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NRSC Helps FM IBOCs Determine Authorized Digital Power

New Guideline helpful for FM IBOC stations operating with elevated digital power levels

The National Radio Systems Committee adopted a new guideline aimed at giving engineers an easy way to determine the total digital sideband power level for their station when transmitting an HD Radio signal.

The NRSC is a technical standards-setting body co-sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Association.

Using a root-mean-square power meter, a tool most stations would have, engineers can use the new guideline to determine their FM IBOC station’s authorized total digital sideband power level, whether they’re transmitting using symmetrical or asymmetrical sidebands, NRSC Chairman Milford Smith told Radio World.

The guideline is meant to help those who responsible for or involved with FM IBOC facility design, operation and compliance monitoring. Smith called the guideline a “useful tool for those charged with implementing IBOC correctly.”

The NRSC designed a companion Web-based total digital signal power calculator tool with the help of Cavell, Mertz & Associates Inc.

The Digital Radio Broadcasting Subcommittee adopted NRSC-G202, FM IBOC Total Digital Sideband Power for Various Configurations. Andy Laird, vice president and chief technology officer, Journal Broadcast Group, co-chairs the subcommittee with Mike Bergman, vice president of new digital technologies, Kenwood USA. The subcommittee’s IBOC Standards Development Working Group, chaired by Dom Bordonaro, chief engineer, Cox Broadcasting’s Connecticut cluster, developed the guideline.

The guideline and the web-based calculator will be available on the NRSC website, following a final procedural review.

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