PARIS � The use of the medium and short wave bands can provide extensive coverage at low cost in inaccessible locations or for those at a disadvantage due to lack of infrastructure. This approach offers a credible alternative to existing radio systems, making better use of this part of the spectrum, use of which is declining worldwide.
France�sTDF Grouphas started a project they callSmartCastthataims to study and build a long range broadcast system, withpotential interactivitywhere appropriate ��by way of a low-speed wireless return path. Data including audio will be broadcast in a shared stream based on standard DRM 30 from Digital Radio Mondiale.
Work underway by TDF includes development of services and equipment focused on two markets:
- � � � ��Maritime Navigation, with a set of services designated as “NavCAST”.
- �� � ��International Broadcasting, with a set of services designated as”WideCAST.”
The diagram shown is related to the NavCAST configuration of the project; is shows the different subsets of the system, and their locations. In a second step, developments will be adapted to theWideCASTenvironment.
