CONTENT

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Abstract-------------------------------------------------------------------------01
1.2 What is IBOC?--------------------------------------------------------------- 02
1.3 IBOC: History---------------------------------------------------------------- 03

CHAPTER 2

DIGITAL RADIO
2.1What is digital radio? --------------------------------------------------------05
2.2Features of digital radio------------------------------------------------------07
2.3Comparision with other radio systems-------------------------------------08

CHAPTER3

AM AND FM IBOC
3.1AM IBOC---------------------------------------------------------------------09
3.2FM IBOC hybrid waveform-------------------------------------------------11

CHAPTER4

IBOC IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUE

4.1High level combining--------------------------------------------------------13
4.2Low level combining---------------------------------------------------------15
4.3Split level combining---------------------------------------------------------18
4.4Method of IBOC operation--------------------------------------------------19

CHAPTER5

DEVELOPMENT IN IBOC
5.1Eureka147: The digital radio systems in use------------------------------21
5.2IBOC technologies from USADR and iBiquity digital------------------22
5.3New developments in digital exciters--------------------------------------23

CHAPTER6
6.1The FM spectral Emission mask--------------------------------------------24
6.2IBOC Evaluation and Protection--------------------------------------------24

Page | 1

6.3FEC coding and interleaving------------------------------------------------25

6.4Source Coding-----------------------------------------------------------------26
6.5Service flexibility-------------------------------------------------------------27
6.6Why delay in adoption?
------------------------------------------------------28
6.7Costs of Conversions---------------------------------------------------------29
6.8Commeritial Consideration--------------------------------------------------29
6.9Benifits to Broadcasters------------------------------------------------------30
6.10IBOC Capabilities-------------------------------------------------------------31
6.11IBOC Resulting and Testing-------------------------------------------------33
Future Scope----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------35
Advantages ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------36
Applications-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------37
References-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------38
Conclusion-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------39

Page | 2

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE NO.
1

NAME OF FIGURE
IBOC Waveform

PAGE NO.
4

HD Digital Radio

AM IBOC Signal

Block Dig. Of AM IBOC

10

FM Hybrid IBOC

12

HIGH LEVEL COMBINING

13

Basic High level Combining

14

LOW LEVEL COMBINING

16

Basic Low level

16

10

Split level combining

18

11

Hybrid Mode

19

12

Extended Hybrid Mode

19

13

Digital Mode

20

Table 1

Trade off between audio quality & data transmission

31

Table 2

IBOC Power Requirement

32

Page | 3

CHAPTER 1.
1.1

INTRODUCTION

Abstract:-

The In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) solution to replace stereo quality FM

transmission with CD quality sound using the same FM channel has had further advances
in the USA. The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) has evaluated the iBiquity
Digital Corporations FM IBOC System to determine the compatibility of IBOC
operation with analog reception of existing FM stations. This paper outlines the basic
technical fundamentals of IBOC, the current status of the technology and the possible
impact of IBOC on the Australian broadcasting environment.
The NRSC began evaluation proceedings of general DAB systems in 1995. After
the proponents merged into one, iBiquity was left in the running for potential adoption. In
the fall of 2001, the NRSC issued a report on ibiquity's FM IBOC. This comprehensive
report runs 62 pages of engineering material plus 13 appendices. All of the systems with
its blend-to analog operation as signal levels changes. The application of the FM IBOC
has been studied by the NRSC and appears to be understood and accepted by radio
engineers.
AM IBOC has recently been studied by an NRSC working group as prelude to its
adoption for general broadcast use .It was presented during the NAB convention in April.
The FM report covers eight areas of vital performance concerns to the broadcaster and
listener alike .If all of these concerns can be met as successfully by AM IBOC, and the
receiver manufactures rally to develop and produce the necessary receiving equipment.
The evaluated FM concerns were audio quality, service area, acquisition performance,
durability, auxiliary data capacity, and behavior as signal degrades stereo separation and
flexibility.
The FM report paid strong attention to the use of SCA services on FM IBOC.
About half of all the operating FM stations employ one or more SCAs for reading for the
blind or similar services. Before going to the description of FM IBOC system, it is
important to discuss the basic principles of digital radio, and IBOC technology. In the
foregoing
The In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) solution to replace stereo quality FM
transmission with CD quality sound using the same FM channel has had further advances
in the USA. The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) has evaluated the iBiquity
Digital Corporation. FM IBOC System to determine the compatibility of IBOC operation
with analog reception of existing FM stations. This paper outlines the basic technical
fundamentals of IBOC, the current status of the technology and the possible impact of
IBOC on the Australian broadcasting environment.
KANNAWAR ABHISHEK N.
ROLL NO. 34
&
DEO
PRATHAMESH P.
Page | 4

ROLL NO.12
1.2

What is IBOC?

IBOC (In-Band On-Channel) digital radio technology, also referred to

internationally as Digital System C, facilitates the introduction of Digital
Sound Broadcasting (DSB) by allowing existing FM stations to broadcast
the same programming in analog and digital without the need for new
spectrum allocations for the digital signal.

IBOC is capable of transmitting audio services and a variety of wireless

data services. At the basic level, it will enable broadcasters to transmit data
related to digital audio programming, including song title, artist and
station information. The initial receiver applications are expected to
include the ability to display simple text information related to audio
programming. Additional data services are expected to include the
delivery of paging-like services, including traffic, weather, sports scores,
stock quotes and targeted messages.

The IBOC technology developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation focuses

on a transition to digital that works within existing broadcasting
infrastructure. The IBOC digital signal is placed within the existing analog
FM spectral emissions mask, and as a result IBOC is proposed as the
digital solution which may be implemented without the need for new
frequency allocations or without disruption to the existing broadcasting
infrastructure.

It is proposed that broadcasters use their existing transmission facilities

and studio equipment with only the addition of an IBOC exciter and, in
limited cases, an upgrade to the station transmitter.

