RedwoodComm RWC2010B Digital Radio Tester

I had the pleasant opportunity to spend an hour on Zoom with Kevin Park and Darby Cho, Principal Engineers of RedwoodComm. 

From their website:

"RedwoodComm is a professional developing company for wireless communication test solution. RedwoodComm develops and provides measurement system for R&D, mass-production of broadcast system and wireless communications such as DAB, DRM, RDS, NFC, BT and LoRa. We will keep making every effort to be the best company of test & measurement system based on technical know-how and experience of test & measurement system for wireless communications."

Awhile back, I discovered their RWC2010B Digital Radio Tester online. After making contact, Darby set up a Zoom meeting. The tester unit is a powerful DRM/DRM+, DAB, DAB+, AM/FM, RDS/RDBS receiver testing device. It handles all the DRM settings and functions as well as the ability to test the new xHE-AAC codec.

You can quickly see its features on their YouTube playlist. In the presentation they gave for me, the unit was paired with the Gospell GR-216 receiver. Adjustments to the DRM parameters are easy to perform. I was impressed at how quickly the radio would switch to the  new settings. 

The RWC2010B is a flexible device for receiver testing but also a great way to demonstrate the various settings and configuration options of DRM. I can easily see how hardware or software developers, equipment manufacturers or broadcasters could easily test and demonstrate the highly adaptive DRM platform. In the near future, I hope to be able to post more details and some hands-on reviews. 

If you are interested in more information, you can email them an inquiry or use their information form. 

Hope springs eternal with DRM receivers

Please take a look at this slideshow showcasing the progress being made on the DRM standalone receiver front. A few new ones here that look interesting. Particularly interesting to see Korean manufactures back in the game. I think that marks a first since the demise of MSWay 9 years ago.

Special DRM Broadcasts for HFCC 2019 in Buenos Aires, Argentina

HFCC conveners had hoped for more, but here are a few DRM broadcasts targeting the HFCC 2019 meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Transmission will originate by Encompass Digital Media Services on Ascension Island. All days are 16.00-17.00 UTC on 21630 kHz bearing of 245 degrees. Four different content providers will air, one each day.

• Monday 26 August – BBC World Service [English]
• Tuesday 27 August – KBS World Radio (Korea) [Spanish]
• Wednesday 28 August – NHK World Radio (Japan) [Spanish]
• Thursday 29 August – TWR (TransWorldRadio) [Spanish]

In addition, Vatican Radio will also carry a special broadcast in DRM during the HFCC meeting. Monday 26-Thursday 29 August at 18.30 -19.00 UTC on 17535 kHz from Santa Maria di Galeria bearing of 230 degrees. Program will consist of music with text in English and Spanish.

Rumors of new DRM receivers are in the air. I'm anticipating reports from the meeting soon. Stay tuned!

DPRK in DRM? UPDATED!

This was posted by a Japanese DRM enthusiast. Anyone know more about it?

NOTE: Same frequency and bitrate as the 2012 broadcasts so this may represent "Chinese assistance". Can anyone confirm DRM equipment in Kujang?

20170902 Update: I have received anonymous details that indicate that at least the content server is of Chinese origin. Still no word on actual transmit location. Several other Japanese (and Terje in Japan) have successfully decoded these transmissions.

20170902 #2: Check out this link to the ECDAV page on DRM. Google Translate says it is this: Digital AM (DRM)

China is a large-scale broadcasting power, radio station, a large number of users, the use of the latest digital technology, according to China's actual situation and the development of 30MHz amplitude modulation band below the digital sound broadcasting technology, China's traditional analog AM broadcast industry will have a huge impact, Promote China's sound broadcasting industry, technological progress, industrialization prospects are very broad, with significant social and economic benefits.

Digital Engineering Center Through several generations of academic leaders and their research team's joint efforts, the research direction in the digital sound broadcasting theory and system has laid a solid academic foundation, the research work in the leading domestic level, especially in the digital AM broadcast (ETSI ES 201 980), between China's Qiqihar and Beijing, Xinjiang Kashi and Europe between the two countries, the research and development of the theory, system and application development research in the international advanced level, developed by the short-wave amplitude modulation digital broadcasting system technical indicators fully in line with DRM standard Conducted a number of system experiments demonstration, testing and pilot are a complete success. Compared with the world's leading Thales system, its main technical indicators are consistent, can replace the EU similar products.

