IBOC FM Transmission Specification

August 2001

iBiquity Digital Corporation

8865 Stanford Boulevard, Suite 202 20 Independence Boulevard

FM Transmission Specification © 2001 iBiquity Digital Corporation

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009
 Columbia, Maryland 21045 Warren, New Jersey 07059
(410) 872-1530 (908) 580-7000

FM Transmission Specification © 2001 iBiquity Digital Corporation

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009
Table of Contents

Contents
1 SCOPE ..............................................................................................................................................................1
2 ABBREVIATIONS, SYMBOLS, AND CONVENTIONS .................................................................................1
2.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................1
2.2 Abbreviations and Acronyms ....................................................................................................................1
2.3 Presentation Conventions ..........................................................................................................................1
2.4 Mathematical Symbols ..............................................................................................................................1
2.4.1 Variable Naming Conventions ..................................................................................................................1
2.4.2 Arithmetic Operators .................................................................................................................................1
2.5 FM System Parameters ..............................................................................................................................1
3 IBOC LAYERS ..................................................................................................................................................1
3.1 FM Hybrid Layer 1...................................................................................................................................1
3.1.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................1
3.2 Waveforms and Spectra.............................................................................................................................1
3.2.1 Hybrid Waveform .................................................................................................................................1
3.2.2 Extended Hybrid Waveform .................................................................................................................1
3.2.3 All Digital Waveform............................................................................................................................1
3.3 System Control Channel............................................................................................................................1
3.4 Logical Channels .......................................................................................................................................1
3.4.1 Primary Logical Channels .....................................................................................................................1
3.4.2 Secondary Logical Channels .................................................................................................................1
3.4.3 Logical Channel Functionality ..............................................................................................................1
3.5 Functional Components.............................................................................................................................1
3.5.1 Service Access Points............................................................................................................................1
3.5.2 Scrambling ............................................................................................................................................1
3.5.3 Channel Encoding .................................................................................................................................1
3.5.4 Interleaving ...........................................................................................................................................1
3.5.5 System Control Processing....................................................................................................................1
3.5.6 OFDM Subcarrier Mapping ..................................................................................................................1
3.5.7 OFDM Signal Generation .....................................................................................................................1
3.5.8 Transmission Subsystem .......................................................................................................................1
4 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................................1
4.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................1
4.2 Functionality..............................................................................................................................................1
4.3 Transmission Subsystem ...........................................................................................................................1
4.3.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................1
4.4 Functional Components.............................................................................................................................1

FM Transmission Specification © 2001 iBiquity Digital Corporation

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009
 4.4.1 Symbol Concatenation ..........................................................................................................................1
4.4.2 Up-Conversion ......................................................................................................................................1
4.4.3 Diversity Delay .....................................................................................................................................1
4.4.4 Analog FM Modulator...........................................................................................................................1
4.4.5 Analog/Digital Combiner ......................................................................................................................1
4.4.6 Use of On Channel Repeaters ...............................................................................................................1
4.4.7 GPS Synchronizarion ............................................................................................................................1
5 WAVEFORMS AND SPECTRA.......................................................................................................................1
5.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................1
5.2 Frequency Partitions and Spectral Conventions ........................................................................................1
5.3 Hybrid Spectrum .......................................................................................................................................1
5.4 Extended Hybrid Spectrum........................................................................................................................1
5.5 All Digital Spectrum..................................................................................................................................1
SUPPLEMENT A FM TRANSMISSION SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................1
A.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................1
A.2 Synchronization Tolerances.......................................................................................................................1
A.2.1 Analog Diversity Delay.........................................................................................................................1
A.2.2 RF Carrier Frequency and OFDM Symbol Clock.................................................................................1
A.2.3 GPS Phase Lock ....................................................................................................................................1
A.3 IBOC Noise and Emissions Limits............................................................................................................1
A.3.1 Analog Waveform .................................................................................................................................1
A.3.2 Hybrid and Extended Hybrid Waveforms .............................................................................................1
A.3.3 All Digital Waveform............................................................................................................................1
A.4 Digital Sideband Levels.............................................................................................................................1
GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................................................................1

FM Transmission Specification © 2001 iBiquity Digital Corporation

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009
Scope

The iBiquity Digital Corporation’s iDAB™ system is designed to permit a smooth evolution
from current analog Amplitude Modulation (AM) and Frequency Modulation (FM) radio to a
fully digital in-band on-channel (IBOC) system. This system delivers digital audio and data
services to mobile, portable, and fixed receivers from terrestrial transmitters in the existing
Medium Frequency (MF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio bands. Broadcasters may
continue to transmit analog AM and FM simultaneously with the new, higher-quality and more
robust digital signals, allowing themselves and their listeners to convert from analog to digital
radio while maintaining their current frequency allocations.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 1

Abbreviations, Symbols, and Conventions

Introduction
Section 0 presents the following items pertinent to a better understanding of this document:
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Presentation Conventions
Mathematical Symbols
FM System Parameters
Note: A glossary defining the technical terms used herein is provided at the end of this
document.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
AM Amplitude Modulation
BC L1 Block Count
BPSK Binary Phase Shift Keying
DD Analog Diversity Delay Control
DDI Analog Diversity Delay Indicator
EAS Emergency Alert System
FCC Federal Communications Commission
FM Frequency Modulation
GPS Global Positioning System
IBOC In-Band On-Channel
IDS IBOC Data Service
IP Interleaving Process
kbit/sec kilobits per second
L1 Layer 1
L2 Layer 2
MF Medium Frequency
MP1–MP7 Primary Service Modes 1 through 7
MS1–MS4 Secondary Service Modes 1 through 4
N/A Not Applicable
OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
OSI Open Systems Interconnection
P1–P3 Primary Logical Channels 1 through 3
PIDS Primary IBOC Data Service Logical Channel
PM Primary Main
PSM Primary Service Mode
PX Primary Extended
QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
RF Radio Frequency
RSID Reference Subcarrier Identification
S1–S5 Secondary Logical Channels 1 through 5
SAP Service Access Point

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SB Secondary Broadband
SCA Subsidiary Communications Authorization
SCCH System Control Channel
SCI Secondary Channel Indicator
SCU Service Control Unit
SDU Service Data Unit
SIDS Secondary IBOC Data Service Logical Channel
SM Secondary Main
SP Secondary Protected
SSM Secondary Service Mode
SX Secondary Extended
UTC Universal Time Coordinated
VHF Very High Frequency

Presentation Conventions
Unless otherwise noted, the following conventions apply to this document:
In this document, all provisions enclosed in braces{ } will either be provided in the future or
are anticipated to be subject to change upon review.
All items in the glossary are presented in italics upon their first usage in the text.
All vectors are indexed starting with 0.
The element of a vector with the lowest index is considered to be first.
In drawings and tables, the leftmost bit is considered to occur first.
Bit 0 of a byte or word is considered the least significant bit.
When presenting the dimensions of a matrix, the number of rows is given first (e.g., an n x m
matrix has n rows and m columns).
In timing diagrams, earliest time is on the left.

