bands).

In parallel, another DRM Consortium member, All India Radio (AIR), announced significant DRM improvements introduced very recently like: non-stop pure DRM transmissions with 3 services or programmes on one frequency in 4 key metros, more DRM transmitters for increased coverage, and more varied and exclusive audio programmes and Journaline content added, progress on national rollout of DRM's emergency warning functionality (EWF), and a programme information guide enabled by Journaline. This is doubled by the enhanced visibility and communication about DRM promoted and encouraged by a newly created project unit within AIR dedicated to the promotion of DRM.

All the above initiatives underscore that All India Radio is fully committed to DRM digital radio for all of India. During the NXP Forum the automotive industry was thus strongly encouraged to support and help the transition to digital radio, by making DRM available in all car models, while supporting the full DRM feature set, and  by promoting DRM to customers in cooperation with AIR.

NXP, AIR and the whole DRM Consortium are asking the Indian government for support to mandate DRM reception including EWF – Emergency Warning Functionality – in cars, in a similar way in which the EU has recommended that any car for rent or sale in the EU needs to have a radio receiver capable of receiving services provided via "digital terrestrial radio broadcasting" from 2021 onwards.

In order to strengthen the big role of the automotive industry in introducing DRM digital radio and making it part of the Indian successes and progress, the DRM Consortium announced during the Forum the creation of the Automotive DRM Workgroup for India. This industry body is accessible to all interested industry parties and enables an efficient two-way communication channel with AIR and India's government to ensure a smooth and successful DRM rollout. Those interested and requesting more details please write to: projectoffice@drm.org. 

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, said: "The support of big companies involved in the full DRM rollout in India is essential in persuading the government that digital radio in all Indian cars is a way of delivering essential services like information, emergency warning, localised content in the right language mix for the benefit of listeners and digital progress of India."

[1] Strategy Analytics, May 2020

Fraunhofer IIS brings comprehensive MPEG audio codec suite to NXP Semiconductors

Erlangen, Germany: Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, inventor of mp3 and primary developer of the xHE-AAC and MPEG-H Audio standards, announced that NXP® Semiconductors will leverage Fraunhofer's MPEG audio SDK. This software package covers four generations of audio codecs: legacy MPEG Layer-1/2/3 as well as the next-generation MPEG-H 3D Audio standard and the AAC codec family, including xHE-AAC. NXP will incorporate these codecs into its multimedia system solutions, which raise the bar for audio quality in home entertainment products, such as set-top boxes, soundbars or smart speakers.

Fraunhofer IIS has more than 30 years of experience in the development and optimization of audio codecs and has already licensed its software to over 1000 companies. "NXP's SoC products provide a compelling platform for Fraunhofer's MPEG audio decoder SDKs and will drive the rapid market adoption of our audio solutions by the leading consumer electronics manufacturers," said Dr. Nikolaus Färber, Head of Audio for Embedded Systems department of Fraunhofer IIS.

"The MPEG audio codecs from Fraunhofer IIS are an excellent fit for our high-quality multimedia systems solutions," said Rob Oshana, Vice President of Software Engineering R&D from NXP. "We plan to fully integrate MPEG-H 3D Audio, xHE-AAC and the legacy codecs into our Immersiv3D™ audio solution for i.MX 8M SoCs."

NXP also plans to leverage the Fraunhofer MPEG-H Audio System Trademark Program to test its MPEG-H decoder implementation. This will indicate to manufacturers that NXP's decoder implementation fulfills all mandatory requirements of Fraunhofer's MPEG-H Audio System trademark program.

About MPEG-H Audio

MPEG-H Audio, substantially developed by Fraunhofer IIS, is the industry's most advanced audio system for UHD-TV and streaming. It supports both immersive sound and the ability for users to adjust elements in the audio to their preferences. MPEG-H has been on the air since 2017 on all TV networks in South Korea under the new ATSC 3.0 standard. It has also been selected for new broadcast standards to be launched in China and Brazil and is the distribution format of the new immersive music streaming service 360 Reality Audio. Fraunhofer offers MPEG-H software implementations for many popular CPU, SoC and DSP platforms. It is widely deployed today in TV sets, premium soundbars and high-end smart speakers.

