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WorldDAB member focus - IRT

14.04.2020 - WorldDAB News - Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT) - Germany Germany

by Rebecca Keene, Stakeholder Relations Manager, WorldDAB

   

Q&A with Alexander Erk, Senior Engineer, IRT

What markets does your company support and what solutions do you provide?

IRT is an internationally renowned research and innovation center for audiovisual technologies. We research, observe and develop new technologies. Our mission is to be pioneers with regard to digital media technology in a connected society. When it comes to DAB, IRT has a long track record in active specification work and in supporting our shareholders and customers while setting up and operating DAB transmissions on behalf of broadcasters. As a main activity, we provide consulting services covering every aspect in the area of digital radio. Especially in the field of DAB+ this includes the setup and configuration of DAB multiplexes as well as DAB QoS, when it comes to optimisations or troubleshooting. One of IRT’s products in this area is the DABScout.3 software. DABScout.3 allows in-depth DAB multiplex analysis including that of all FIG packets and of data services. It supports EDI Stream and ETI File input as well as on-air reception of the complete ensemble data via a commercially available USB receiver. The DABScout.3 software itself is freeware. Everyone interested can request a download link via the product page.

Can you tell us about your most recent projects?

Amongst the many ongoing projects at IRT, the technical developments for the European funded project HRADIO are the most interesting for the WorldDAB community. The goal of HRADIO is to leverage the full potential of hybrid technology for radio – enabling the integration of cost-effective broadcast technology with new online features. IRT’s role in this project include the technical coordination as well as key contributions to the core developments. One important step for HRADIO was the development of the 1st real implementation of the WorldDAB ETSI TS 103 632) specification for Android devices, enabling mobile device developers to use the powerful DAB features in their applications. For devices which lack a dedicated DAB broadcast receiver, we developed a technology called DAB-over-IP. 

It allows streaming of DAB services to mobile devices over IP networks (either 4G or WiFi) enabling the same level of audio and data services in IP-delivered scenarios including announcement support, DynamicLabel+ and Slideshow. It also facilitates a more simple solution for seamless audio switching for DAB between broadcast and IP delivery. The heart of the solution is a very small server component which takes the traditional EDI stream from the broadcaster’s DAB multiplex and splits it up into several single service EDI streams for IP distribution. In addition, this DAB-EDI Splitter can be configured to provide a time-shift buffer, enabling consumers to easily select and re-listen to interesting parts in their favorite radio show. We would like to emphasise the fact that the HRADIO developments are available as open source.

What do your customers value most from your solutions?

The users of our solutions such as the DABScout.3 software or the HRADIO developments profit from our profound understanding of the DAB technology. IRT is a long-standing member of WorldDAB and remains active in the WorldDAB Technical Committee. Every year the WorldDAB interoperability workshop takes place at IRT. IRT is very well networked in the DAB family and always strives to transfer the results of research projects (such as the above mentioned HRADIO) into real services. In this way, we are jointly strengthening the competitiveness of digital radio.

What advice would you give someone considering deploying DAB?

Do it! - Do it now! - Do it right! Learn that once the audio is playing via DAB, the real work begins. DynamicLabel+, slideshow, logos, service and program metadata – all this is a crucial part of the equation for the goal to provide a rich user experience which then clearly distinguishes a state-of-the-art digital radio service from analog radio.

Since IRT was founded in 1956, it has been committed to preserving public broadcasting in Germany and abroad. This commitment also extends to new markets and modern requirements – now and in the future. IRT’s extensive experience enables it to provide its associates and clients with reliable and knowledgeable service every step of the way, from the development of new broadcasting/media technologies to their implementation.

IRT is a worldwide renowned neutral research and competence centre for audio-visual technologies. Involved from the very beginning,

IRT supports broadcasters, device manufacturers and the automobile industry with operational issues and the standardization of DAB+.

DAB information and support: https://www.irt.de/en/global/contact