Mathematical Symbols

Variable Naming Conventions

The variable naming conventions defined below are used throughout this document.
Category Definition Examples
Lower and upper case letters Indicates scalar quantities i, j, J, g11
Underlined lower and upper Indicates vectors u, V
case letters
Double underlined lower and Indicates two-dimensional u, V
upper case letters matrices
[i] Indicates the ith element of a u[0], V[1]
vector, where i is a non-
negative integer
[] Indicates the contents of a v = [0, 10, 6, 4]
vector

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 Category Definition Examples
[i] [j] Indicates the element of a two- u[i][j], V[i][j]
dimensional matrix in the ith row
and jth column, where i and j
are non-negative integers
  Indicates the contents of a 0 3 1
  matrix m= 
  2 7 5 
n …m Indicates all the integers from n 3 …6 = 3, 4, 5, 6
to m, inclusive
n:m Indicates bit positions n through Given a binary vector i = [0, 1, 1, 0,
m of a binary sequence or 1, 1, 0, 0], i2:5 = [1, 0, 1, 1]
vector

Arithmetic Operators
The arithmetic operators defined below are used throughout this document.
Category Definition Examples
· Indicates a multiplication operation 3·4 = 12
INT( ) Indicates the integer portion of a real INT(5/3) = 1
number INT(-1.8) = -1
a MOD b Indicates a modulo operation 33 MOD 16 = 1
⊕ Indicates modulo-2 binary addition 1⊕ 1 = 0
| Indicates the concatenation of two vectors B = [S | F]
The resulting vector B consists of
the elements of S followed by the
elements of F.
J Indicates the square-root of -1 j = −1
Re( ) Indicates the real component of a If x = (3 + j4), Re(x) = 3
complex quantity
Im( ) Indicates the imaginary component of a If x = (3 + j4), Im(x) = 4
complex quantity
Log10 Indicates the base-10 logarithm log10(100) = 2

FM System Parameters
The FM system parameters defined below are used throughout this document.
Computed Value
(to 4 significant
Parameter Name Symbol Units Exact Value figures)
OFDM Subcarrier Spacing ∆f Hz 1488375/4096 363.4
Cyclic Prefix Width α none 7/128 5.469 x 10-2
(1+α) /∆f = 2.902 x 10-3
OFDM Symbol Duration Ts Sec. (135/128)·(4096/1488375)
OFDM Symbol Rate Rs Hz = 1/Ts 344.5
L1 Frame Duration Tf Sec. 65536/44100 = 512·Ts 1.486
L1 Frame Rate Rf Hz = 1/Tf 6.729 x 10-1
L1 Block Duration Tb Sec. = 32·Ts 9.288 x 10-2
L1 Block Rate Rb Hz = 1/Tb 10.77
L1 Block Pair Duration Tp Sec. = 64·Ts 1.858 x 10-1
L1 Block Pair Rate Rp Hz = 1/Tp 5.383

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 3 = number of L1 frames 3
Diversity Delay Frames Ndd none of diversity delay

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IBOC Layers

The IBOC detailed performance specifications are organized in terms of the International
Standards Organization Open Systems Interconnection (ISO OSI) layered model. The
definitions of this model are summarized below for reference:
•Layer 1: Physical layer
ƒ Modem, Interleaving, FEC, Scrambling
•Layer 2: Data link layer
ƒ Routing Layer 1 Frames to/from Layer 4 -- Minimal frame integrity checking.
•Layer 3: Network layer -- Not used in IBOC
•Layer 4: Transport layer -- Builds services, reliable data delivery in format required for specific applications
ƒ Digital Audio
ƒ Control Data and Text
ƒ File & Packet Delivery
•Layer 5: Session layer -- Not used in IBOC
•Layer 6: Presentation layer -- Provides services like Encoding/Decoding
ƒ Images
ƒ Text
ƒ Audio, PAC
•Layer 7 Application layer 7: -- Provides means of exchanging information to the user via human machine
interface
ƒ Audio – blending, audio processing etc..
ƒ Text – Processing for display.
ƒ Video - Video image presentation.
ƒ Specialized applications like java applets etc..

Each OSI layer of the broadcasting system has a corresponding layer, termed a peer, in the
receiving system. The functionality of these layers is such that the combined result of lower
layers is to effect a virtual communication between a given layer and its peer on the other side.
For the purposes of this document covering the IBOC Transmission System only Layer 1 will be
described.

FM Hybrid Layer 1

Introduction

Layer 1 of the FM system converts information and system control from Layer 2 (L2) into the
FM IBOC waveform for transmission in the VHF band. The information and control is
transported in discrete transfer frames via multiple logical channels through the Layer 1 service
access points (SAPs). These transfer frames are also referred to as Layer 2 service data units
(SDUs) and service control units (SCUs), respectively.
The L2 SDUs vary in size and format depending on the service mode. The service mode, a major
component of system control, determines the transmission characteristics of each logical
channel. After assessing the requirements of their candidate applications, higher protocol layers
select service modes that most suitably configure the logical channels. The plurality of logical
channels reflects the inherent flexibility of the system, which supports simultaneous delivery of
various classes of digital audio and data.
Layer 1 also receives system control as SCUs from Layer 2. System control is processed in the
System Control Processor.
This section presents the following:

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 6

 An overview of the waveforms and spectra
An overview of the system control, including the available service modes
An overview of the logical channels
A high-level discussion of each of the functional components comprising the Layer 1 FM air
interface

Note: Throughout this document, various system parameters are globally represented as
mathematical symbols. Refer to Subsection 2.5 for their values.
Waveforms and Spectra
The design provides a flexible means of transitioning to a digital broadcast system by providing
three new waveform types: Hybrid, Extended Hybrid, and All Digital. The Hybrid and Extended
Hybrid types retain the analog FM signal, while the All Digital type does not. All three
waveform operate well below allocated spectral emissions mask as currently defined by the FCC.
The digital signal is modulated using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).
OFDM is a parallel modulation scheme in which the data stream modulates a large number of
orthogonal subcarriers, which are transmitted simultaneously. OFDM is inherently flexible,
readily allowing the mapping of logical channels to different groups of subcarriers.
Refer to Section 5 for a detailed description of the spectra of the three-waveform types.

Hybrid Waveform

The digital signal is transmitted in Primary Main (PM) sidebands on either side of the analog
FM signal in the Hybrid waveform. The power level of each sideband is approximately 23 dB
below the total power in the analog FM signal. The analog signal may be monophonic or stereo,
and may include subsidiary communications authorization (SCA) channels.

Extended Hybrid Waveform

In the Extended Hybrid waveform, the bandwidth of the Hybrid sidebands can be extended
toward the analog FM signal to increase digital capacity. This additional spectrum, allocated to
the inner edge of each Primary Main sideband, is termed the Primary Extended (PX) sideband.

All Digital Waveform

The greatest system enhancements are realized with the All Digital waveform, in which the
analog signal is removed and the bandwidth of the primary digital sidebands is fully extended as
in the Extended Hybrid waveform. In addition, this waveform allows lower-power digital
secondary sidebands to be transmitted in the spectrum vacated by the analog FM signal.

System Control Channel

The System Control Channel (SCCH) transports control and status information. Primary and
secondary service modes and diversity delay control are sent from Layer 2 to Layer 1, while
synchronization information is sent from Layer 1 to Layer 2.
The service modes dictate all permissible configurations of the logical channels. There are a total
of eleven service modes.

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 The seven primary service modes are MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4, MP5, MP6, and MP7. They
configure the primary logical channels.
The four secondary service modes are MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4. They configure the
secondary logical channels.