About xHE-AAC

xHE-AAC is the ideal solution for digital radio broadcasting and for adaptive audio and video streaming services over the Internet, thanks to its coding efficiency (with a bit rate range from 12 kbit/s to 500 kbit/s and above for stereo services) combined with seamless bit rate switching over DASH and HLS as well as mandatory MPEG-D DRC loudness and dynamic range control. The codec is natively supported by the Android 9 and 10 operating systems, as well as iOS 13 and Amazon Fire OS 7.

(Press Release)

NXP – in Cooperation with DRM Consortium on DRM Implementation and Rollout First India infotainment forum

First India infotainment forum by NXP – in Cooperation with DRM Consortium on DRM Implementation and Rollout

NXP Semiconductors, the world's largest provider of automotive semiconductors 1, in collaboration with the DRM Digital Radio Consortium hosted the first annual NXP Cockpit and Infotainment Forum in New Delhi on October 22, 2019.

The event showcased the latest trends and solutions in infotainment systems that advance the in-vehicle experience. It also shared a full view into the development of DRM and the inclusion of DRM receivers in many of the new models on the roads in India. Participants received updates on the All India Radio rollout as well as presentations on how NXP's latest generation of software defined radio facilitates DRM digital radio for  Infotainment system architectures. The discussions of aspects of infotainment from radio and audio, processing as well as connectivity gave a unique feel to this newly initiated car top event. A full day of presentations, discussions and demos highlighted the great appetite consumers have for cars that are equipped with the latest technologies to keep them safe, informed and entertained.

The broadcasting and manufacturing industry as well as representatives from key government bodies like TRAI, the Indian regulator embraced the opportunity to share their information and experience. They, in turn, received up-to-date information on the latest developments in the infotainment sector.

"India infotainment and cockpit consumer preferences are changing rapidly. NXP innovations are at the forefront of this technology and aim to deliver best in class in-cabin experience, connectivity and safety. The first annual NXP Cockpit & Infotainment Forum brought key stakeholders of the industry and government together to help drive the adoption of digital radio and world class infotainment in India, said Ashok Chandak," senior director global sales and marketing, NXP Semiconductors.

"NXP has been driving Digital Radio adoption in India and worldwide together with the DRM Consortium. It was a pleasure to see the great progress of DRM receiver deployments in India, along with All India Radio's 39 DRM transmitters operational. This one-of-a-kind event created a new forum for major car OEMs, AIR, TRAI, Tier 1's, and ecosystem partners to join together and address Infotainment solutions that will meet consumer aspirations," commented, Ron Schiffelers, Senior Director - Program management at NXP Semiconductors.

Ruxandra Obreja, the DRM Chairman, said "The NXP-DRM car event in New Delhi was a great moment where our message was that DRM, whether in AM or FM, is just one standard with the same features and benefits. The demos of DRM for FM showed how DRM can also enhance the performance of the many cars that an increasing number of Indians desire and will own. The collaboration of the different industries and organisations represented at this unique event is a sure way to help them achieve their own goals, maintain and grow the number of car owners, listeners to DRM digital radio."

Hyundai Mobis & NXP India Deploy DRM Chips and Receivers Designed in India

The development and deployment, showcased at a DRM Round Table conference on January 31, was made possible by a regional collaboration between All India Radio, NXP Semiconductors, Hyundai Mobis, and the DRM Consortium.

NXP Semiconductors, the world's largest supplier of automotive semiconductors and Hyundai Mobis, the world's leading tier-1 automotive supplier, have announced the successful completion of field trials of MOBIS DRM receivers and NXP chips designed in India. The chips and DRM receivers are now deployed in DRM-fitted car infotainment receivers in a newly launched vehicle in India by a leading carmaker.

