Can the Digital Surpass the Analog: DAB+ Possibilities, Limitations and User Expectations

Radio is by far the most accessible medium. With its mobility and availability, it attracts listeners by its simplicity and friendliness. The present information situation is characterized by the convergence of computers, mobile devices, telecommunication and broadcasting technologies and the divergence of different ways of delivering and storing media. Consumers are overwhelmed by new electronic gadgets appearing every year. They are astonished by new technical innovations that are being designed to ease their life and change their habits. Even the broadcasting sector itself is facing significant changes, especially a growing competition between the private and public sector. This article reviews the current status of analog and digital broadcasting technologies. It analyzes a case study of user expectations related with today’s digital media, particularly radio transmission. We discuss the principal possibilities, limitations and user expectations related with digital audio broadcasting, as well as the economic, technological, regulatory and frequency management factors

Survey of Radio Navigation Systems

At present, there is a growing demand for radio navigation systems, ranging from pedestrian navigation to consumer behavior analysis. These systems have been successfully used in many applications and have become very popular in recent years. In this paper we present a review of selected wireless positioning solutions operating in both indoor and outdoor environments. We describe different positioning techniques, methods, systems, as well as information processing mechanisms

Quality Expectations of Mobile Subscribers, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2015, nr 1

Mobile systems, by nature, have finite resources. Radio spectrum is limited, expensive and shared between many users and services. Mobile broadband networks must support multiple applications of voice, video and data on a single IP-based infrastructure. These converged services each have unique traffic holding and quality requirements. A positive user experience must be obtained through efficient partitioning of the available wireless network resources. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed a comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS) parameter to address this problem. The regular control of service quality is critical for operators to ensure user Quality of Experience (QoE), establish new business models and monetize services. It enables operators to employ fair-use resource policies and maintain network performance during peak traffic times. Wireless mobile communication is tending towards an integrated system of Internet and telecommunication technologies, where mobile users move freely anytime and everywhere. They desire to communicate with any device using the best service available. In this paper QoS management issues in mobile communication are described. The authors present an insight into subscriber behavior and related factors that affect the QoE of mobile data services

Digital Audio Broadcasting or Webcasting: A Network Quality Perspective, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2016, nr 1

In recent years, many alternative technologies of delivering audio content have emerged, with different advantages and disadvantages. In this paper pros and cons of digital audio broadcasting and webcasting transmission techniques in a network quality perspective are described. A case study of user expectations with respect to currently available services is analyzed, and the perceived quality of real digital broadcasted and webcasted radio stations is examined

Quality Aspects in Digital Broadcasting and Webcasting Systems: Bitrate versus Loudness, Journal of Telecommunications and Information Technology, 2017, nr 2

In this paper the quality aspects of bitrate and loudness in digital broadcasting and webcasting systems are examined. The authors discuss a survey concerning user preferences related with processing and managing audio content. The coding efficiency of a popular audio format is analyzed in the context of storing media. An objective study on a representative group of signal samples, as well as a subjective study of the perceived quality of real-time broadcasted and webcasted radio programs are performed

DOKŁADNOŚĆ KOMUNIKACJI SATELITARNEJ W WYBRANYCH MOBILNYCH SMARTFONACH ANDROID

Today, thanks to mobile devices, satellite communication is available to anyone and everywhere. Gaining information on one’s position using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems), particularly in unknown urban environments, had become an everyday activity. With the widespread of mobile devices, particularly smartphones, each person can obtain information considering his or her location anytime and everywhere. This paper is focused on a study, considering the quality of satellite communication in case of selected mobile terminals. It describes a measurement campaign carried out in varying urban environments, including a set of Android-powered smartphones coming from different manufacturers. Based on this, respective conclusions and remarks are given, which can aid consumers as well as device manufacturers and application developers.Obecnie, dzięki urządzeniom mobilnym, komunikacja satelitarna jest dostępna dla każdego niezależnie od położenia. Pozyskiwanie informacji o własnej pozycji z wykorzystaniem systemów GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems), szczególnie w nieznanych środowiskach miejskich, stało się codzienną aktywnością. Wraz z wszechobecnością urządzeń mobilnych, w szczególności smartfonów, każda osoba może pozyskać informacje dotyczące jego lub jej położenia zawsze i wszędzie. Praca ta skupia się na badaniu, dotyczącym jakości komunikacji satelitarnej w przypadku wybranych terminali mobilnych. Opisuje kampanię pomiarową przeprowadzoną w zmiennym środowisku miejskim, z wykorzystaniem zestawu smartfonów pracujących pod kontrolą systemu Android pochodzących od różnych dostawców. Na podstawie tego wyciągnięto wnioski i wskazówki, które mogą wspomóc zarówno konsumentów jak i producentów sprzętu i programistów aplikacji

