Harris Corporation Boosts Transmission Portfolio To Support Diverse Radio Broadcast Strategies

Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, will introduce new HD radio and HD/FM transmission products to support radio broadcasters as they launch over-the-air services and improve overall efficiency in the air chain and transmission infrastructure.
The new products will be introduced at the 2011 NAB Show (April 11-14, Las Vegas Convention Centre, Stand N2502).
Richard Redmond, Vice President of Product Strategy and Management for Transmission Systems, Harris Broadcast Communications, said: "Radio broadcasters are interested in technology investments that create more efficiency for their operations. Harris is investing in new transmitters and HD Radio broadcast infrastructure to help broadcasters deliver content more efficiently."
NAB marks three significant transmission product introductions from Harris for the radio broadcast space: Flexiva air-cooled FM transmitter, FlexStar HD1200 HD Radio Importer and Multi-system Controller (MSC) for redundant transmission.
The Flexiva air-cooled VHF FM solid-state transmitter provides radio broadcasters with a single platform to support analogue and global digital standards. Quad-mode operation supports FM, FM+HD Radio, HD Radio-only or DRM+ digital broadcasting, while the transmitter incorporates Harris Real-Time Adaptive Correction (RTAC) technology to optimise power and minimise adjacent-channel interference.
Flexiva transmitters are built on the legacy of Harris radio broadcast transmitters, including the ZX Series and its efficient power supply, cooling and control designs. Available in power levels up to 20kW, Flexiva transmitters also leverage Harris PowerSmart technology to create a compact, cost-efficient transmission solution with high power density and low operating costs.
HD Radio broadcasters will also benefit from the new Harris FlexStar HD1200 Importer, responsible for accepting, managing and multiplexing HD Radio Advanced Applications Services including main and supplemental programme audio channels.
Like the second-generation Harris HDE200 Exporter, the HD1200 Importer provides better reliability, lower power consumption and a quicker startup than previous-generation systems. The 1RU unit is available as a new comprehensive unit with an included iBiquity HD Radio software license, or as a hardware upgrade for existing Importers.
The Harris Multi-System Controller (MSC) is also new to the 2011 NAB Show. The next-generation control platform, also available for Harris television transmitters, extends a transmitter's redundancy and power range by enhancing the functionality and control of two or more transmitters.
The MSC is configurable across applications such as main/alternate, N+1 and dual transmitters - ultimately improving transmission redundancy for radio and TV broadcasters. An optional I/O module supports most legacy and, for the first time, other vendors' transmitters in N+1 systems.
(KMcA/GK)