The document discusses the development and implementation of mobile multimedia broadcasting technologies, focusing on open broadcasting platforms and free/libre software. It outlines methodologies for creating prototypes, the benefits of open-source software, and various radio broadcasting projects, including FM and DAB applications. The content highlights the evolution of multimedia broadcasting tools from 2000 to 2012 and the associated challenges and community-building efforts in the industry.

1. CRC
March 8, 2012
Open Broadcasting
Platforms
Pascal Charest
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2. Background:
Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting
Projects
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3. New Applications for Radio
Radio Technologies (AM, FM, DAB, ..)
=
Mobile
Goal : explore, demonstrate, innovate, ...
Mobile multimedia applications
Methodology: Prototypes (not products)
integration of system building blocks
re-use, remix, tweak, develop, ... buy
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4. Problematic
Commercial equipment and mobile handsets
NOT optimal for playing around (R&D)
- Closed, expensive, NDAs, ...
- MNOs (used to?) control handsets functionality
- Can’t easily modify functionality
- ...
Instead: Generic HW + Free/Libre OSS
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5. Software + Generic HW
CRC-mmbTools
DAB Transmitter OpenBTS
GSM Base Station
USRP Oscilloscope
???
Test System
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6. The Software Advantage
●
Can be changed, fixed, enhanced... easily
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Can be copied at almost no cost
●
Can be distributed at almost no cost
●
Functionality can be enhanced after HW has been
produced, distributed: upgrades. ...
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7. Defining Free Software
●
As in free beer or as in free speech?
●
You are free to do what you want with it... once
you've paid for it !
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Executable software available at no cost with limited
or full functionality: freeware, shareware
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Free open source: license limits redistribution
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Free libre open open source (FLOSS): copyleft (GPL)
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Free open source BSD: free to do anything
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WARNING: Software Patents = Legal Gray Zone
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8. CRC-mmbTools Timeline
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2000-2006: Mains tools developed
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2006: IBC demo DAB, DRM, DMB (USRP)
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2007: First live CD released (freeware)
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2008: GPL CRC-DABMUX, CRC-DABMOD, …
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2009: Demo EBU Village IBC, Android DAB
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2010: NAB demo Live CD FM tx + FM hybrid app
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2011: FM-RDS Android Library, FM TwoO
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2012: NAB???
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9. End-to-end DAB tool chain
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10. Transmitter and receiver
TRANSMITTER “Open” Receivers
since 2007
Integrated GNU/Linux Open
Source DAB transmitter
with USRP since 2006
2007 2008
GNU/Linux Android 1.6
FreeRunner Google G1
USB DAB Rx DAB over Wifi
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11. CRC-mmbTools Live CD
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Free
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“One-click” transmitter
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CRC-DABMUX
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CRC-DABMOD
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Pre-encoded content:
DAB, DAB+, DLS,
MOT, Slideshow,
DMB, …
●
Installable
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12. Testing in the “Cloud” CRC Web Appliances
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First DAB+ encoder
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Upload .mp3
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Get .ETI
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Playback with CRC-
EtiStreamer
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Reference encoder,
compliance, ...
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13. Building Communities
Around OSS
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14. RAI + Rai Way: TPEG
CRC Openmokast
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15. Total Broadcast Consultants
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Experimental license
●
Since April 2012
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Dedicated lines, wireless links
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11 DAB and DAB+ services
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Internet mp3 audio streams
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Barix Exstreamers (mp3 decoding)
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CRC-DABPLUS
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CRC-DABMUX
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Farsite ETI Interface
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UBS Modulator
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SFN, 2 transmitters: 28dBw, 15dBw
Coverage in Dublin, Ireland
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16. Workshop EBU Radio Week 2011
10 DAB multiplexes in a room!
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17. Workshop EBU Radio Week 2012
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18. DAB+ during the EBU Radio Week 2012
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Experimental license
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100W ERP
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9 DAB+ services
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Internet mp3 audio streams
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20.000 Euros
Src: opendigitalradio.org Coverage at EBU, Geneva
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19. Kanal Plus – EBU Radio Summit 2012
Src: http://www.slideshare.net/UlrBri/120215-brinck-kanalplusdenmark
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20. FM Projects
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21. FM Project Objectives
Demonstrate new potential uses for FM-RDS
 Public Alerting to mobile devices
 Hybrid Radio: FM Audio + Mobile Internet Enhancements
 Radio Tagging
Why?
