SBE Chapter 103 sponsored Engineering Morning Sessions for Tuesday, January 27th. 2009

 

8:15 – 9:00 AM Interactive TV for Over-The-Air (OTA) and other Applications (click link for PDF)

Co-Presenter:  Madeleine Noland

Chief Information Officer, CIO

Backchannelmedia

617-728-3626 x160

mnoland@backchannelmedia.com

 

Co-Presenter: Darryl Honnold

Director of Station Relations

Backchannelmedia

617-728-3626 x140

dhonnold@backchannelmedia.com

 

Backchannelmedia

105 South St.

Boston, MA 02111

Presentation Abstract: Boston-based Backchannelmedia, Inc. has developed technology that can be embedded into existing set-top boxes currently found in many TV viewer homes that allows the viewer to forward or “bookmark” their interests from TV to the online world. That interactive technology combined with the Backchannelmedia Portal on the Internet creates a secure link between the TV and Internet platforms that can be used to create a richer viewing experience for the TV viewer by linking it to content and e-commerce on the Internet.

Backchannelmedia’s opt-in solution answers TV viewer concerns for increased online privacy by extending controls to the viewer for the TV experience. Backchannelmedia’s patent pending technology can be deployed in consumer electronics equipment, TV sets, over the air receivers, cable head-ends, switched digital video and network DVR technologies, direct broadcast providers, as well as a multitude of devices and delivery providers.

 

Presenter Biographies

 

Darryl Honnold joined Backchannelmedia in early 2008 as their Director of Station Relations. As Director of Station Relations Darryl oversees Backchannelmedia’s installations into TV stations as well as being the main support for the TV station’s Sales Department in helping them educate their advertisers about Backchannelmedia’s technology.

Madeleine Noland is Backchannelmedia, Inc Chief Information Officer (CIO). As CIO Madeleine is responsible for technology development and deployment, ensuring that the final product is true to the original vision and meets the needs of the business and its partners and customers. Madeleine leads Backchannelmedia's talented development team including product and project managers, software and hardware engineers, web developers and network administrators.

Madeleine Noland's varied career includes operations, technology development, sales, customer service and professional writing. Madeleine brings her technology background together with strong communication and organizational skills to continually move Backchannelmedia’s technology forward. Madeleine graduated Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts in 1989 and received her Mathematics Teaching Certificate in the State of Tennessee in 1992.

 

9:00 – 9:45 AM Implementing HD for ENG:  No Power Point Available

Presenter: Greg Pine

Vice President, Sales

Telairity

3375 Scott Blvd Suite 300

Santa Clara, CA  95054-3110

408.764.0270 x102

408.310.0630 cell

408.764.0271 fax

greg.pine@telairity.com

www.telairity.com

9:00 – 9:45 AM Presentation Abstract: While the 2GHz BAS digital replacement addressed current SD ENG needs, utilizing the allocated ENG bandwidth for HD must be addressed as viewer expectations shift toward HD programming. 

ENG encoder considerations should include: quick encoder boot up when power is applied or restored; the amount of additional delay/lip sync issues an HD ENG encoder adds to the overall end-to-end delay of existing station decoder, F/S and DVE video processing; the hostile environment and space limitations typical of ENG deployment; ease of operations under hectic field conditions; and versatility of transmission options when RF or long cable runs are not a option.

Telairity family of 1RU HD BH8100 HD encoder has been created specifically for backhaul applications, with all useful options included as standard for immediate field or fixed deployment. This includes dual redundant power supplies combined with wide temperature tolerance for highly reliable field operation, very low encode latency, auto sensing inputs that support SD and all HD formats, stutter-free asynchronous switching, a unique “instant on” capability, external AES and analog audio inputs, a simple profile-based front-panel management. Two ASI-DVB outputs and a IP over 10/100 base-T Ethernet output provide for a variety of traditional and non traditional fixed and mobile transmission options including; low cost IP ENG solution, satellite, microwave, fiber optics, public internet and future WiMAX applications. Telairity AVC/H.264 encoders are suitable for all backhaul uses including, News and Sports Streaming, feature shows that require remote live interactivity, IPTV, as well as more traditional Broadcast or Satellite / Cable / Terrestrial distribution (including implementing ATSC II M/H services).

