1. Economic Advantages of DAB+
Jens Stockmann, Product Specialist Transmission

2. FM, DRM+, HD Radio Transmitter
About Gates Air
Gates Air is the largest transmitter manufacturer world wide
DTV & DAB Transmitter
VHF, UHF
FM, DRM+, HD Radio Transmitter
VHF
AM, DRM, HD Radio
Transmitter
Medium Wave
To give you a brief introduction about Harris Broadcast:
Harris is the largest broadcast equipment supplier world wide with a very complete portfolio from studio, automation, storage, router, head –end … to transmission.
Since more than 80 years Harris designs, manufacture and sell broadcast transmitter.
For transmission, my special area, we provide a full scale of products in all standards for TV and Radio
Analoge & DTV in VHF and UHF
DAB in VHF and L-Band
FM, DRM+ and HD Radio in VHF Band II
AM, DRM and HD Radio in Medium Wave
Harris drives the largest transmitter factory world wide

3. Economical Advantages of DAB+
Main cost factors of Radio operation
Equipment Capital Expenses (CAPEX)
Distribution
Energy
Cooling
Floor space
Service & maintenance
License fee, spectrum costs
Simulcast period, operation of analog and digital Radio in parallel
Operational Expenses (OPEX)
Speaking about economical aspects of DAB+ we have to consider the main cost factors for broadcaster:
CAPEX = Capital Expenses, Capital expenses for purchasing the equipment (CAPEX)
OPEX = Operational expenses, all costs generated from the daily operation as distribution costs, energy costs and so on
In the following I will compare in detail the situation with FM and DAB+

4. Terrestrial digital Radio technologies
all using OFDM type of modulation
Differences in spectrum use and capacity
For optimized coverage Single Frequency Network (SFN) in DAB+ and DRM+

5. Transmission System FM, DAB+, DRM+

6. The Assumptions used in following comparisons are:
The comparison is for cost per service
The coverage area is the same for all radio types, DAB+, FM, DRM+
The area to be covered has at least 18 services
All services are good quality audio / music

7. FM - one complete network per program - each transmitter needs another frequency
Distribution
Network
Freq2
Program 2
Distribution
Network .
Freq 54
Program 18
Distribution
Network
Each network with complete infrastructure distribution, transmitter, in some case separate towers+ antennas!
Several frequencies per network! It’s the bottle neck
Often distortions between networks in cities.
Independent operator. Nothing to share. (may be antenna)

8. one network / one frequency for up to 18 Radio programs
Contribution
Network
DAB+
Head-end
Distribution
Network .
Freq1
Program 18
Notes:
18 programs assumes 64kbps each, DQPSK, FEC=0.5
24 programs could be included but at the lower bit rate of 48kbps
Typically a DAB+ ensemble will carry between 18 and 24 services – 18 at average of 64kbps, 24 at average of 48kbps (the Adelaide ensemble in Australia has 24 services)

9. + one network / one frequency for up to 3 Radio programs
Contribution
Network
DRM+
Head-end
Distribution
Network
Freq1
Program 3
Notes:
3 programs assumes 62kbps each, 16QAM, FEC=0.62
4 programs could be included but at the lower bit rate of 46kbps
We note that DRM+ cannot support 4 services at an average bit rate of 48kbps = 196kbps. For DRM+ (DRM robustness mode E) with 16QAM and R=1/2 FEC the capacity is 149.1kbps = approx 37.25kbps per service resulting in relatively poor audio quality (compared with DAB+) as well as lower PAD rates

