Broadcasting

September 30, 2004
Radioscape launches next-gen DAB broadcast platform

UNITED KINGDOM -- RadioScape has leveraged its unique, end-to-end DAB systems knowledge to create the latest version of its highly successful DAB broadcast platform that has been designed for robust delivery of next-generation data services, such as digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB). RadioScape provided the world's first demonstration of DMB at NAB 2003 in conjunction with TANBERG Television, Microsoft and NTL Broadcast, which was followed by an enhanced version at IBC 2003 and at 3GSM 2004 with a PDA showing DMB broadcasts. The architecture of RadioScape's Broadcast System 5.0 has been designed to build on this pioneering work and ensures seamless integration of data applications over DAB from content provider to consumer.

Nigel Oakley, vice president of marketing at RadioScape, said: "The data aspects of digital radio are rapidly gaining attention as broadcasters and commercial operators are realizing the power of broadcast data solutions to deliver a new generation of mobile data applications. DAB was designed from the outset to provide excellent mobile reception in poor reception conditions. Combining this capability with its strengths in delivering data makes many new applications possible -- ranging from new multimedia and information requirements for emergency services through to mobile information updates such as stock information and even video through the recent innovations in DMB. Broadcast System 5.0 has been designed from the ground up to support the demands of these innovative new services. This is very exciting for the digital radio industry as it provides for the first time a standard, open platform for developers. This will dramatically increase the speed of innovation in digital radio as it opens the doors for many more companies to write software for digital radio applications."

Broadcast System 5.0 has been enhanced in three main areas to enable the reliable delivery of many different content sources:

First, via the new WM9CAM, which encodes audio into the popular Windows Media 9 encoding standard, and the DataCAM, which acts as a single portal to content providers. Both the WM9CAM and DataCAM support the multicast IP capability first provided with RadioScape's MUSICAM encoders that allows the distribution of WM9 audio and data simultaneously to many multiplexers, without the need for additional encoders. This feature ensures high resilience and reduces costs through the need for only a single encoder and the use of IP-based networks rather than point-to-point links using expensive leased lines. Similar cost reductions are achievable via the innovative ETI over IP capability, which uses similar techniques for the distribution of ETI (ensemble transport interface). In addition, the DMB gateway supports MPEG-2 transport streams containing both MPEG-4 AVC and MPEG-4 BSAC/AAC+, providing the widest support for data in the industry.

Next is the development of additional forward error correction (FEC) features to increase the reliability of both multimedia and general data transmissions. Data transmission, and especially multimedia, requires
a higher level of resilience than audio transmissions. Through these additional FEC features, which are implemented in both transmission and receiving devices, RadioScape has ensured that the data can be transmitted end-to-end with the highest levels of quality -- even in poor signal conditions.

Finally, Broadcast System 5.0 has been enhanced with a wide range of features aimed at enhancing reliability and sub-system redundancy. These include seamless switching of ETI streams between main and standby multiplexers combined with mirrored database, scheduling and management systems. The architecture provides class-leading quality of service (QoS) that broadcasters and their customers demand.

RadioScape's Broadcast System is used all over the world and is the leading broadcast infrastructure solution with a 40 percent market share. It is also used to provide all the commercial DAB broadcasts in the UK, forming the world's largest DAB infrastructure.

Contact:
RadioScape
Tel: +44-20-7317-1969
nigel.oakley@radioscape.com
www.radioscape.com