1) RNE currently uses several digital radio platforms like DAB, DRM, internet and is evaluating strategies to operate digital radio. 2) DAB was the first digital system adopted in Spain but saw slow growth and stagnation due to outdated technology and lack of receivers/audience. More efficient systems like DVB-H and DMB later emerged. 3) DAB+ was developed in 2007 to improve on original DAB, tripling capacity through more efficient codecs while DRM replaced analog MW and SW bands worldwide, gaining ITU endorsement. RNE already broadcasts digitally using DAB+ and DRM.

1. Estudio 103
STRATEGIES FOR RNE’S OPERATION OF DIGITAL RADIO

2. DAB
Digital Audio
Broadcasting
DRM
Digital Radio
Mondiales
DVB-S
Digital Video
Broadcasting-
Satellite
Internet
DVB-T
TDT
PODCAST
RNE (Spanish National Radio) currently operates the following platforms:

3. 3
The need for new transmission systems
•Increased competition with new devices (CD,
Mini Disc, iPod, Mobile phone).
•New business opportunities with more services
of better quality
Economic reasons
• Worse audio quality than CD.
• Serious interference problems
• Deficiencies in mobile reception
• Very limited ability to transmit data
• Stagnation in the audience of AM
Deficiencies in the
analogue (FM, AM)
• Improvements in the use of receivers are
needed
• Auxiliary visual information as text, images,
etc
• Ability to include associated data and
independent audio program
New servicies

4. Frequency bands of different digital systems
DRM30
for AM
broadcasting
bands
up to 30
MHz: short
wave,
medium wave
and long
wave
Large
coverage
areas
Robust
against fading
and
interference
DRM+
is designed
to cover
spectrum
above 30 MHz,
including
band I /
band II (FM).
ETSI ratified
on 2009-08-31;
ITU recomm.
prepared
AM
DRM30 – Global use
OL OM OC BI BII BIII L-BAND
DRM+
FM
DAB
DAB+
DAB since
2000 and
DAB+ since
2007 are
world
standard for
band III

5. 5
DAB: Digital Audio Broadcasting
•For terrestrial digital broadcasting in Spain, we
have, among others, the DAB system.
•Designed for mobile receivers, allows a broad
range of audio coding options, additional data
and associated data services
•Similar quality to the compact disc
DAB system
• In Spain, the National Technical Plan for
terrestrial digital audio broadcasting
provides for different networks at national
(3), regional and local levels.
• the system can operate single frequency
networks
DAB National
Technical Plan

6. DAB National Technical Plan
Frequency bands for DAB planned in Wiesbaden 95:
a) 195 - 216 MHz (8A - 10D)
b) 216 - 223 Mhz (11A - 11D)
c) 1452 - 1467,5 MHz (LA - LI)
d) 1467,5 - 1492 MHz

7. DAB National Technical Plan
Programme Bandwidth(k
bit/s)
Protection
level
R1 192 3
RC 224 3
R3 192 3
R5 192 3
REE 160 3

8. 8
DAB stagnation
•First digital system legislated in Spain in 1999
• The Digital Radio Forum is responsible for the
development of the Digital Radio in Spain
• The 50% population coverage was reached
very fast but stagnated at 60% in 2006
DAB was the first
digital system
legislated in Spain
• In 2006, a Plan amendment was introduced
to delay the target of 80% and stood
• The reason for this break was obvious: the
lack of audience
DAB suffered a
slowdown in its
development

9. 9
Reasons for the stagnation of DAB
Launching Stagnation

10. 10
DAB revival
80’s DAB
2003 DVB-H
DMB-T
2007 DAB+
•As a result, the DAB is very inefficient
compared to current standards
•In 2003 two systems were invented for video,
DVB-H (6 times more efficient than DAB) and
DMB-T (4 times more efficient than DAB)
The DAB was
designed in the 80's
of XX century
• In 2007 the consortium WorldDMB forum
updated the old DAB system
• Although the old DAB was introduced in
Spain and other countries
DAB +: DAB
Upgrade

11. 11
Geographic implantation : World

12. 12
Geographic implantation : Europe

13. 13
Need to evolve: DAB VS DAB +
•Audio codecs (compression), MP2 VS MPEG4
(AAC +): 192 kbit /s VS 64 kbit /s (triple)
•Error Protection : DAB + increases robustness by
incorporating FEC code
Comparison
between the old
DAB and DAB +
• To compare codecs are conducted
hearing tests
• On a scale of 1 to 5, the results are shown in
the following table
Compliance with ITU
recommendation
BS-1116

14. 14
Need to evolve: DAB VS DAB +
•Tripling the capacity, carrying 18 programs at
64 kbit /s, 24 programs at 48 kbit /s at 1.5 MHz
•Or fewer programs with better quality MPEG
SURROUND
DAB+ triples the
number of
programs

15. 15
Digital Radio Mondiale : replacement of the MW &SW
Countries with DRM members

16. 16
DRM: the replacement of the MW and SW
•Medium Wave holders may apply for licenses
to broadcast using digital technology, with
DRM standard
•FM holders may apply for permission to
broadcast in digital European standard (DRM
+ up to 120 MHz)
Spanish regulatory
framework (Law
62/2003)
• The system has been approved by the ITU
(ITU-R BS 1514) and standardized by the
IEC 62272-1
• It has been recommended by ITU-R, as the
only global standard in the bands between
3 MHz and 30 MHz (shortwave)
System
recommended by
ITU

17. 17
DRM: the replacement of the MW and SW
•RNE started digital broadcasts on medium
wave using DRM system on January 25, 2005
•DRM broadcast is done in daylight hours, from
the transmission centre of Arganda , 20 km far
from Madrid, in the frequency 1.359 kHz with
10 kw of power in stereo
DRM on medium
wave in RNE
• Broadcast to Central Europe in the
frequency 9780 kHz four hours a day
• Another broadcast is made from Costa
Rica to North America in the 9630 kHz
frequency
DRM on short wave
in RNE

18. 18
DRM MADRID COVERAGE
Rich Media
Receiver

19. 19
CENTRAL EUROPE COVERAGE
Rich Media
Receiver

20. Reasons to move towards Digital Radio
1
Digitization is
irreversible and
unstoppable
(There won’t be an
analogue Iberian radio in
a digital Europe)
2
For the Spanish
Government, the
radio is the slope of
course after the
success of the DTT
3
Transition costs
(change of
modulators) are low
(Government aid might be
requested)
4
There is a wide
variety of portable,
home and car
receivers with
affordable prices