Logical Channels
A logical channel is a signal path that conducts L2 SDUs in transfer frames into Layer 1 with a
specific grade of service, determined by service mode. Layer 1 of the FM air interface provides
ten logical channels to higher layer protocols. Not all logical channels are used in every service
mode. Refer to subsection 0 through Subsection 0 for details.

Primary Logical Channels

There are four primary logical channels which are used with both the Hybrid and All Digital
waveforms. They are denoted as P1, P2, P3, and PIDS. Table 0-1 shows the approximate
information rate supported by each primary logical channel as a function of primary service
mode.

Table 0-1 Approximate Information Rate of Primary Logical Channels

Service Approximate Information Rate (kbps)

Mode P1 P2 P3 PIDS Waveform
MP1 25 74 0 1 Hybrid
MP2 25 74 12 1 Extended Hybrid
MP3 25 74 25 1 Extended Hybrid
MP4 25 74 50 1 Extended Hybrid
MP5 25 74 25 1 Extended Hybrid, All Digital (With Analog)
MP6 50 49 0 1 Extended Hybrid, All Digital (With Analog)
MP7 25 98 25 1 Extended Hybrid, All Digital (With Analog)

Secondary Logical Channels

There are six secondary logical channels that are used only with the All Digital waveform. They
are denoted as S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and SIDS. Table 0-2 shows the approximate information rate
supported by each secondary logical channel as a function of secondary service mode.

Table 0-2 Approximate Information Rate of Secondary Logical Channels

Service Approximate Information Rate (kbps)

Mode S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 SIDS Waveform
MS1 0 0 0 98 6 1 All Digital
MS2 25 74 25 0 6 1 All Digital
MS3 50 49 0 0 6 1 All Digital
MS4 25 98 25 0 6 1 All Digital

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Logical Channel Functionality

Logical channels P1 through P3 are designed to convey audio and data. S1 through S5 can be
configured to carry data or surround sound audio. Primary IBOC Data Service (PIDS) and
Secondary IBOC Data Service (SIDS) logical channels are designed to carry IBOC Data Service
(IDS) information.
The performance of each logical channel is completely described through three characterization
parameters: transfer, latency, and robustness. Channel encoding, spectral mapping, interleaver
depth, and diversity delay are the components of these characterization parameters. The service
mode uniquely configures these components for each active logical channel, thereby allowing
the assignment of appropriate characterization parameters.
In addition, the service mode specifies the framing and synchronization of the transfer frames
through each active logical channel.

Functional Components
This subsection includes a high-level description of each Layer 1 functional block and the
associated signal flow. Figure 0-1 is a functional block diagram of Layer 1 processing. Audio
and data are passed from the higher OSI layers to the physical layer, the modem, through the
Layer 1 Service Access points.
The flow of the signal is detailed in sections 3.5.1 through 3.5.8.

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 Analog,
SCA Layer 2
Sources

Layer 1 SAP

PIDS

SIDS
P1

P2

P3

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5
Scrambling

Control/Status
Channel Encoding

SCCH
System
Control
Interleaving Processing

Control/Status
R

OFDM Subcarrier Mapping

OFDM Signal Generation

y n(t)

Baseband
Transmission Subsystem

s(t)

Figure 0-1 FM Air Interface Layer 1 Functional Block Diagram

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 10

Service Access Points

The L1 SAPs define the interface between Layer 2 and Layer 1 of the system protocol stack.
Each logical channel and the SCCH have their own SAP. Each channel enters Layer 1 in discrete
transfer frames, with unique size and rate determined by the service mode. These Layer 2
transfer frames are typically referred to as L2 SDUs and SCUs.

Scrambling

This function randomizes the digital data in each logical channel to “whiten” and mitigate signal
periodicities when the waveform is demodulated in a conventional analog FM demodulator.

Channel Encoding

This function uses convolution encoding to add redundancy to the digital data in each logical
channel to improve its reliability in the presence of channel impairments. The size of the logical
channel vectors is increased in inverse proportion to the code rate. The encoding techniques are
configurable by service mode. Diversity delay is also imposed on selected logical channels. At
the output of the channel encoder, the logical channel vectors retain their identity.

Interleaving

Interleaving in time and frequency is employed to mitigate the effects of burst errors. The
interleaving techniques are tailored to the VHF fading environment and are configurable by
service mode. In this process, the logical channels lose their identity. The interleaver output is
structured in a matrix format; each matrix is comprised of one or more logical channels and is
associated with a particular portion of the transmitted spectrum.

System Control Processing

This function generates a matrix of system control data sequences which includes control and
status (such as service mode), for broadcast on the reference subcarriers.

OFDM Subcarrier Mapping

This function assigns the interleaved matrices and the system control matrix to the OFDM
subcarriers. One row of each active interleaver matrix is processed every OFDM symbol Ts to
produce one output vector X, which is a frequency-domain representation of the signal. The
mapping is specifically tailored to the non-uniform interference environment and is a function of
the service mode.

OFDM Signal Generation

This function generates the digital portion of the time-domain FM IBOC waveform. The input
vectors are transformed into a shaped time-domain baseband pulse, yn(t), defining one OFDM
symbol.

Transmission Subsystem

This function formats the baseband waveform for transmission through the VHF channel. Major
sub-functions include symbol concatenation and frequency up-conversion. In addition, when

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 11

transmitting the Hybrid waveform, this function modulates the analog source and combines it
with the digital signal to form a composite Hybrid signal, s(t), ready for transmission.

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Functional Description

Introduction
OFDM Signal Generation receives complex, frequency-domain OFDM symbols from OFDM
Subcarrier Mapping, and outputs time-domain pulses representing the digital portion of the FM
IBOC signal. A conceptual block diagram of OFDM Signal Generation is shown in Figure 0-1.

From OFDM
Subcarrier Mapping
Xn

OFDM Signal Generation

yn(t)
To Transmission Subsystem

Figure 0-1 OFDM Signal Generation Conceptual Block Diagram

The input to OFDM Signal Generation is a complex vector Xn of length L, representing the
complex constellation values for each OFDM subcarrier in OFDM symbol n. The output of
OFDM Signal Generation is a complex, baseband, time-domain pulse yn(t), representing the
digital portion of the FM IBOC signal for OFDM symbol n.

Functionality
Let Xn[k] be the scaled constellation points from OFDM Subcarrier Mapping for the nth symbol,
where k = 0, 1, …, L-1 indexes the OFDM subcarriers. Let yn(t) denote the time-domain output
of OFDM Signal Generation for the nth symbol. Then yn(t) is written in terms of Xn[k] as
follows,
 ( L −1) 
L −1 j 2 π⋅∆f  k − ⋅ (t − nTs )
yn (t ) = h(t − nTs ) ⋅ ∑ X n [k ] ⋅ e  2 

k =0

where n = 0, 1, …, ∞, 0 < t < ∞, L = 1093 is the total number of OFDM subcarriers, and Ts and
∆f are the OFDM symbol duration and OFDM subcarrier spacing, respectively, as defined in
Subsection 2.5.

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The pulse-shaping function h(ξ) is defined as:

  α T −ξ 
cos π  if 0 <ξ <αT
  2α T 
1 if αT ≤ξ ≤T
h(ξ ) = 
cos π T − ξ  if T < ξ < T (1 + α )
  2α T 
  
0 elsewhere
1
where α is the cyclic prefix width defined in Subsection 2.5, and T = is the reciprocal of the
∆f
OFDM subcarrier spacing.

