TheRadioHub Use APT SureStreamer for Stronger DAB Data Transfer

Key Outcomes

• Save money on expensive lines & switches
• Reduce complexity of set-Up
• Create stronger, more reliable links for DAB & FM distribution

The Customer

TheRadioHub is a software and technology development company, creating solutions for the broadcast industry. They are also a re-seller of advanced broadcast solutions, specializing in digital radio globally. The company’s main product is a cloud-based solution for digital broadcasting and information management for digital devices.

The Background

TheRadioHub regularly build DAB networks for customers utilizing EDI, Encapsulation of DAB Interfaces standard, which enables DAB/DAB+ signals to be distributed via IP lines. EDI is a highly sensitive data-transfer protocol which means that, should just a few packets be lost, the transmission will fail completely. The DAB transmitter can then take up to 20 seconds to resync and get audio back on air; a catastrophic failure for all radio stations in the multiplex.
Due to this sensitivity, dedicated or managed internet links coupled with EDI-switches were required to ensure that packet loss was not an issue. However, even this was not a perfect solution as the EDI switches would, as the name suggests, switch between available lines when it was detected that some packets were missing from a stream and this can lead to issues with Single Frequency Networking.
Although significantly more affordable, the public internet, with its regular dropouts and frequent jitter, was just not a viable option.

The Solution

SureStream technology from WorldCast Systems has been designed to enable highly reliable data transfer over one or multiple public internet connections. It enables broadcasters to use inexpensive IP links and still achieve professional broadcast-grade audio quality and reliability. Crucially, it does not ‘switch’ from one link to another but uses advanced resequencing techniques to offer “Always-On” redundancy.
SureStream has been used for several years within WorldCast Systems’ own range of APT IP codecs and now, the APT SureStreamer unit makes the technology available as a standalone box that can be added into existing networks to add the power of SureStream when needed.

TheRadioHub now includes the APT SureStreamer unit in all their solutions for digital broadcasting, replacing the dedicated internet links and expensive EDI-switches that were previously required to provide reliability within the DAB network with easily affordable public internet links.

The Result

After extensive testing and great results on several customer networks, the APT SureStreamer is now a critical part of the DAB solution, offered by TheRadioHub.

“We are, of course, delighted that we can make significant savings by replacing expensive routers, switches and lines with a single SureStreamer unit as well as massively reduce the set-up time required. However, the real benefit is that, with the SureStreamer, we can create a much stronger connection for our customers.  With dual lines and multiple connections, you get the strongest, most reliable EDI-connection I have ever heard of or tried. I am amazed how well this works!”
 “Anybody running a DAB-system has got to use SureStream. It solves so many issues regarding EDI distribution, and at the same time makes planning easier and costs lower. And of course, it makes the network so much stronger. For the first time since building the network, I now can sleep at night without being worried.”