DAB+ Radio
DAB+ services are increasing all over Europe, with more and more radio stations opting for digital, broadcasting radio, and data over these networks. DAB+ makes it possible to broadcast more radio stations on (digital) air and allows for impressive digital slideshows. Seeing that most of the listeners are still on FM, it is important to be able to switch seamlessly to these existing networks. This requires the best technical solutions.
To produce DAB+, an encoder and a multiplexer are required. Until recently, all of these solutions were very expensive. Broadcast Partners decided to develop our own, more cost-efficient solution to provide our customers with DAB+ services. This resulted in a full option product range, with a very user-friendly web interface, the aXemble.
The aXemble was designed to meet all DAB+ requirements, with preconfigured settings and a simple interface to allow for an easy setup experience, with notifications. It is available as a hardware and software solution. DAB+ services have never been so simple to use!
aXemble is also available in OEM for network providers and also for radio stations who want to create their own multiplex for DAB+ themselves. The aXemble encoder and headend offer a full option solution to this, at an affordable rate.
aXemble Product Line
aXemble Encoder
An aXemble Encoder is an appliance with analog and digital audio inputs built in a convenient 19” 1HU rack casing.
With the help of a user-friendly front-panel access and web interface, the unit can be configured quickly and controlled from anywhere. All the most recent analog and digital inputs are supported. The encoder actively communicates with an aXemble DAB+ multiplexing headend and automatically follows changes to service settings when they are made. Service settings like audio parameters, labels, DLS, MOT Slideshow, and dynamic content can be changed in the aXemble Encoder without interrupting other configured services in the multiplex running on the aXemble MUX or aXemble as a Service. This way participants in an ensemble will have easy control over their own service.
aXemble DAB+ Headend (MUX)
The aXemble MUX is an appliance with analog and digital audio inputs built in a convenient 19” 1HU rack casing.
The aXemble MUX allows complete control over 5 differents sections: audio sources, DAB+ services, – multiplexes and a general dashboard overview including live notifications as well. All operational configuration settings from the aXemble unit can also be managed.
With the help of a user-friendly frontpanel access and web interface, the unit can be configured quickly and controlled from anywhere.
The output of the aXemble MUX is an EDI (UDP) stream and needs to be transported over a LAN to the transmitter.
Transporting the EDI output over congested networks like the internet is possible when using the aXemble connector.
aXemble as a service (Cloudbased Headend)
The aXemble as a service is a cloudbased solution. The user-friendly web interface can be accessed from anywhere and makes configuration easy. The aXemble as a service can also handle multiple stream inputs.
The output of the aXemble as a service headend is transported over the internet to the transmitter by using the aXemble connector.
aXemble connector (Converter)
The aXemble connector is an appliance built in a small 1HU casing and can be used to transport the EDI stream over congested networks like the internet to the transmitter.
With the help of a user-friendly front panel access and web interface, the unit can be configured quickly and controlled from anywhere.
The aXemble connector uses a secure connection to the aXemble MUX or aXemble as a service headend.
DAB aXchange
DAB makes it possible to air pictures along with your audio signal. The DAB aXchange tool allows you to change pictures by monitoring certain locations. As soon as you have loaded a new picture to that location, DAB aXchange will pick it up, optimize it for DAB, and send it to your listeners’ devices. The source location can be a website (http(s)) or a network drive. Every playout system that exports pictures can deliver them to be aired on DAB. DAB aXchange supports the most common picture forms, *.jpg, *bmp., and *png. It will automatically scale images to the correct DAB pixel measurements.
A supplied image often does not have the same aspect ratio as a broadcast DAB image of 320×240 pixels. That is why a custom background image can be set to accommodate the resulting bars when scaling with a background image of your choice. A front image can be set. This allows the logo of the radio station to be placed on top of the image. The logo is a transparent image.
The image optimized by DAB aXchange is offered for DAB broadcast on a network location or uploaded by FTP to the DAB headend such as the aXemble or Fraunhofer DAB Content Server. If desired, a script can also be executed every time a new image is ready for broadcast.
In addition to images, DAB can also transmit texts up to 128 characters, which are DLS Dynamic Labels. DAB aXchange keeps an eye on a location where texts for DAB DLS broadcast are offered. The location can be a website but also a network disk where the playout software exports the text for DAB broadcast. The text is presented with the DLS or RT command from the UECP protocol to the DAB headend such as the aXemble or the Fraunhofer DAB content server.
aXemble Encoder
The aXemble Encoder is an appliance with analog and digital audio inputs built in a convenient 19” 1HU rack casing.
With the help of a user-friendly frontpanel access and webinterface, the unit can be configured quickly and controlled from anywhere. All the above mentioned inputs are supported. The encoder actively communicates with an aXemble DAB+ multiplexing headend and automatically follows changes to service settings when they are made. Service settings like audio parameters, labels, DLS, MOT Slidehow and dynamic content can be changed in the aXemble Encoder without interrupting other configured services in the multiplex running on the aXemble MUX or aXemble as a Service. This way participants in an ensemble will have easy control over their own service.
aXemble DAB+ Headend (MUX)
The aXemble MUX is an appliance with optional analog and digital audio inputs built in a convenient 19” 1HU rack casing.