 

Presenter Biography: Greg Pine is VP of Sales for Telairity, Santa Clara CA based AVC/H.264 encoder manufacturing company offering solutions for live HD and SD broadcasts delivered over the air and on cable, satellite and the Internet.

 

Before joining Telairity, Pine was senior technology strategist at NXP Semiconductors and was a key developer of the “Rooster”-concept household media server for Philips Digital Networks; business development and marketing sales manager for Philips Key Modules; marketing manager of Philips Camera Products; and manager of the Philips broadcast video camera production facility in Breda, The Netherlands. Greg also worked for Ampex , KBTV and WZTV as an Engineer, Valley Audio, Allison Research and Sony Broadcast as a product specialist and manager.

 

Greg received two Emmy awards for: the Dynamic Pixel Management concept, enabling cameras to optimize both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios on the same camera, and the "Skin Contour Detail" circuit: a patented process for reducing age lines of on-air talent. He is also holds six Philips patents: three in CCD sensor development, and three in multimedia recording technology.

 

9:45 – 11:00 AM:  ATSC Mobile DTV - Overview and Station Implementation (click link for PDF)

 

Presenter: Jay C. Adrick

Vice President, Broadcast Technology
Harris Corporation, Broadcast Communications
4393 Digital Way, Mason, OH 45040  USA
T:     +1.513.459.3802
C:     +1.513.289.4793 
F:     +1.513.701.5321
jadrick@harris.com 
E:     W:    www.broadcast.harris.com

 

9:45 – 11:00 AM Presentation Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of the ATSC Candidate Standard for broadcaster based In Band Mobile DTV.  It will cover a description of the service, the types of consumer devices that the service will reach, the business models that broadcasters might develop and the technical considerations for deployment of the service.

 

The current status of the ATSC Candidate Standard will be reviewed along with a view of what lies ahead as the technology rolls towards a commercial launch. A detailed look at the required systems and equipment and how they integrate into the current DTV plant will also be provided including, why DTS deployment should be major consideration in a stations M/H plans.

 

Presenter Biography: Jay C. Adrick is Vice President – Broadcast Technology Harris Corporation –Broadcast Communications is a 44+-year veteran of the broadcast industry and a leader in the design and integration of digital broadcasting systems.  Jay is a member of the Harris Broadcast CTO team and in his current position at Harris, he is leading the development of the MPH In-Band Mobile DTV system, providing strategic guidance for the development of new broadcast products and representing Harris in the world of broadcast standards. 

Earlier in his career at Harris, Jay led the teams that designed and built many of the leading broadcast facilities including The Golf Channel, The Weather Channel, The Discovery Channel, National Public Radio, The Voice of America, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Iraqi Media Network and many other broadcast facilities. He also led the product development for the Harris FlexiCoder, MasterPlus and MonitorPlus products during the early part US digital rollout as well as leading the technical team that designed, built and operated the Harris/PBS DTV Express.

In addition to his Harris duties, Jay is member of the board of directors and former Vice Chairman of the Advanced Television Systems Committee and is currently a board member of the ATSC Forum. In addition, he has served on both of the FCC Media Security and Recovery Councils. He is A member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, he has authored and presented a large number of technical papers and chaired various technical presentations.

Prior to joining Harris, he was a professor of Communications at Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) for eight years and also taught broadcasting courses at the University of Cincinnati. While at Xavier, he served as the director of radio and television and was a founder of public radio station WVXU-FM. His broadcast career began in radio engineering in Cincinnati and he has worked for several radio and television stations in the Cincinnati market, serving in various engineering, production, on–air and management roles. Mr. Adrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communication arts and a Masters degree in educational communications from Xavier University.

11:00 -11:55 FCC: Topics of Interest for Broadcasters (NO Power Point or PDF)

 Doug Miller District Director, FCC District Office will discuss several topics of interest to broadcasters and answer questions many of you may have. Some of the topics to be covered includes: The FCC Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP), the seven most violated rules, FM pirates and other enforcement issues.