Transmission Subsystem

Introduction

The Transmission Subsystem formats the baseband FM IBOC waveform for transmission
through the VHF channel. Functions include symbol concatenation and frequency up-conversion.
In addition, when transmitting the Hybrid or Extended Hybrid waveforms, this function delays
and modulates the baseband analog signal before combining it with the digital waveform.
The input to this module is a complex, baseband, time-domain OFDM symbol, yn(t), from the
OFDM Signal Generation function. A baseband analog signal m(t) is also input from an analog
source, along with optional subsidiary communications authorization (SCA) signals, when
transmitting the Hybrid or Extended Hybrid waveform. In addition, analog diversity delay
control (DD) is input from Layer 2 via the CCH. The output of this module is the VHF FM
IBOC

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 14

 From From From OFDM Signal
Layer 2 Analog Source Generation

DD (optional) SCA
m(t) Subcarriers
yn(t)
(via SCCH)

Diversity Delay (τ) Symbol Concatenation

m(t-τ) y(t)

Up-Conversion
Analog FM Modulator

a(t) z(t)

+
Hybrid and
Extended Hybrid
waveforms only

s(t)

VHF FM IBOC Waveform

Figure 0-2 Hybrid/Extended Hybrid Transmission Subsystem Functional Block Diagram

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 From OFDM
Signal Generation

yn(t)

Symbol Concatenation

y(t)

Up-Conversion

s(t)

. VHF FM IBOC Waveform

Figure 0-3 All Digital Transmission Subsystem Functional Block Diagram

Functional Components
The functional components of the Transmission Subsystem are specified in Subsection 0 through
Subsection 0.

Symbol Concatenation

The individual time-domain OFDM symbols generated by OFDM Signal Generation are
concatenated to produce a continuum of pulses over t = 0, …, ∞ , as follows:
∞
y (t ) = ∑ y n (t )
n =0

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Up-Conversion

The concatenated digital signal y(t) is translated from baseband to the RF carrier frequency as
follows:

 j2πf c t 
z( t ) = Re e ⋅ y( t ) 
 

where fc is the VHF allocated channel frequency and Re[ ] denotes the real component of the
complex quantity. For the All Digital waveform, the output of the up-converter is the transmitted
VHF FM IBOC waveform, and therefore, s(t) = z(t).
The carrier frequency spacing and channel numbering scheme are compatible with Title 47 CFR
§73.201. The carriers retain their 200-kHz spacing over the 88.0- to 108.0-MHz frequency range.
Channels are numbered from 201 to 300, where channel 201 is centered on 88.1 MHz and
channel 300 is centered on 107.9 MHz. The absolute accuracy of the carrier frequency is defined
in Appendix A.

Diversity Delay

When broadcasting the Hybrid and Extended Hybrid waveforms, z(t) is combined with the
analog FM signal a(t), as shown in Figure 0-2. The first step in generating a(t) is the application
of diversity delay to the baseband analog signal m(t).
The analog diversity delay control bit (DD), received from Layer 2 via the SCCH, is used by
upper protocol layers to enable or disable the diversity delay. If DD is 0, the diversity delay is
disabled; if DD is 1, it is enabled. When diversity delay is enabled, an adjustable delay τ is
applied to the baseband analog signal m(t). The delay is set so that, at the output of the
analog/digital combiner, a(t) lags the corresponding digital signal z(t) by Tdd. In the IBOC
system the analog and digital signals carry the same audio program with the analog audio
delayed from the corresponding digital audio by Tdd at the output of the analog/digital combiner.
The delay is adjustable to account for processing delays in the analog and digital chains.
The absolute accuracy of the diversity delay, when enabled, is defined in Appendix A.

Analog FM Modulator

For the Hybrid and Extended Hybrid waveforms, the appropriately delayed baseband analog
signal m(t-τ) is frequency modulated to produce an RF analog FM waveform identical to existing
analog signals. The FM-modulated analog signal, including any SCAs, will maintain
compatibility with Title 47 CFR Part 73, Subparts B, C, and H. In addition, the analog signal will
be compatible with the emergency alert system (EAS) as specified in Title 47 CFR Part 11.

Analog/Digital Combiner

When broadcasting the Hybrid or Extended Hybrid waveform, the analog-modulated FM RF

signal is combined with the digitally-modulated RF signal to produce the VHF FM IBOC
waveform, s(t). Both the analog and digital portions of the waveform are centered on the same
carrier frequency.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 17

The levels of each digital sideband in the output spectrum are appropriately scaled by OFDM
Subcarrier Mapping. The subcarrier scale factors and power ratios with respect to the total power
of the analog FM carrier are provided in Appendix A.
The spectral noise and emission limits of the IBOC digital signal are defined in Appendix A.

Use of On Channel Repeaters

The use of OFDM modulation in the FM IBOC system allows on-channel digital repeaters to fill
areas of desired coverage where signal losses due to terrain and/or shadowing are severe. A
typical application would be where mountains or other terrain obstructions within the station’s
service areas limit analog or digital performance.

iBiquity’s FM IBOC system operates with an effective guard time between OFDM symbols of
approximately 150 microseconds1. To avoid significant intersymbol interference the effective
coverage in the direction of the primary transmission system should be limited to within 14
miles. Specifically the ratio of the signal from the primary transmitter to the booster signal
should be at least 10 dB at locations more than 14 miles from the repeater in the direction of the
primary antenna. Performance and distances between on-channel boosters can be improved
through the use of directional antennas to protect the main station. The coverage in the direction
pointing away from the primary antenna can be arbitrarily large, but must conform to the FCC
coverage allocation for that station.

GPS Synchronization

In order to ensure precise time synchronization, for rapid station acquisition and booster
synchronization, each station is GPS locked.
This is normally accomplished through synchronization with a signal synchronized in time and
frequency to the Global Positioning System (GPS)2. Transmissions that are not locked to GPS,
will not benefit from fast tuning since they cannot be synchronized with other stations3.

1
150 microseconds equates to a 28 mile propagation distance.
2
GPS Locked stations are referred to as Level I: GPS-locked transmission facilities
3
Level II: Non-GPS locked transmission facilities

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 18

Waveforms and Spectra

Introduction
This section describes the output spectrum for each of the three digital waveform types: Hybrid,
Extended Hybrid, and All Digital. Each spectrum is divided into several sidebands, which
represent various subcarrier groupings. All spectra are represented at baseband.