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1.3

IBOC: History

The US has decided not to adopt the Eureka system and is developing a
digital radio system called in-band on-channel (IBOC) that is compatible with the current
analogue radio formats. The IBOC system will be compatible with existing tuners as it
utilizes the existing AM and FM bands by attaching a digital side-band signal to the
standard analogue signal. So if a station is currently located at 99.9 on the FM band, it
will remain at 99.9 FM whether in analogue or IBOC digital radio. For digital
compression, the IBOC uses a perceptual audio coder (PAC) developed by Lucent
Technology.
However, utilizing the existing AM and FM bands have disadvantages as
well: Due to the bandwidth limitations, digital AM broadcasts will have FM-quality
sound, while digital FM broadcasts will have near-CD-quality sound. Also, AM and FM
frequencies are not suitable for satellite transmission if extraterrestrial transmission is
desired in the future. IBiquity IBOC is a method of broadcasting digital radio broadcasting
signals on the same channel, and at the same time as the conventional AM or FM signal.
iBiquity has developed both AM and FM solutions in response to the need in the US for a
digital system that didnt require additional frequency bands which were not available.
FM IBOC is an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplex) system
which creates a set of sidebands each side of the normal FM signal. The combined FM and
IBOC signal fits in the same spectral mask as is specified for conventional FM. The system
includes multiple steps towards eventual full utilization of the spectrum by the digital signal.
Although most people are aware of the IBOC technology, there are many misconceptions
regarding its implementation, especially among non-technical people.
Lets address a few of these. Buying most digital FM exciters today does not
prepare you for IBOC in the future. These exciters use digital technology to generate a
conventional FM carrier, which has nothing to do with IBOC transmission. Solid State FM
transmitters purchased today may require potentially costly linearization to be made to work
with FM IBOC. The conversion from Class C to Class AB results in a significant reduction in
output capacity in the process anywhere from 30 to 60%. Converting to IBOC transmission
on FM involves much more than just the purchase and installation of an IBOC exciter. A
major facility rebuilt may be required.

The IBOC technology is used to transmit CD-quality audio signals to radio

receivers along with such data as station, song and artist identification, stock and news
information and local traffic and weather updates. The broadcasters can use the existing
radio spectrum to transmit AM and FM analogue simultaneously with higher quality
digital signals. iBiquity Digitals IBOC system brings the benefits of digital audio
broadcasting to todays radio while preventing interference to the host analogue station
and stations on adjacent channels.
Page | 6

Figure 1 IBOC Waveform

The system employs multiple digital signaling techniques, such as redundant sidebands,
blend, first adjacent cancellation and code and power combining. To compress the audio
data and increase transmission without losing sound quality, it uses the PAC audiocompression technology.
An integral part of iBiquity Digitals AM and FM digital broadcast technology,
the PAC audio-compression technology utilizes advanced signal processing and psychoacoustic modeling to interpret human hearing and eliminate redundancies and
irrelevancies in the audio signal. iBiquity Digital has designed the PAC technology for
Internet broadcasting as well. Companies will use the PAC technology to encode and
decode music, talk and information programming that will be delivered over the Internet.
iBiquity Digitals PAC technology will also be used in satellite digital radio. Audio
quality at a given compression rate is a crucial factor for satellite digital radio. With PAC
technology, a high audio quality can be obtained at various bitrates.

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CHAPTER 2. DIGITAL RADIO

2.1

What is digital radio?

Digital radio is a new method of assembling, broadcasting and receiving communications

services using the same digital technology now common in many products and services
such as computers, compact discs (CDs) and telecommunications.
Digital radio can: Provide for better reception of radio services than current amplitude modulation
(AM) and frequency modulation (FM) radio broadcasts;
Deliver higher quality sound than current AM and FM radio broadcasts to fixed,
portable and mobile receivers; and
Carry ancillary services-in the form of audio, images, data and text-providing
Program information associated with the station and its audio programs (such as
station name, song title, artist's name and record label),
Other information (e.g. Internet downloads, traffic information, news and
weather), and
Other services (e.g. paging and global satellite positioning).
A fundamental difference between analog and digital broadcasting is that digital
technology involves the delivery of digital bit streams that can be used not only for sound
broadcasting but all manner of multimedia services Radio gets a new lease of life with
the move to digital. The main advantage of digital radio is that it doesnt have the usual
distortion associated with analogue radio such as hissing, popping and phasing. It is
immune to distortion from multipath, adjacent stations, overly weak or overly strong
signals, etc. Also, digital radio signals can carry text information. Users get a new array
of data-rich services including traffic information, sports score and weather updates,
stock prices, etc. This data is displayed on the liquid crystal display (LCD) in the form of
text, Image s and/or video. Thus multimedia radio becomes a reality.
Audio features such as time-shift recording/ digital recording of playlists using
transmitted electronic programme guides (EPGs) can be implemented. The digital radio
will converge with different types of compelling end products including MP3 players,
cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). This economical, futuristic digital
communication pipe provides new advertising and electronic commerce opportunities to
radio broadcasters. Digital signals are not subject to interference. Therefore the signals
arriving at the receiver would be free of the usual noise associated with typical analogue,
AM- or FM-generated signals. These can coexist with other digital and analogue signals
within the same space. To explain, in analogue radio, a large number of radio signals can
exist in the atmosphere at any time.
However, each of them is being transmitted on a different radio frequency.
Stations that share the same radio frequency are usually far apart so that they don't
interfere with each other.
Page | 8

In order to receive a station within its transmission range, all we have to do is tune the
receiver to its frequency. The drawback to this analogue mode is that the signals in close
proximity in terms of frequency can interfere with each other to some extent, depending
on the modulation pattern of the radio station and the ability of the radio receiver to reject
interfering adjacent signals.

Figure 2-HD Digital Radio

Therefore two signals cannot be transmitted on the same frequency from two
sources that are within a certain distance of each other. These will usually interfere at a
radio receiver that is within the reception range of both the stations. A small screen
attached to the digital receivers displays text and pictures. Text, data and images can be
diffused at the scale of a country or a region. The protocols used in the compression and
broadcasting techniques are standardized, facilitating connection with existing networks
such as the Internet. Multiplexing makes it possible to broadcast several radio
programmes and data for a given area on one frequency, whatever is the size of the area.
So a vehicle driver can listen to his favorite radio programme without having to change
the frequency and experiencing distortion.
Digital radio, also called digital audio broadcasting (DAB), is transmission and
reception of radio signals in the digital domain, as opposed to the traditional analogue
transmission/reception by AM and FM systems. While digital television signals are now
routinely received over cable and satellite systems, reception of digital radio broadcasts is
still fairly uncommon.

Page | 9

2.2

Features of Digital Radio

Digital radio is similar to hooking up the digital output from a CD player directly
to a radio transmitter. At the other end is a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC), which
converts the digital signal back into analogue mode so that it can be heard on the audio
system as it was recorded. While this is not exactly what happens, the result is essentially
the same. In practice, the CD player is hooked up to a control board, which, in turn,
routes the signal as a part of the feed to the radio stations transmitter.
The signal is either impressed onto a signal carrier or transmitted via uplink to a
satellite (which, through a transponder onboard, retransmits the signal earthward) or
transmitted across the land (terrestrial). In both the cases, the signal is received and
converted into analogue by a specialized DAC within the radios tuner circuit. Currently,
digital radio broadcasts are available in select countries, including the UK, Germany and
Canada. These are the most prevalent in Europe, particularly the UK, where British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) simulcasts most of its programming in digital.
The requirement of a new hardware (digital radio tuner) is impeding the adoption
of digital radio. Digital radio works like satellite TV, except that it is normally broadcast
from transmission towers (not the satellite) just like standard radio. Sirius Satellite Radio
and XM Satellite Radio Holdings are planning to offer satellite-based subscription radio
services on the lines of digital TV.
Digital Radio Broadcasting is off to a fast start in the USA with iBiquity IBOC
(In-Band, On-Channel) as the FCC has recently approved both the AM & FM IBOC
systems for use. What benefits might this technology offer the rest of the world? How
does IBOC solve the problems that other Digital Radio systems have faced? How is
IBOC implemented, and what technical performance does it offer?
What are the commercial realities of IBOC why might this system succeed
where others have failed? It appears to be a certainty that digital broadcasting is in the
future for most of todays broadcasters, and that the IBOC technology will be the method
utilized in the United States and in much of the Americas.

