Criteria For 400 KHZ Channelling

New Zealand Ministry of Economic
Development - Radio Spectrum Management

400 kHz Channelling Plan for FM Radio
Final Report Criteria for 400 kHz Channelling
61844
REVISION NUMBER: 1, September 2007
Gibson Quai AAS Pty Ltd ABN 91 009 323 620

Level 2, 30 Richardson St, West Perth, WA 6005, Australia
Tel: (08) 9321 3166 Fax: (08) 9321 3226
Email: perth@gqaas.com.au
www.gqaas.com.au
Telecommunications and IT Consultants

Gibson Quai AAS a UXC Company
New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

TITLE:
Final Report Criteria for 400 kHz Channelling
PROJECT NAME:
PROJECT NO:
61844
AUTHORISED:
Tony Bower
ABSTRACT:
The final report on the proposed criteria for the application of

planning FM radio broadcast services with 400 kHz spaced
stations servicing the same area.
Document History
Rev
Date
Rev A
20 July 07
Rev B
22 July 07
Rev 0
Rev 1
Description
Author
Reviewed
Draft for Internal Review
ASC
AKB
Draft for Client Review
ASC
AKB
13 Aug 2007
Final to Client
AKB
ASC
12 Sep 07
Revised Final to Client
AKB
ASC
Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc
Rev 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
Introduction................................................................................................................. 1
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
Background................................................................................................................. 1
New Zealand FMBC Planning Parameters ............................................................... 1
Analogue FM Radio Signals...................................................................................... 1
Supplementary Information Systems ........................................................................ 2
3
3.1
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.3
3.4
Protection Ratios for FMBC services ....................................................................... 3

General Values for Protection Ratios........................................................................ 3
Protection Ratios in Specific Circumstances............................................................. 4
For Carrier Differences Greater than 400 kHz.................................................... 4
For Varying Wanted Signal Levels ..................................................................... 5
For Interference Caused by Intermodulation of Strong RF Signals.................... 5
FCC 400 kHz Protection Ratio and Receiver Performance ...................................... 6
Conclusion................................................................................................................. 7
4
4.1
4.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
4.2.5
4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.3
4.3.4
New Zealand 400 kHz Spaced Trials......................................................................... 8

Background ............................................................................................................... 8
Skytower Trial............................................................................................................ 8
Service details..................................................................................................... 8
Measured field strengths and received audio quality ......................................... 9
Comments on the results.................................................................................. 10
Receiver tuning ................................................................................................. 10
Listener survey.................................................................................................. 10
Issues Raised in Response to the Ministrys Discussion Paper ............................. 11
400 kHz spaced services are used in adjacent market areas .......................... 11
Intermodulation ................................................................................................. 12
Receiver tuning ................................................................................................. 12
Future flexibility ................................................................................................. 13
5
5.1
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.1.4
5.2
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
5.2.5
5.2.6
International Research............................................................................................. 13
400 kHz Spaced Services ....................................................................................... 13
United States Federal Communications Commission ................................... 13
United Kingdom - Ofcom .................................................................................. 13
India .................................................................................................................. 14
Summary........................................................................................................... 14
In-Band On-Channel Digital Radio.......................................................................... 14
HD Radio .......................................................................................................... 14
NRSC tests for HD Radio ................................................................................. 16
Results of other tests for HD Radio .................................................................. 18
FMeXtra ............................................................................................................ 18
DRM+................................................................................................................ 19
Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 19
6
6.1
6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
6.3
6.3.1
6.3.2
Criteria ....................................................................................................................... 20
General.................................................................................................................... 20
Co-sited Services Using a Shared Antenna............................................................ 20
General ............................................................................................................. 20
Practicality of Combining Equipment ................................................................ 21
Basis of Criterion............................................................................................... 21
Co-sited Services using Different Antennas............................................................ 21
General ............................................................................................................. 21
ii
Rev 1

6.3.3
6.3.4
6.4
6.4.1
6.4.2
6.4.3
6.4.4
6.4.5
6.4.6
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.8.1
6.8.2
6.9
6.10
Methodology ..................................................................................................... 22
Effective Radiated Power ................................................................................. 22
Non Co-sited Services (Near-sited) ........................................................................ 23
General ............................................................................................................. 23
Methodology ..................................................................................................... 24
Maximum Separation Distance (Identical Services) ......................................... 24
Maximum Separation Distance (Different Services)......................................... 25
Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 25
Horizontal Radiation Patterns ................................................................................. 25
Polarisation of the Services..................................................................................... 25
Modulation............................................................................................................... 25
Intermodulation........................................................................................................ 26
General ............................................................................................................. 26
Effects of Terrain on the Variability of the Received Signal Levels ........................ 26
Interference Contributions from Multiple Stations ................................................... 26
Planning New Services ............................................................................................ 27
8
8.1
8.1.1
8.1.2
8.1.3
8.1.4
8.1.5
8.1.6
8.1.7
8.2
8.2.1
8.2.2
8.2.3
8.2.4
8.2.5
8.3
Summary ................................................................................................................... 27
Findings and Conclusions ....................................................................................... 27
Protection Ratios............................................................................................... 27
The Skytower 400 kHz spaced trials and report............................................... 27
The listener survey (from the Skytower trials) .................................................. 27
Issues raised by RBA ....................................................................................... 27
International Research...................................................................................... 28
Digital Radio...................................................................................................... 28
Practicality of 400 kHz Spaced Combining Equipment .................................... 29
Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 29
Co-sited Services Using a Shared Antenna ..................................................... 29
Co-sited Services Using Different Antennas .................................................... 29
Non Co-sited Services Using Different Antennas............................................. 29
Intermodulation ................................................................................................. 30
Other Criteria .................................................................................................... 30
Planning New Services ........................................................................................... 30
iii
Rev 1

INTRODUCTION
The New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development, hereon referred to as the
Ministry, is currently considering the feasibility of increasing the FM broadcast band
spectral efficiency and therefore increasing capacity, by using 400 kHz channel
spacing for stations serving the same area . The usual spacing for stations serving
the same area is 800 kHz.
Gibson Quai AAS was engaged by the Ministry to investigate and develop criteria
for the use of 400 kHz channel spacing for FM broadcasting (FMBC) services.
This document is the final report incorporating comments from the Ministry and the
Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA). The report addresses the technical planning
issues associated with 400 kHz spaced services and details the proposed criteria for
the planning of 400 kHz spaced FMBC services that are serving the same area.
BACKGROUND
2.1
New Zealand FMBC Planning Parameters

The FMBC services in New Zealand are planned to standards set by the Ministry and
these follow ITU-R Recommendations (principally BS.450-3 [Ref 1], BS.412-9 [Ref 2]
and BS.704). The key planning parameters are as follows.
1. FMBC services are licensed within the range of 88 MHz 108 MHz.
2. Mode: Stereophonic with the Pilot-tone system
supplementary services (see Section 2.2 for details).
with
provision
for
3. Maximum frequency deviation: +75 kHz.