Frequency Partitions and Spectral Conventions

The OFDM subcarriers are assembled into frequency partitions. Each frequency partition is
comprised of eighteen data subcarriers and one reference subcarrier, as shown in Figure 0-1
(ordering A) and Figure 0-2 (ordering B). The position of the reference subcarrier (ordering A or
B) varies with the location of the frequency partition within the spectrum.
Reference Subcarrier

18 Data Subcarriers

ce
en 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
r d1 d2 d3 d4 d5 d6 d7 d8 d9 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1
e
ef
R
Frequency

Figure 0-1 Frequency Partition–Ordering A

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 19

 Reference Subcarrier

18 Data Subcarriers

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 e
d1 d2 d3 d4 d5 d6 d7 d8 d9 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1 d1
e nc
er
ef
Frequency R

Figure 0-2 Frequency Partition–Ordering B

For each frequency partition, data subcarriers d1 through d18 convey the L2 SDUs, while the
reference subcarriers convey system control. Subcarriers are numbered from 0 at the center
frequency to ±546 at either end of the channel frequency allocation.
Besides the reference subcarriers resident within each frequency partition, depending on the
service mode, up to five additional reference subcarriers are inserted into the spectrum at
subcarrier numbers −546, −279, 0, 279, and 546. The overall effect is a regular distribution of
reference subcarriers throughout the spectrum. For notational convenience, each reference
subcarrier is assigned a unique identification number between 0 and 60. All lower sideband
reference subcarriers are shown in Figure 0-3. All upper sideband reference subcarriers are
shown in Figure 0-4. The figures indicate the relationship between reference subcarrier numbers
and OFDM subcarrier numbers.
Lower Secondary Sideband

Lower Primary Sideband

OFDM
-527

-394

-375

-356

-337

-318

-299

-280
-546

-508

-489

-470

-451

-432

-413

Subcarrier
-209
-279
-266

-247

-228

-190

-171

-152

-133

-114

-57

-38

-19
-95

-76

Numbers
Frequency
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Reference Subcarrier Numbers

Figure 0-3 Lower Sideband Reference Subcarrier Spectral Mapping

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 20

 Upper Primary Sideband

Upper Secondary Sideband

OFDM
Subcarrier

356

508

527

546
280

299

318

337

375

394

413

432

451

470

489
Numbers

114

133

152

171

190

209

228

247

266
279
38
19

57

76

95
0

Frequency
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 4546 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Reference Subcarrier Numbers

Figure 0-4 Upper Sideband Reference Subcarrier Spectral Mapping

Each spectrum described in the remaining subsections shows the subcarrier number and center
frequency of certain key OFDM subcarriers. The center frequency of a subcarrier is calculated
by multiplying the subcarrier number by the OFDM subcarrier spacing ∆f. The center of
subcarrier 0 is located at 0 Hz. In this context, center frequency is relative to the radio frequency
(RF) allocated channel.
For example, the upper Primary Main sideband is bounded by subcarriers 356 and 546, whose
center frequencies are located at 129,361 Hz and 198,402 Hz, respectively. The frequency span
of the Primary Main sideband is 69,041 Hz. (198,402 – 129,361).

Hybrid Spectrum
The digital signal is transmitted in PM sidebands on either side of the analog FM signal, as
shown in Figure 0-5. Each PM sideband is comprised of ten frequency partitions, which are
allocated among subcarriers 356 through 545, or -356 through -545. Subcarriers 546 and -546,
also included in the PM sidebands, are additional reference subcarriers. The amplitude of the
subcarrier within Primary Main sidebands are uniformly scaled by an amplitude scale factor, a0.
The amplitude scaling factor is described in Appendix A. Table 0-1 summarizes the upper and
lower Primary Main sidebands for the Hybrid waveform.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 21

 Lower Digital Upper Digital
Additional Additional
Reference Sideband Sideband Reference
Subcarrier Subcarrier
Primary Primary

Main Main

Analog FM Signal
10 frequency 10 frequency
partitions partitions

-198,402 Hz -129,361 Hz 129,361 Hz 198,402 Hz

# -546 # -356 0 Hz # 356 # 546
#0

Figure 0-5 Spectrum of the Hybrid Waveform–Service Mode MP1

Table 0-1 Hybrid Waveform Spectral Summary–Service Mode MP1

Subcarrier Ampl.
Frequencies Scale
Number of Frequency (Hz from
Factor
Frequency Partition Subcarrier channel Frequency Span
Sideband Partitions Ordering Range center) (Hz) Comments
Includes
additional
Upper 356 129,361 reference
Primary to to subcarrier
ao
Main 10 A 546 198,402 69,041 546
Includes
additional
Lower -356 -129,361 reference
Primary to to subcarrier -
ao
Main 10 B -546 -198,402 69,041 546

Note: Refer to Appendix A for details regarding the amplitude scale factors shown above.
Extended Hybrid Spectrum
The Extended Hybrid waveform is created by adding Primary Extended sidebands to the Primary
Main sidebands present in the Hybrid waveform, as shown in Figure 0-6. Depending on the
service mode, one, two, or four frequency partitions can be added to the inner edge of each
Primary Main sideband.
Each Primary Main sideband consists of ten frequency partitions and an additional reference
subcarrier spanning subcarriers 356 through 546, or -356 through -546. The upper Primary
Extended sidebands include subcarriers 337 through 355 (one frequency partition), 318 through
Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 22
355 (two frequency partitions), or 280 through 355 (four frequency partitions). The lower
Primary Extended sidebands include subcarriers -337 through -355 (one frequency partition), -
318 through -355 (two frequency partitions), or -280 through -355 (four frequency partitions).
The subcarriers within Primary Extended sidebands are uniformly scaled the same amplitude
scale factor, a0, as the Primary Main sidebands. The amplitude scaling factor is described in
Appendix A. Table 0-2 summarizes the Upper and Lower Primary sidebands for the Extended
Hybrid waveform.

Additional Lower Digital Upper Digital Additional

Reference
Subcarrier
Sideband Sideband Reference
Subcarrier
Primary Primary

Main Main
Extended Extended

10 1, 2, or 4 1, 2, or 4 10
frequency partitions
frequency
partitions
Analog FM Signal frequency
partitions frequency partitions

-198,402 Hz -129,361 Hz (# -356) 129,361 Hz (# 356) 198,402 Hz

(# -546) 0 Hz (# 0) (# 546)
-122,457 Hz (# -337) 122,457 Hz (# 337)

-115,553 Hz (# -318) 115,553 Hz (# 318)

-101,744 Hz (# -280) 101,744 Hz (# 280)

Figure 0-6 Spectrum of the Extended Hybrid Waveform–Service Modes MP2 through MP4

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 23

Table 0-2 Extended Hybrid Waveform Spectral Summary–Service Modes MP2 through MP4

Subcarrier Ampl.
Frequencie Scale
Number of Frequency s (Hz from
Factor
Frequency Partition Subcarrier channel Frequency
Sideband Partitions Ordering Range center) Span (Hz) Comments
Includes
additional
Upper 356 129,361 reference
Primary to to subcarrier
ao
Main 10 A 546 198,402 69,041 546

Includes
additional
Lower -356 reference
Primary to -129,361 to subcarrier
Main 10 B -546 -198,402 ao 69,041 -546
Upper
Primary
Extended 337 122,457
(1 frequency to to
ao
partition) 1 A 355 128,997 6,540 none
Lower
Primary
Extended -337
(1 frequency to -122,457 to
ao
partition) 1 B -355 -128,997 6,540 none
Upper
Primary
Extended 318 115,553
(2 frequency to to
ao
partitions) 2 A 355 128,997 13,444 none
Lower
Primary
Extended -318 -115, 553
(2 frequency to to
ao
partitions) 2 B -355 -128,997 13,444 none
Upper
Primary
Extended 280 101,744
(4 frequency to to
ao
partitions) 4 A 355 128,997 27,253 none
Lower
Primary
Extended -280 -101, 744
(4 frequency to to
ao
partitions) 4 B -355 -128,997 27,253 none

Note: Refer to Appendix A for details regarding the amplitude scale.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 24

All Digital Spectrum
The All Digital waveform is constructed by removing the analog signal, fully expanding the
bandwidth of the primary digital sidebands, and adding lower-power secondary sidebands in the
spectrum vacated by the analog signal. The spectrum of the All Digital waveform is shown in
Figure 0-7.