Page | 10

2.3

Comparison with other digital radio systems

Digital satellite radio. The digital satellite radio (DSR) transmission system
provides CD-quality audio without audio data reduction and compression. DSR is
broadcast via satellite and is thus receivable only on fixed basis, i.e. with dish
antenna or with cable connection. DSR reception is limited to the line of sight
and is not possible in moving vehicles. C and K band frequencies are used for
DSR transmission. DSR systems include World Space Sat Radio, Sirius and XL.

Astra digital radio. The Astra digital radio (ADR) transmission system provides
CD-quality audio with some audio data reduction, just like Musicam in DAB. It
offers limited services and has less flexibility with regard to future multimedia
applications. ADR is broadcast via Astra series satellites such as Astra 1A and
Astra 1B, covering most parts of Europe. It cannot be received in car and by
portable receivers.

Radio data system. The radio data system (RDS) is an add-on to the FM radio. It
has simplified operation and improved reception quality, but the disturbances due
to multipath propagation in in-car FM reception are still present. DAB offers all
the functions of RDS but in a better and more extended form. The transmission
rate of RDS is very low at 730 bits/second.

Digital television. The digital video broadcasting (DVB) system was developed
mainly for use in television, although it can also transmit audio and data. There
are a variety of standards for satellite, cable and terrestrial broadcasting.
Terrestrial DVB, like DAB, uses the OFDM system at a bandwidth of 8 MHz Its
mobile reception is possible at the cost of reception quality or service area.

Digital AMDRM. This system transmits below the 30MHz shortwave band
(AM). It uses the COFDM transmission technique, which means that the digital
signal is shared across a large number of closely spaced carriers that are
contained Visteons satellite digital radio system within the allotted transmission
channel. The DRM system works well over long paths as long as the signal-tonoise ratio is high enough.

Page | 11

CHAPTER 3. AM AND FM IBOC

3.1

AM IBOC:-

Construction:

Figure 3 AM IBOC Signal

AM stations will also be converting to IBOC transmission. The incremental

improvement of audio quality when transmitting digital audio is much greater for AM
stations than it is for FM stations. Also, as compared to FM, most AM stations will find it
easier and less costly to implement IBOC transmission. For this reason, the expected
speed of adoption and chance of success in the marketplace for the AM IBOC system is
generally considered to be much greater.
The AM system requires a separate IBOC signal generator that phase modulates the
AM carrier in much the same way as C-QUAM AM stereo. Modern solid state
transmitters which were designed to operate with AM stereo will probably have little
trouble converting to IBOC, as the performance characteristics which allow good AM
stereo are almost identical to those required for good IBOC transmission.
In fact, the IBOC generator connects to the transmitters stereo generator input
port. Apart from the addition of an IBOC exciter, certain other modifications to such a
transmitter will be required, but they will most likely be simple and inexpensive for many
models. For example, the conversion of a BE AM transmitter requires less than $15 in
components and can be completed within 30 minutes. Note that, as in low-level FM
combining, most tube transmitters will probably NOT be usable with IBOC.

Page | 12

Figure 4 Block Dig. Of AM IBOC

A digital STL is not required, but the use of one may improve the on-air digital
audio quality. If an analog STL is used, it will need to be stereo and not of the composite
variety. As with the FM system, a separate audio processor will be needed for the digital
signal path. A wideband antenna system is required to pass the IBOC AM signal it must
be flat in amplitude and phase +/- 20 kHz of carrier. This will be a problem for some
stations with directional antennas, for duplexes AM stations, and for those stations with
very short towers. In such facilities, reworking the antenna systems will be the major
expense of IBOC conversion. There will be some performance penalties on the analog
side in order to accommodate the IBOC digital signal. The maximum analog modulation
cannot exceed 94% negative. Also, the analog frequency response must be limited to 5
kHz. As with the FM systems, there will be a substantial time delay which will not permit
off-air monitoring by the air talent.

Page | 13

3.2

FM IBOC hybrid waveform

Low-level digital sidebands are added to each side of the analogue signal. The
bandwidth is limited to 200 kHz from the centre frequency. Restricting the digital subcarriers to the 70 kHz region between 129 and 199 kHz from the centre frequency on
either side of the analogue spectrum minimizes interference to the analogue host and
adjacent channels without exceeding the existing FCC spectral mask. This bandwidth is
wide enough to support a robust, hybrid IBOC service with virtual CD-quality audio that
mirrors the coverage of existing analogue radio stations.
The dual-sideband structure enables the use of frequency diversity to further
combat the effects of multipath fading and interference. The baseline hybrid system
simultaneously transmits 96 kbps of error-protected digital audio information, plus
auxiliary services, on each DAB sideband. Each sideband has all the information and thus
can stand alone. However, when neither sideband is corrupted, advanced FEC coding
techniques allow the combination of both sidebands to provide additional signal power
and coding gain.
Because adjacent channel interference occurs on over half of all radio stations,
the IBOC technology employs redundant information placed in the upper and lower
sidebands to ensure that the system performs in all radio environments. It further combats
interference through first adjacent canceller (FAC) technology.
FAC cancels the effects of a strong analogue adjacent channel station that can
easily wipe out a digital sideband. This patent-pending technology greatly increases the
chances of a sideband survival and, when combined with redundant sideband
implementation, provides robust digital reception under all interference conditions.
The IBOC technology overcomes multipath and noise through the use of
proprietary coding and power combining techniques. It uses proprietary error-correction
techniques that apply complementary coding to the upper and lower sidebands. The use
of these complementary codes allows for a more powerful error correction algorithm by
code-combining the sidebands, ensuring near dropout-free digital reception. The
sidebands are also power-combined in the receiver to deliver an additional power gain.

