WorldDAB Technical Committee to hold Interoperability workshop in Munich on 27 November 2019

This year’s interoperability workshop organised by the WorldDAB Technical Committee will be held at the Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT) in Munich, on 27 November 2019, from 09:00-16:00.

The purpose of the workshop, which is open to technical staff from all WorldDAB members and invited guests, is to provide a discussion platform for all technical aspects of operating the DAB system. Opportunities for testing of OMRI implementation can also be arranged with IRT. Broadcasters and equipment manufacturers are invited to bring modulator and transmission equipment to generate test signals. Receiver manufacturers are invited to bring receivers, prototypes and analyser tools to test against generated test signals.

At the event, facilities are provided to generate test signals from ETI files; in addition, the event host operates a local multiplex that can be used for road testing.

Participants are encouraged to propose topics and provide ETI files. The workshop will provide opportunities for testing ETI file playout and reception for the use cases listed below:

DABv2 ensembles

ETSI EN 300 401 V2.1.1 has introduced various new rules and conventions to the DAB system. The provision and functioning of such rules, e.g. FIG 0/7, FIG repetition, MCI configuration and more can be explored in preparation of commercial roll-out.

Non-Latin text

ETSI TS 103 176 (v2.2.1) introduces new coding facilities to support non-Latin text specifically in FIG2 labels and dynamic label segment. A text control field indicates requirements in the receiver to support the text encoded in Unicode.

Various region specific profiles lay out a minimum glyph set and rendering capabilities required. Receivers can be tested at handling the new encoding scheme and dealing with FIG1 and FIG2 labels.

Service following, international linkage sets

Service following is being implemented widely. Specific aspects of service linking (FIG 0/6), frequency information (FIG 0/21) and other ensemble services information (FIG 0/24) in relation to receiver behaviour and performance can be evaluated. The validation of international linkage sets, ECC provision and service Id matching is of specific interest.

Ensemble reconfiguration and regionalisation

Regionalised services often combine service following and ensemble reconfiguration to provide regional broadcasting for certain periods throughout the day. This complex combination of signalling aspects can be tested in transmission and reception.

Service list management and service component information

A signalling to indicate changes to the service list has been introduced with DABv2 and is now part of the DAB system standard. Testing of service component information (FIG 0/20) in advance of commercial roll-out helps to address issues in signal configuration and receiver response.

Announcements and alarms

While announcements have been a main system aspect of DAB before, the revised specification describes previously non-functional other ensembles announcements. Also the specification for alarms has been revised and clarified.

SPI programme information and station logos

Exploring practical aspects of coding and service formatting assists broadcasters and receiver makers addressing implementations. As of recently a use case for cross-ensemble service logo provision has been trialled.

TPEG service transport

Signalling and encapsulation of TPEG traffic services in preparation of on-air provision.

Conclusions reached will be reviewed by the Technical Committee and may lead to specification updates.

WorldDAB members register via the website; interested non-members, please contact the WorldDAB Project Office.