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GatesAir Amplifies Efficiency and Functionality for DAB Radio Ecosystem at IBC2018
Maxiva™ VAXTE transmitter and Intraplex® IP Link STL networking solutions cover the spectrum for SFN deployments of any scale and power level
Cincinnati, OH, July 26, 2018
As European radio broadcasters adopt the DAB/DAB+ digital audio standard and IP-based networking throughout their transmission infrastructures, GatesAir, a global leader in wireless, over-the-air content delivery solutions for radio and TV broadcasters, has optimized its high-efficiency Maxiva™ VAXTE transmitter for use in small-scale DAB/DAB+ radio installations requiring relatively lower power levels ranging from 10W up to 1kW.
While the VAXTE was originally designed to drive power levels up to 8kW for large-scale and national DAB radio deployments, and up to 25.6kW for VHF TV channels across Bands I and Band III, GatesAir’s latest product introduction adds support for less expansive, regional DAB radio applications that now makes the transmission platform one of the most flexible, scalable and versatile on the market.
GatesAir will showcase this space-saving, air-cooled transmitter—along with its Intraplex® intelligent IP networking solutions for reliable, secure audio and data transport—at Stand 8.D60 at the upcoming IBC2018 (September 14-18, RAI Conference and Exhibition Center). As complementary products, the VAXTE and Intraplex IP Link family—including audio codecs, IP transport gateways, and monitoring and control software—work together to ensure the most efficient, resilient and robust DAB radio workflow across any single frequency network (SFN) operation.
Maxiva VAXTE
For cost-conscious DAB/DAB+ radio deployments and other international use cases, the newly optimized Maxiva VAXTE incorporates the same innovative features available in the high-power DAB transmitters. These include: GatesAir’s patented PowerSmart® Plus architecture for high-power density and efficiency, EDI IP (and legacy ETI) signal protocols, and GatesAir’s patented Real-time Adaptive Correction (RTAC) for market leading digital signal correction.
At the IBC show, GatesAir will demonstrate all of these innovations within groundbreaking, space-efficient platforms that consume 78 percent less floor space than its predecessors.
“By saving space at the transmitter site, the VAXTE allows broadcasters to accommodate more transmitters—delivering more channels—in a much smaller footprint, while cutting energy consumption by 50 percent. This also reduces costs with simpler installation and maintenance, while providing the flexibility to switch between EDI or ETI signal transport streams,” said Ted Lantz, Vice President and General Manager, Radio Product Line, GatesAir.
With the latest software-defined Maxiva XTE exciter built-in, VAXTE transmitters can support DAB Radio (DAB, DAB+ and T-DMB) as well as OFDM (DVB-T, DVB-T2Lite, ISDB-T, ATSC 3.0) modulations. Based on the modular design, the transmitter can be flexibly configured and upgraded to meet desired size and power level requirements. With an innovative design that separates hot-swappable, front-access power supplies from power amplifiers, among other ergonomic enhancements, the VAXTE also simplifies installation and maintenance, resulting in a more favorable total cost of ownership.
“As part of our long legacy of innovation, the VAXTE is a next-generation transmission platform that saves broadcasters money, while making them more competitive as they deal with evolving broadcast standards, and the industry-wide shift to IP networks,” said Lantz.
Intraplex® IP Networking
When used in conjunction with GatesAir’s Intraplex® IP Link family of intelligent networking solutions, the Maxiva VAXTE transmitter becomes part of an overall DAB or VHF workflow that provides advanced IP stream processing, monitoring and correction to ensure high-quality, error-free IP audio data transport from the studio out to the transmitter sites and SFNs.
“At IBC, we’ll showcase the operational benefits of our entire Intraplex® IP Link product line, which leverages our patented dynamic stream splicing capability to ensure that the transport of audio and data across IP networks is as secure and reliable as possible,” said Keyur Parikh, Vice President and General Manager, Intraplex Product Group, GatesAir. “This includes Intraplex IPConnect, a stand-alone gateway system that provides real-time protection of any IP packet data stream to improve the flow of audio and control traffic over IP.” IPConnect is designed as a cost-efficient solution for customers that only want transport stream optimization, without the encoding and decoding capabilities offered by IP Link codecs.
IBC also marks the European debut of the Intraplex IP Link 200A codec, which combines audio encoding and decoding with optional built-in GPS for tightly synchronized SFN operations. IP Link 200A codecs integrate all capabilities of the globally established Intraplex IP Link 200 codec, including DAB transport stream protection, with a new AES67 AoIP interface. Ideal for STL, audio contribution and distribution functions, the Intraplex IP Link 200A provides two bidirectional stereo audio channels, one of which complies with the AES67 standard for establishing interoperability between Dante, Ravenna, Livewire and other Audio over IP networking systems.
The GatesAir Intraplex IP Link product family also includes LiveLook software for analyzing and monitoring all of the streams being transported on an IP network, and generating reports and graphs to illustrate real-time and historical performance. GatesAir’s family of Intraplex IP Link products can be used with any transmitter on the market, making their deployments even more flexible and accessible to broadcasters worldwide.
About GatesAir
GatesAir, Inc., a portfolio company of The Gores Group, provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content. With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership with all products designed and assembled in the USA. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gatesair, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.
About The Gores Group
The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on acquiring controlling interests in mature and growing businesses which can benefit from the firm's operating experience and flexible capital base. The firm combines the operational expertise and detailed due diligence capabilities of a strategic buyer with the seasoned M&A team of a traditional financial buyer. Over its 30-year history, The Gores Group has become a leading investor having demonstrated a reliable track record of creating value in its portfolio companies alongside management. Headquartered in Los Angeles, The Gores Group maintains offices in Boulder, CO, and London. For more information, please visit http://www.gores.com.
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