The DVB system allows potentially large numbers In the Eureka 147 system, a transmission tech-
(several hundreds) of audio programmes to be nique called coded orthogonal frequency division
carried in a BSS/FSS satellite channel, but it is multiplex (COFDM) is employed. In this system,
only suitable for stationary reception at home. the complete ensemble is transmitted via several
hundred (or even several thousand) closely-
spaced RF carriers which occupy a total bandwidth
4. Eureka 147 DAB system of around 1.5 MHz, the so-called frequency block.
Each individual RF carrier transmits – at a fairly
The Eureka 147 DAB system has been developed low data rate – only a tiny fraction of the total data
by a European consortium which was established which makes up the ensemble, thus providing a
in 1987 and now has over 40 members; it is com- form of diversity reception.
posed of manufacturers, broadcasters, network
providers and research institutes. The Project With COFDM, multipath reception is practically
Office of the Eureka 147 Consortium is managed eliminated. Due to the low data rate of each RF
by the DLR2, based in Cologne, Germany. A carrier, any delayed reflections of the signal (i.e.
Eureka on-line information service is available on “passive echoes”) add in a constructive manner to
the Internet World Wide Web and can be accessed the direct signal already received. The only situa-
via: http://www.dlr.de/DAB/. tion where passive echoes do not contribute in a
constructive manner is when the delays are much
The Eureka 147 DAB system has been designed to greater than the time guard interval of the DAB
provide high-quality, multi-programme digital signal, i.e. greater than 300 s at VHF. (Delays of
sound and data broadcasting services – not only for this magnitude are extremely rare in most types of
reception by fixed receivers but particularly for terrain where multipath reflections are apparent.)
in-car and portable reception using a simple whip
antenna. 4.3. A conceptual DAB transmitter
and receiver
The Eureka DAB system can operate in any dedi-
cated broadcasting band at both VHF and UHF. Figure 1 (top) shows a conceptual DAB transmit-
Even when working in severe multipath condi- ter drive, in which a sound and a data service are
tions, such as in dense urban areas, the system coded individually at source level, then error
provides an unimpaired sound quality in the DAB protected and time interleaved. Next, the sound
receiver. The system has also been designed as a and data services are multiplexed into the Main
Service Channel, together with other services,
according to a predetermined but changeable
2. Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. service configuration. The multiplexer output is
L
Audio
decoder
Tuner, FFT and Time & frequency R
down-converter A/D
differential de-interleaving
and quadrature conversion
demodulator demodulator and error -correction
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
Upper frequency limit
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Number of carriers
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
(MHz) 300
1536
1500
384
3000
192
1500
768
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
Carrier spacing
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
(kHz) 1 4 8 2
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Total symbol duration (s) 1246 312 156 623
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Guard interval duration (s) 246 62 31 123
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Frame duration (ms) 96 24 24 48 Table 1
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Symbols per frame 76 76 153 76 Transmission modes
of the Eureka 147
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Null symbol (s) 1297 324.2 168 648.4 DAB system.
300 MHz. Mode II has been designed for local and 6.7. Future-proofing
regional services at frequencies below 1.5 GHz
The Eureka 147 DAB system is future-proof.
and Mode III is available for satellite broadcasting
Once the receiver has been purchased, it will not
below 3 GHz. Mode IV has recently been
become obsolete as the digital technology devel-
introduced to enable existing transmitter sites to
ops, nor as new services and applications emerge.
provide optimum and seamless coverage of large
areas by means of SFNs operating in L-Band. The In Europe, for example, DAB delivery will com-
parameters of Mode IV lie between those of Mode mence via terrestrial networks. Nevertheless, the
I and Mode II. receivers designed for use with these terrestrial
services should, in principle, also be able to receive
future DAB services delivered via satellite and
6.6. Data services cable. In other words, the Eureka 147 system will
become a universal means to deliver sound pro-
grammes and data, irrespective of the transmission
Although audio has been its primary raison d’être,
medium used4.
the Eureka 147 transmission system can also be
used to carry a large variety of programme-
associated and independent data services. Many 7. System constraints
data services of the programme-associated
The design of a new system is inherently a trade-
category will probably be transmitted from the
off between different technical and operational
outset and will be received by the first genera-
choices. Thus, when introducing DAB services,
tion of DAB consumer-type receivers. Later on,
one must be aware of the technical constraints
independent data services may also appear. These
of the Eureka 147 system, which may generally
would be received by dedicated data receivers,
be overcome by the use of suitable operational
including those incorporated in desk-top and lap-
practices.