Lower Digital Sideband Upper Digital Sideband

Additional Additional
Reference Primary Secondary Secondary Primary Reference
Subcarrier Subcarrier

Main Extended Extended Main

Protected Protected
10 frequency 4 4 10 frequency
frequency Main Main frequency
partitions partitions partitions partitions
Extended Extended
12 subcarriers

12 subcarriers
4 4
frequency 10 frequency 10 frequency frequency
partitions partitions partitions partitions

-198,402 Hz -129,361 Hz (# -356) -97,021 Hz 97,021 Hz 129,361 Hz (# 356) 198,402 Hz

(# -546) (# -267) 0 Hz (# 267) (# 546)
-101,744 Hz (# -280) -69,404 Hz (# 0) 69,404Hz 101,744 Hz (# 280)
(# -191) (# 191)

Additional Additional 101,381 Hz

-101,381 Hz
Reference Reference (# 279)
(# -279)
Subcarrier Subcarrier

Figure 0-7 Spectrum of the All Digital Waveform–Service Modes MP5 through MP7, MS1 through MS4

In addition to the ten main frequency partitions, all four extended frequency partitions are
present in each primary sideband of the All Digital waveform. Each secondary sideband also has
ten Secondary Main (SM) and four Secondary Extended frequency partitions. Unlike the primary
sidebands, however, the Secondary Main frequency partitions are mapped nearer to channel
center with the extended frequency partitions farther from the center.
Each secondary sideband also supports a small Secondary Protected (SP) region consisting of 12
OFDM subcarriers and reference subcarriers 279 and -279. The sidebands are referred to as
“protected” because they are located in the area of spectrum least likely to be affected by analog
or digital interference. An additional reference subcarrier is placed at the center of the channel
(0). Frequency partition ordering of the SP region does not apply since the SP region does not
contain frequency partitions as defined in Figure 0-1 and Figure 0-2.
Each Secondary Main sideband spans subcarriers 1 through 190 or -1 through -190. The upper
Secondary Extended sideband includes subcarriers 191 through 266, and the upper Secondary
Protected sideband includes subcarriers 267 through 278, plus additional reference subcarrier
279. The lower Secondary Extended sideband includes subcarriers -191 through -266, and the
lower Secondary Protected sideband includes subcarriers -267 through -278, plus additional
reference subcarrier -279. The total frequency span of the entire All Digital spectrum is 396,803
Hz. The subcarriers within the Primary Main and Primary Extended sidebands are scaled by an
amplitude scale factor, a2, as indicated in Table 0-3. The subcarriers within the Secondary Main,
Secondary Extended and Secondary Protected sidebands are uniformly scaled by an amplitude
scale factor having four discrete levels a4 – a7, as indicated in Table 0-3. Table 0-3 summarizes
the upper and lower, primary and secondary sidebands for the All Digital waveform.
Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 25
Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 26
Table 0-3 All Digital Waveform Spectral Summary–Service Modes MP5 through MP7, MS1 through MS4

Number Subcarrier Ampl.

of Frequencie Scale
Frequenc Frequency s (Hz from
Factor
y Partition Subcarrie channel Frequency
Sideband Partitions Ordering r Range center) Span (Hz) Comments
Includes
Upper 356 129,361 additional
Primary to to a2 reference
Main 10 A 546 198,402 69,041 subcarrier 546
Includes
additional
Lower -356 -129,361 reference
Primary to to subcarrier -
a2
Main 10 B -546 -198,402 69,041 546
Upper 280 101,744
Primary to to a2
Extended 4 A 355 128,997 27,253 none
Lower -280 -101,744
Primary to to a2
Extended 4 B -355 -128,997 27,253 none
Includes
Upper 0 0 additional
Secondary to to a2 reference
Main 10 B 190 69,041 69,041 subcarrier 0
Lower -1 -363
Secondary to to a2
Main 10 A -190 -69,041 68,678 none
Upper 191 69,404
Secondary to to a4 – a7
Extended 4 B 266 96,657 27,253 none
Lower -191 -69,404
Secondary to to a4 – a7
Extended 4 A -266 -96,657 27,253 none
Includes
Upper 267 97,021 additional
Secondary to to a4 – a7 reference
Protected N/A N/A 279 101,381 4,360 subcarrier 279

Includes
Lower -267 -97,021 additional
Secondary to to reference
Protected N/A N/A -279 -101,381 a4 – a7 4,360 subcarrier 279

Note: Refer to Appendix A for details regarding the amplitude scale factors.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 27

Supplement A FM Transmission Specifications

A.1 Introduction
This appendix presents the key transmission specifications for the FM IBOC system, as
described in the body of this document.

A.2 Synchronization Tolerances

The synchronization tolerances are specified in Subsection A.2.1 through Subsection A.2.3. The
system shall support two levels of synchronization for each broadcaster:
Level I: GPS-locked transmission facilities
Level II: Non-GPS-locked transmission facilities
Normally, transmission facilities will operate as Level I facilities in order to support numerous
advanced system features.

A.2.1 Analog Diversity Delay

The absolute accuracy of the analog diversity delay in the transmission signal will be within ±10
microseconds (µsec) for both synchronization Level I and Level II transmission facilities.
Diversity delay accuracy will be verified with a calibrated test receiver receiving the RF channel
under test. A digitally generated 4 kHz sinusoidal test tone at a level of -6 dB from full scale will
be applied to both the analog and digital transmit signal paths. The tone will be a pulsed signal,
consisting of a repeating pattern of 0.5 seconds on followed by 4.5 seconds off.

A.2.2 RF Carrier Frequency and OFDM Symbol Clock

For synchronization Level I transmission facilities, the absolute accuracy of the carrier frequency
and OFDM symbol clock frequency will be maintained to within 1 part per 108 at all times.
For synchronization Level II transmission facilities, the absolute accuracy of the carrier
frequency and OFDM symbol clock frequency will be maintained to within 2 parts per 106 at all
times.

A.2.3 GPS Phase Lock

For Level I transmission facilities, all transmissions will maintain phase lock to absolute GPS
time within ± 1 µsec.
If the above specification in a synchronization Level I transmission facility is violated, due to a
GPS outage or other occurrence, it will be classified as a synchronization Level II transmission
facility until the above specification is again met.

A.3 IBOC Noise and Emissions Limits

The noise and emissions limits are as specified in Subsection A.3.1 through Subsection A.3.3.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 28

A.3.1 Analog Waveform

Analog transmissions will remain within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
emissions mask in accordance with CFR Title 47 §73.317 and summarized in Table A-1.
Measurements of the analog signal are made at the antenna input by averaging the power spectral
density in a 1-kHz bandwidth over a 10-second segment of time.