With the help of a user-friendly frontpanel access and web interface, the unit can be configured quickly and controlled from anywhere. All mentioned inputs are supported.
The output of the aXemble MUX is an EDI (UDP) stream and needs to be transported over a LAN to the transmitter.
Transporting the EDI output over congested networks like the internet is possible when using the aXemble connector.
aXemble as a service (Cloudbased Headend)
The aXemble as a service is a cloudbased solution. The user-friendly web interface can be accessed from anywhere and makes configuration easy. The aXemble as a service can also handle stream inputs.
All of the above mentioned inputs can be used (except of course physical analog and digital audio). The output of the aXemble as a service headend is transported over the internet to the transmitter by using the aXemble connector.
aXemble connector (Converter)
The aXemble connector is an appliance built in a small 1HU casing and can be used to transport the EDI stream over congested networks like the internet to the transmitter.
With the help of a user-friendly front panel access and web interface, the unit can be configured quickly and controlled from anywhere.
The aXemble connector uses a secure connection to the aXemble MUX or aXemble as a service headend.
DAB aXchange
DAB makes it possible to air pictures along with your audio signal. The DABaxchange tool allows you to change pictures by monitoring certain locations. As soon as you have loaded a new picture to that location, DABaxchange will pick it up, optimize it for DAB, and send it to your listeners’ devices. The source location can be a website (http(s)) or a network drive. Every playout system that exports pictures can deliver them to be aired on DAB. DAbaxchange supports the most common picture forms, *.jpg, *bmp., and *png. It will automatically scale images to the correct DAB pixel measurements.
A supplied image often does not have the same aspect ratio as a broadcast DAB image of 320×240 pixels. That is why a custom background image can be set to accommodate the resulting bars when scaling with a background image of your choice. A front image can be set. This allows the logo of the radio station to be placed on top of the image. The logo is a transparent image.
The image optimized by DABaXchange is offered for DAB broadcast on a network location or uploaded by FTP to the DAB headend such as the aXemble or Fraunhofer DAB Content Server. If desired, a script can also be executed every time a new image is ready for broadcast.
In addition to images, DAB can also transmit texts up to 128 characters, which are DLS Dynamic Labels. DABaXchange keeps an eye on a location where texts for DAB DLS broadcast are offered. The location can be a website but also a network disk where the playout software exports the text for DAB broadcast. The text is presented with the DLS or RT command from the UECP protocol to the DAB headend such as the aXemble or the Fraunhofer DAB content server.
Specifications
– 19” x 1U housing with front panel display and control or as a cloud appliance.
– HTML5 user-friendly web interface
– EDI output
– Redundant power supply (optional)
– Synchronisation via NTP
– Full 864 CU multiplex configuration
– Configuration backup and restore options
– Firmware update options
– Scheduled maintenance options
– Full remote control
– SNMP monitoring
– Logging and email notification.
– Analog and digital input (available in hardware solution only)
– Stream input (Icecast / Shoutcast)
– PCM stream
– Icecast source client (BUTT, Ices, EZstream, Rocket Broadcaster etc.)
– aXemble Encoder (has all here mentioned audio source options)
– Livewire
– AES67 / Ravenna
– AVT Magic DAB+ encoder
– Gstreamer
– SIP connection (RTP)
– SDP file
– MP3 files
– Audio: HE-AAC v1, HE-AAC v2 , AAC-LC (16-192 kbps)
– Data: TPEG
– Protection levels EEP-A and EEP-B
– Static
– UECP stream (RT)
– FTP download
– Icecast/Shoutcast stream extraction
– RSS feeds (DLS and image)
– JSON URL
– ICY text
– UECP (RTP)
– EDI unicast and multicast
– FEC and interleaving
– Cloud connector secure transport
– 2x Gbit Ethernet network interface (Control and Data)
– Routing over control or data interface configuration
– NTP statistics
– Show network and routing settings
– Ping a host
– Traceroute
– Speedtest
Configurations
Hardware solution
axemble encoder and axemble headend in multiple configurations
Cloud Solution
aXemble headend cloud solution with aXemble encoders in studio
Pricing
aXemble Encoder
aXemble Headend
1 license included- Additional audiochannel (license): €995
aXemble Cloud
per channel per monthaXemble Connector
Broadcast Partners
ABOUT BROADCAST PARTNERS
Since 1979, Broadcast Partners have specialised in FM and DAB transmitter parks for all the major radio stations in The Netherlands and Flanders, such as Radio 538, VRT, Q-music, and NPO. What’s more, Broadcast Partners offer top-quality broadcasting technology that is used around the world and they boast an R&D department that develops trend-setting products for radio and internet media. When it comes to professional expertise for commercial and technical projects, Broadcast Partners has got you covered. The company has two offices located in Terneuzen and Hilversum.
The corporate motto ‘WE MAKE RADIO HAPPEN’ is much more than just a catchy slogan. ‘WE’ refers to the close relationship Broadcast Partners have built with her clients, which has resulted in countless long-term contracts over the years. This relationship is more than a standard supplier-client collaboration thanks to the reliable advice and support that Broadcast Partners provide to help media companies make the right technical and strategic choices. We also enjoy learning from our suppliers, partners and customers, because technological advancement never stops and new challenges arise all the time.
Showcase
Watch the video for a visual showcase of the aXemble workspace
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