top computers. Two examples of this application
are the electronic delivery of newspapers and the The main technical constraints are now described.
transmission of compressed video images such as
weather maps. 7.1. System processing delay
The DAB system chain includes several blocks
The Eureka system’s immunity to multipath and which introduce a significant processing delay.
other reception impairments will guarantee error- For example, the time interleaver introduces a
free data reception in the mobile environment. delay of 384 ms, and the audio coder/decoder
Hence, the Eureka 147 system is an ideal comple- introduces a delay of several tens of milliseconds.
ment to the wired Information Highway distribu- The total delay in the system may vary from one
tion system now being established worldwide. implementation to the next.
The following Project Groups – all operating with- 10. EuroDab Forum
in the EBU Broadcast Management Committee –
are involved in different aspects of DAB: In order to stimulate the transfer of technology
from the laboratory to the marketplace, and fol-
– B/DAC (DAB Characterization and Evalua- lowing the proposal of several existing national
tion); forums, a European DAB Forum – EuroDab – has
been set up. The aim of the EuroDab Forum is also
– B/TAP (Terrestrial Audio Planning); to harmonize the activities of national DAB plat-
forms and to encourage the establishment of new
– B/INB (International Broadcasting);
national groupings in those countries which have
– B/DSI (Detailed Spectrum Investigation); not yet organized their activities on DAB. The
EuroDab Forum should be able to capitalize on the
– B/PPD (Propagation Predictions for Digital tremendous achievement of the Eureka 147 DAB
Services). Project and to bring Digital System A to common
practice. It should also encourage cooperation,
9.2. Guidelines for implementation firstly at a European level but eventually world-
and operation wide, and try to avoid duplication of work within
the national groupings.
Based on the work carried out by the Eureka 147
Project Group, the EBU is planning to publish The first meeting of the EuroDab Forum, held in
Guidelines for Implementation and Operation [15] Geneva during March 1995, was unanimous in
as a companion to the ETS 300 401 Standard. agreeing upon the principal objective of the Euro-
This document – which is extremely important Dab Forum – to create in Europe and in other parts
for EBU Members who wish to start DAB ser- of the world a framework for a harmonious and
vices – is intended to provide additional in- market-driven development of DAB services
formation on the system, to aid interpretation of using the terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcast-
on-air signals conforming to the ETSI Standard, ing infrastructure. All major national groupings on
and to assist the broadcasters and manufacturers DAB – including broadcasters, service providers
to implement systems using the specification and the manufacturing industry – were represented
features as intended. at the meeting.
11. Spectrum issues One of the important results of the Meeting was
a definition of the centre frequency of each
A three-week Planning Meeting was convened in ensemble (i.e. frequency block). This information
July 1995 by the CEPT (see the article starting on is very important for receiver manufacturers and
page 28). The aim of this Meeting was to produce may help substantially to simplify the receiver
a Special Arrangement for the introduction of design; before the Meeting, any frequency in the
terrestrial transmissions of the Eureka 147 DAB 16 kHz raster could be used as the centre fre-
system in the frequency bands 46 – 68 MHz, quency, resulting in a very large number of possi-
174 – 240 MHz and 1452 – 1467.5 MHz, as well bilities. The number of defined centre frequencies
as to prepare an associated Frequency Block Allot- has now been reduced to match the total number of
ment Plan, taking into account the final require- ensembles allocated in Band III and in L-Band
ments of the CEPT member countries. A full (i.e. 61). These centre frequencies are likely to
report on this CEPT meeting will appear in a future be implemented in the first-generation DAB
issue of EBU Technical Review. receivers manufactured for the European market.
