DAB+
Technology Overview
DAB+ was created as part of the continuous development of the DAB standard [link to R&S technology page for DAB]. With DAB+, the audio source coding has been changed from MUSICAM to state-of-the-art HE-AAC. The RF coding and frequencies used are identical to those for DAB. The only preparatory work necessary is to exchange the DAB audio coder to switch from DAB to DAB+. The DAB transmitter can be used for DAB+ as well. Due to the improved performance of HE-AAC, two to three times more audio channels can be encoded for each DAB+ ensemble. A new superframe structure is being introduced that makes DAB+ incompatible with existing DAB receivers.
Parameters
| DAB+ | |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 174 MHz
- 240
MHz
(VHF band III) 1452 MHz - 1479 MHz (band L, terrestrial transmission) |
| Modulation | DQPSK |
| Bandwidth | 1.536 MHz (RF channel bandwidth) |
| Data Rate | 2.3 Mbit/s
overall 1.7 Mbit/s net |
| Video Source Coding | no |
| Audio Source Coding | HE-AAC |
| Subchannel Data Rate | 8 kbit/s - 192 kbit/s |
| Basic Standard | ETSI TS 102 562 |
Standardization
A detailed description of DAB+ is provided in ETSI TS 102 562.
The World DMB Forum is responsible for maintaining and updating the DAB and DAB+ standards.