Page | 14

Figure 5 FM Hybrid IBOC

Station acquisition or tuning time is a critical system requirement. Listeners are

accustomed to tuning in a station without the delays associated with digital acquisition. In
digital transmission systems, signal robustness is traded off versus tuning time.
Interleavers, which are portions of control code integral to all digital audio broadcast
systems, drive this trade-off. Short interleavers lead to rapid tuning, but result in higher
rates of audio dropouts. Long interleavers provide more robust performance, but result in
longer tuning times.
The IBOC technology meets both the objectives by incorporating a long
interleave to ensure the required signal robustness while achieving instant tuning by using
the available analogue signal and seamlessly blending to digital after the digital signal is
acquired. At the edge of a stations coverage area, blending to analogue prevents abrupt
digital dropouts (the dreaded digital cliff effect) by using the host analogue audio as a
backup channel.
The quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation technique ensures robust
performance while providing sufficient throughput for virtual CD-quality digital audio. It
permits the use of advanced FEC coding techniques that exploit knowledge of the nonuniform interference environment. QPSK is also simpler and more robust than higherorder forms of modulation, especially in a multipath environment.
Since QPSK has a bandwidth efficiency of two bits per second per hertz, it
supports an information bit rate that is sufficient for transmission of virtual CD-quality
audio in the bandwidth available. Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)
allows frequency-division multiplexing of many QPSK-modulated sub-carriers in an
orthogonal fashion such that each sub-carrier does not interfere with its adjacent subcarriers. This offers a high level of robustness in a multipath channel. When combined
with FEC coding and interleaving, the digital signals robustness is enhanced further.
The OFDM structure supports FEC coding techniques that maximize performance
in the non-uniform interference environment. The most important coded bits can
modulate OFDM carriers that are located in the most protected regions of the channel.

Page | 15

CHAPTER 4. IBOC Implementation Technique

Adding an IBOC signal to any host station may sounds like a trivial exercise,
however the spectral proximity of both signals prohibits the use of tuned combiners,
which would be an efficient signal injection vehicle.
The requirement for FM-to-IBOC isolation is also somewhat difficult to achieve in
practice because of the power ratio between FM and IBOC (100:1). In a combiner that
has to deal with a 1:1 power combining ratio, 26 dB isolation seems to be fine. (e.g. two 1
kW transmitters combined together would each receive 2.5 watts of reflected power).
With IBOC, a 1 kW FM signal would be combined with a 10W IBOC signal. With the
same 26 dB isolation the 10 W IBOC transmitters would receive 2.5W of reflected power
from the FM host, so an isolation figure in the 40 dB range would be required for such
applications.
There are a few techniques used to combine FM and IBOC signals:
4.1

HIGH LEVEL COMBINING

High Level combining is based on the use of distinct power amplifiers for the Host FM and
the IBOC signals. Separate exciters and power amplifiers are used to generate the analog

FM and IBOC signals. Typically the analog section will consist of the stations existing
transmission equipment. A new IBOC exciter and power amplifier are added, as well as a
final combiner, which is used to combine the output of both transmitters at the entrance to
the antenna system.

Figure 6 HIGH LEVEL COMBINING

Page | 16

The power output required for the digital transmitter needs to be determined
based on the system requirements. Begin with the IBOC standard that the transmitted RF
power for the digital signal should be 22 dB less than for the analog signal. The IBOC
combiner tested to date present about 0.46 dB insertion losses to the analog transmitter
and 10 dB losses for digital transmitter. In other words, the analog input power to the
combiner must be 10% greater than the output power, and the digital input must be ten
times the output. As an example, lets presume a station that has an existing transmitter
output power of 10 KW. The station will need 11 KW of analog transmitter output and
631 Watts of digital transmitter output. The combined signal will consist of 10 KW
analog and 63.1 Watts digital components. Both signals are combined together at the
amplifier outputs before hitting the antenna.
This technique uses an IBOC Power injector which is basically an inverted
directional coupler, Not being a broadband device, it is not frequency selective at the FM
band scale, However its power ratio is selected to minimize the loss on the host path,
(port 1to 3) typically 0.5 dB (this is chosen so the host can still keep its original FM
coverage using the existing transmitter). However such an injector offers a loss of about
10 dB on the IBOC path (port 2 to 3). This process means that 90 % of the IBOC power
gets dissipated in Port 4 that is connected to a dummy load.

Figure 7 Basic High level Combining

Due to the fact that the IBOC injection level is 1%, the PA required for the
IBOC remains much smaller than the analog host, since 10 times 1% is still only 10%.
Although this implementation sounds like very inefficient, it is used because it is
especially practical when IBOC is retrofitted in an existing FM station.

Page | 17

4.2

LOW LEVEL COMBINING

Low-level combining relies essentially on a common amplification technique

which means that both the host FM and the IBOC signals are amplified in the same
Power Amplifier (PA). This method requires very good linearity from the PA part. Any
nonlinearity will result in intermodulation products that are likely to interfere with
adjacent FM stations. Most PAs cannot handle common mode amplification at rated
output power: they have to be operated in the most linear portion of their transfer curve
which results in a substantial back-off (around 6-10 dB), However some advanced predistortion and linearization techniques can be used to alleviate the amount of back-off
that has to be used to meet intermod specifications (4 to 6 dB).
In the second option, the analog and digital are combined at the output of the
exciters, and the resulting complex signal is amplified by a common RF amplifier. This
amplifier must be specially designed to pass the IBOC signal much greater linearity is
required than is currently needed for todays FM broadcasting. This means a low
efficiency broadband solid-state amplifier. Tube transmitters, with their class C amplifiers
and tuned cavities, and solid state transmitters with tuned power amplifiers are not
capable of the linearity necessary for IBOC transmission. If you have a solid-state
transmitter, it may be possible to adapt it to pass the IBOC digital signal. But it must be a
wide-band design (without tuned PA amplifiers).
The amplifiers will need to be converted from Class C operation to Class A or AB.
Close cooperation with the manufacturer will be required to achieve this conversion.
Once converted, the transmitter will probably lose between 30 and 60% of its output
power capacity. A whole new class of solid state transmitters has been designed to
broadcast the IBOC signal, with linearized broadband PA amplifiers. Depending on the
age of your present transmitter, it may be more economical to buy a new transmitter
designed specifically for IBOC broadcasting. For this reason, it may not be wise to buy a
new solid-state transmitter today if the only purpose is to prepare for IBOC. Much more
suitable products may be available within a few years. If you have other reasons that
justify a purchase today, you should first verify with the manufacturer that IBOC
conversion will be possible and supported in the future, and find out what steps will be
necessary to make the conversion: What modifications or module replacements will be
required? What will be the costs of these? Be sure there will be no compromises in
performance that could be avoided with a newer design. Try to buy a transmitter big
enough to handle the reduced power output after conversion for example, if you require
10 KW output power, you might need to buy a 15 KW or higher transmitter today.
One disadvantage of low-level combining is its cost at higher power levels.
Because of the much greater cost of high-power solid-state amplifiers, in most cases a 10
KW combined output power will be the practical limit for low-level combining systems.
Stations that require higher power will for the most part use high-level combining
methods. Another disadvantage of low-level combining is that any problems that occur
with your transmitter will affect both your analog and digital signals.

