The CGC Communicator Newsletter Web Posting

The following letter was written on June 7, 2007 in reply to a question asked by Sebastian Fritzsche in Berlin, Germany.  The question was, "I wonder why the HD-radio standard is not being implemented here in Europe?"  The reply, from Milford Smith of Greater Media, follows:


Good Morning Sebastian,

  A number of years before the iBiquity "in band-on channel (IBOC)" DAB system was perfected in the US, a consortium of European entities had developed and perfected the so called "Eureka 147" system of digital audio broadcasting.  This system is not an in band on channel system but instead utilizes new spectrum, much of it in the so called L band - roughly 1400-1500 MHz.  Each Eureka transmitter, or "pod" as they are generally known, can transmit a number of independent programs, roughly 6 per transmitter.  So what we really have here is a whole new radio service utilizing wholly new frequencies as opposed to the US HD Radio system which places the digital transmission components in the same spectrum as heritage FM and AM broadcasting.

  US broadcasters took a very serious look at Eureka 147 in the early 90s when it first came to fruition, but came to the conclusion that its multiple station per pod and total leveling of the playing field in terms of technical facilities did not fit well with the US system of independently owned, commercial broadcasting.  Additionally, it was not at all clear where any addition spectrum might come from to enable a Eureka-like system in the US.  IBOC, or as we call it now HD Radio, seemed the better and more efficient fit and although it was not fully perfected at that juncture, it seemed to most US broadcasters that it was worth the wait to see if further development efforts would result in a viable system.  Such was indeed the case.

  I hope this information is useful. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can provide anything further.  As Bob noted, I have had the pleasure of being involved in the US digital radio process for nearly two decades now and currently chair the National Radio Systems Committee, the group that developed the US standard for in band on channel digital broadcasting.

Best Regards,  Milford Smith

Posted by Steve Blodgett
Earthsignals.com