At present, our school is our country in the digital sound broadcasting major scientific and technological projects in the main commitment unit, mainly in the research project has the national 863 project, the State Administration of Radio, a major science and technology special projects and the Ministry of education key projects. Our research work has also been recognized by foreign counterparts, our center was invited to become a member of the DRM organization, and with the German and French well-known research institutions and experts to assume the EU's next generation of digital sound broadcasting research program - DRM PLUS.

Project 863 is further defined:

National 863 Project Subproject

Offshore engineering high-resolution to shallow detection technology - high-resolution signal acquisition and real-time processing system
High - resolution multi - channel shallow stratigraphic detection technology for offshore engineering Digital audio broadcasting application demonstration system.

and here:

...the "863" Project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Science and Technology Support Program Published a number of ministerial-level key projects of the SARFT. Has made a number of important basic research and applied research results, developed China's first short-wave digital radio transmitter, and solve the analog broadcast transmitter digital transformation of a series of key technical issues, identified to reach the leading domestic level; The first 30MHz following digital audio broadcasting national industry standards; in the country for the first time to build a short-wave video transmission system, applied in various departments of the country, has made important social benefits...

Here, a Japanese enthusiast reports the CUC-ECDAV on 15280-15285 kHz in DRM broadcasting CNR-1 audio earlier this year. I'm going to temporarily rest on the notion that China is broadcasting DRM for DPRK, until we can find out more. This could mean more DRM from China soon, as we have heard from other international broadcasters that are in-the-know!

KBS to use DRM in Simulcast mode on SW!

Vauxhall, London, 15 October 2013 – WRN Broadcast has today announced that the company will be enabling KBS World Radio to provide a one hour daily transmission in German using an analogue-digital 20kHz simulcast mode of the Digital Radio Mondiale system via a shortwave transmitting station in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Broadcasting from 27th October 2013, the daily transmission will be at 1900 to 2000 UTC (2000 to 2100 local time, in Germany) when listeners with a DRM receiver will be able to hear the broadcast in high audio quality on 5875kHz while listeners with a conventional analogue set will be able tune their radio to 5885kHz.

David Treadway, CEO, WRN Broadcast, says “This mode of transmission was defined early in the development of DRM but has seemingly never before been operated for a regular broadcast service. This is another great example of how WRN Broadcast’s world-class expertise continues to support our clients’ broadcast ambitions.”

Based in Seoul, KBS World Radio has been working with WRN Broadcast for the past 20 years. KBS discussed the possibility of providing a DRM transmission to Germany but WRN Broadcast believed it would gain a larger audience if it could use both analogue and digital transmission and saw the efficiency of placing both within 20kHz.

The transmission, targeted at Germany, Austria and Switzerland, will be made from Sofia, Bulgaria where WRN Broadcast first installed DRM transmission hardware in 2003. The station is owned by Spaceline, which has subsequently invested in further DRM equipment. WRN Broadcast has also previously operated a local trial DRM transmission in the London area on 26MHz.

KBS broadcasts globally in 11 languages and 2013 marks its 60th anniversary.

[from DRM Consortium website]

Here is a good article on DRM Simulcast mode.

DRM activities from the ABU

ABU 2012 will be held in Seoul, South Korea. I see several sessions on digital broadcasting, but nothing specifically mentioning DRM. There have been quite a number of DRM30 tests and initiatives throughout Asia, but few if any are active now.

We recently covered the use of DRM by North Korea via China. Of course, India is on tap for more DRM too. Will this gathering yield any additional broadcasts or tests? Let's hope so. If you are going to attend or are at all involved, please keep us up to date at the DRMNA Yahoo Group.

New DRM articles from Korea in our Bibliography

You may recall when we were reporting about MSway DRM receivers (now cancelled entirely), our friend Marticia explained the connection her company had with KETI (Korean Electronics Technology Institute). Some of that research has recently been released in the form of journal articles. Check out our fine DRM Bibliography for these new entries (links to PDFs are included there)...

Performance Analysis of Sampling Frequency Offset Synchronization Scheme for DRM Systems.

Integer Frequency Offset Synchronization Scheme with Low Implementation Complexity for OFDM Systems.

A Frame Synchronization Method with Robustness to the Effects of Initial SFO in DRM Systems.

We welcome DPRK's VOK to the DRM community!

It appears from this recent report that Voice of Korea (Pyongyang, North Korea) is transmitting in DRM. Via a tip from DRMNA reader Terrence, I have included a Chinese website with a report (portions here in English via Google translation):

"Voice of DPRK VOK closely follow the trend began to DRM digital shortwave broadcasts! Midnight start at 3560kHz, Qingdao, Shandong receiver... CUC-ECDAV: Communication University of China Radio and Television Digital Education Ministry Engineering Research Center."