10. Cost efficiency of FM, DAB+ and DRM+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage FM
DAB+
DRM+
Tx 1, 2, …… , 17, 18
Tx 1 carries 18 programs
Tx 1, ……
carries 18 programs
18x FM Transmitter
18x Frequencies
18x Frequency License fee
18x Studio-Transmitter Link (STL)
18x RDS encoder/ Data
18x Large antenna
1x DAB+ Transmitter
1x Frequency
1x Frequency License fee
1x Studio-Transmitter Link (STL)
1x DAB+ Play-out
1x Medium antenna system
6x DRM+ Transmitter
6x Frequency
6x Frequency License fee
6x Studio-Transmitter Link (STL)
6x DRM+ Head-End
6x Large antenna system
NOTE: Antenna system aperture for DAB+ around 200MHz is approximately 1/2 that of FM and DRM+ around 100MHz for the same gain.
This assumes that all services are located at the same transmission site. In reality it is likely that a single site could not cope with 24 FM antennas so there is likely to be additional site costs for FM and probably also for DRM+
NOTE: DRM+ has a maximum capacity of 186kbps which is equivalent to 62kbps per service using 16QAM and FEC code rate 0.62

11. Equipment Costs

12. Transmitter investment costs FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
Transmitter FM
DRM+
DAB+
Power
10 kW peak
1 kW rms
2,5 kW rms
Price per Transmitter
USD
USD
USD 18 6 1
Price all Transmitter
USD
USD
DAB Transmitter investment costs
11x lower compared to FM
3x lower compared to DRM+
I our example we consider 18 Radio Programs same coverage each.
Comparing FM, DRM+ and DAB+ I have chosen a transmitter power for appr. same coverage.
10kW FM covers appr. same area as 2.5kW DAB+ and 1kW for DRM+. Please consider that the 2.5kW and 1kW are average power due to OFDM modulation.
A CRA study found that for Urban Stereo level coverage (FM >61dBuV/m, DAB+ >63dBuV/m) that the ERP for FM and DAB were quite similar. We note however that the gain per antenna in an array is approximately ½ that of DAB+ and that the number of antennas for a given tower aperture is 2/3, hence we have used a factor of 4 when relating the power requirements.
TX investment / USD
FM power is for stereo coverage
With an antenna gain of around 10dB the coverage area is expected to have a radius of approximately 50km depending on the antenna height above ground level and receive area terrain – enough to cover a moderate metro city or major regional area.
Prices per unit are average market prices
You see a single FM tx is far cheaper than a DAB+ Transmitter.
But having the investment costs for 18 programs the situation changes very clearly for DAB+
Now we have to invest USD for FM TX but still only one DAB+ TX of USD.

13. Energy Costs

14. Issues Customers Are Facing
Rising Cost of Energy
Electricity prices increased of 6.3% between & 2011
Continued to increase 6.6% between and 2012
Projected to continue to rise throughout the world, increasing by as much as 60% by 2030
Carbon Taxes
Some countries have imposed energy taxes based partly on carbon content
In Australia the carbon tax in 2012 was at $23 per tonne of CO2 emissions
Broadcast Australia estimated the first year of the new tax cost them almost $3M

15. Energy consumption transmitter FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
DAB+ energy savings
41x lower compared to FM
2,5x lower compared to DRM+
Transmitter FM
DRM+
DAB+
Power
10 kW
1 kW rms
2,5 kW rms
Efficiency
72%
40 %
40%
Energy consumption
per Transmitter
13,9 kW
2,5 kW
6,25 kW
Transmitters 18 6 1
Energy all Transmitters
250 kW
15 kW
Annual cost of energy
USD
USD
8.000 USD
Energy costs are stated as highest operational costs for the broadcaster.
I compare again the situation FM , DRM+ , DAB+ for 18 Radio programs same coverage.
The power consumption depends from the power efficiency of the transmitter.
In both FM and DAB+ and DRM+ we have increasing power efficiency driven by new technology and transistors.
The table shows the actual top efficiency values in the market which are reached from Harris transmitters of course.
Calculating the power consumption FM is already behind DAB+ for single transmitter.
Considering 18 Radio programs the situation becomes very good for DAB+ with 25 times lower energy consumption compared to FM and 2.4x lower than DRM+.
Assumes 0,15 USD per kWh

