DRM LW Summerhill

22 May 2007

DRM Long Wave Transmitter in Summerhill (Ireland)

Berlin, 22th May, 2007: TRANSRADIO SenderSysteme announced today that RTÈ (Radio Telefis Eireann), Ireland’s Public Service Broadcaster, has successfully completed the implementation of the TRANSRADIO’s long wave transmitting system TRAM 300L including a customised PIE–DRM Rack (Program Input Equipment) in Summerhill to manage Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Services. The TRAM 300L transmits the worlds second DRM program on long wave that completely meets the requirements of the out-of-band emissions of ETSI EN 302 245-1 and ITU SM.1541. Additionally, the transmitter provides a carrier power of 300 KW on 252 kHz.

An extension network (ENW) was also implemented that eliminates the disadvantages of the asymmetrical transmission and a mismatch load is reduced. Employing an ENW, the transmitter has better quality, while it operates at a wide-band matched load. As a result, a comfortable 5dB minimal distance was achieved from the ETSI- spectrum mask (mask reserve) by a MER of 35dB.

The customised PIE-DRM Rack offers 3 times redundancy of the audio frequency input, a Fraunhofer Monitoring Receiver DT700 and an Audio and RF-Patch Panel with an AM Fall-Back Solution. Two separate synchronisations were required due to the DRM PIE Rack configuration; subsequently a TRANSRADIO Double Output GPS Receiver was delivered.

The installation of the new solid-state transmitter was done within 4 month after order, including demolition work of the old transmitter. Mr Wittling, the responsible Commissioning Engineer said: “The fast and precise realisation of the transmitter installation was due to the good teamwork between the TRANSRADIO and the RTÈ staff. TRANSRADIO has established a strong track record in deploying DRM solutions. The success with a second ETSI-conform LW transmitter in DRM mode adds to that record, and reflects our leading position in the broadcasting industry.”

About RTÈ:

RTÉ operates two complementary television channels; RTÉ One and RTÈ Two as well as four radio stations; RTÈ Radio 1, RTÈ 2fm, RTÈ lyric fm and RTÈ Radiò na Gaeltacha. Additionally, RTÈ also publishes Ireland’s best selling magazine; The RTÈ Guide and operates Ireland’s leading teletext service, Aertel, which provides up-to-date news, current affairs and entertainment information via Ireland’s most popular media website, RTÈ.ie.

About TRANSRADIO SenderSysteme Berlin AG:

TRANSRADIO SenderSysteme Berlin AG provides outstanding broadcast transmitters and antennas with the highest operational comfort and unsurpassed reliability for transmission of analogue and digital information in the AM and FM broadcast bands.