Here are some cool videos of the English language June 7th broadcast and the June 8th broadcast in Korean. As you will hear, the high production values, overly aggressive compression and sibilant laden distortion present in VOK analogue broadcasts translate well to the digital medium of DRM. Now all we have to do is convince Kim Jong-un to aim the antennas our way for some NA reception opportunities!

Additional info here.

Receivers all the rave at ABU

From all reports, DRM's showing at ABU in Delhi was a great success. Here is MSway's Marticia Jo captivating onlookers with the MDR-S100 standalone consumer DRM receiver. See more fun pictures of the DRM presence at ABU here.
I certainly wish I could have attended.

In related news, AIR (All India Radio) continues to ramp-up DRM broadcasts. Their new schedule shows programming nearly doubling from about 8 to 16 hours each day. I'm looking forward to improved propagation so we can get a crack at some of these broadcasts in North America.

DRM receivers spotted at IBC 2011!

Thanks to a tip from our friend Alokesh, here is a link to an Italian blog featuring the before mentioned MSway receivers and more! Since most of our readers are English speakers, the shortened link features the Google Translator for assistance.

[Here is a direct link to the Radiopassioni blog by Andrea Lawendel in Italian]

MSway at IBC 2011

The following info is regarding MSway (Ms. Jo attending) participation at IBC 2011. If you are making the trip, stop and say hello to her and the MSway crew!:

"We are going to display our DRM radio receivers & Monitoring systems at IBC 2011, Amsterdam from September 9th to September 13th.

We will be taking part in DRM showcase which will be held for 3 days during the exhibition. The Showcase schedule is as follows; -Sep. 10th, 14:00~16:00 / Transradio booth / Hall 8. D50 -Sep. 11th, 14:00~16:00 / Nautel booth / Hall 8. C61 -Sep. 12th, 16:00~18:00 / Fraunhofer / Hall 8. D80 We will be displaying our DRM products at 3 booths mentioned. If you plan to be in Amsterdam and wish to have a meeting with us, feel free to contact me. (marticiajo@gmail.com) Thank you."

MSway receiver exclusive!

[UPDATE: 20120217]

I have received news from Marticia that due to various business realities, MSway has halted all DRM development and will no longer be pursuing the market. MSway has a very strong business in other technologies and will continue with them. I for one am very sorry to hear this and wish Marticia and MSway all the best in their future ventures. Marticia has been a marvelous friend to me and to DRMNA. It is rare when a PR person comes across not only as a great advocate for a product and a company, but also as a genuinely nice and caring person. I have nothing but praise for her and hope MSway continues to use her skills and abilities as it focuses on other markets.

Here is our interview with Ms. Marticia Jo, PR manager of MSway:

UPDATE 20110902: From a question regarding frequency coverage of the new receivers that I posed to Marticia after I published her blog post...

"I checked our website and the information on the device should be revised. The band we support for DRM is for all LW/MW/SW. In Europe the LW is in service for trial but there is no LW in India at the moment. Our product is aiming at Indian market for the immediate launch, we put the frequency range for India. Technically it is no problem to cover the frequency the reader mentioned but commercially it is not really necessary at the moment. That is the reason we only mentioned MW/SW."

Q. How long has the MSway DRM receiver been under development?

A. Actually we have started DRM business from 2011. We already made products for T-DMB and DAB and we have been probing DRM market for many years doing government funded projects.

Q. Do you have any development / R&D partners?

We have worked with the lab of Hansin University for years in digital radios.

There is a government funded research institute called KETI (Korean Electronic Technology Institute) and this institute has invested a lot of time and effort for digital broadcasting for several years. They have developed various technologies for almost all global standards and transfer their developed technology to commercial sectors. That’s why this institute is funded and audited by government.

MSway licensed KETI’s digital radio technology and decided to produce commercial products. Even though we do not have a long history in DRM, the technology and experience from KETI have planted into MSway for DRM and we are confident to deliver commercial products.

Q. What makes the MSway receiver unique?

A. First of all we will make the device affordable. Currently the commercialized DRM radios made by a few companies are too expensive. we will focus on good reception & audio quality with core functions. At the moment we do not have plan to make the device heavy (i.e. equipped with multimedia functions). We will release the basic types of products but we can make customized models upon customers’ requests.

We have developed both receivers and monitoring systems (analyzer) and it will enhance the quality of receivers.

Especially the USB type can be extended to HAM communication with antenna change.