Page | 18

Figure 8 LOW LEVEL COMBINING

Regardless of which transmission method is used, the following guidelines will

apply:
It is best to have a digital path from studio transmitter whether it is a radio or land-line
system. It is possible to use an existing analog STL - with some loss of fidelity - but it
should be a discrete system (separate left and right channels), rather than composite. All
audio processing will need to be located at the transmitter. Separate audio processors will
be required for the digital and analog signals. The processor for the digital signal should
have an AES3 digital output.
All IBOC signal generators are essentially computers. Other audio equipment in
the transmitter plant makes heavy use of DSP processing, such as the two audio
processors and other digital signal handling equipment at the transmission site. For this
reason, AC surge protection and a UPS (Uninterruptible power supply) for the accessory
equipment at the site are highly recommendable. A band pass filter may be needed at the
transmitter output due to the greater likelihood of problems caused by intermodulation
with other transmitters. At the present time, there are filters installed on most FM IBOC
transmitters in the field.

Figure 9 Basic Low level

Page | 19

If you are planning a new installation today that will need to accommodate
IBOC in the future, here are some issues to keep in mind:
Allow enough floor space for a second transmitter.
Allow room for additional equipment racks to house the accessory equipment.
The IBOC exciter and power amplifiers generate a lot of extra heat. Make certain that
the cooling system has been sized to accommodate the additional equipment.
The AC power service should be sized to accommodate the addition of a separate IBOC
Transmitter, plus the auxiliary equipment and cooling system. The design of the
IBOC system allows the receiver to switch (blend) to the analog signal when it cannot
recover the digital signal. But there is approximately an 8 second delay inherent in the
IBOC transmission and reception process. As a result, an equal time delay will need to be
applied to the analog signal, so that both signals can be detected at receiver at the same
instant. This substantial delay means that off air monitoring will not be possible for the
stations air talent after the conversion.

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4.3

Split level combining

Split level combining is a technique that uses only a part of the power amplifier to
carry IBOC, using common mode amplification. Most of the modules are fed with the
FM Host signal at full rated power while a few modules are carrying both IBOC & FM
with a substantial power back-off. Therefore the resulting composite back-off of the
entire transmitter is mitigated by the fact that most of the modules are running at full
power. This is usually the most efficient scheme; however, most of the time it requires a
new transmitter and is therefore best done when the FM transmitter is being replaced
anyway.

Figure 10 Split level combining

Separate antennas
Separate antennas are a technique by which 2 distinct transmitters and 2 discrete
antennas are used to carry both FM and IBOC signals. This technique has the advantages
of requiring very little IBOC transmitter power and imposing no additional loss to the
host transmitter. However, its application is cumbersome, as both antennas have to have
similar radiation patterns (vertical and horizontal) and they also have to be installed very
close in aperture so their coverage is more or less equivalent.
The IBOC antenna generally is located in the same aperture as the FM antenna,
(interleaved antenna) which probably means that this technique is viable for antennas
implemented in full wavelength spacing, The isolation between the antennas is achieved
by arranging for the IBOC antenna to operate in the opposite polarization. A separate
antenna is a viable alternative in the specific case where the tower has the Necessary
spare aperture, spare wind load and spare weight capacity. From the energy Consumption
standpoint it is the most efficient technique.
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4.4

Methods of IBOC Operation:-

There are three IBOC modes of operation. IBOC allows transition from analog to
digital through a Hybrid and Extended Hybrid mode of operation, before adopting an All
Digital mode of operation. The digital signal is modulated onto a large number of
subcarriers, using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), which are
transmitted simultaneously.
4.4.1

Hybrid Mode

Figure 11 Hybrid Mode

In this mode the digital signal is inserted within a 69.041 kHz bandwidth,
129.361 KHz on either side of the analog FM signal. The IBOC Hybrid mode digital
signal is transmitted in sidebands either side of the analog FM signal and each sideband is
approximately 23 dB below the total power in the FM signal. The hybrid sidebands are
referred to Primary Main (PM) sidebands. The host analog signal may be mono or stereo,
and may include subsidiary communication channels. The total power of the digital
sidebands is 20 dB below the nominal power of the FM analog carrier with power
relative to the total analog FM power of .41.39 dB/kHz.
4.4.2

Extended Hybrid Mode

Figure 12 Extended Hybrid Mode

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This mode includes the hybrid mode and additional digital signals are inserted closer to
the analog signal, utilizing a 27.617 kHz bandwidth, 101.744 kHz on either side of the
analog FM signal. The IBOC Extended Hybrid mode digital sidebands are extended
towards the analog FM signal to increase digital capacity. The extended hybrid sidebands
are referred to as Primary Extended (PX) sidebands. The total power of the digital
sidebands is 20 dB below the nominal power of the FM analog carrier with power
relative to total analog FM power of .41.39 dB/kHz.
4.4.3

Digital Mode.

Figure 13 Digital Mode

This mode replaces the analog signal with additional digital signals and also
includes the digital signals of the Hybrid and Extended Hybrid modes With IBOC
All Digital, the primary digital sidebands are extended as in IBOC Extended Hybrid
and the analog signal is removed and replaced by lower power digital secondary
sidebands, thus expanding the digital capacity. The total power of the digital
sidebands is 10 dB below the nominal power of the replaced FM analog carrier with
power relative to total analog FM power of .31.39 dB/kHz. Of the above three IBOC
modes, it should be noted that the only the IBOC Hybrid Mode has been evaluated
by the NRSC.

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CHAPTER 5. Developments in IBOC

5.1

Eureka 147: the digital radio system in use

The Eureka 147 digital radio system is currently being used around the world.
This system broadcasts at much higher frequencies than standard radio transmissions
over the 88-108MHz FM band and 0.525-1.705MHz AM band. The actual frequencies
used for digital radio depend on the availability for that particular country. For example,
the UK utilizes Band III (ranging from 174 to 240 MHz), while Canada uses part of the
L-Band (1452-1492 MHz of 300-1500 MHz). In comparison, satellite television utilizes
4-20GHz frequencies.
The Eureka system broadcasts multiple stations and services over a single
frequency in something called a multiplex. The bandwidth within the multiplex is allotted
to stations as needed. For instance, a high-quality stereo station is given more bandwidth
than a news or talk radio station which may be broadcast in mono. Stereo programming is
typically broadcast at 192 kilobits. Same as in the case of MP3, digital compression is
used to combine many services onto one signal for broadcast over a single frequency.
With a bandwidth of 192 Kbits for stereo broadcast, the sound quality of digital radio,
which utilizes Musicam digital compression, is quite good but not CD-quality.