4. Emission bandwidth:
256 kHz.
5. Emission designation:
256KF8EHF.
6. Channel increment:
50 kHz, though 100 kHz in practice.
7. Pre-emphasis/de-emphasis: 50 us.
8. Polarisation:
Mixed and linear.
9. For the purpose of planning FMBC services, the Ministry specifies the
minimum usable field strength (MUFS) to be 66 dBuV/m.
10. Planning is for steady interference (rather than tropospheric interference).
11. Field strength measurements are made at 10 metres above ground level.
12. Protection ratios are in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation BS.412-9
(further discussed in Section 3).
2.2
Analogue FM Radio Signals

The baseband analogue FMBC signal has a spectral form as shown in Figure 1
below. It contains a mono signal (left plus right audio channel), a stereo signal (left
minus right audio channel) and sub-carriers for supplementary information systems
57 kHz and 67 kHz (discussed further in Section 2.3).
Rev 1

Figure 1: Analogue FMBC baseband signal
2.3
Supplementary Information Systems

Supplementary information systems as defined in the ITU-R recommendation
BS.450-3 are permitted subject to the requirements that under no circumstances may
the maximum deviation of the main carrier by the total baseband signal (including
supplementary signals) exceed 75 kHz. These systems are not specifically
protected from interference in the planning models.
The Radio Data System (RDS) is such a system and occupies a bandwidth of
4.75 kHz, centred on 57 kHz. Although the protection ratios defined by the ITU-R do
not take into account protection for RDS, this service can potentially operate within
the parameters defined in BS.412-9, and therefore the potential for 400 kHz adjacent
channel interference to appropriately designed RDS receivers is considered unlikely.
Though used widely in Europe, there has been limited demand for such
supplementary services in New Zealand.
Rev 1

PROTECTION RATIOS FOR FMBC SERVICES

The ITU-R Recommendation BS.412-9 details the planning standards including
protection ratios for terrestrial FM sound broadcasting in the VHF-FM band.
The Protection Ratio is defined as the minimum value of wanted-to-unwanted signal
ratio, usually expressed in dB at the receiver input, such that a specific reception
quality of the wanted signal is received. The protection ratios given in ITU-R
BS.412-9 provide an audio signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 50 dB for steady
interference.
3.1
General Values for Protection Ratios

ITU-R BS.412-9 provides curves and tables of the protection ratios (dB) for VHF FM
sound broadcasting services such as Figure 2 and Table 1 below. These curves are
derived from many measurements made over a number of years by different
Administrations and as such represent general values for the protection ratios.
60
S1
50
S2
Radio-frequency protection ratios (dB)
40
M1
30
M2
20
10
10
20
0
100
200
300
400
Difference between the carrier frequencies (kHz) of the unwanted and wanted signals
Curves M1:
M2:
S1:
S2:
monophonic broadcasting; steady interference

monophonic broadcasting; tropospheric interference
stereophonic broadcasting; steady interference
stereophonic broadcasting; tropospheric interference
Figure 2: Protection ratios (dB) for varying carrier differences for services with a maximum
frequency deviation of 75 kHz (Figure 1 in BS.412-9)
Rev 1

Carrier Frequency
Spacing (kHz)
Stereophonic Audio
(Steady Interference)
45.0
100
33.0
200
7.0
300
-7.0
400
-20.0
Table 1: Relevant values of protection ratios (dB) for varying carrier differences for services
with a maximum frequency deviation of 75 kHz (from Table 3 in BS.412-9)
The notes associated with the general protection ratios are:

1. The values shown are based on the assumption that the maximum peak
deviation of 75 kHz is not exceeded.
2. The values of protection ratio quoted apply to interference produced by a
single source and represent a wanted signal to noise (S/N) ratio of 50 dB
(weighted quasi-peak measurement).
3. The values are for moderate signal levels of the wanted service. Significantly
stronger wanted signal levels can require higher protection ratio values than
those given in Figure 2 and Table 1, because of non-linear effects in the
receiver.
4. The ability to receive a wanted FMBC signal at a specific quality with minimal
400 kHz adjacent channel interference is largely dependent on the ability of
the receiver to filter adjacent channel signals. The protection ratios specified
in BS.412-9 assume the use of a low pass filter following the FM demodulator
in the receiver that attenuates the spectral power of frequencies greater than
53 kHz for the pilot-tone system.
3.2
Protection Ratios in Specific Circumstances

Annex 2 of BS.412-9 provides further information relating to protection ratios for
particular interference cases. GQ-AAS has extracted the values of protection ratios
relevant for the 400 kHz spaced services.
3.2.1
For Carrier Differences Greater than 400 kHz

BS.412-9, Annex 2, Section 2 states that the protection ratios are almost constant for
carriers spaced at 400 kHz and onwards. FMBC services operating with the
specifications as defined by the ITU-R recommendations are therefore likely to
experience similar adjacent channel interference effects for services with carrier
frequencies spaced at 400 kHz and at the Ministrys current planned spacing of
800 kHz.
A special case is that of frequency difference of 10.7 MHz, the FM receiver
Intermediate Frequency. BS.412-9 recommends a protection ratio of less than
-20 dB for this frequency separation.
The Australian Broadcasting Planning Handbook published by the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) [Ref 3], refers to a laboratory report
from 1991 in which a number of receiver parameters including IF beat interference
was measured for 48 receivers of varying quality.
The outcome of the tests was that the protection ratio required to ensure an audio
S/N of 50 dB in 75% of the tested receivers in the presence of IF beat interference is
dependent on the wanted signal level and the frequency difference.
The protection ratio required ranged from +34 dB for a wanted signal level of
106 dBuV/m with a frequency difference of 10.7 MHz to -47 dB for a wanted signal
Rev 1

level of 66 dBuV/m and a frequency difference of 10.3 MHz. The protection ratio for
66 dBuV/m and 10.6 or 10.8 MHz frequency difference was -14 dB.
The ACMA has recently undertaken a further study of IF beat interference, but the
results have not been made public.
3.2.2
For Varying Wanted Signal Levels