 

Presenter Biography: Doug Miller is the Engineer-in Charge for the FCC Regional Office in Atlanta, GA. Doug began his career with the FCC in 1977 at the engineer training center in Norfolk, Virginia.  After graduating from the Norfolk FCC Academy he joined the special enforcement facility in Powder Springs, Georgia.  When the opportunity came to operate the TV/FM/CATV truck in Kansas City, Missouri, he took it, doing specialized broadcast measurements in a ten state region.  Five years later he was transferred to the Atlanta field office as the inspections engineer and later promoted to Senior Engineer.  Doug follows Fred Broce and Angelo Ditty as the FCC Atlanta field office District Director.  Doug has an open-door policy to discuss any broadcast matters and is a staunch supporter of the ABIP program.  He is an Electrical Engineering graduate of Virginia Tech. and an active Professional Engineer.

 

SBE Chapter 103 sponsored Engineering Afternoon Sessions for Tuesday, January 27th. 2009

 

1:15 -2:00 PM:  Antennas 101: (click link for power point)

Presenter:  Bob Surette

Director of Sales Engineering

Shivley Labs

bsurette@shively.com

Toll free 1-800-744-8359

Cell       1-207-415-0852

 

1:15 -2:00 PM Presentation Abstract: While there has been a host of technology changes over the years when it comes to TV/FM RF transmission there is a need for a good understanding of basic filter and antenna theory starting with isotropic ‘perfect’ sources. My presentation will take the audience through how energy is radiated from a single source and how multiple sources can be connected together to form a simple antenna array. 

 

Bob will show by examples how familiar parameters such as beam tilt and null-fill are realized within a practical array by varying the amplitudes and phases of the feeds to each source. Expanding the discussion to the differences between isotropic sources and real antennas Bob will explain by example how various methods commonly used to reduce downward radiation are implemented within the practical antenna array.

 

Time permitting Bob will also discuss the 10 dB digital injection level or address that or other questions during the panel discussion session a portion later this afternoon.

Presenter Biography:  Bob Surette is Director of Sales Engineering with Shively Labs, a Division of Howell Laboratories, from 1981 to the present.  Mr. Surette graduated from Lowell Technological Institute, Lowell, Massachusetts in 1973 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.  He has been directly involved with design and development of broadcast antennas, filter systems and RF transmission components since 1974, as an RF Engineer for six years with the original Shively Labs in Raymond, ME and for a short period of time with Dielectric Communications. He is currently and a Senior Member of IEEE and an Associate Member of the AFCCE.  He has authored a chapter on filters and combining systems for the latest edition of the CRC Electronics Handbook and for the 9th and 10th Edition of the NAB Handbook.

2:00 -3:00 PM:  IBOC Power Increase

Harris HAX      (click link for Power Point)

HAX Virtual Tour   (click link for Power Point)

 

Presenter:  Tim Anderson

Radio Product Line Manager

Harris Broadcast Division

Tel: 513-453-3657 

Cell:  859-445-7165

E-mail: tim.anderson@harris.com

 

2:00 -3:00 PM Presentation Abstract: Many questions are being asked of us by our customers regarding the widely reported efforts to increase the current standard 1% FM IBOC injection levels to 10% of carrier power.  This presentation is intended as basic guidance for station engineers to assist in planning and designing transmitter installations for today’s 1% IBOC injection levels while protecting their investment when and if a power increase is authorized by the FCC.

The difficulty that we encounter in increasing the IBOC carriers is the fact that we must de-rate the transmitter’s available output to accommodate them.  The more we increase the IBOC carriers, the more we must de-rate the transmitter.  In this document, we measured the de-rating and headroom necessary for FCC mask compliance at IBOC injection levels from 1% to 10%. We discuss the testing methodology and publish the results of these measurements.

Additionally, we discuss both tested and theoretical results of the various FM + HD combining techniques and their effectiveness at elevated sideband levels. As powers are increased, efficiency will become a much larger concern.

