Nautel introduced two products it says simplify HD Radio installations.
Exporter Plus, its next-generation IBOC exporter for encoding HD Radio signals, replaces PC-based exporters that have been used in Exgine-based HD-R systems for about three years. The new model is a firmware-based solution, which Nautel said boots more quickly costs less than older designs.
Exporter Plus is a single rack unit box with a front-panel LCD display. Intelligent buttons allow the user to program the device without a keyboard, mouse and monitor. A front headphone jack is supplied for monitoring of processed audio.
Connections are provided for digital and analog I/O, monitor, USB, RJ-45 connections and remote I/O. A front-panel analog audio bypass switch is provided. Firmware updates may be done online or by plugging in a USB stick. A GPS receiver for synchronization is built in, and the system tolerates AC failures so an external UPS is not required.
Initial shipments are scheduled for the third quarter. NAB members receive a 25 percent discount on all orders for one year.
Nautel also debuted an AM IBOC exciter, which is paired with the Exporter Plus for AM HD Radio transmission. It also says it is applying the Embedded Exporter approach to AM IBOC. It said there is no moving media, but rather a solid-state device with fast bootup and reliability.