16. Energy costs FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
Energy costs over 10 years of operation
DAB+ energy savings over 10 years
USD compared to FM
USD compared to DRM+
But about how many bugs saving we speak?
If we look over a operational period of 10 years taken a energy price of actual 0,1 USD per kwh the situation is increadable positive for DAB+
Operating 15 FM programs generates energy costs of more than 1.8 Mio USD in 15 y.
DAB+ comes with USD over this time.
Having in mind the further increase of energy price during this period the advantage is further higher.
Please consider: the energy costs savings are serveral times higher than the equipment purchase price!
Assumes 0,15 USD / kWh

17. Cooling Effort

18. Energy saving for room cooling FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
1x DAB+ Transmitter
6 x DRM+ Transmitter
18 x FM Transmitter
Heat dissipation into the room and necessary room/ building cooling has to be taken in consideration as well.
The importance for operation costs is often under estimated.
It makes a big difference if 18 transmitters air cooled 10kW FM blow the hot air into the room or only 1 DAB transmitter.

19. Energy saving for room cooling FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
Transmitter FM
DRM+
DAB+
Power
10 kW
1 kW rms
2,5 kW rms
Power consumption (rms)
13,9 kW
2,5 kW
6,25 kW
Dissipated
3,9 kW
1,5 kW
3,75 kW
Transmitter for 18 Radio programs 18 6 1
Dissipated power for 18 programs
70,2 kW
9 kW
Cost per annum
USD
USD
5.000 USD
DAB+ heat dissipation
18x lower to FM
2x lower to DRM+
Example for 15 Radio Programs
If you subtract the nominal radiated power from the total power consumption the disspated power remains.
For one transmitter (one Radio program) the FM transmitter has lower dissipation values.
But for 15 Radio programs DAB+ has 10 times less heat dissipation into the room!
That has drastic impact of the dimension of cooling systems and room / building cooling. .. And in the costs/ savings in the end.
Back round information for speaker
FM 10kW: Harris FAX10k heat dissipation = 3,9kW / BTU/h / 0,94 TONS AC load needed
FAX10k air volume = 34 m3/h

20. Energy saving for room cooling FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
Heat dissipation in kW
assumes 0,15 USD / kWh
cooling energy efficiency ratio of 5
Example for 15 Radio Programs
If you subtract the nominal radiated power from the total power consumption the disspated power remains.
For one transmitter (one Radio program) the FM transmitter has lower dissipation values.
But for 15 Radio programs DAB+ has 10 times less heat dissipation into the room!
That has drastic impact of the dimension of cooling systems and room / building cooling. .. And in the costs/ savings in the end.
Back round information for speaker
FM 10kW: Harris FAX10k heat dissipation = 3,9kW / BTU/h / 0,94 TONS AC load needed
FAX10k air volume = 34 m3/h

21. Space in Equipment Room and on Towers

22. Space savings on transmission site FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
0,6 m2
1x DAB+ Transmitter
1 m
3,6 m2
6 x DRM+ Transmitter
1 m
18 x FM Transmitter
10,8 m2
9,0 m
1 m
Occupied floor space is a cost criteria in cases where the operator needs to pay for floor space in the TX site.
Rack size the same for DAB+ and FM 0,6m x 1,0m = 0,6m2 per rack
In our example of 18 Radio transmitter a quite high area is occupied by transmitter
This means by the way also a high installation effort.
Using DAB transmitter the occupied floor space is 18 time less. Having in mind that up to 18 programs can be transmitted by one DAB+ transmitter the situation is much better for DAB+ in kind of occupied floor space.