Read the full story at :

http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/aftermarket/hyundai-mobis-nxp-india-deploy-drm-chips-and-receivers-designed-in-india/56936989

NXP launches globally compatible Digital Radio Chip for automotive

At CES, Globally-Compatible Digital Radio Chip Launched for Automotive

Chip manufacturer NXP have released what they call the world's first one-chip solution for global digital radio reception, designed for automotive.

The fingertip-sized chip, the SAF4000, is capable of reception of all global broadcast standards, including analog FM and AM as well as DAB+, Digital Radio Mondiale, and HD Radio.

More at :

http://www.radiomagonline.com/blogentry/1292

Related :

NXP Presents the World's First One-Chip Solution for All Global In-Car Infotainment and Broadcast Standards

http://media.nxp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=254228&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2233706

NXP honcho Sanjay Gupta bets big on DRM technology

Why self-driving cars no longer a fantasy; NXP honcho Sanjay Gupta explains

http://www.financialexpress.com/auto/car-news/why-self-driving-cars-no-longer-a-fantasy-nxp-honcho-sanjay-gupta-explains/327552/

Excerpt..

What are the broad focus of activities for NXP Semiconductors in India?

India is definitely a growing market and we have a strong presence here. We have a clear focus of being leaders in security, connectivity and processing. Very recently, we achieved live reception of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) services for vehicles in India. Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) is a service which helps to boost AM audio quality so as to provide individuals with enhanced radio quality. We designed a chipset module that is capable of handling three digital standard signals on a single platform. DRM module so developed will not only help to improve radio quality over AM channels but also provide users with utilities like updates pertaining to real time traffic scenarios, news and natural disaster warnings. In terms of business, India is a significant centre.

Source : http://www.financialexpress.com/auto/car-news/why-self-driving-cars-no-longer-a-fantasy-nxp-honcho-sanjay-gupta-explains/327552/

NXP deploys chips for DRM receivers in Indian cars

Automotive semiconductor supplier NXP Semiconductors announced that it has successfully completed extensive testing and field trials of its newly designed chip and software for Digital Radio Mondiale(DRM) receivers in India.

All India Radio (AIR), a key player in India's nationwide roll-out of DRM, and NXP Semiconductors collaborated for this initiative with the automotive industry and the DRM Consortium.

The announcement was made at the BES Expo 2016 in New Delhi to raise awareness of AIR's Digital Radio plans, emphasize the benefits of the DRM radio standard, promote availability of the world class DRM chips and receivers in India, and spotlight technology development initiatives in India at NXP Semiconductors in line with Digital India and Make in India programs.

Read the full report at :

http://www.radioandmusic.com/biz/mobile-digital/digital-radio/160205-nxp-deploys-chips-drm-receivers-indian#

Related :

NXP successfully deploys chips for DRM receivers in Indian vehicles

http://www.asiaradiotoday.com/news/nxp-successfully-deploys-chips-drm-receivers-indian-vehicles

Digital Radio Mondiale(tm) (DRM) successful Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event in India focuses on manufacturing opportunities

The one-day National Seminar 'DRM: The Future of Indian Radio - Business Opportunities for Stakeholders' on 28 February, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in co-operation with the DRM Consortium, was the first of its kind involving technology specialists, broadcasters and representatives of Government and industry. The seminar In New Delhi attended by over 120 participants focused on the opportunities offered by the current roll-out of digital radio to the Indian industry. Several speakers stressed that All India Radio (AIR) was equipped to launch DRM, which would make all short wave and medium wave channels available to everyone in FM-quality over an area and at a cost that no current or future FM plan could match. The reach would be unlike FM which was today available to around 45 per cent of the country (including 25 per cent coverage by private channels). On the other hand, medium wave covered the entire country.