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5.2

IBOC technologies from USADR and iBiquity Digital

The IBOC technology allows digital audio broadcasting without the need for new
spectrum allocations for the digital signal. It provides for enhanced sound fidelity,
improved reception and new wireless data services. This enhancement to AM and FM
will offer tremendous growth opportunities for broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers and
automotive manufacturers.
USA Digital Radio (USADR) is engaged in the design of AM and FM IBOC
DAB systems. The FM hybrid mode developed by it allows the station to simultaneously
broadcast the same programming in analogue and digital. Although the level of the digital
signal in the hybrid mode must be limited to accommodate the analogue broadcast, the
hybrid system still has an edge over the existing analogue service due to its enhanced
audio fidelity, improved signal robustness and expanded auxiliary services. The USADR
AM IBOC DAB system basically comprises the codec, forward error correction (FEC)
coding and interleaving section, modem and blender. The codec encodes and decodes the
audio signal.
FEC coding and interleaving provide robustness through redundancy and
diversity. The modem modulates and demodulates the signal. Blending provides a smooth
transition from the digital to analogue signal. IBiquity Digital Corp. has developed a fully
digital IBOC system that permits a smooth evolution from the current analogue FM. The
system delivers digital audio and data services to mobile, portable and fixed receivers
from terrestrial transmitters in the existing VHF radio band.
The broadcasters may continue to transmit analogue FM simultaneously with the
new, higher-quality and more robust digital signals. This approach allows broadcasters to
shift from analogue to digital radio while maintaining their current frequency allocations.
iBiquity Digitals IBOC technology will allow radios to be backward- and forward
compatible, so they can receive tradition a analogue broadcasts from stations that are yet
to convert and digital broadcasts from stations that have converted.
The existing analogue radios will continue to receive the analogue portion of the
broadcast. Specific features of IBOC improve the existing analogue reception during the
hybrid mode.

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5.3

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN DIGITAL EXCITERS

Combining the outputs of separate digital and analog exciters may not be the most
efficient way to generate an IBOC signal. Broadcast Electronics has developed the FXi
series of single DSP-based digital FM exciters which can create both the analog and
digital signals as a single complex waveform. Its features include:
Direct-to-carrier signal generation, instead of generating the signal on an intermediate
frequency and upcovnerting.
Accepts the IBOC data stream as a high speed serial data stream from the IBOC signal
generator.
Frequency agile
Serial interface for control and monitoring

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CHAPTER 6
6.1

The FM Spectral Emissions mask

The emission standard for the Australian Frequency Modulation Sound

Broadcasting Service specifies the maximum values for out-of-band and spurious
outputs. This is referred to as the spectral emissions mask
This limits the out-of-band and spurious outputs and restricts any emission
appearing on a frequency removed from the carrier. Between 120 kHz and 240 kHz,
emissions are to be attenuated by at least 25 dB below the level of the unmodulated
carrier. Any output appearing on a frequency removed from the carrier by more than 240
kHz, up to and including 600 kHz, is to be attenuated by at least 35 dB below the level of
the unmodulated carrier. Any output at a frequency removed from the carrier by more
than 600 kHz is to be attenuated by at least 43 + 10 logdB (where P is transmitter power
in watts) below the level of the unmodulated carrier, or 80 dB whichever is the lesser
attenuation.
RF Spectral Emissions Mask
All three IBOC digital transmission modes are proposed to operate well below the
FM radio spectral emissions mask. The diagram above indicates the Hybrid Mode within
the FCC.s emissions mask.

6.2

IBOC Evaluation and Protection between FM Services

Compatibility testing of the Hybrid IBOC System was undertaken using the
FCC.s required protection ratios for the level of desired signal to the interferer
(D/U) for a desired signal of -62 dBm (54 dBuV/m).

The FCC.s protection ratios considered during IBOC testing include a co-channel
desired-to-undesired (D/U) signal strength ratio of 20 dB; a first adjacent channel
D/U of 6 dB; and a second and third adjacent channel D/U of -40 dB.

The FCC desired or service signal strength is based on median f (50, 50) field
strength and the undesired or interfering signal strength is based on median f (50,
10) field strength.4 The ITU recommends protection ratios5 of 45(37) dB6 for cochannel protection; 7(7) dB for 200 kHz carrier frequency separations; and .20(20) dB for 400 kHz carrier frequency separations.

The protection ratios provide an approximate 50 dB audio signal-to-noise ratio7

for stereophonic reception. Protection ratios used in Australia under the same
conditions are based on the ITU recommendations. The protection ratios adopted
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include 45(37) dB for co-channel protection; 25(17) dB for 200 kHz carrier
frequency separations; and -18(-18) dB for 400 kHz carrier frequency separations.

6.3

The protection ratios provide an approximate 50 dB audio signal-to-noise ratio7

for stereophonic reception.

Protection ratios used in Australia under the same conditions are based on the ITU
recommendations. The protection ratios adopted include 45(37) dB for co-channel
protection; 25(17) dB for 200 kHz carrier frequency separations; and -18(-18) dB
for 400 kHz carrier frequency separations.

FEC coding and interleaving

Forward error correction and interleaving greatly improve the reliability of the
transmitted information. Advanced FEC coding techniques exploit the non-uniform
nature of the interference. Special interleaving techniques spread burst errors over time
and frequency to assist the FEC decoder in its decision-making process.
The combination of advanced FEC coding and interleaving techniques, together
with superior modem performance, allows the IBOC system to deliver CD-quality audio
with coverage comparable to the existing analogue service in a mobile environment. The
functional block diagram of an FM hybrid IBOC transmitter is shown.
The sampled stereo audio source feeds both the analogue and digital signal
generation paths. A diversity delay is introduced in the analogue path for blending
purpose. In the power combiner, the analogue audio is processed within the exciter just as
an existing analogue FM signal would be, prior to amplification by the high-power
amplifier.
The DAB path first encodes the audio signal in the audio encoder. The audio
encoder removes redundant information from the audio signal to reduce the bit rate and
hence the bandwidth required to transmit the signal.
To ensure that the communication of information through the fading channel is
robust, the compressed bit stream is then passed through the FEC coding and interleaving
section. The resulting bit stream is packaged into a modem frame and QPSK- and
OFDM-modulated to produce the DAB base-band signal. The base-band signal is upconverted and amplified before being power combined with the analogue signal.

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6.4

Source coding

CD digital audio has a data rate of 1.4112 Mbps (44,100 16-bit samples per
second, for left and right channels). The FM channel bandwidth does not have the
capacity to support a sufficiently high data rate to provide uncompressed CD-quality
audio. Therefore an audio codec (coder-decoder) compression technique must be
employed.
The audio codec is a source-encoding device that removes redundant information
from a digital audio signal in order to reduce the bit rate and hence the bandwidth
required to transmit the signal. The codec must perform this information rate compression
while preventing the generation of perceptible artifacts.
The IBOC system uses the AAC codec. The AAC codec compresses the CD bit
stream to 96 kbps, delivering audio that the listener will perceive to be CD quality. Use of
the AAC codec meets the raw throughput requirements of the modulation and FEC
coding techniques.
Also, special error concealment techniques employed by the codec ensure
graceful degradation of the received digital signal for operation in an impaired channel.
The AAC offers the advantage of being an open system based on the MPEG family of
ISO standards.
It is a very flexible coding scheme that supports data rate above 8 kbps. It can
encode mono and stereo input data, as well as multichannel data (up to 48 channels). It is
used for a wide range of applications from Internet audio to multichannel surround sound.