 FM already inside many smart phones
 New devices available: iPod Nano 5 (2009) ... iPhone ?
 Rumours of an FM API in Android 2.2 (May 2010)
Challenges
 US Mobile Network Operators disable FM function in handsets
 Closed APIs
 Reverse engineering
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22. Early mobile developments (2002):
Reaching Portable Devices
DAB
Radio
Signal
- iPaq + Wifi
- Java Widget
CRC Concept: Broadcast Hotspot - DAB Audio streaming
Linux embedded
CRC Receiver Manager Software
Receives DAB, forward over Wifi
PC-104, Geode
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23. FM-RDS Tx/Rx Test Platform
 Tx/Rx platform to
experiment with FM-RDS
 Hardware (generic and cheap)
 Laptop
 USRP with basic TX and basic RX
daughter boards
 Software
 GNURadio version 3.2.2
 GNURadio Companion 3.2.2
 gr-rds (to enable RDS)
 Built from free software
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24. FM-RDS Tx/Rx Software
 GNURadio FM-RDS applications
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25. PC Development
Platform
 ODA Rx on G1
Rx
PC
USRP
Tx FM
Rx FM
G1
Tx
USRP
PC
WiFi
G1
USRP
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26. FM/RDS Library on Windows Mobile
 2009-2010
App. for HTC Touch Pro
 Windows Mobile
(closed platform)
 FM-RDS chip
(no official API)
 Developed RDS decoder
(rdslib)
 Presented at NAB 2010
Copyright: HTC
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27. FM/RDS Library ported to Android
 2010 (After NAB)
App. for T-Mobile G1
 Android
(open platform)
 FM-RDS chip
(no! → RDS over WiFi)
 Developed FM-RDS app.
(Support for ODAs)
(Using USRP + PC)
 Ready for Android handset Copyright: HTC
with FM-RDS chip.
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28. Low Level Access to FM on Samsung Galaxy S
 Q4 2010
New phone:
 Android
(Great! It's the platform we have
selected earlier)
 FM-RDS chip
(yes! But no API)
 Developed an API
(Silicon Labs fmsi4709)
 Enhanced the app
RDS Audio Volume Region Copyright: Samsung
GUI Seek
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29. CRC FM TwoO App
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30. FM TwoO Overview
 Released in February 2011 on Android Market
 Pronounce: Two "O", like in Web 2.0
 Samsung Galaxy S
 Demo/Testing Application
 First FM App on Android Market
 +50k downloads to date
 Test mode (RDS via Wifi)
 RT+ Decoding
 RadioDNS: RadioVIS/EPG
 Distribute free library available
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31. FM TwoO vs Samsung Stock FM App
src: mmbtools.crc.ca
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32. FM TwoO Compatibility
 Galaxy S Then: YES
 Galaxy TAB: NO
 Nexus S: NO
 5 Galaxy S US models: NO?
 Galaxy S 2: root
 Galaxy S Now: ROOT
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33. FM Driver Disabled
•Since new firmware release May 2011
•New permissions to FM radio driver
•Phone must be rooted for full TwoO functionality
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34. FM TwoO UI
 RadioVIS
 A RadioDNS-based application
From FM-RDS
- RT/RT+
- PS
- PI
- Audio
Hybrid Radio
From Internet
- Image
- Text
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35. Our Android Projects
Openmokast FM TwoO
2010
2008 Android 2.2
Android 1.6 Samsung Galaxy S
Google G1 First FM RDS App on the Android Market
DAB/RDS over Wifi FM RDS Open Data Applications
CELT audio decoder Hybrid Radio
MOT Slideshow decoder Public Alerting
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36. Software Projects Overview
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38. Thanks - The MMB Team !
Special thanks to François Lefebvre and Roy Kyrillos
for their great support in preparing this presentation.
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