Subsequent studies made and presented in recommendation BS.412-9 support
potentially more relaxed protection ratios for 400 kHz adjacent channel interference,
depending on the receiver input power. From one of the studies that tested 31
receivers, the average protection ratios for 400 kHz adjacent channel interference for
domestic and car receivers are shown in Table 2.
Wanted Received
Signal
(dBuV/m)
Protection Ratio (dB)

Domestic Receivers

Car Receivers
75
-32
-32
65
-34
-38
55
-34
-42
Table 2: Protection ratios (dB) based on wanted received signal levels and the use of domestic
and car receivers, provided in BS.412-9 Annex 2.
Car receivers typically have lower (better) protection ratios for adjacent channel
interference due to the higher selectivity of their generally better IF filters.
3.2.3
For Interference Caused by Intermodulation of Strong RF Signals

Where three equally spaced strong signals (one wanted, f w and two interfering
signals f i1 and f i 2 ) are supplied to the input of a receiver, there is the possibility of
the two interfering signals producing an intermodulation product that will interfere with
the wanted signal. The frequency relationship between the signals in the tests was:
f = f w fi 2 = fi 2 fi1
or
f = fi 2 f w = fi1 fi 2
The average protection ratios determined from the tests on 31 receivers for a f of
400 kHz for domestic and car receivers are shown in Table 3. The protection ratios
for f = 800 kHz are provided for comparison.
Wanted Received
Signal (dBuV/m)

Domestic Receivers

Car Receivers
f = 400 kHz
f = 800 kHz
f = 400 kHz
f = 800 kHz
95
85
-1
75
-3
-7
-2
-5
65
-8
-14
-8
-11
55
-13
-19
-13
-16
Table 3: Protection ratios (dB) for intermodulation of strong RF signals based on wanted received
signal levels and the use of domestic and car receivers, provided in BS.412-9 Annex 2.
Rev 1

Testing of receivers for the Swiss Federal Office of Communications [Ref 4] on a

small sample of four receivers for intermodulation interference supported the findings
shown in Table 3 for both 400 kHz and 800 kHz spaced services.
The report quoted experience in Rotterdam (in the Netherlands) where third order
intermodulation interference had been noted around a high powered FM transmission
site where many frequencies are used. The quoted case was for reception within
6.5 km of the Rotterdam transmitter site of services transmitted from 45 km away.
Clearly the wanted signal levels would have been significantly less than the
interfering signal levels.
From Table 3, the required protection ratio for intermodulation is positive for wanted
field strengths >= 85 dBuV/m. In practice, very few receivers have the ITU reference
receiving installation with an external antenna mounted at 10 m, so there is some
latitude (15 to 20 dB) in the figure for the maximum field strength at which
intermodulation interference becomes a significant problem.
The areas that are subjected to field strengths greater than 100 dBuV/m represent a
small area, even for high powered services, and if the horizontal and vertical radiation
patterns of the transmitting antenna can be arranged to minimise the populated areas
with such high field strengths, intermodulation interference can largely be ignored.
For those situations where a transmitter site with high powered services is located
within populated areas, there is potential for intermodulation interference for both
800 kHz and 400 kHz spaced services. For high field strengths the intermodulation
protection ratio for 400 kHz spaced services is approximately 4 dB higher than for
800 kHz spaced services.
The most effective way to minimise the potential for intermodulation in high field
strength areas where they fall on populated areas is to ensure that the wanted and
unwanted field strengths are of similar or equal level. Preferably the wanted level
would be higher, but because the wanted frequency may also be an unwanted
frequency for another service, equal levels is generally the best compromise.
3.3
FCC 400 kHz Protection Ratio and Receiver Performance

The FCC has adopted a 400 kHz protection ratio of -40 dB for signal levels
corresponding to the edge of coverage (60 dBuV/m for most classes of service) and
providing a S/N ratio of 50 dB.
In 1999 the US National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) tested 28 receivers of
varying types against this performance standard [Ref 5] and found that 22 of the 28
receivers did not achieve the -40 dB protection ratio at the required S/N ratio. Of the
six receivers that did achieve -40 dB protection ratio, five were car radios and one
was a component receiver.
Additionally 12 of the 28 radios did not achieve the -20 dB protection ratio. These
were mostly the clock, walkman and portable radios but the 12 included one
component and two aftermarket car radios.
The median values of protection ratio achieved for each type of receiver are shown in
Table 4.
The relevance to the New Zealand environment of these tests is high, as the tests
were made in accordance with ITU R Recommendation BS.641 [Ref 6] and though
the receivers are not necessarily the same types as are available in New Zealand,
they represent a cross section of the receiver market.
Rev 1

Receiver Type
No. of
Receivers
Median Measured 400 kHz

Wanted signal level = -55 dBm
Clock
-17
Walkman
-26
Portable
-16
Component
-31
Auto after market
-28
Auto OEM
-45
Table 4: Median value 400 kHz protection ratios (dB) from NAB tests.
3.4
Conclusion
From the study of protection ratios for FMBCs, GQ-AAS concludes that 400 kHz
spaced services can be used to serve the same area, with some constraints.
ITU-R BS.412-9 has some evidence for relaxation of the general protection ratios,
though the NAB study indicated that the FCCs -40 dB protection ratio is not
achievable by most radios and nearly half of the tested radios (mostly portable and
clock radios) didnt achieve the -20 dB protection ratio.
Overall GQ-AAS considers that a prudent approach is not to relax the protection
ratios provided in BS.412-9 (and used by the Ministry) and to adopt the general
protection ratios given in Figure 2 and Table 1 in considering the criteria for the use of
400 kHz services providing coverage to the same area.
There is also evidence of the potential for interference due to intermodulation
products in high field strength areas for both 800 kHz and 400 kHz spaced services
(though in practice existing services with 800 kHz spacing do not appear to cause or
suffer the noticeable intermodulation interference that is suggested by the protection
ratios in Table 3). This may be due to the small areas in which the signal levels are
high enough for the interference to be noticeable and that a large amount of radio
listening is in a mobile environment, where the interference is often temporary.
On balance GQ-AAS considers that the intermodulation interference issues identified
in Section 3.2.3 for 400 kHz spaced services, can be addressed by keeping the
populated areas experiencing very high field strength to small areas and ensuring
that in these areas, the wanted and unwanted signal field strengths are of similar or
equal levels.
Rev 1