Several speakers also said AIR examined in great detail all the options, made a judicious proposal sanctioned by the Indian government which was as recent as last month endorsed by an advisor to the Prime Minister. All India Radio (AIR) Deputy Director General (Engineering) S K Saxena stressed that 36 DRM transmitters were in various stages of implementation in the country under a plan approved by the Planning Commission. Officials of the AIR said that the commissioning of 100 kW, 200 kW and 300 kW Transmitters is likely to be over by end of December 2014. Eight DRM transmitters are already on air in simulcast, though AIR would like to move eventually to a digital signal only. AIR is in the process of replacing or converting 72 MW transmitters to digital ones across the country, which should increase coverage to 70 per cent of the Indian population, representing some 800 million people. As it was stressed throughout the day by many Indian and foreign speakers, DRM technology provides the listeners with enhanced audio quality, service reliability, added data services, emergency warning alerts, targeted advertising and a more efficient transmission system that greatly lowers the power costs.

FM, while popular in India, said Yogendra Pal, Honorary Chairman of the DRM Indian Platform, is spectrum hungry and not an answer in places like Delhi "where AIR alone would need up to 25 niche channels, an impossibility". Later in his presentation Matthias Stoll of Ampegon demonstrated how one 100KW DRM medium wave transmitter, working at 90 % efficiency, would need to be replaced with 15 FM transmitters of 10 kW working at 55% efficiency, if an area of about 600 kilometres is to be covered.

Referring to criticism that affordable DRM sets were not available, AIR Engineering-in-Chief R K Budhiraja said that four Indian manufacturers had expressed interest in manufacturing affordable DRM sets in response to a tender floated by AIR, provided there was content and demand. The clear aim of the seminar was to tackle head on the question of receivers. And the CII event did not disappoint as it included a full, lively session with excellent contributions from representatives of chipset manufacturers (like Analog Devices, NXP), local entrepreneurs engaged already in designing or even manufacturing receivers. All speakers underlined the need for the industry to grasp this opportunity, for the government to support the revival of the indigenous electronics industry and for the public broadcaster to give serious attention and support to the roll-out, content creation and communication of a project with vast possibilities. Thus, Mr TVB Subrahmanyam of Analog Devices gave a clear picture of the potential yearly DRM market of about 16 million desktop, mobile and car radios, estimated at possibly a value of up to half a billion dollars.

Mr Ashak Chandok of NXP gave examples of the excellent tests carried out in cars in areas already covered by AIR DRM transmitters. If mobiles and cars are a clear market opportunity, Mr Ankit Aggrawal of Communication Systems Inc. offered a glimpse into the first Indian made desktop DRM receiver with all extra DRM features, ready to be produced very soon. Businessmen like A Kharabanda and Mr Ramendra Baoni talked about the excitement, the real challenges and great opportunities the DRM receiver market affords those willing to take the risk. All speakers mentioned that the price of receivers is dependent on good, desirable content and on volume while no price was really mentioned. Mr V Sharma, Chairman of CII National Committee on ICTE Manufacturing, sees the next step as getting the DRM receivers to be recognised by the government and manufacturers as one of the critical products deserving interest and investment.

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, says that: " All in all this was the most successful meeting held by the DRM with the industry in India to date. The CII event offered up to the minute information on the roll out and actual DRM transmissions on the air and excellent news on DRM production. The buzz was all positive and palpable especially when one of the speakers Alexander Zink of Fraunhofer IIS demonstrated the sound qualities of DRM and then produced a regular tablet receiving DRM "live" on an attached dongle."

The progress on DRM in India and other key countries will figure prominently during the DRM General Assembly scheduled to take place on March 26th.

(Press Release)

In-Car Digital Radio Ready for Take-Off With Groundbreaking Car Infotainment Solution From NXP

excerpt ...

With the SAF360x, NXP is the first semiconductor supplier to offer support for in-vehicle DRM reception, offering a cost-effective solution for OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers introducing in-car digital radio systems in emerging markets including India, Russia and Brazil. NXP has been involved in extensive field tests for DRM, which brings FM-quality audio in AM bands, including the first public "test drive" conducted last year with All India Radio (AIR) ahead of the nationwide rollout of DRM in India.

