Broadcasting Without Boundaries: Seamlessly Integrating EAS into Virtualized Air-Chains 

The term “virtualization” is the current big buzzword in the broadcast industry. Virtualization is seen as a path to help reduce infrastructure and maintenance costs and system complexity. Virtualization technology opens new possibilities that could provide cost savings and new functionalities, but virtualization has its limits. Not every application is well-suited to run on a virtual machine. This is particularly the case when there is a complex matrix of regulatory, security, and operational considerations with which to contend. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is just such an environment. In this paper, we present the solution to integrating EAS operations into the modern virtual environment while maintaining the integrity of EAS message delivery and adhering to the range of FCC regulatory requirements.

First, we review the current configurations of EAS message presentation in various broadcast environments, representing radio and TV transmission chains. By comparing these workflows, one can better understand the issues and solutions available between these two examples. To wit, the modern television air chain has been using IP messaging elements for years. Radio is just now catching up but still faces unique challenges to ensure EAS messages are correctly presented.
Second, we outline an architectural approach supporting virtualization, which involves distributing tasks between advanced EAS edge devices, virtualized applications, and centralized cloud servers. Dedicated edge appliances in this virtualized architecture serve as specialized hardware platforms explicitly designed for the required emergency alerting tasks while seamlessly interfacing with the virtualized broadcast system and supporting other cloud-based services. Overall, dedicated EAS edge appliances continue to play a critical role in enabling the deployment of virtualized workloads at the edge.
We outline and discuss many key benefits and pitfalls, such as:
Streamlined Infrastructure
More efficiently integrating EAS functionality into existing systems.
Demonstrate how a single network connection links the EAS system to automation systems and encoding/transmission equipment, reduces equipment footprint, and simplifies system design.
Flexibility and Scalability
IP-based workflows allow more options for device placement to modernize operations.
Working across multiple encoding systems eliminates separate units for each program stream.
Improved Efficiency
Streamlining air chains reduces points of potential failure.
Configuration is simplified, requiring only a network connection between systems.
Enhanced Alert Distribution
Improved efficiency increases the reliability of alert distribution, which is critical to viewers and listeners.
Geotargeting of alerts ensures they are correctly routed to specific areas.
Costs — Savings or Spending
Are these implementations a lower-cost alternative, or will they ultimately cost more over the long term?
Future-Proofing
How this approach allows for easier integration of newer, higher-performance equipment while maintaining emergency alert capabilities.
The flexible nature of IP-based systems ensures compliance with current and potential future FCC regulations.
Finally, we will summarize with real-world examples showcasing various facilities that have deployed these workflows.

Bill Robertson, Ed Czarnecki | Digital Alert Systems | Lyndonville, N.Y., United States