Digital Audio Broadcasting: Principles and Applications of Digital Radio, 2/e

Summary

The new digital radio system Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) nowadays often called Digital Radio is a very innovative and universal multimedia broadcast system which will replace the existing AM and FM audio broadcast services in many parts of the world in the near future. DAB is well suited for mobile reception and provides very high robustness against multipath reception. Besides high-quality digital audio services, DAB is able to transmit programme-associated data and a multiplex of other data services including travel and traffic information and still and moving pictures.

Combining the expertise of about 20 leading experts in the field this fully updated new edition introduces the recent international standards, applications and the technical issues of the Eureka 147 DAB system, which is now on the way to become a worldwide solution. Written in an accessible style Digital Audio Broadcasting, Second Edition ensures the rather advanced level of standardisation is referred to for easy access for the reader seeking technical details.

The book explains the basic concepts of DAB Digital Radio including audio processing, data transmission and modulation schemes and how the system can be implemented and operated.

Features such as perceptual audio coding (MPEG-1, -2), OFDM channel coding and modulation, multiplex management (STI) and data transmission protocols (MOT) are described, also practical implications for service provision and new infrastructure required in the studio.

• Covers Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) for DAB, IP-Tunneling via DAB and Metadata

• Includes newer developments concerning audio coding and several additional aspects to audio services

• Covers extended propagation and coverage planning aspects

• Introduces latest developments in Integrated Circuit technology and receiver design

• Provides the current CEPT frequency tables valid for DAB service implementations in Europe, Canada and Australia.

This comprehensive reference provides an excellent guide for broadcasting engineers, planning and system engineers, developers for professional and domestic equipment manufacturers, service and network providers, and broadcast organisations. Postgraduate students and lecturers in communications technology will also find this a useful introduction to the area of digital broadcasting.

Table of Contents

Foreword.

Preface.

List of contributors.

Abbreviations.

1.  Introduction.

General.

Radio in the Digital Age.

Benefits of the Eureka 147 DAB System.

History of the Origins of DAB.

International Standardisation.

Relations to Other Digital Broadcasting Systems.

2.  System Concept.

The Physical Channel.

The DAB Transmission System.

The DAB Multiplex.

Conditional Access.

Service Information.

3.  Audio Services and Applications.

General.

Audio Coding.

Characteristics and Features of MPEG-1 Layer II for DAB.

Programme-associated Data.

Advanced Audio Applications Using MPEG-2 Features.

Quality of Service.

Error Protection and Concealment.

A Typical DAB Ensemble.

Audio Levels.

4.  Data Services and Applications.

General.

Data Service Signalling.

Multimedia Applications with MOT.

Standardisation MOT User Application.

"Mobil-Info" as an Example of a Proprietary MOT User Application.

Textual PAD Services.

Traffic Information Services and Navigation Aids.

Moving Picture Services.

Other Data Transmission Mechanism.

5.  Provision of Services.

The DAB Service Landscape.

Use of Existing Infrastructures.

Need for New Infrastructure.

Relationship between DAB Data Services and RDS.

Electronic Programme Guide EPG.

Possible New Audio Services.

6.  Collection and Distribution Networks.

General.

The Collection Network.

The Distribution Network.

Example of Implementation.

7.  The Broadcast Side.

General.

Radio Frequency Propagation Aspects.

Introduction of DAB Networks.

Particularities of Single frequency networks (SFN).

DAB Transmitters.

Coverage Planning.

Coverage Evaluation and Monitoring of SFNs.

Frequency Management.

8.  The Receiving Side.

General.

FR Front-End.

Digital Baseband Processing.

Audio Decoder.

Interfaces.

Integrated Circuits for DAB.

Receiver Overview.

Operating a DAB Receiver - the Human Machine Interface.

Appendices.

Bibliography.

Index.