NEW ZEALAND 400 kHz SPACED TRIALS
4.1
Background
Two trials were undertaken in New Zealand using 400 kHz channel spaced stations
serving the same area. One trial commencing in 2003 was conducted at Skytower in
Auckland, co-sited with two other services nominally spaced 400 kHz either side of
the new service.
The second trial was conducted at Kaukau near Wellington which operates 400 kHz
from an existing service at Towai 12 km away. There do not appear to be any reports
from the Wellington trial.
4.2
Skytower Trial
4.2.1
Service details
The details of the services at Skytower taken from the RSM web site are as follows.
Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP), which is the radiated power relative
to an isotropic radiator.
Frequency
(MHz)
EIRP
(dBW)
TX Antenna
Height (m)
93.4
47
263
93.8
40
253
94.2
47
263
The transmitting antenna horizontal radiation pattern (HRP) as listed in the RSM web
site for the existing 93.4 and 94.2 MHz services is shown in Table 5 below.
From Bearing
(Degrees)
To Bearing
(Degrees)
EIRP
(dBW)
35
47
35.
100.
44
100
130
45
130
190
47
190
230
45
230
280
44
280
295
45
295
360
47
Table 5: HRP for existing Skytower services on 93.4 and 94.2 MHz
Rev 1

Similarly, the HRP for the trial 93.8 MHz services is shown in Table 6 below.
From Bearing
(Degrees)
To Bearing
(Degrees)
EIRP
(dBW)
EIRP
Relative to 93.4
and 94.2 MHz (dB)
20
35
-12
20
35
30
-17
35
45
25
-19
45
60
20
-24
60
70
15
-29
70
80
10
-34
80
90
15
-29
90
105
20
-24
105
115
25
-20
115
130
30
-15
130.
150
35
-12
150
360
40
-7
Table 6: HRP for Skytower trial service on 93.8 MHz
The (HRPs) for the services are quite different. While the HRP for the existing
services is nearly omnidirectional, the HRP for the trial service is very directional,
resulting in significant differences in EIRP between the services in most directions.
The fourth column in Table 6 shows the differential.
4.2.2
Measured field strengths and received audio quality

The services field strengths were measured at 20 locations with receiver heights of
1.5 m and 10 m and another Skytower service on 96.1 MHz was measured as a
control [Ref 7].
The audio quality of the received signals (with an antenna height of 1.5 m) was
assessed using a range of portable receivers and clock radios at each of the sites.
The summary of the results of the tests showing the average received signal levels
and the average received signal quality is provided in Table 7.
Tx Frequency (MHz)
93.4
93.8
94.2
96.1
Tx EIRP (dBW) (quoted in tests)
45
37
42
27
Rx Signal Average Level 1.5 m

agl (dBuV/m)
64
54.4
59.3
50.7
Rx Signal Average Level 10 m

agl (dBuV/m)
83.6
75.7
80.4
68.4
Rx Signal Average Audio Quality

1.5 m agl
4.3
3.1
4.3
3.7
Rx Signal Quality Standard

Deviation
0.61
0.99
0.6
1.01
Table 7: Summary of Skytower trial test results
Rev 1

4.2.3
Comments on the results

The TX EIRPs for the services listed in the report are slightly different from those on
the RSM web site (see Section 4.2.1). Irrespective of that, given the differences in
the HRPs for the existing and trial services, it is surprising that the difference in the
average RX signal levels is not greater. GQ-AAS expects that there is significant
interference in the east and north east of the coverage area due to 400 kHz adjacent
channel interference, though none was reported in the tests.
The results for each site do show larger differences at two sites - Stevenson Reserve,
Minerva Terrace (25 dB) and Bastion Point (20 dB) and the audio quality for the
93.8 MHz service is noticeably inferior at these locations. It is likely that the receivers
in these locations are experiencing 400 kHz adjacent channel interference (on
93.8 MHz).
The tests were inconclusive on the potential for intermodulation interference with the
400 kHz spaced services. The potential intermodulation victims were the existing
services (2 x 93.8 94.2 = 93.4) and (2 x 93.8 93.4 = 94.2), both of which are
received at higher field strengths than one of the interfering services (93.8 MHz).
Also, the signal levels at the 1.5 m antenna height used for the audio quality tests
were significantly lower than at 10 m, so the required protection ratio for
intermodulation interference was lower than the measured difference between the
wanted and unwanted services.
The audio quality of the 93.8 MHz service was consistently lower than the 400 kHz
adjacent services, though no explanation was given. This is reflected in the Table 7
summary results where the average audio quality was 3.1 for 93.8 MHz compared
with 4.3 for both 93.4 and 94.2 MHz services.
An additional factor was the audio quality tests were subjective and the report noted
the difficulties of conducting the tests with continuous background noise and the
receiver generated distortion.
4.2.4
Receiver tuning
The seven portable and clock radio receivers used in the trial were of varying ages
from 30 years old to reasonably current models. All had analogue tuning, though
digital tuned car radios were used in the tests for programme identification to assist
with tuning the analogue receivers.
The two engineers reported on the tuning of the analogue tuned receivers and
generally found that careful tuning was required to tune to the 93.8 MHz service. One
of the receivers (the TEAC Multijog clock radio), which was the most recently
released radio) was so difficult to tune that it was dropped from the tests toward the
end of the tests.
The engineers also found that for the very low cost radios, it was not possible to tune
to the 93.8 MHz frequency in high field strength areas. They presumed this was due
to the inferior selectivity of these receivers.
GQ-AAS notes that the engineers are educated users and that if they found it difficult
to tune the analogue radios to 93.8 MHz, it is almost certain that the general public
would find it more difficult.
4.2.5
Listener survey
Research International conducted a telephone survey to investigate the effect of the
trial service on the existing 400 kHz adjacent services [Ref 8]. A third service
91.8 MHz was used as a control for the survey.
The results of the survey were:
1. 86% of respondents noticed no change to the reception of the three stations.
2. Of the 14% who noticed a change:
10
Rev 1

40% noticed an improvement in sound quality and 12% noticed the

change as stronger signal.
16% noticed worse sound quality and 23% noticed the change as
weaker signal.
26% reported interference, drop outs or couldnt find the station.
3. Of the listeners to the listeners to the 93.4 MHz service who noticed changes,
none noticed any crossover, ghosting or interference from another station.
4. Of the listeners to the 94.2 MHz service who noticed changes, 14% noticed
crossover, ghosting or interference from another station.
5. Of the listeners to the 91.8 MHz control service who noticed changes, 10%
noticed crossover, ghosting or interference from another station.
Overall, Research International concluded that from the survey results,
there is no significant interference with the 93.4FM and 94.2FM frequencies
with the introduction of a higher powered 93.8 FM signal
4.3
Issues Raised in Response to the Ministrys Discussion Paper

