Digital-Only Boosters for HD Radio Single-Frequency Networks 

 2025 NAB BEIT Conference Proceedings Best Paper Award Winner

While analog FM and hybrid HD Radio boosters in Single Frequency Networks (SFNs) have been widely studied, deployed, and discussed, this paper will explore experimental observations of the first fielded high-power IBOC digital-only booster using off-the-shelf Gen4 HD Radio™ hardware. What makes this different from existing installations is that the booster transmits a digital-only MP1 signal with no host analog FM component. Topics include potential applications, appropriate timing of implementations, and impact on analog and digital signal performance in the field.

Alan Jurison | Independent Consultant | Syracuse, N.Y., United States
Jeff Baird, Mike Raide | Xperi | Columbia, Md., United States