Understanding Digital FM Asymmetric Operation

The FCC is considering a rule change that will make it easier for FM-band HD Radio™ broadcasters to operate with asymmetric digital sidebands. Doing so gives broadcasters the opportunity to increase digital power on one sideband only, providing improved coverage while mitigating interference to adjacent-channel stations. This paper includes background information on asymmetric sideband operation, and its application to broadcast stations. A shift to asymmetric power levels will require broadcast engineers to change how they describe and employ digital sideband levels on a station.

Alan Jurison | iHeartMedia | Syracuse, N.Y., United States