"By helping to demonstrate that DRM is ready for rollout in India, NXP has clearly established its expertise and commitment to the rapidly growing digital radio market worldwide. We congratulate NXP on the launch of its first multi-standard chipset incorporating DRM," said Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chairman and President, DRM Association.

More at :

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/in-car-digital-radio-ready-for-take-off-with-groundbreaking-car-infotainment-solution-from-nxp-2014-01-09?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Digital Radio - Coming to a car near you

So where does the automotive industry stand ?

Read this story from NXP Blog...

http://blog.nxp.com/digital-radio-coming-to-a-car-near-you/

NXP Successfully Test Drives Digital Radio Mondiale in India

March 14, 2013

As India rolls out DRM, NXP is first to complete live in-car demo, supporting all major digital terrestrial radio standards on a single automotive co-processor

More at : http://tinyurl.com/acx3635

Related video :   

http://youtu.be/x8oIVEMJ07g

Delphi's DRM car radio

A car radio receiving Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) signals was put for public display at Auto Expo India held in New Delhi (5-11th Jan 2012). Developed by Delphi which is a leading global supplier of electronics and technologies for automotives, the new device can do Analogue AM and FM, as well DRM Digital radio. The receiver uses the NXP processor which recently added DRM capability. Delphi has a history of developing other Digital Radio Platforms (HD, DAB) and is offering solutions tailored to individual OEM requirements. The device is simulcast compatible and also package protected for DRM+ with a DRM compatible receiver antenna (short stub wide band). It should be available for the market by Q4 2012.

(Source : DRM Newsletter, Jan 2012)

Delphi's DRM car radio

A car radio receiving Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) signals was put for public display at Auto Expo India held in New Delhi (5-11th Jan 2012). Developed by Delphi which is a leading global supplier of electronics and technologies for automotives, the new device can do Analogue AM and FM, as well DRM Digital radio. The receiver uses the NXP processor which recently added DRM capability. Delphi has a history of developing other Digital Radio Platforms (HD, DAB) and is offering solutions tailored to individual OEM requirements. The device is simulcast compatible and also package protected for DRM+ with a DRM compatible receiver antenna (short stub wide band). It should be available for the market by Q4 2012.
(Source : DRM Newsletter, Jan 2012)

NXP and DRM Consortium Demonstrate Digital Radio Mondiale Reception Platform for Car Entertainment at CES

NXP Has Developed the World's First Fully Automotive-Qualified Global Multi-Standard Digital Radio Solution Supporting Digital Radio Mondiale.

NXP Semiconductors N.V.the world's largest supplier of car infotainment semiconductors, today announced the first automotive-qualified global multi-standard digital radio co-processor to include Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM). This makes NXP the first company to deliver automotive digital radio solutions for the three key global standards -- HD radio, DAB/DAB+/T-DMB and DRM, on the same co-processor, the SAF356X. The car radio platform will be unveiled at CES 2012 in Las Vegas, on Tuesday, January 10th at the NXP booth, Central Plaza -- CP8 -- during a Digital Radio Mondiale Reception with the DRM Consortium. NXP's new car entertainment solution offers manufacturers the flexibility to continue using their pre-existing HD radio architecture, as DRM capability is simply enabled by loading new firmware onto the processor. The application can also be extended to DRM+ in future.

Read the press release here

Digital Radio Mondiale standard for car entertainment at CES 2012 :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG_-4O5XydM

NXP's Digital Radio Mondiale solution:
http://www.nxp.com/products/automotive/multi_standard_digital_radio/
www.nxp.com/connected-mobility

Software-defined radio opens up new chances for the automobile industry

The general explosion in available processor power makes SDR interesting for automobile OEMs. First of all, moving radio functions from hardware into software opens up cost benefits for global car production.

Read the full story here :
http://www.automotivedesign-europe.com/en/software-defined-radio-opens-up-new-chances-for-the-automobile-industry.html?cmp_id=71&news_id=222901961&vID=35