In September 2005, the Ministry issued a discussion paper [Ref 9] for comment and
one of the issues was:
Proposal A - The Ministry seeks comments on adopting a policy of
permitting co-sited transmitters with a frequency separation of 0.4 MHz,
providing that the licensed eirp of such transmitters are within 10 dB of each
other. Existing planning standards for determining compatibility with licences
in adjacent areas would also apply.
The Ministry received a number of submissions in response to Proposal A and the
important technical issues raised are discussed in the following sections. GQ-AAS
has not considered issues associated with licence values, revenues, etc.
4.3.1
400 kHz spaced services are used in adjacent market areas

The Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA) [Ref 10] raised concerns that where the
400 kHz frequency is already in use in an adjacent area to the site for which 400 kHz
spacing is being considered, if the frequency is used, the relationship between
stations in the adjacent areas will go from 400 kHz difference to a co-channel
relationship.
RBA noted that to achieve this co-channel operation, EIRP reductions of the new
service in the direction of the existing service may be required to ensure the
66 dBuV/m contour of each service is protected. This would have the effect of
increasing the possibility of interference to the new service from the 400 kHz spaced
services.
RBA also noted that the change to a co-channel relationship would reduce the
effective coverage area of the existing service. In the extreme case the existing
services interference free coverage could cease near the 66 dBuV/m contour, where
previously it may have been able to be received at much lower field strengths.
GQ-AAS generally agrees with this assessment, but points out that by the Ministrys
planning rules, a service could be established on a frequency co-channel with the
existing service at a site different from the one being considered for 400 kHz spaced
services, and have the same effect on the existing service.
Additionally, the aim of this report is to develop criteria that will ensure that the
potential for interference to the new service (and other services) is minimised and
GQ-AAS anticipates that if these criteria are accepted by the Ministry, the planning for
new 400 kHz services would be carried so that the new services meet the criteria.
11
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On this basis, 400 kHz services serving the same area would not automatically be
introduced, but would only be introduced if they could meet all the necessary planning
criteria. GQ-AAS concludes that If 400 kHz spaced services are considered for an
area that has an adjacent area with services operating on these frequencies, it is very
unlikely that proposed 400 kHz spaced services will be able to meet the planning
criteria to operate co-channel with the existing services
4.3.2
Intermodulation
RBA commented that introducing 400 kHz spacing could double the number of
spectrum licences at a site, causing far more intermodulation products, increasing the
likelihood of interference to aeronautical and mobile radio services.
GQ-AAS considers that due to other interference issues, it is extremely unlikely that
the number of licences at any site will be doubled by introducing 400 kHz spaced
services. A further check on the potential of a proposed FMBC service to cause
interference to aeronautical and land mobile services is part of the coordination
required in the Ministrys Certification Requirements for new FMBC services.
If there are intermodulation products that land on the aeronautical and mobile radio
services, these would either be generated at the FMBC transmitter site (which would
be the responsibility of the broadcasters to resolve by further filtering) or in the
aeronautical or land mobile receiver. The receivers for these services are typically
well protected from interfering signals by filtering.
GQ-AAS considers that the introduction of 400 kHz spaced services is unlikely to
increase the likelihood of intermodulation interference to aeronautical and mobile
radio services if the usual Ministry planning procedures are followed.
4.3.3
Receiver tuning
RBA made the point that on some analogue radios, it can be difficult to tune to
800 kHz spaced stations and that tuning to 400 kHz spaced stations would be more
difficult. Tuning to 400 kHz stations with digital tuners as found in all modern car
radios and some portable and fixed radios is straight forward.
Research International carried out a market survey [Ref 11] to determine the number
and types of radio in homes and the penetration of digital tuners. The results were:
1. On average each home has 3.4 radios.
2. 67% of the radios have analogue tuners and 33% have digital tuners.
3. 33% of homes have only analogue tuned radios, 13% of homes have only
digital tuners and 54% of homes have both analogue and digital tuned radios.
GQ-AAS carried a detailed search for data on the tunability of analogue tuned radios
with 400 kHz spaced services, but was unable to locate any definitive information.
GQ-AAS considers that the point made by RBA is valid, but is unable to quantify the
impact on the introduction of 400 kHz spaced services. However, GQ-AAS makes
the following observations on the prevalence of analogue and digital tuning.
Digital tuned radios are more expensive than an equivalent analogue tuned
radio.
Analogue tuned radios vary in their ability to be tuned to the 400 kHz spaced
services.
It is likely that digital tuned radios will become more common place in time,
but it is likely that low cost analogue tuned radios will continue to be sold.
Stations on the 400 kHz spaced channels will not be as readily available to all
listeners as those on the 800 kHz spaced channels.
Listeners wanting to tune to the 400 kHz spaced channels are likely to
purchase radios (analogue or digital tuned) that will allow them to tune to the
channel.
12
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4.3.4
Future flexibility
RBA raised concerns that the introduction of 400 kHz spaced services may preclude
the adoption of some digital radio formats. Digital radio is addressed in detail in
Section 5.2.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
5.1
400 kHz Spaced Services

GQ-AAS researched international sources for examples and experience with 400 kHz
spaced stations serving the same area. The following is a summary of the results of
the search.
5.1.1
United States Federal Communications Commission

Currently the FCC does not generally permit co-sited assignments or assignments
with significantly common coverage areas with 400 kHz carrier spacing. The FCC
specifies the minimum distance allowed between transmission sites based on carrier
frequency difference and the class1 of the FMBC radio licence [Ref 12].
However, for LP100 and LP10 FMBC services (100 W and 10 W ERP services
respectively) there is no minimum distance specified between the LP100 and LP10
services for 400 kHz spacing. The potential for interference between these classes of
service appears to be overcome by the FCCs protection ratio for 400 kHz spaced
services of -40 dB and the restriction of antenna height to 30 m. This limits the
approximate service range to 5.6 km.
5.1.2
United Kingdom - Ofcom