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
DAB
ÁÁÁÁÁ
block number
Frequency
block label
Centre
frequency
(MHz)
Lower
limit
(MHz)
Upper
limit
(MHz)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
01
ÁÁÁÁÁ
02
2A
2B
47.936
49.648
47.168
48.880
48.704
50.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
03 2C 51.360 50.592 52.128
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
04 2D 53.072 52.304 53.840
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
05 3A 54.928 54.160 55.696
VHF 06 3B 56.640 55.872 57.408
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Band I
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
07
ÁÁÁÁÁ
08
3C
3D
58.352
60.064
57.584
59.296
59.120
60.832
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
09 4A 61.936 61.168 62.704
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
10 4B 63.648 62.880 64.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
11 4C 65.360 64.592 66.128
12 4D 67.072 66.304 67.840
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
13
ÁÁÁÁÁ
14
5A
5B
174.428
176.640
174.160
175.872
174.696
177.408
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
15 5C 178.352 177.584 179.120
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
16 5D 180.064 179.296 180.832
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
17 6A 181.936 181.168 182.704
18 6B 183.648 182.880 184.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
19
ÁÁÁÁÁ
20
6C
6D
185.360
187.072
184.592
186.304
186.128
187.840
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
21 7A 188.928 188.160 189.696
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
22 7B 190.640 189.872 191.408
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
23 7C 192.352 191.584 193.120
24 7D 194.064 193.296 194.832
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
25
ÁÁÁÁÁ
26
8A
8B
195.936
197.648
195.168
196.880
196.704
198.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
27 8C 199.360 198.592 200.128
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
28 8D 201.072 200.304 201.840
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
29 9A 202.928 202.160 203.696
30 9B 204.640 203.872 205.408
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
VHF
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Band III ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
31
ÁÁÁÁÁ
32
9C
9D
206.352
208.064
205.584
207.296
207.120
208.832
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
33 10A 209.936 209.168 210.704
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
34 10B 211.648 210.880 212.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
35 10C 213.360 212.592 214.128
36 10D 215.072 214.304 215.840
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
37
ÁÁÁÁÁ
38
11A
11B
216.928
218.640
216.160
217.872
217.696
219.408
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
39 11C 220.352 219.584 221.120
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
40 11D 222.064 221.296 222.832
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
41 12A 223.936 223.168 224.704
42 12B 225.648 224.880 226.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
43
ÁÁÁÁÁ
44
12C
12D
227.360
229.072
226.592
228.304
228.128
229.840
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
45 13A 230.784 230.016 231.552
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
46 13B 232.496 231.728 233.264
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
47 13C 234.208 233.440 234.976
48 13D 235.776 235.008 236.544
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
Table 2a
49 13E 237.488 236.720 238.256 DAB frequency
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
50 13F 239.200 238.432 239.968 blocks: 01 – 50.
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
51
52
L1
L2
1452.960
1454.672
1452.192
1453.904
1453.728
1455.440
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
53 L3 1456.384 1455.616 1457.152
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
54 L4 1458.096 1457.328 1458.864
55 L5 1459.808 1459.040 1460.576
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
56
57
L6
L7
1461.520
1463.232
1460.752
1462.464
1462.288
1464.000
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
58 L8 1464.944 1464.176 1465.712
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
59 L9 1466.656 1465.888 1467.424
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
60 L10 1468.368 1467.600 1469.136
61 L11 1470.080 1469.312 1470.848
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
L-Band
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
62
63
L12
L13
1471.792
1473.504
1471.024
1472.736
1472.560
1474.272
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
64 L14 1475.216 1474.448 1475.984
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
65 L15 1476.928 1476.160 1477.696
66 L16 1478.640 1477.872 1479.408
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
67
68
L17
L18
1480.352
1482.064
1479.584
1481.296
1481.120
1482.832
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
69 L19 1483.776 1483.008 1484.544
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
70 L20 1485.488 1484.720 1486.256
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
71 L21 1487.200 1486.432 1487.968
72 L22 1488.912 1488.144 1489.680
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
73
74
L23
F1
1490.624
87.936
1489.856
87.168
1491.392
88.704
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
75 F2 89.648 88.880 90.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
76 F3 91.360 90.592 92.128
77 F4 93.072 92.304 93.840
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
VHFÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
78
79
F5
F6
94.928
96.640
94.160
95.872
95.696
97.408
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
Band II 80 F7 98.352 97.584 99.120
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
81 F8 100.064 99.296 100.832
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
82 F9 101.936 101.168 102.704
83 F10 103.648 102.880 104.416
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
Table 2b
84 F11 105.360 104.592 106.128
DAB frequency
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁ
blocks: 51 – 85. 85 F12 107.072 106.304 107.840
12. European strategies for the mass has already been achieved and that the
introduction of DAB services introduction of the Eureka 147 DAB system in
Europe is assured.