On the Consumption of Multimedia Content Using Mobile Devices : a Year to Year User Case Study

In the early days, consumption of multimedia content related with audio signals was only possible in a stationary manner. The music player was located at home, with a necessary physical drive. An alternative way for an individual was to attend a live performance at a concert hall or host a private concert at home. To sum up, audio-visual effects were only reserved for a narrow group of recipients. Today, thanks to portable players, vision and sound is at last available for everyone. Finally, thanks to multimedia streaming platforms, every music piece or video, e.g. from one’s favourite artist or band, can be viewed anytime and everywhere. The background or status of an individual is no longer an issue. Each person who is connected to the global network can have access to the same resources. This paper is focused on the consumption of multimedia content using mobile devices. It describes a year to year user case study carried out between 2015 and 2019, and describes the development of current trends related with the expectations of modern users. The goal of this study is to aid policymakers, as well as providers, when it comes to designing and evaluating systems and services

Digital Transformation of Terrestrial Radio: An Analysis of Simulcasted Broadcasts in FM and DAB+ for a Smart and Successful Switchover

The process of digitizing radio is far from over. It is an important interdisciplinary aspect, involving Big Data and AI (Artificial Intelligence) when it comes to classifying and handling content, and an organizational challenge in the Industry 4.0 concept. There exist several methods for delivering audio signals, including terrestrial broadcasting and internet streaming. Among them, the DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting plus) system is one of the leading standards of terrestrial digital radio transmission. Compared with analog FM (frequency modulation) radio, it is more bandwidth efficient and offers greater possibilities when it comes to delivering content and forming an ensemble and multiplex. Currently, many countries worldwide, particularly European States, are still making adjustments in order to perform an efficient switchover from analog FM to digital DAB+ radio. This paper presents the current situation of the digital radio market as well as the results of a subjective quality evaluation study and questionnaire concerning broadcasting in both digital and analog techniques. It involves radio programs, transmitting both speech and music signals, simulcasted in DAB+ and FM standards. It also presents the development of the national multiplex. The results of this study may help both researchers and scientists as well as policy makers and professionals active in the field of broadcasting and electronic media and not to mention the consumption of multimedia content

Transmission Quality Measurements in DAB+ Broadcast System

In the age of digital media, delivering broadcast content to customers at an acceptable level of quality is one of the most challenging tasks. The most important factor is the efficient use of available resources, including bandwidth. An appropriate way of managing the digital multiplex is essential for both the economic and technical issues. In this paper we describe transmission quality measurements in the DAB+ broadcast system. We provide a methodology for analysing parameters and factors related with the efficiency and reliability of a digital radio link. We describe a laboratory stand that can be used for transmission quality assessment on a regional and national level

HCI-Based Wireless System for Measuring the Concentration of Mining Machinery and Equipment Operators

Maintaining stable and reliable working conditions is a matter of vital importance for various companies, especially those involving heavy machinery. Due to human exhaustion, as well as unpredicted hazards and dangerous situations, the personnel has to take actions and wisely plan each move. This paper presents a human–computer interaction (HCI)-based system that uses a concentration level measurement function to increase the safety of machine and equipment operators. The system has been developed in response to the results of user experience (UX) analyses of the state of occupational safety, which indicate that the most common cause of accidents is the so-called insufficient concentration while performing work. The paper presents the reasons for addressing this issue and a description of the proposed electroencephalography (EEG)-based solution in the form of a concentration measurement system concept. We discuss in-field measurements of such a prototype solution, together with an analysis of obtained results. The method of implementing a wireless communication interface is also provided, along with a visualization application