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6.5

Service flexibility

Typically, the IBOC DAB system provides two types of auxiliary services: ancillary
services and opportunistic data.

Ancillary services. Data can be transmitted at up to 120 kbps by reducing the

audio quality and FEC parity accordingly. The audio rate could vary over time,
based on the programming or the desired audio quality. For example, speech may
be encoded at a lower rate than music; news and talk formats require less through
put that could be dedicated to data. If data throughput is not required, the extra
capacity could be allocated to FEC parity to increase the robustness of the digital
audio.

Opportunistic data. Up to 32 kbps can be intermittently multiplexed with the

audio on a priority basis or when spare bandwidth is available, as determined by
an entropy analysis from the audio encoder. For example, the opportunistic data
rate might be increased during a less complex passage of music or during a news
report following a musical programme.
Program-associated data, which is used to display audio and station information on
The receiver takes a small fraction of the capacity since it does not need to be transmitted
In real time.

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6.6

Why delay in adoption?

The IBOC technology is not free from problems:

Low-power FM stations are prone to interference. Receivers used for radioreading services for the blind may also be impacted. IBOC licensing and service
rules have not been adopted yet. Because iBiquity is the only IBOC vendor,
stations willing to use the IBOC technology will have no choice but to make
arrangements with iBiquity.

However, the transition to digital radio will not be subject to the paralysis that has
characterized the transition to digital TV. Fraught with delay and a lukewarm
response from the public unwilling to buy costly new sets, digital TV has faced an
uphill battle.

Where consumers are currently asked to pay thousands of dollars for digital
television receivers, radio equipment capable of receiving digital IBOC
transmissions will cost about $100 more than the equivalent analogue equipment
now on the market.

But even though broadcasts on the Eureka system are available in many parts of
the world, penetration of digital radio tuners into homes has been minimal. It
remains to be seen how the IBOC system fares in the US or whether the two
digital radio formats will continue to coexist. Either way, even if digital radio
becomes a success, it will probably take five to ten years possibly even longer
before conventional analogue radio broadcasts are suspended, if ever!

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6.7

COSTS OF CONVERSION:-

The total cost of converting to IBOC transmission will depend on several factors, among
these:
What is the stations power?
Will high or low level combining be used? (FM)
Are there any antenna system issues (AM)
Is the existing equipment up to date? Does it meet the IBOC requirements, or are
manufacturer supported modifications available?
Are digital studios and STLs already in place?
Does the physical plant need to be expanded to accommodate the new equipment?

6.8

COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Some of the most significant advantages of IBOC are commercial, rather than
technical. First, IBOC maintains market position. Each existing station has spent
resources creating its market image and usually, that includes the dial position for
instance Breeze 96, or News Radio 780. In DAB those monikers are meaningless,
but in IBOC they are preserved. As well, many stations have worked hard to have the best
transmission location, the best antennas, and to have created the best coverage of the
desired market. With IBOC, that advantage is retained. Lastly, the IBOC system is ready
now its being installed now in the USA, and is ready for demo abroad. In most cases
regulatory concerns are minimal, as there is little impact on frequency planning, towers,
and on the existing receiver base.

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6.9

Benefits to broadcasters

Although each station will require a new digital broadcast exciter, some stations
could be upgraded to the IBOC technology without replacing or with minimal
modification of the existing transmitters.

Depending on the existing infrastructure of the station, the broadcaster will need
to spend between $30,000 and $200,000 to upgrade the station to digital.

The broadcasters will be able to preserve the existing listener base of stations and
retain all brand equity associated with their dial positions, typically developed at
great expense over long periods of time.

The wireless data capacity associated with an all-digital broadcast will allow
broadcasters to offer enhanced services such as surround sound or other
multicasting Solutions, opening new sources of revenue for them.

Impact on Broadcast Planning

In addressing the impact of the introduction of IBOC on broadcasting planning in
Australia, there are two key issues that are worthy of noting. The first issue is IBOC.s
compliance with the spectral emissions mask of the Australian FM broadcasting service
and the second is the effect on the required protection ratio between FM services, which
determines the separation distance between FM broadcasting services.
To date, over 100 radio stations in the US have already purchased IBOC
transmission systems, and many receivers have been introduced for it. The engineering
world has been working on the development and evaluation of IBOC transmission for
some time.

Page | 33

6.10 IBOC Capabilities

IBOC enables the broadcaster to select the desired audio quality and data
transmission rate however, as expected; there is a tradeoff between audio quality and the
data transmission rate.
The audio quality and data trade off in the three modes is summarized in Table 1:
The audio quality at 96 kb/s is near CD quality but in Hybrid mode this only allows 1
kb/s for data. IBOC allows the bit rate to be adjusted in 8 kb/s steps.
By transmitting audio at the satellite DARS3 bit rate of 64 kb/s, additional data
capacity, exceeding that of the current generation of mobile phones (9 . 19kb/s), is
available. At times when audio quality is not as important, the audio bit rate may be
reduced to as low as 48 kb/s but audio quality will be reduced to near telephone audio
quality.

Table 1 Trade off between audio quality & data transmission

IBOC incorporates a 4.5 second delay between the analog and digital audio
signals. The receiver initially acquires the analog signal and takes a few seconds to begin
to decode the audio on the digital sidebands. If 10% of the digital data blocks sent are
corrupted during transmission, the IBOC receiver reverts to the analog signal. This is
referred to as the blend-to-analog feature of IBOC. The blend process is perceived to
have the same quality as the analog audio and the process itself does not degrade the
audio quality below that of analog.
Field tests indicate that Hybrid FM IBOC digital coverage is comparable to
analog coverage but IBOC reception can be obtained in areas where the analog service is
currently of an unacceptable quality due to interference such as co-channel interference,
impulse noise and multipath fading.
The enhancements claimed over traditional analog FM broadcasting include:
Almost full immunity from typical FM multipath reception problems;

Page | 34

 Significantly improved full stereo coverage;

Flexible data casting opportunities: and
Efficient means for FM broadcasters to begin the transition to digital broadcasting
Use of OFDM in IBOC allows on-channel digital repeaters.

Table2 IBOC Power Requirement

It is expected that there will be a trade off in audio signal-to-noise ratios in some areas
where 1st adjacent (IBOC) stations overlap, but this is only expected where 1st adjacent
interference currently exists with adjacent channel analog services.
The iBiquity field tests conducted with eight FM broadcasting stations in the US,
concluded that digital coverage with one hundredth the power (-20dB) of analog,
extended to the 45 - 50 dBu signal level.