Currently, many pilot service trials and field tests
at VHF and in L-Band are being conducted all over The following is a short summary of national plans
Europe. In many countries there are plans to for the introduction of DAB services, as well as
commence pre-operational terrestrial services this progress on DAB experimental and promotional
year or in 1996/7, primarily making use of the activities throughout Europe. It is recognized that
existing transmitter and distribution infrastruc- this summary may not be completely up-to-date,
ture10. Although the situation varies very much such is the pace of DAB implementation.
from country to country, it is clear that the critical
12.1. Belgium
The Swiss national DAB platform has existed for A new monophonic announcement channel is
nearly two years. For future DAB services, four being considered, to be transmitted at 64 kbit/s. It
frequency blocks will be allocated in VHF Chan- will provide short spoken messages, each of
nel 12 and a further nine blocks will be made avail- around two to three minutes duration, which will
able in L-Band (1452 – 1467 MHz). be transmitted cyclically every ten minutes or so.
These will be supported by the Announcements
Swiss Télécom PTT is currently operating two feature, within a BBC cluster, whenever new
SFNs, one in VHF Channel 12 and the other in messages are introduced. Messages which are not
L-Band. The Channel 12 tests in the Reuss Valley new, but which remain relevant, will be assigned
started in June 1993 and initially comprised two programme type (PTY) codes so that specific
transmitters. In the same region, a trial in L-Band types of message may be requested on demand.
started in May 1994.
In August 1995, the UK Government issued a
Tests in the Bernese Oberland area started in April White Paper entitled Digital Terrestrial Broadcast-
this year, using three transmitters in Channel 12. ing. This document outlines proposals for a new
This trial is planned to become a pilot project in legislative framework for allocating the use of the
October 1995 which will continue for a period of spectrum and for licensing and regulating the trans-
two years. The official introduction of DAB ser- mission of both television and sound radio broad-
vices in Switzerland is planned for 1997. cast services. Comments or views on these propos-
als are awaited for early October 1995. In
particular, the role of the multiplex provider is
12.13. United Kingdom
defined; this is considered very important for the
The UK national DAB Forum has been established development of the audio-visual broadcast market.
since 1992.
13. International strategies for
Last year, the UK government allocated 12.5 MHz
the introduction of digital
of radio spectrum in VHF Band III. This provides
space for seven DAB frequency blocks. Each of
radio
those can carry an ensemble of six high-quality Outside Europe, extensive field trials and com-
stereo channels plus some data, or different com- puter simulations have also been conducted on
binations of audio and data services depending on DAB, primarily in Canada but also in Australia
the bit rates used. Of the seven frequency blocks, and the USA.
one has been allocated to the BBC for a national
network. A second will be used for national com- 13.1. Australia
mercial radio services, yet to be decided by the UK
regulatory body (the Radio Authority). The other To further the awareness of the Australian broad-
five blocks will be used for local and regional BBC cast industry concerning digital radio matters, the
and independent radio services. Australian administration has implemented an on-
going series of demonstrations and investigations
The BBC launched its official DAB service on in L-Band. These are based on the Eureka 147
27 September 1995. Initially, an SFN of five trans- DAB system. During 1994, terrestrial demonstra-
mitters serves a large area of south-east England tions of DAB were held in Canberra and Sydney
(about 20 % of the UK population). Within two- and, in June 1995, the first L-Band satellite trial
and-a-half years, 27 transmitters will cover about involving the Eureka 147 system was undertaken
60 % of the UK population and will include the using the Australian Optus B3 satellite. The
main motorway and trunk road network. results of these tests have been presented to the
September 1995 meeting of ITU-R Working Party
The BBC is “simulcasting” (i.e. simultaneously 10-11S.