The Ofcom generally permits co-sited assignments or assignments with significantly
common coverage areas with 400 kHz carrier spacing under the condition that the
Ofcom technical criteria requirements are met for protection ratios. The protection
ratio as defined by the Ofcom for 400 kHz carrier spacing is -20 dB. In planning the
services, Ofcom may or may not take into account the extra protection margins
achieved by other factors such as antenna directivity and polarisation discrimination,
and these are dealt on a case by case basis.
In response to requests for information on the 400 kHz spaced services, Ofcom
reported that 400 kHz spaced services are primarily in London. The services
operating with this separation are 96.9 and 97.3 MHz and 105.4, 105.8 and
106.2 MHz. The 96.9 and 105.8 MHz services are radiated from a mast
approximately 1 km from the mast that radiates the other services.
All but the 96.9 MHz service are used for London-wide services using a mixed
polarised, omni-directional antenna and a total ERP of 4 kW. 96.9 MHz is used for a
local service for the Brixton area of the city with a vertically polarised, directional
antenna with an ERP of 36 Watts.
Ofcom has not received any reports of interference between the services mentioned
above even though the 96.9 / 97.3 MHz relationship has existed since 1990. Given
the 17 dB power difference, slightly different site locations and antenna patterns, the
ITU protection ratio is almost certainly exceeded in some locations.
One issue that Ofcom has been unable to resolve is the combining of 400 kHz
spaced services into the same antenna system; which is partly the reason for the
services being radiated from different sites.
Classes of FM radio licences are based on the ERP of the service and height above average terrain (HAAT) of the
transmitting antenna.
13
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5.1.3
India
India is currently undergoing Phase II of their programme to release new assignments
for private (commercial) FMBC services. In Phase I of the project, 400 kHz spacing
was used in the four largest cities, with mandatory co-location of the transmitting
equipment in each city [Ref 13].
Despite issues associated with co-locating private broadcasters at shared facilities,
the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (part of the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting) has ruled it mandatory that all 338 Phase II services shall use co-sited
transmission facilities at 91 predetermined sites. This decision was taken for a
number of reasons, including reduced costs from sharing infrastructure and reduced
complexity in frequency analysis so that interference analysis for each service is kept
to a minimum [Ref 14].
The co-sited services with channel spacing of 400 kHz are segmented into two
separate combining and antenna systems. This allows a minimum channel spacing
of 800 kHz per combiner system, reducing the complexity and cost of the system.
5.1.4
Summary
GQ-AASs search found that there is very little literature publicly available concerning
the outcomes of introducing 400 kHz spaced services other than the reports of the
New Zealand trials (see Section 4).
5.2
In-Band On-Channel Digital Radio

The use of In-Band On-Channel (IBOC2) digital radio for simultaneous broadcast of
analogue and digital FMBC services requires the transmission of additional radio
frequency (RF) spectral energy in sub-carriers or sidebands surrounding the primary
or host FM analogue signal.
There are a number of IBOC methods in use or in development such as HD Radio,
FMeXtra, and DRM+. Each method potentially has different bandwidth requirements,
and at present HD Radio is designed to transmit digital information within 200 kHz of
the main analogue carrier (see Figure 3), while FMeXtra is designed to transmit
digital information within 100 kHz of the main analogue carrier (see Figure 5).
5.2.1
HD Radio
The power spectral density (PSD) for the HD Radio hybrid (analogue plus digital)
signal is shown in Figure 3 below with the current New Zealand Unwanted Emission
Limits (UELs) for analogue FMBC services overlaid [Ref 15].
In-band/On-channel is a digital radio system that places digital signals within the current FM (or AM) bands and
simultaneously transmits the digital and analogue signal within the bandwidth of the analogue channel.
14
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NZ Unwanted
Emission Limits (UELs)
Power (dB)
0 dBc
Analogue FM Signal
-13 dBc (typical)
-25 dBc
-35 dBc
Digital IBOC Signal (LSB)
Digital IBOC Signal (USB)

-41 dBc
Audio (Stereo) Components
0 kHz
-240 kHz -198 kHz
Frequency offset
from carrier (kHz)
+129 kHz
-129 kHz
+198 kHz +240 kHz
Figure 3: Representation of HD Radio spectral power density with NZ UELs.
Though the hybrid signal PSD falls within the UELs for analogue FMBC services, any
significant spectral components transmitted at frequencies greater than 200 kHz
from the main analogue carrier have the potential to interfere with digital and/or
analogue signals of other 400 kHz spaced services (see Figure 4).
Power (dB)
Power (dB)
Analogue FM Signal 1
Analogue FM Signal 2
Digital Signal
1 (LSB)
Digital Signal Digital Signal

2 (LSB)
1 (USB)
Digital Signal
2 (USB)
Frequency (kHz)
~4 kHz
Guard Band
400 kHz
Figure 4: Representation of 400 kHz adjacent HD Radio FM broadcasts
The HD Radio Transmission System Specifications published by Ubiquity Digital

Corporation in February 2005 [Ref 16] significantly tighten the spectral emission limits
for the hybrid signal PSD compared with the analogue UELs (see Table 8 below).
The aim of this is to reduce the likelihood of interference due to spectral regrowth3,
which has the potential to increase the noise within the emission mask of a 400 kHz
spaced service.
Spectral regrowth refers to energy emissions in harmonically related sidebands of the main digital signal, and are
caused by intermodulation products from densely modulated digital signals due to non-linearities in transmission
systems.
15
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Frequency Offset
Relative to Carrier
(kHz)
HD Radio
Emission Limit
(dBc)
Frequency Offset
Relative to Carrier
(kHz)
Existing NZ FMBC
UELs
(dBc)
100 to 200
-40
128 to 240
-25
215
-61.4
240 to 600
-35
215 to 540
-74.4
>= 600
-43 dBW EIRP, or

-35 dBc if >-43 dBW
>= 600
-80
Table 8: HD Radio FM Waveform Noise and Emission Limits and the existing NZ UELs
The specification notes that in certain circumstances, additional filtering, etc may be
required to reduce spectral emissions below the limits in the table to reduce mutual
interference between services (co-channel, 100 kHz, 200 kHz, 300 kHz and 400 kHz
spaced services).
5.2.2
NRSC tests for HD Radio

