● Digital Radio – Looking Back, Looking Forward

 Radio broadcasting is one of the most important and influential methods of mass communication ever developed.  Analog radio broadcast technology has roots from the very dawn of the electrical age and evolved to successfully compete with television in the second half of the twentieth century.  In the 1990s, digital radio broadcasting emerged and today struggles to become the successful replacement to analog AM and FM radio.

 Mr. Layer’s presentation will offer a glimpse into the development of digital radio technology and provide a survey of the various systems which are currently being deployed, including Eureka-147 DAB and DAB+, HD Radio in-band/on-channel technology, Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), and Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting – Terrestrial (ISDB-T).   Various direct-broadcast digital satellite radio systems will be briefly reviewed, as well.

 Following this introduction, Mr. Layer will discuss the various competitive, broadband-based technologies that are becoming more prevalent and which offer an alternative for delivery of audio content to listeners.  He will focus on wireless technologies including Wi-fi, Wi-max and cellular phone systems which promise to provide a mobile audio service similar to that available from radio.

 Finally, Mr. Layer will offers some thoughts on how digital radio can remain competitive with as well as complement broadband-based services, and will ask the audience to discuss these issues and offer their own views on how to best ensure a bright future for digital radio.

 ● Broadcast Technology Update

 Radio and television broadcasters are competing in an increasingly crowded media marketplace.  While unique and compelling content and service to their local communities continue to give broadcasters an edge, innovative use of new technologies is also important to the future of the broadcasting industry.  In this brief lecture, Mr. Layer will discuss some of the technological advancements that are being used and / or developed by radio and TV broadcasters in the U.S.