broadcasting) its five current national channels on
DAB and will also introduce a number of new More recently, the Australian administration
services. It plans to use the multiplex dynamically, announced a major initiative to fund DAB trans-
varying the bit rate according to the programme mitter facilities in three capital cities. This will
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
AT&T Amati AT&T USADR FM 1 USADR FM 2
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
On-channel (IBOC) or IBOC IBAC IBOC IBOC
adjacent-channel (IBAC) reserved channel
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Audio system
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Bit rate range ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
(kbit/s)
Joint stereo PAC
128 – 160
Joint stereo PAC
128 – 160
MUSICAM
128 – 256
MUSICAM
128 – 256
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Á
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Error concealment Yes Yes Yes Yes
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Unequal error protection Yes Yes
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
FEC Reed-Solomon Reed-Solomon Hierarchical Hierarchical
Time interleaving depth (ms) 640 480 480
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Adaptive equalization
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ Yes Yes Yes
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Modulation
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Discrete multitone,
mixture of differential
4- and 8-PSK
4-PSK Multi carrier Direct sequence
spread spectrum,
8-level 64 pseudo-
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
noise sequences
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Demodulation Differential Differential
(coherent under study)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Symbol duration
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Guard interval ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
(s)
(s)
250
14.5
3
None
125 500
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Number of carriers
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
32
(18 in single side-
lobe mode)
1 48
(8 kbit/s)
1
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
RF bandwidth of the
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ 140 200 or 100 460 125
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
digital component (kHz) with 220 kHz void
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
A/D orthogonality Spread spectrum, Spread spectrum Spread spectrum Frequency slide
25 dB below FM technique
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
carrier
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Reference signal, pilot One pilot in each For carrier 49th carrier None Table 3
side lobe recovery Main characteristics
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Total capacity
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
System options ÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁ
(kbit/s)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
256
One double side lobe
or two single side
360
100 or 200 kHz
bandwidth block
384 384 (where known) of the
four FM-overlaid
digital proposals
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ lobes submitted to the EIA.
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test B1 – Gaussian noise (Co/No)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test B2 – CCI (desired/undesired)
8.6
8.3
6.2
5.8
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test B3 – Multipath (Co/No) (note 1)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 2 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Slow) 21.8 15.1
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Fast) 17.8 12.8
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 150 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Rural, Fast) short or small impairments (note 2)
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 16 s (Terrain obstructed) 19.2 13.5
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test C2 – CW interference (desired/undesired) -8.2 -7.8
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test C3 – Flutter (simulated aeroplane)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
5.2 at 400 km/h,
0.0 at 200 km/h
0.0 at 100 km/h
not applicable
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test C4 – Weak signal sensitivity (dBm)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
-97.5 -101.5
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Bad urban I ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test C5 – Delay spread/Doppler
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Bad urban II unimpared up to 225 km/h
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Typical urban POF level of impairment at 225 km/h
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Hilly terrain POF level of impairment at 225 km/h
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Rural Area POF level of impairment at 225 km/h
Test C6 – Additional multipath (Co/No)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 2 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Slow)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Fast)
7.3
5.3
2.3
2.8
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 150 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Rural, Fast)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 16 s (Terrain obstructed)
9.8
7.3
6.3
3.3
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test D1 – CCI (desired/undesired) 9.2 7.2
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test D2 – 1st ACI (desired/undesired) -33.0 -34.0
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test D3 – 2nd ACI (desired/undesired) not measurable not measurable
Test E1 – CCI + multipath
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 2 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Slow)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
22.9 17.4
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Fast)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 150 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Rural, Fast)
21.4
no CCI added
15.4
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 16 s (Terrain obstructed) 21.1 16.1
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Test E2 – 1st ACI + multipath
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 2 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Slow) -22.3 -25.9
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Fast)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
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-25.9 -27.9
Doppler 150 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Rural, Fast) 35.9 35.9
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 16 s (Terrain obstructed)
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Test E3 – 2nd ACI + multipath
-24.9 -26.9
Table 4 ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
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ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 2 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Slow)
ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
ÁÁÁÁÁÁ
Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Urban, Fast)
not measurable
not measurable
not measurable
not measurable
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Summary results of Doppler 150 km/h, Delay spread 3 s (Rural, Fast) not measurable not measurable
the EIA laboratory
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ÁÁÁÁÁÁÁ
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Doppler 60 km/h, Delay spread 16 s (Terrain obstructed) not measurable not measurable
tests on the Eureka
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147 DAB system. Test J1 – Requisition (s) not applicable 1.0
Test J2 – Requisition + multipath (s) not applicable 1.0
Note 1: There is some debate ongoing in the EIA about the validity of this model, due to the use of a smooth
spread spectrum with Doppler amplitude profiles, which is more stringent than real life.
Note 2: In a repeat of the simulated rural, fast multipath condition by the CCETT (France), the TOA corresponded
to a little over 130 km/h and the POF corresponded to about 140 km/h. Experiments in Canada indicate
that the real life minimum POF will occur at about 160 km/h.