Table A-1 FCC RF Spectral Emissions Mask

Offset from Carrier Frequency Power Spectral Density Relative to Unmodulated Analog FM
(kHz) Carrier (dBc/kHz)
120 to 240 -25
240 to 600 -35
greater than 600 -80, or -43 - (10 · log10 [power in watts]), whichever is less,
where [power in watts] refers to the total unmodulated
transmitter output carrier power

A.3.2 Hybrid and Extended Hybrid Waveforms

Hybrid and Extended Hybrid waveform transmissions including noise and spuriously generated
signals from all sources, including phase noise of the IBOC exciter and intermodulation products
will remain within the Noise and Emissions Limit as depicted in Figure A-1 and summarized in
Table A-1. Measurements of the digitally-modulated signals are relative to the PM sidebands of
the digital carriers spectral density in a 1 kHz bandwidth.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 29

 0

-10

-20
dB in a 1 kHz bandwidth

-30

-40

-50

-60

-70

-80

-90

-100

-650 -600 -550 -500 -450 -400 -350 -300 -250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650

Frequency offset, KHz

Hybrid HPA Noise Perform ance M easured without Analog Carrier Present

Nom inal Hybrid Carrier Power Spectral Density

Figure A-1 IBOC FM HPA Hybrid Mode Signal and Noise Emission Limits

Table A-1 IBOC FM HPA Hybrid Mode Signal and Noise Emission Limits

Frequency, F, Offset Relative to Carrier Level, dB/kHz

0-30 kHz offset -60 dB
30-95 kHz offset [-60 + (|frequency in kHz|-30 kHz) * 0.3077] dB
95-100 kHz offset [-20 + (|frequency in kHz|-100 kHz) * 4.0] dB
200-205 kHz offset [-20 - (|frequency in kHz|-200 kHz) * 4.0] dB
205-270 kHz offset [-40 – (|frequency in kHz|-205 kHz) * 0.3077] dB
>270 kHz offset -60 dB

A.3.3 All Digital Waveform

All Digital waveform transmissions will remain within the Noise and Emissions Limit as
depicted in Figure A-2 and summarized in Table A-2. Measurements of the digitally-modulated
signals are relative to the PM sidebands of the digital carriers spectral density in a 1 kHz
bandwidth.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 30

 0

-10

-20
dB in a 1 kHz bandwidth

-30

-40

-50

-60

-70

-80

-90

-100

-650 -600 -550 -500 -450 -400 -350 -300 -250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650

Frequency offset, KHz

All Digital HPA Noise Perform ance

Nom inal All Digital Power Spectral Density

Figure A-2 IBOC FM HPA All-Digital Mode Signal and Noise Emission Limits

Table A-2 IBOC FM HPA All Digital Mode Signal and Noise Emission Limits

Frequency, F, Offset Relative to Carrier Level, dB/kHz

0-100 kHz offset -17dB
200-207.5 kHz offset [-20 - (|frequency in kHz|-200 kHz) *4.0] dB
207.5-270 kHz offset [-50 - (|frequency in kHz|-207.5 kHz) * 0.3200] dB
270-600 kHz offset -70 dB
>600 kHz offset -80 dB

A.4 Digital Sideband Levels

The amplitude scaling of each OFDM subcarrier within each digital sideband is given in Table
A-3 for the Hybrid, Extended Hybrid, and All Digital waveforms. The values for the Hybrid
waveforms are specified relative to the total power of the unmodulated analog FM carrier
(assumed equal to 1). The values for the All Digital waveform are specified relative to the total
power of the unmodulated analog FM carrier (assumed equal to 1) that would have been
transmitted in the Hybrid and Extended Hybrid modes.
For the Hybrid and Extended Hybrid waveforms, the values were chosen so that the total average
power in a primary digital sideband (upper or lower) is 23 dB below the total power of
unmodulated analog FM carrier.
For the All Digital waveform, the values were chosen so that the total average power in a
primary digital sideband (upper or lower) is at least 10 dB above the total power in the Hybrid
primary digital sidebands. In addition, the values were chosen so that the total average power in

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 31

the secondary digital sidebands (upper and lower) is at least 20 dB below the total power in the
All Digital primary digital sidebands.

Table A-3 OFDM Subcarrier Scaling

Amplitud Amplitude Scale

Scale Factor5
e Scale Factor4
Waveform Mode Sidebands (dB, relative to total
Factor (relative to total
analog FM power)
Notation analog FM power)
Hybrid MP1 Primary a0 5.123 x 10-3 -41.39
Extended MP2 – MP7
Primary a0 5.123 x 10-3 -41.39
Hybrid
All Digital MP-5 – MP7 Primary a2 1.67x 10-2 -31.39
Secondary a4 5.123 x10-3 -41.39
Secondary a5 3.627 x 10-3 -44.39
MS1 – MS4
Secondary a6 2.567 x 10-3 -47.39
-3
Secondary a7 1.181 x 10 -50.39

4
Amplitude Scale Factor per IBOC subcarrier
5
Amplitude Scale factor in dB measured in 1 kHz bandwidth

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 32

Glossary

For the purpose of better understanding this document, the following definitions apply:
All Digital waveform - The transmitted waveform composed entirely of digitally modulated
subcarriers (subcarrier -546 to +546) without an analog FM signal. Use of this waveform will
normally follow an initial transitional phase utilizing hybrid waveforms incorporating both
analog and digital modulation (see Hybrid waveform and Extended Hybrid waveform).
allocated channel – One of the one hundred possible frequency assignments in the FM band, as
defined in Reference [10].
amplitude modulation (AM) - Modulation in which the amplitude of a carrier wave is varied
in accordance with the amplitude of the modulating signal.
amplitude scale factor – A factor which multiplies the baseband components of a particular
sideband of the transmitted spectrum to constrain the radiated power to a prescribed level.
analog signal - refers to signals that are modulated on the main carrier by conventional
high-modulation-index frequency modulation. (see digital signal).
Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) – A form of digital phase modulation that assigns one of
two discrete phases, differing by 180 degrees, to the carrier. Each BPSK symbol conveys one
bit of information.
channel encoding - The process used to add redundancy to each of the logical channels to
improve the reliability of the transmitted information.
characterization parameters - The unique set of defining parameters for each logical channel
for a given service mode. The channel encoding, interleaving, spectral mapping, and diversity
delay of the logical channel determine its characterization parameters.
code rate - Defines the increase in overhead on a coded channel resulting from channel
encoding. It is the ratio of information bits to the total number of bits after coding.
convolutional encoding - A form of forward error-correction channel encoding that inserts
coding bits into a continuous stream of information bits to form a predictable structure. Unlike
a block encoder, a convolutional encoder has memory; its output is a function of current and
previous inputs.
differential encoding - Encoding process in which signal states are represented as changes to
succeeding values rather than absolute values.
digital signal - refers to signals that are digitally modulated on subcarriers by OFDM (q.v.)
(see analog signal).
diversity delay - Imposition of a fixed time delay in one of two channels carrying the same
information to defeat non-stationary channel impairments such as fading and impulsive noise.
Extended Hybrid waveform - The transmitted waveform composed of the analog FM signal
plus digitally modulated primary main subcarriers (subcarriers +356 to +546 and -356 to -546)
and some or all primary extended subcarriers (subcarriers +280 to +355 and -280 to -355). This
waveform will normally be used during an initial transitional phase preceding conversion to the
All Digital waveform (see All Digital waveform and Hybrid waveform).