The U.S. based National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) undertook an evaluation
of the HD Radio IBOC system in November 2001. This evaluation included tests to
determine the impact of an FM HD Radio signal on reception of a 400 kHz adjacent
channel analogue FM signal.
The tests were carried out using four analogue receivers carefully chosen to be
representative of the selectivity characteristics of the type of receiver - aftermarket car
radio, OEM car radio (both very selective) portable radio (moderately selective) and
home stereo hi-fi (selective). The digital receiver was an iBiquity FM IBOC prototype
receiver.
The tests did not use the noise and emission limits from Table 8, as these values had
not been developed at that time. The noise and emission limits used in the tests had
a minimum defined value of -60 dBc at >= 270 kHz offset from the carrier.
Interference to analogue receivers
For the analogue receivers, the tests were performed to measure the audio S/N ratio
of the wanted signal in the presence of a 400 kHz spaced analogue FMBC signal,
compared with the effect of a 400 kHz spaced hybrid HD Radio signal. The tests
were carried out for a range of wanted to unwanted signal levels (-20 dB to -40 dB).
The report from the tests - Evaluation of the Ibiquity Digital Corporation IBOC
System Part 1 FM IBOC dated November 2001 [Ref 17] found that for 400 kHz
adjacent channel interference to analogue receivers, with a wanted to unwanted
signal level ratio in the range of -20 dB to -40 dB, automotive receivers receiving
conventional FM analogue signals were not affected by the presence of IBOC digital
sidebands.
Wanted to unwanted signal level ratios of about -30 dB and -40 dB affected some
home hi-fi receivers to a significant extent and wanted to unwanted signal level ratios
as low as -20 dB presented noticeable interference to portable receivers. The
difference in performance between the devices was attributed to the selectiveness of
the front-end IF filters for the receivers.
Table 9 has the data for the impact of HD Radio on the audio noise S/N ratio (that is
the reduction in S/N in the presence of the HD Radio digital sidebands) for a wanted
to unwanted signal level ratio of -20 dB compared with the S/N in the presence of an
analogue FMBC signal for the same ratio of wanted to unwanted signals.
16
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Receiver Type
Impact on Audio S/N Ratio at a

nominal Wanted to Unwanted Field
Strength Ratio of -20 dB
(dB)
Car Radio
Home hi-fi
Portable Radio
-6
Table 9: Impact of HD Radio on Audio S/N Ratio at a Wanted -to- Unwanted Field Strength
Ratio of -20dB
The actual audio S/N ratio for the car radio and home hi-fi was approximately 42 dB
Weighted Quasi-Peak and for the portable radio 24 dB for the analogue interfering
signal and 18 dB for the HD Radio interfering signal.
The relevance to the New Zealand environment is moderate, based on the
methodology of the tests being different from the usual ITU-R methodologies and the
small number of receivers tested. Further testing is required for a definitive answer
on the impact of HD Radio on FMBC services.
Interference to Sub-carrier Systems (SCA)
The HD Radio tests included interference tests on two receivers for 67 kHz and
92 kHz sub-carrier (SCA) systems (also known as Supplementary Information
Services) associated with the main analogue signal. The results from the tests were
inconclusive though the report concluded that:
careful evaluation of test data shows that the digital SCA services tested
(RDS and DARC) should not be adversely impacted by IBOC.
NRSC recommended further tests on SCA systems, especially for analogue SCA
systems. Further tests were carried out in March 2002 at the request of the SCA
industry representatives and the results were published [Ref 18].
Tests were performed on eight SCA receivers and the wanted to unwanted signal
level ratio was determined that would provide a weighted quasi-peak audio signal-tonoise ratio of 25 dB for the SCA service. The tests were repeated for the interfering
signal being a standard analogue FMBC signal and a hybrid HD Radio signal.
From the test results it was found that:
1. For 400 kHz spaced services, the mean wanted to unwanted ratio changed
from -27.5 dB for the standard analogue FMBC signal to -17.9 dB for the
hybrid HD Radio signal.
2. For 200 kHz spaced services, the mean wanted to unwanted ratio changed
from +16.2 dB for the standard analogue FMBC signal to +17.4 dB for the
hybrid HD Radio signal.
3. There was little difference in the susceptibility to interference of 92 kHz SCA
receivers compared with 67 kHz receivers.
The tests were not made at a range of wanted signal levels, so there was no data
relating to variation of the changes to the required protection ratios with wanted signal
level.
These tests are relevant to the New Zealand environment in a general sense in that
they show a significant degradation in the available 400 kHz protection ratios for SCA
services with the introduction of hybrid HD Radio. This would apply to any 400 kHz
adjacent channel services, where one service had an SCA service and the other had
a hybrid HD Radio signal.
17
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Further data on the variation of the changes to the required protection ratios with
wanted signal level is required to determine whether there is a particular issue for
400 kHz service providing coverage to the same area.
Interference between HD Radio services
For the case of 400 kHz spaced HD Radio services, in Section 4.5.4 of the report, the
authors found that:
Laboratory tests of digital performance in the presence of single and dual
2nd-adjacent IBOC interferers established that the iBiquity FM IBOC system
is extremely robust with respect to this type of interference, and confirms that
the 4 kHz guard band between 2nd-adjacent IBOC digital sidebands is
adequate.
The field tests of 400 kHz spaced services were also positive for the digital
performance of the HD Radio system and the performance exceeded that of the
FCCs -40 dB required protection ratio for 400 kHz spaced services.
5.2.3
Results of other tests for HD Radio

