PHILADELPHIA -- iBiquity Digital Corporation and NAB FASTROAD today announced that the first two stages of a project to develop on-channel digital booster technology for FM in-band/on-channel (IBOC) digital radio have now been completed. This work has been undertaken by iBiquity Digital Corporation, developers of the HD Radio IBOC system used by U.S. broadcasters to transition to digital radio, and is being co-funded by iBiquity and NAB FASTROAD.
On-channel digital booster technology is one of the principal techniques proposed for improving FM IBOC digital radio coverage. The boosters, strategically located within the coverage area of a radio station, would transmit only the digital portion of the hybrid IBOC signal. The approach to digital booster development being undertaken by iBiquity is aimed at a booster design that is interoperable among the various transmission equipment manufacturers. The technology is reverse-compatible with existing receivers and supportable by existing FM IBOC broadcast products, such as exciters, through upgrading.
A technical report describing the results of laboratory testing of this new digital booster technology is available online. The full text of the report and information on the NAB FASTROAD technology advocacy program are available at www.NABFASTROAD.org.
About NAB FASTROAD
NAB FASTROAD (Flexible Advanced Services for Television & Radio On All Devices) is the technology advocacy program of the National Association of Broadcasters. The overall mission of the FASTROAD program is to seek and facilitate development and commercialization of new technologies that can be exploited by broadcasters using radio and television broadcast spectrum.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
About iBiquity Digital
iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of the digital HD Radio™ system, which is fueling the digital radio revolution in the United States and around the world. 1,900+ HD Radio AM and FM stations are on the air in the United States, with over 1,000 new HD2/HD3 multicast channels. The only digital broadcast system approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for AM and FM radio in the United States, the HD Radio system allows stations to broadcast digital signals in tandem with their analog signals, providing broadcasters with a platform to offer crystal-clear, CD-quality sound and scrolling text and graphics; as well as multiple channels of programming on the same FM frequency (multicasting) and advanced services such as traffic updates; content…all subscription free.