Signal generators test HD radio signals in AM and FM

Wireless Telecom Group Inc. has announced the introduction of its Noise Com DSG9000 Series digital signal generators. These generators are billed by the group's Noise Com company as the first commercially available product line that's certified by iBiquity Digital Corp. to provide test signals for HD Radio in both AM and FM bands.

Approved by the FCC in 2002 as the only system for digital AM and FM broadcasting in the U.S., HD Radio was developed and is licensed by iBiquity Digital.

In use, instead of transmitting one analog signal, stations send out bundled analog and compressed digital signals. On the digital side, text data, such as traffic, stock information and song titles, can be sent out.

Running Intel P4 Pentium processors clocking at 800MHz, the DSG9000 Series HD Radio signal sources are designed to play back pre-recorded vector files or test signals that replicate HD Radio service modes and channel configurations. The DSG9000-02, for example, contains a complete and current suite of vectors or test signals stored on the instrument's internal hard drive.

New test vectors can also be imported and added to a library of existing vectors, using the instrument's front-panel DVD drive, ensuring that the DSG 9000 Series will be able to support development and testing as HD Radio continues to add new features and capabilities. The test vectors will be created by iBiquity for distribution by Noise Com's global distribution and support network.

A DSG9000-01 version is for production test. It includes one vector or signal pattern for AM HD Radio, one vector or signal pattern for FM HD Radio, and a simplified user interface. The DSG9000-01 also has a hard drive for storage and a DVD for updates.

Noise Com said it is already shipping its DSG9000 Series generators. The price of the DSG9000-01 is $16,500. The price of the DSG9000-02 is $18,500.

- Alex Mendelsohn
eeProductCenter