FM IBOC Technology Development Progresses

NAB FASTROAD

NAB FASTROAD announced today the release of an interim report on field testing of digital single frequency network (SFN) technology for FM in-band/on-channel (IBOC) digital radio. This work has been undertaken by iBiquity Digital Corporation, developers of the HD Radio IBOC system used by U.S. broadcasters to transition to digital radio, and is being co-funded by iBiquity and NAB FASTROAD.

SFN use on-channel digital boosters to advance FM IBOC digital radio coverage. These boosters, strategically located within the coverage area of a radio station, transmit only the digital portion of the hybrid IBOC signal. The approach to digital booster development being undertaken by iBiquity is aimed at a booster design that is interoperable among the diverse transmission equipment manufacturers. The technology is backwards-compatible with existing receivers and supportable by existing FM IBOC broadcast products through upgrading.

The technical report just released describes interim field testing of a single frequency network using experimental broadcast stations WD2XAB and WD2XAB-1, located near BALTIMORE, MD. Additional testing is currently underway in the BOSTON, MA radio market. The full text of the interim report and information on the NAB FASTROAD technology advocacy program are available here.

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