Q. What is the main market for the receiver? Will it be available in the USA/North America?

A. Currently we are informed that India officially will launch DRM. Therefore the immediate demand in India is quite promising. Also Brazil and Russia is reviewing DRM for the official launch and DRM consortium people are promoting DRM in those countries. We naturally should aim the markets that have plans to start DRM broadcasting officially like India, Brazil and Russia.

There is a lot of interest from Europe and Australia and we will go to the markets with high interests.

North America? Why not? If there is demand, we will look into the possibilities to launch our products. However we need to study the market very carefully.

Q. Do you have any projected production run and time-frame for the first model/models?

We are getting some actual requests from broadcasters and local distributors in different countries. Throughout IBC show in September we will meet more potential customers for commercial productions.

We have decided to emphasize on the DRM reception with good audio quality to go into the market quickly. Other multimedia functions and other data service function can be added by customers’ requests later on. Our ultimate goal at the moment is “spread affordable DRM radios as soon and as many as possible”. We will offer both module type and final product type and the customers can decide their release time and date.

If we can meet some actual buyer during the IBC show, we have a time-line to deliver the products within 15 weeks.

We also have a monitoring system for broadcasters and other professionals. KETI have completed field tests in India this year and all the participants and local broadcasters were impressed by the reception and functions.

It is the only monitoring solution supporting both DRM30 and DRM+ at the same time.

We have revised commercialized DAB tuner into DRM tuner and it gave us an exceptional reception result compare to other competitors’ products. With KETI’s experience in DAB & DAB+ we will create the version with DAB, DAB+ test as well.

I also have something new to share with you. In Korea we started a new government funded project called “WWR (World Wide Radio)”. I was also involved in this project when it was proposed last year.

A group of professionals in various sections (I was representing Marketing part) teamed up and wrote a proposal to “Ministry of Information and Economics” in Korea and the government body evaluated submitted proposals and selected some projects to support funds.

This “WWR project” is targeting to produce the chipset which can supports all different global digital radio standards.

The result of project will be producing a chipset that able to receiver DAB, DAB+, DRM, DRM+ and more at the same time within 2 years.

I hope we, MSway, can get benefit out of this project soon.

Q. Could you please give us some background about yourself and MSway?

I studied sociology in a university in Korea and Hotel management in the Lausanne Hotel School, Switzerland, worked in Sweden and England as an hotelier. I have worked in service industry dealing with overseas businesses for 10 years.

Surprisingly I could have started my second career in IT industry as a global marketer. I have been involved in data broadcasting software solutions for digital radio and mobile TV. Starting with DAB, I have promoted solutions in different territories of the world for DVB-T/H, ATSC-MH, T/S-DMB and HD radio. Also I have been involved in some government projects in Korea & Singapore for digital radio. Now I am promoting DRM and I am very proud of being a professional in Digital radio industry.

MSway has been strong in Embedded solution of multimedia chip modules. Our CEO, Mr. M.S. Lee, started MCU application module business for Automotive, medical and Industrial products. Since then we have expanded our business area to PAN(Personal Area Network) and portable multimedia devices.

We have produced PND, PMP with mobile TV and radio functions. Based on our technology & experiences we are planning to create more services & products for Broadcasting-telecommunication convergence.

Thank you so much Ms. Jo for this DRMNA exclusive interview. Please extend our thanks to the whole MSway team. DRM enthusiasts in North America (as well as those worldwide) are awaiting the arrival of MSway receivers!

Here is a nice PDF overview of MSway's DRM products and strategy. Enjoy!

MSway receiver update

Last week, I had a pleasant email exchange with MSway staff member Marticia Jo. She has promised an interview for DRMNA. Keep watching, I hope to have a "Q and A" with her in the next week or so.

In the meantime, I had some emails from French DRMNA reader Olivier (merci!) containing the following links:

• MDR-S100 (Consumer standalone receiver)


• MDR-U100 (Consumer USB receiver)


• MDR-M200 (Professional receiver)
  
  

If you have some questions for Ms. Jo (especially after reviewing these links!) let me know and I will pose them to her. From what I see, I am really excited about these! The USB model looks like a really cool portable option including DRM+. We can all hope these will be sensitive enough for NA's weaker DRM conditions.

MSway receiver soon?

Word on the street is that the Korean made DRM receiver may show-up soon, at least in pictures! More news as soon as I get it.

Korean DRM receiver

Benn posted this link related to the work being done on DRM30 & DRM+ receivers in Korea. Check it out! It appears to show a USB dongle receiver and a full receiver board. Cool video too! I'd love to get more info on this stuff, can you help?