23. Save tower & antenna space with DAB+
Analoge FM, DRM+
Many towers
Interferences
DAB+
Single Antenna
No interferences

24. Cost of space
Typical cost of floor space in transmitter hall and antenna aperture on the transmission tower can vary significantly :
When the facilities are owned by the broadcaster there will always be some component cost to maintain the facility
The location of the facility will impact the cost, facilities for major cities often cost significantly more than for rural facilities
The amount of space required, particular the antenna aperture
The costs below are typical costs for a single installation for both antenna aperture and transmitter hall space:
$5k pa if the antenna, transmission tower and building is owned by the broadcaster (contribution to site maintenance and on-costs)
$35k USD pa for low cost sites in regional areas
$75k USD pa for high cost sites in major cities

25. The Cost of Space
Cost comparison for combined antenna aperture on the transmission tower and transmitter room space
Transmitter FM
DRM+
DAB+
Situation
Owned
Regionsite
Metro site
Region
site
Cost per annum
,000s USD 5 35 75
Number of transmitters 18 6 1
,000 USD 90
630
1,350 30
210
450
The cost of DAB+ transmitter tower and hall space is
18x lower compared to FM
6x lower compared to DRM+

26. Service & Maintenance

27. Reduced Service & Maintenance Cost FM, DRM+ and DAB+
1x DAB+ Transmitter
Drastic Service cost reductions using DAB+
reduced spare part stock
reduced part diversity
reduced maintenance effort
6 x DRM+ Transmitter
18 x FM Transmitter
Service and maintenance is told as 3rd big cost position from broadcaster.
In FM many transmitter from different supplier require a large spare part stock . This fixes a lot of capital and costly storage space.
Additional the service staff needs to be trained and familiar with the different systems and supplier.
Last but not least as more transmitter installed as more service issues will appear over the time causing program interruption and service costs.
DAB+ with only one transmitter infrastructure for many (up to 18) programs avoids all this disadvantages and reduces the maintenance effort and costs to a minimum.

28. Reduced Service & Maintenance Cost FM, DRM+ and DAB+
Example: 18 Radio Programs same coverage
There are a number of options for operations and maintenance including
Broadcaster provides internal staff to conduct the work, often the case for commercial broadcasters
A managed service is used, often the case for multiplexes which have multiple broadcasters, e.g. DAB+
A mixture where the operations aspects are conducted by the broadcaster but maintenance is done by a contract organization, this occurs in large metro transmission sites as well as remote sites
Transmitter FM
DRM+
DAB+
Situation
Owned
Regional site
Metro site
Weeks of effort per annum 2 4 12
Cost per annum ,000s USD 5 10 50
Number of transmitters 18 6 1
Cost per annum ,000 USD 90 60
The cost of DAB+ maintenance is approximately the same as DRM+ and 1/2 of FM

29. Summary

30. Summary economical advantages of DAB+
Drastic cost reductions (CAPEX & OPEX) using DAB+ compared to FM for:
Equipment
Distribution
Energy
Cooling
Space
Service & Maintenance
RF transmission License Fees
DAB+ is benefits to both the listener and the broadcaster.
While the listener benefit from clear & distortion free sound, additional data & information presented in modern style.
The Broadcaster benefit from drastic cost savings compared to actual FM transmission.
The acceptance to share infrastructure and same coverage should be in place, but I think no issue seeing these savings.
In the end the broadcaster has to compete in content and not in technical restrictions.

31. Simulcast period Simulcast period most costly for program provider
Transition period from analog to digital for Radio is longer than for TV
Additional costs of transmission during the simulcast period will be approximately 10% -15% more relative to FM operation for each program provider.
Broadcaster may not be able to compensate all additional costs of simulcast operation by more revenue
Simulcast costs are critical for acceptance & motivation of broadcaster
Clear road map of analog to digital transition helps to secure planning
Cost compensations for broadcaster during simulcast period

32. DAB+ for local Broadcaster
Cost effective Soft Defined DAB+ solution based on Open Code Software
Standard PC for DAB Head-End (Audio live encoding, Multiplexing)
Open source software (CRC mmb tools)
Broadband internet access
First local licenses in Switzerland
Head-End
Transmission site
Stream Audio Player
Audio Encoder
Studios
DAB+ MUX
Laptop
Mask Filter
Contact:
More information on
wiki.digris.ch
mmbtools.crc.ca
Internet Tx
EDI

33. Thank you for your attention!
It’s time for DAB+ !