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6.11 IBOC Testing and Results

The Advanced Television Technology Centre (ATTC) conducted compatibility
testing of the IBOC System and submitted its report8 to the NRSC. Again it should be
noted that this testing only included the IBOC Hybrid mode. The NRSC evaluated the
data provided by ATTC and concluded that:
Listeners should not perceive an impact on the analog host signal, nor on the analog
signals of carriers that are either co-channel or 2nd adjacent channel (+/- 400 kHz) with
respect to the IBOC signal
A limited number of listeners may perceive an impact outside the protected area on the
analog signals of carriers that are 1st adjacent channel (+/- 200 kHz) with respect to the
IBOC signal.
Host Compatibility:
The objective test results (attachment A) on IBOC interference to the host analog,
shows that there is negligible effect on very selective receivers (automotive) but a
reduction in audio signal-to- noise of up to 10 .15 dB can result with less selective
receivers (home stereos and portable receivers).
The outcome of the field tests resulted in iBiquity concluding that, with IBOC
turned on and off, listeners did not perceive any meaningful difference from the
introduction of IBOC.
First Adjacent Channel Compatibility (200 kHz). The ATTC objective test results
on IBOC interference on a 1st adjacent channel concluded that the addition of .22 dB
digital sidebands on an adjacent analog channel, with a D/U protection ratio of +6 dB,
degrades the audio signal-to- noise of the wanted analog service by an average of 4.2 dB.
In all receiver types tested, it was identified from objective testing that analog
audio quality was reduced when IBOC digital sidebands were present on a 1st adjacent
channel. The NRSC specifically identified that the audio quality of the analog aftermarket
automotive radio, under moderate interference conditions was reduced from good to poor.
Field test results indicate that there is some potential impact on analog first
adjacent channels, but analysis of listening patterns concludes the number of affected
listeners to be exceedingly small with, on average, only 0.6% of an FM stations existing
analog listeners experiencing any impact from the introduction of IBOC.
The NRSC identified that one of the greatest compatibility challenges facing FM
IBOC was addressing the 1st adjacent channel interference potential to an existing analog

Page | 36

service. This was after evaluating data in respect to moderate interference (+16 to +6 dB
D/U) from subjective evaluation of audio in the field (speech programming).
As outlined above, the interference levels on which FM services are planned in
Australia for 1st adjacent channels are 25 dB D/U for continuous interference and 17 dB
D/U for troposphere interference. The moderate interference signal of +16 dB D/U used
in IBOC tests, that causes a degrading of audio quality is very similar to the protection
requirement that required in Australian where +17 dB D/U is required for protection
against tropospheric interference. Given a similar protection ratio (D/U), it is assumed
that subjective assessment of audio quality with a moderate interference signal of +16 dB
(D/U) would result in similar results in Australian under tropospheric interference
conditions.
The objective test laboratory results for receivers using +16 dB D/U and +6 dB
D/U protections are included at Attachment A. The analysis of the +16 dB D/U data gives
a better indication as to the impact that IBOC would have in Australia under tropospheric
interference conditions.
The test results show that with analog 1st adjacent channel interference, at a D/U
of +6 and +16 dB, there is no difference in audio signal-to-noise with very selective
receivers but the less selective receivers benefit from the greater protection ratio (D/U).
With IBOC digital 1st adjacent channel interference at 6 dB (D/U), there is
approximately a 20 dB reduction in audio signal-to-noise with very selective receivers
whilst at 16 dB (D/U) there is an approximate 10 dB reduction. This reduction becomes
approximately 10 dB and 3 dB respectively when the channel is subject to Additive
White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) at a level of 30,000K9.
The addition of a background noise component to RF signals under test has
been done to make the subjective evaluation more realistic and comparable to real world
conditions.
The NRSC concluded that the tradeoffs, necessary for adoption of FM IBOC in
the USA, are relatively minor. One tradeoff identified is that that a small decrease in
signal-to-noise will be evident to some listeners in localized areas, where 1st adjacent
stations operating with the FM IBOC system, overlap the coverage of the desired analog
station.
Second Adjacent Channel Compatibility (400 kHz). Results of these field tests
mirror the host compatibility results, indicating no meaningful difference in the analog
signal with the digital signal turned on and off.

Page | 37

Future Scope

Most broadcasters implementing HD Radio would want listeners to be able to

enjoy higher-quality digital services anywhere within their licensed analog
coverage areas.

However, exactly duplicating analog service areas with any type of digital radio
transmission is generally not possible. The nature of analog radio is such that
signals tend to fade, gracefully or otherwise, until they reach a point where they
are so noisy that listeners simply turn off their radios or tune to another station.
The sound is still there but no one wants to listen to it because the audio quality is
unacceptable.

Digital radio, on the other hand, retains its original audio quality until the signal is
so we that it can no longer be decoded. Near the failure point, receivers
sometimes produce burbling or squawking audio for a few seconds and then the
program disappears completely, as the receiver mutes to prevent further listener
annoyance. This is sometimes

Evaluations carried out in the US by National Public Radio (NPR) have

demonstrated that reliable HD Radio service outside the 1 mV/m analog contour
should not be expected. This can be seen in the results of field surveys conducted
in four large US radio markets, as part of NPRs Tomorrow Radio field testing
project.

The Tomorrow Radio project involved splitting the HD Radio digital channel into
two separate audio programs (HD1 &HD2) and determining where these services
can be received reliably, in relation to the analog service areas of the stations
concerned. The NPR report on these tests states:

we conclude that, with 95% certainty, the Tomorrow Radio usable service area
would fall within a given stations 60 to 70 dBu service area

Page | 38

Advantages

It provides listeners with enhanced audio, often referred to as CD quality

It is generally understood to mean stereophonic audio having an extended

frequency response.

It provides low noise.

It provides very low distortion.

It provides to use of multiple digital carrier.

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Application
The following are the application of IBOC technology shown below

It is used in digital radios.

It is used in car receiver.

It is used in Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

IT is used in smart TV as HD radio.

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REFERENCES

Technical
papers
from
http://www.ibiquity.com/technology/papers.htm

iBiquity

Digital:

FCC Report and Order: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC02-286A1.pdf

FCC: IBOC FM Transmission Specification:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-286A2.pdf

IBOC AM Transmission Specification:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-286A3.pdf

Further information on IBOC from Broadcast Electronics:

http://www.bdcast.com/HDRadio/

IBOC information from Radio World Magazine:

http://www.radioworld.com/reference-room/iboc/index.shtml

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CONCLUSIONS
Objective test results conclude that on introduction of a Hybrid IBOC digital
transmission there is potential for reduction of the host analog audio quality in home
stereo receivers and portable radio receivers by a substantial reduction in the signal-tonoise.
This should not be noticeable in car radio receivers (very selective receivers).
Subjective assessments in the US broadcasting environment did not perceive any
meaningful difference from the introduction of IBOC on the host analog audio quality.

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