 

Presenter Biography:  Tim Anderson is Radio Product Line Manager Harris Broadcast Division and has more than 30 years experience in the broadcast engineering, Tim Anderson joined Harris Corporation in August 2007 as Radio Product Line Manager.  Prior to joining Harris, he served as a broadcast systems engineer for iBiquity Digital, developer of the HD Radio™ standard.  While there, he was involved in the development and testing of the HD Radio transmission system and advanced application services.

 

Previously he was the West Coast sales support engineer for Avid Technology, a consulting engineer, and chief engineer of several major market stations and as been responsible for the design and construction of broadcast studio and transmission facilities. Tim currently holds The Society of Broadcast Engineers Senior Broadcast Engineer/Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist and Broadcast Networking Technologist certifications, is an Extra Class Amateur Radio Operator and licensed pilot.  He lives with his wife in Covington, Kentucky.

3:00 -3:45 PM Panel Discussion: Proposed HD Radio Power Increase Issues

Panel Participants: Bob Surette, Shivley Labs; Tim Anderson, Harris Broadcast Division and Jeff Welton Sales Manager- Eastern US Nautel

 

Parts of the following were used by Jeff Welton during the Panel Discussion. Click links to view

Clipped (Video) Clipped (Flash) Clipped (Windows Media)

 

Comparative (Video) Comparative (Flash) Comparative (Windows Media)  

 

 Compare 10db 20db (Video) Compare 10db 20db (Flash) Compare 10db 20db (Windows Media)

 

Peak to Average Power Ratios (Power Point)

Panel Participant Biography:  Jeff Welton is a graduate of the Electronics Engineering Technician and Technologist programs at RCC Institute of Electronics (formerly Radio College of Canada) in Ontario, Canada. He has worked in electronics repair, installation, quality assurance and manufacturing since 1985. In 1990, he joined Nautel in the Customer Service Department. Then in March 2007, Jeff accepted a position with Nautel Sales Department, where he has been able to use his technical background to help customers find the best possible solutions for their particular requirements.

 

Contact Information for Jeff Welton

Sales Manager -Eastern U.S.

Tel:      (902) 823-5127
Mobile: (902) 489-1635
Fax:     (513) 672-0600

e-mail: jwelton@nautel.com

 

3:45 -4:45 PM: Next Generation IP-based Audio: “Leveraging standard protocols to simplify setup and promote sharing of audio over IP networks”

Artisan (Power Point—Run in Slide Show mode)

 

Jetstream (Power Point—Run in Slide Show mode)

 

Presenter: Frank Grundstein, CBRE

Director of Sales

Logitek

Phone: 610-642-2487

Fax: 610-642-2872

frank@logitekaudio.com

 

3:45 -4:45 PM Presentation Abstract: Networked audio consoles have a poor record of interoperability. Even if models have the ability to communicate, the complex setup and varying parameter choices by manufacturers effectively isolate one model of equipment from another. This is reminiscent of the early days of networking in the computer industry.

 

Recently available protocols allow multicasting systems, like digital mixers, to automatically find and select the many settings required for network communication to work. Consoles can now find other audio equipment, negotiate communication methods and receive a list of available sources just by turning on the power. Some user groups have started requiring a minimum set of protocols in the networked equipment they buy. This growing demand by users will speed the adoption of standards by manufacturers and make it possible for consoles from a variety of manufacturers to send and receive audio with little or no user involvement either across the room or around the world.

 

Presenter Biography:  Frank Grundstein is Director of Sales, Logitek Electronic Systems with a varied career in broadcasting that spans over 35 years. Since 1993 he has been in broadcast sales working for Harris, Radio Systems and, for the past 6 years, Logitek. Frank's engineering career has touched on most environments for Audio for Broadcast. He has been a Major Market Chief Engineer, a video/film production facility manager, Chief Tech of a recording studio and a computer animator. He has a Master's Degree in Communications Systems from NYU and currently holds SBE certifications as CBRE and CBNT.