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 33

 fading - The variation (with time) of the amplitude or relative phase (or both) of one or more
frequency components of a received signal.
frequency modulation (FM) - Modulation in which the instantaneous frequency of a sine wave
carrier is caused to depart from the center frequency by an amount proportional to the
instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal.
frequency partition - A group of 19 OFDM subcarriers containing 18 data subcarriers and one
reference subcarrier.
Hybrid waveform - The transmitted waveform composed of the analog FM-modulated signal,
plus digitally modulated Primary Main subcarriers (subcarriers +356 to +546 and -356 to -546).
This waveform will normally be used during an initial transitional phase preceding conversion
to the All Digital waveform (see All Digital waveform and Extended Hybrid waveform).
interleaving - A reordering of the message bits to distribute them in time (over different OFDM
symbols) and frequency (over different OFDM subcarriers) to mitigate the effects of signal
fading and interference.
interleaving process - A series of manipulations performed on one or more coded transfer
frames (vectors) to reorder their bits into one or more interleaver matrices whose contents are
destined for a particular portion of the transmitted spectrum.
L1 block - A unit of time of duration Tb. Each L1 frame is comprised of 16 L1 blocks.
L1 block count – An index that indicates one of 16 equal subdivisions of an L1 frame.
L1 block pair - Two contiguous L1 blocks. A unit of time duration Tp.
1
L1 block pair rate - The rate, equal to the reciprocal of the L1 block pair duration,   , at
T 
 p
which selected transfer frames are conducted through Layer 1.
1
L1 block rate - The rate, equal to the reciprocal of the L1 block duration,   , at which
 Tb 
selected transfer frames are conducted through Layer 1.
L1 frame - A specific time slot of duration Tf identified by an ALFN. The transmitted signal
may be considered to consist of a series of L1 frames.
 1 
L1 frame rate - The rate, equal to the reciprocal of the L1 frame duration   , at which
T 
 f 
selected transfer frames are conducted through Layer 1.
latency - The time delay that a logical channel imposes on a transfer frame as it traverses Layer
1. One of the three characterization parameters. (see robustness and transfer).
Layer 1 (L1) - The lowest protocol layer in the OSI Reference Model (also known as the
Physical layer). Primarily concerned with physical connections and the transmission of data
over a communication channel.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 34

 Layer 2 (L2) - The Data Link layer in the OSI Reference Model. Primarily concerned with
specific requirements for frames (such as blocks and packets), synchronization, and error
control.
logical channel - A signal path that conducts transfer frames from Layer 2 through Layer 1
with a specified grade of service.
lower sideband - The group of OFDM subcarriers (subcarriers number -1 through -546) below
the carrier frequency.
OFDM Signal Generation - The function that generates the modulated baseband signal in the
time domain.
OFDM subcarrier - One of 1093 possible narrowband PSK-modulated carriers within the
allocated channel, which, taken in aggregate, constitute the frequency domain representation of
one OFDM symbol.
OFDM subcarrier mapping – The function that assigns the interleaved logical channels
(interleaver partitions) to the OFDM subcarriers (frequency partitions).
OFDM symbol - Time domain pulse of duration Ts, representing all the active subcarriers and
containing all the data in one row from the interleaver and system control data sequence
matrices. The transmitted waveform is the concatenation of successive OFDM symbols.
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Layered Model - A multi-tiered model of network
architecture and a suite of protocols (a protocol stack) to implement it. Developed by the
International Standards Organization (ISO) in 1978 as a framework for international standards
in heterogeneous computer network architecture (see Reference [8]). The OSI architecture is
logically divided into seven protocol layers, from lowest to highest, as follows:
Layer 1 - Physical layer
Layer 2 - Data Link layer
Layer 3 - Network layer
Layer 4 - Transport layer
Layer 5 - Session layer
Layer 6 - Presentation layer
Layer 7 - Application layer
Each layer uses the layer immediately below it and provides a service to the layer above.
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) - A parallel multiplexing scheme that
modulates a data stream onto a large number of orthogonal subcarriers that are transmitted
simultaneously (see OFDM symbol).
parity - In binary-coded data, a condition maintained so that in any permissible coded
expression, the total number of “1”s or “0”s is always odd, or always even.
Primary Extended (PX) sidebands - The portion of the primary sideband that holds the
additional frequency partitions (1, 2, or 4) inside the main partitions in the FM Extended Hybrid
and All Digital waveforms. It consists, at most, of subcarriers 280 through 355 and -280
through -355.

Doc. No. SY-TN-5009 35

 Primary Main (PM) sidebands - The ten partitions in the primary sideband consisting of
subcarriers 356 through 545 and -356 through -545.
primitive – basic definition of control and/or data comprising a service access point.
pulse-shaping function - A time-domain pulse superimposed on the OFDM symbol to improve
its spectral characteristics.
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) - A form of digital phase modulation that assigns
one of four discrete phases, differing by 90 degrees, to the carrier. Each QPSK symbol conveys
two bits of information.
robustness - The ability of a logical channel to withstand channel impairments such as noise,
interference, and fading. There are eleven distinct levels of robustness designed into Layer 1 of
the FM air interface. One of the three characterization parameters. (see latency and transfer).
Scrambling - The process of summing the input data bits with a pseudo-random bit stream to
randomize the time domain bit stream.
secondary sidebands - The sidebands to be added in the spectrum vacated by the analog signal.
The secondary sidebands are divided into the Secondary Main (SM) sidebands containing ten
frequency partitions, Secondary Extended (SX) sidebands containing four frequency partitions
and the Secondary Protected (SP) sidebands containing two groups of twelve protected
subcarriers. The secondary sidebands consist of subcarriers −279 through +279.
Service Access Point (SAP) - The interface between Layer 1 and Layer 2 at which the data
from Layer 2 is formatted for delivery to Layer 1.
service control units (SCU) – Units of system control data transferred between Layer 2 and
Layer 1.
service data units (SDU) – Units of user content transferred from Layer 2 to Layer 1.
service mode - A specific configuration of operating parameters specifying throughput,
performance level, and selected logical channels.
spectral noise and emissions limit - A specification limiting the maximum level of
out-of-band components of the transmitted signal.
spectral mapping – The association of specific logical channels with specific subcarriers or
groups of subcarriers.
system control - Data from Layer 2 specifying service mode and analog diversity delay.
System Control Channel (SCCH) - A channel consisting of control information from Layer 2
and status information from Layer 1.
system control data sequence – A sequence of bits destined for each reference subcarrier
representing the various system control components relayed between Layer 1 and Layer 2.
system control processing - The function that generates the system control data sequence.
system protocol stack - The protocols associated with operation of the layers of the OSI
Reference Model.

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 transfer – A measure of the data throughput through a logical channel. One of the three
characterization parameters. (see latency and robustness).
transfer frame - An ordered, one-dimensional collection of data bits of specified length
originating in Layer 2, grouped for processing through a logical channel.
transfer frame modulus - The number of transfer frames in an L1 frame.
transfer frame multiplexer - A device that combines two or more transfer frames into a single
vector.
transfer frame rate - The number of transfer frames per second entering the SAP and
traversing Layer 1.
transfer frame size - The number of bytes in a transfer frame.
transmission subsystem - The functional component used to format and up-convert the
baseband IBOC waveform for transmission through the very-high frequency (VHF) channel.
upper sideband - The group of OFDM subcarriers (subcarriers number 0 through +546) above
the carrier frequency.
vector - A one-dimensional array.

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