Positive tests results using the DRM+ standard for a radio station broadcasting on FM were unveiled at an international symposium yesterday. Throughout March, April and May 2008, the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern has broadcast its experimental radio station across the southwest German city in digital on 87.6 MHz using DRM+ in order to test this extended version of the DRM digital radio standard. Germany’s Federal Network Agency, the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern and the German State Media Authority of Rhineland-Palatinate have carried out extensive field tests to validate the trial.
DRM+ extends the regular DRM standard, by allowing FM stations in the 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz frequency range to broadcast in digital. Lindsay Cornell, the Technical Committee Chairman for the DRM Consortium who spoke at the symposium, says: “these tests demonstrate that DRM+ provides clear added value for the listener by offering not only an uninterrupted service for both portable and mobile reception but also excellent audio quality. The DRM Consortium applauds the work undertaken in Kaiserslautern which goes a long way to show that DRM+ has great market potential.”
Mr Cornell went on to thank Professor Dr Andreas Steil from the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern and Mr Joachim Lehnert, Head Engineer from the German State Media Authority of Rhineland-Palatinate, for their significant input into the tests.
The University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern expects to receive a new licence to continue DRM+ test broadcasts from the German Federal Network Agency following this successful first test phase.
Please visit www.drm-radio-kl.eu for further information on the trial and the project.
(Source: DRM Consortium)
on May 30th, 2008 at 22:00
Sounds interesting.
As I understand this is a multicast situation, the analogue FM signal is transmitted together with the DRM+ signal.
So this would be a sort of HD system as used in the USA where the analogue signal has a digital signal alongside, or as with FM extra the digital signal in integrated in the multiplex spectrum. All compatible for “old” receivers.
One FM channel cariies one DRM+ programme? The US systems give 2 or more digital programmes per channel.
If DRM+ is a simulcast broadcast is much more intersting then the DRM for 150 k - 30 MHz. DRM wipes out all analogue listening, which is a hurdle for the introduction.
on Jun 5th, 2008 at 20:36
Very interested in drm. I have a professional NRD73 communications receiver which is excellent. Does anyone know if anybody produces an adaptor for use with this receiver for \
on Jun 6th, 2008 at 08:48
Digital Radio Mondiale on the FM 87-108Mhz bands can deliver sound as good as CD and in many cases, good quality true-to-life 20khz per channel stereo separation(rather than the parametric stereo many DRM AM stations tend to use on MW/LW/SW which results in watery sounding instruments on music output and this is quite noticeable on classical music pieces)and in cars it wins again with robust rocksolid reception that even in tunnels and built-up residential and industrial areas of towns and cities mountaineous areas still gives a listenable output whereas with FM break up and multipath distortion and fading is often a foible of in-car FM radio.