e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[cksla]

Digital radio broadcasting

In-band on-channel (IBOC) Digital Radio

IBOC systems are being developed in the USA as a way of allowing incumbent radio broadcasters to transmit in digital. Previously there were several systems being developed by different companies. These companies have all now merged in to a company named Ibiquity. Ibiquity is working on the development of anIBOC system for each of the AM and FM bands.

Test transmissions were conducted for both the AM and FM systems in Las Vegas during NAB 2001. Demonstrations of the system were available on request at the Ibiquity stand. Both the AM system and FM system seemed to work well. The audio quality of the FM IBOC system was excellent and did not fail at any time. However, it should be noted that the reception environment for the analog FM signal did not seem to be particularly challenging and that signal levels were good. The AM IBOC system also worked well. Unfortunately, the host AM station changed program formats from music to talk the week before NAB and was not transmitting very good audio quality on either the analog or IBOC service.

The digital audio coding system being used for Ibiquity has changed from using a system called AAC (adaptive audio coding) to a system called PAC (perceptual audio coding). In a demonstration at the Ibiquity stand of four different audio coding systems it was very difficult to tell the different systems apart. The main advantage of the PAC system appears to be that it is slightly more efficient.

The US National Radio Standards Committee (NRSC) is to commence evaluation of the FM system in June 2001. This evaluation work is expected to be complete late in 2001. Timing for the AM system seems to be behind the FM system by around three to six months. The FCC will then need to proceed with modifying its rules, before services can formally commence. A comment by an FCC representative indicated that they are very interested in the NRSC evaluation, and particularly in the extent to which IBOC is superior to analog services and its compatibility with existing services. The FCC commented that it wouldn't be able to do much until the testing is complete. The FCC is also planning to consider new spectrum options for digital radio as part of the new proposed rule making process.

According to Ibiquity's representatives, they have finished the development phase and are now focusing their efforts on regulatory issues and commercialisation of the system.
Given the timing and processes still to be undertaken, it would seem that the earliest there could be a commercial launch of the Ibiquity system in the US would be in about two years' time, perhaps coinciding with NAB 2003.

http://www.aba.gov.au/abanews/aba_update/articles/2001/jun01/nab2001.htm
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A favorable evaluation was announced Nov. 29 by Ibiquity for its "In-Band, On-Channel" technology to support digital AM/FM radio. Ibiquity announced that NAB and CEA sponsored a National Radio Systems Committee that will recommend the FCC approve Ibiquity's IBOC system.