Programme type: basic dynamic Sept 1995 Source from RDS (international table of codes only)
Programme type: dynamic + 1996 Source from RDS (international table of codes)
+ preview
Programme type: dynamic ++ 1997 Full coarse code range + agreed fine codes
Programme type: dynamic +++ 1997 Extend to include programme types in other
ensembles, when they have commenced
Service following to FM/AM 1996 Regions to be defined and TII database to be estab-
(alternative service sources) lished
Service following to other ensembles 1997 Required when further ensembles are available and
(alternative service sources) services are linked; need to define regions and to
establish TII database
Programme language identification Sept 1995 Statically set to “English”; may be set for dynamic
operation later
Announcements within ensemble 1996 Use eight types only; there is a need to define clusters,
regions and labels and to establish the TII database
Announcements from other ensembles 1997 Required when the BBC has access to other
ensembles
Local broadcasting 1997 Required when the BBC has access to other
ensembles
Extended text labels 1997 Depends on developments in the recording industry
and suitability for broadcasters’ requirements
Programme service directory 1997 Gives the receiver information about all BBC services
when there is more than one ensemble
Ideally, multimedia services should be fully inter- A demonstration of both the audio and the multi-
active, in which case the consumer can communi- media usage of the Eureka 147 system was given
cate with the service provider’s database. Since during August 1995, at the IFA fair in Berlin.
broadcasting services are one-way only, the return
channel could be provided by GSM telephone (in
the case of mobile DAB receivers) or via a tele-
19. Programming
phone line (in the case of a fixed receiver). Never-
theless, a semi-interactive mode is also possible.
The technology of DAB is a means of delivering
In this instance, information is downloaded by the
audio programmes and data; it is not an objective
service provider to the user’s data terminal and
in itself. Hence, the debate must eventually (if not
stored there as a database. All interactivity is then
soon) move away from the technical advantages of
handled within the user’s data terminal, but the
DAB to the programming issues which will
database contents have to be updated regularly by
actually drive this technology into the homes and
the data service provider. The storage capacity of
cars of radio listeners.
the user’s terminal is a trade-off between the ser-
vice transmission rate, the repetition rate and the
cost of the memory. People will buy receivers only if they can access
interesting, entertaining and attractive pro-
grammes. Crisp digital sound is of course a good
A key factor for the success of DAB will be its thing, but it is certainly not sufficient to persuade
ability to address each receiver individually. This people to pay for it. Therefore, the content and the
will allow service providers to customize the presentation of the audio, video, text and data
“bouquet” of services provided to each user, and information which is to be transmitted is of great
even to identify the user in an interactive trans- importance. So far, insufficient new program-
action. This feature has some far-reaching im- ming ideas have been put forward but it is hoped
plications, particularly for privately-funded radio. that the Eurodab Forum will help to generate
some ideas on this matter.
Studies are continuing on the suitable presentation
of DAB data services. Currently, data services
specified in the ETSI Standard have a text-based 20. Manufacturers
presentation. In order to improve the man-
machine interface, the Eureka 147 System will be In order to receive DAB services, consumers will
enhanced to support a graphical user interface, need to buy a new kind of receiver. The consumer
such as Microsoft Windows. This will be of DAB receivers will also contain FM and AM cir-
importance for screen-based services which seem cuits which, initially, will be analogue. However,
to be more relevant for stationary and portable it will not be long before the AM and FM circuits
receivers. For mobile receivers, synthesized in a DAB receiver become digital. These all-
speech-based interfaces are a better alternative, as digital AM/FM/DAB receivers will be based on
they would be less distracting to drivers. advanced computer technology, which will allow
the downloading of large quantities of information
For the user’s data terminal, a unified transmission to program the radio set and its associated equip-
protocol will be very helpful, as no distinction ment (digital cassette recorders, MiniDisc record-
between different transport mechanisms would be ers, PCs, etc.).
W
2nd-generation Official DAB services started during September
prototype
in both the UK and in Sweden and this should
Power consumption
50
encourage manufacturers to bring their DAB
receiver products to the marketplace as soon as
40 possible.
30
The broadcasters, together with manufacturers
1st car and network providers, are continuing their
3rd-generation product cooperation to investigate how DAB can be used
prototype optimally for new applications which will be
20 2nd car
product attractive for all listeners. The recently-formed
1st
4th-generation
portable
EuroDab Forum will be instrumental in pursuing
10 prototype
those objectives.