GQ-AAS searched extensively for other testing of HD Radio IBOC systems, but was
unable to locate any reports of other tests. All the information on HD Radio from the
FCC and ITU referred back to the NRSC tests.
Brazil and France are currently undertaking trials of the HD Radio system. Both
countries report that the tests have demonstrated reliable coverage for VHF
operations with no reports of interference.
The ITU-R is waiting for more
comprehensive results from these on-going trials [Ref 19].
5.2.4
FMeXtra
The FMeXtra standard transmits digital information between 53 kHz and 99 kHz
from the main FM carrier for simultaneous broadcast with the analogue stereo FM
radio signal (shown in Figure 5), and between 20 kHz and 99 kHz with analogue
mono FM radio signal.
GQ-AAS is not aware of any documented testing of the FMeXtra system and its
potential interference to analogue FMBC services. However, the risk of adjacent
channel interference appears to be inherently less than that of HD Radio due to a
smaller emission mask and because the emissions are within the typical maximum
bandwidth of emissions as defined by the Ministry4.
Typically the New Zealand FMBC services have a maximum bandwidth of emissions limited to not more than
120 kHz above and below the carrier frequency.
18
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Figure 5: Representation of digital FMeXtra and analogue stereo FM radio spectral power
density
5.2.5
DRM+
DRM+ is still in development for VHF FM radio broadcasting. DRM+ is a further
development of the original DRM standard which is based on digital radio for AM
radio broadcasting. At present the power spectral density of the DRM+ system has
not been finalised.
5.2.6
Conclusion
From the study of the research on digital radio in the FM band (primarily the IBOC HD
Radio system), GQ-AAS concludes that the use of 400 kHz spaced services in the
same coverage area will not restrict the introduction of HD Radio in the New Zealand
as any effects related to 400 kHz spaced HD Radio services in the same coverage
area would also apply to 400 kHz HD Radio services that are not serving the same
area.
All the factors affecting the decision on whether or not to introduce HD Radio in New
Zealand are beyond the scope of this study, but GQ-AAS has concerns that the
testing to date of the impact of the introduction of HD Radio appears to have been
extremely limited.
IBOC services have the potential to cause spectral regrowth, which may increase
noise within the emission mask of a service spaced 400 kHz from the IBOC service.
To overcome this, tighter spectral emissions have been adopted for the HD Radio
specifications and GQ-AAS concludes that these UELs should be adopted with any
introduction of HD Radio in New Zealand.
Generally, HD Radio IBOC transmission requirements exceed the parameters
defined in ITU-R BS.450-3, thus potentially increasing the protection ratio
requirements for 400 kHz adjacent channel interference. However in laboratory and
field testing for the HD Radio system in the USA, at a wanted to unwanted ratio of
-20 dB, a reduction in the audio S/N quality was only observed on the performance of
a portable receiver. Car radios and a domestic hi-fi receiver were not affected by the
400 kHz adjacent channel HD Radio service.
Though the initial results are positive, further studies are required to confirm that HD
Radio can be introduced without causing a change to the required protection ratio for
400 kHz spaced services.
19
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US tests indicate that hybrid HD Radio signals have the potential to cause a
significant reduction in the available protection ratio for SCA services associated with
a 400 kHz spaced analogue FMBC service, whether or not the services are sharing
the same coverage area.
GQ-AAS notes that the specifications and methods of measurement of other IBOC
digital radio systems such as FMeXtra and DRM+ have not yet been finalised into
standards and therefore the effects of these services can not be quantified at this
time.
CRITERIA
6.1
General
One of the fundamentals of the New Zealand FMBC planning model is that within the
service area of an existing service, its signals shall be protected from significant
interference from other services where they are greater then the MUFS. The MUFS
for planning purposes as defined by the Ministry is 66 dBuV/m, unless otherwise
stated in special circumstances [Ref 15].
There are multiple factors and scenarios that affect the potential operation of 400 kHz
spaced services and these include:
1. The Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) or the Effective Radiated
Power (ERP) of the services
GQ-AAS has used ERPs in this section as the calculations are generally
based on ITU curves, which use ERP, rather than EIRP.
2. Co-sited services using the same antenna
3. Co-sited services using different antennas
4. Non co-sited services (near sited)
5. The Horizontal Radiation Pattern (HRP) of the services
6. The transmitting antenna heights of the services
7. The polarisation of the services
8. The modulation of the services
9. Intermodulation
10. The terrain in the coverage area of the services
11. The number of potentially interfering services
To some extent these factors are treated separately in this document to determine
the criteria associated with each factor. In practice multiple factors will come into play
and the possibility of using 400 kHz spaced services will have to be assessed as
individual cases, taking into account all the relevant criteria as well as the other
factors required as part of the Ministrys PIB 39 for Spectrum Licence Engineering
Rules for Crown Management Rights.
6.2
Co-sited Services Using a Shared Antenna
6.2.1
General
Co-sited services using the same antenna are services that are combined onto a
common feeder arrangement and physically transmitted from the same radiating
element(s) of an antenna or an antenna array.
20
Rev 1

Given that the bandwidth of FMBC transmitting antennas is generally greater than
5 MHz and often 10 to 15 MHz5, services separated by 400 kHz and sharing the
antenna can be assumed to have the same antenna radiation patterns.
6.2.2
Practicality of Combining Equipment

GQ-AAS contacted RFS and Polar Electronic Industries (Australian manufacturers of
FMBC combiners) to determine the practicality of combiners for services with a
400 kHz channel spacing.
Polar Electronic Industries advised that they do not manufacture a combiner that is
capable of combining such services.
RFS advised that though at present they do not manufacture such a combiner, they
have investigated the possibility of designing and producing a combiner for that
purpose and determined that a four-pole cross coupled balanced combiner could be
used to combine 400 kHz spaced services. One of the limitations associated with
such a design is the pass bandwidth, which is likely to be restricted to approximately
+/-140 kHz. This would be a limitation for upgrading to an HD Radio signal.
The power differential between the services to be combined and the maximum power
capacity are also factors that would influence the design of a 400 kHz combiner.
6.2.3
Basis of Criterion
On the assumption that the combiner is not a limitation, the basis for the criterion for
two co-sited 400 kHz spaced services sharing the same antenna is that the basic
protection ratio between the services of -20 dB shall be achieved. That is, the
difference in the ERPs of the services shall be less than 20 dB.
In practice, GQ-AAS expects that the limitations of the combiners will restrict the
difference between the services transmitter powers to approximately 10 dB.
6.3
Co-sited Services using Different Antennas
6.3.1
General
Services that are considered to be co-sited using different antennas are those
services transmitted from the same antenna mounting structure (ie. mast, tower or
building) and transmitting from separate antennas at different antenna heights. This
could be the approach used in India, with the co-sited services segmented into two
separate combining and antenna systems with a minimum channel spacing of
800 kHz for each combiner/antenna system.
6.3.2
Basis of Criterion
The basis for the criterion for adding a new service to be co-sited with an existing or
planned service using different antennas is that the protection ratio between the
services of -20 dB shall be achieved. The complicating factor is the different radiation
patterns of the transmitting antennas, even for those nominally having the same
pattern, such as folded dipoles. In practice there can be a variation in the pattern of
+3 dB from the nominal gain at any angle.
Therefore to account for the potential variations in the antenna radiation patterns, the
maximum difference in the ERPs of the services is reduced by 6 dB to 14 dB) and
this applies in all directions. That is, the 14 dB difference between the ERPs is the
maximum difference in ERPs on any bearing in the antenna radiation pattern.
RFS and Polar Electronic Industries catalogues
21
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6.3.3
Methodology
The methodology GQ-AAS used for calculating the maximum ERP of the proposed
service relative to the existing or planned service was based on the ITU-R
propagation curves provided in ITU-R Recommendation P.1546-2 [Ref 20].
1. GQ-AAS chose representative maximum ERPs and antenna heights above
average terrain.
The antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) is taken to be the height in
metres of the centre of the transmitting antenna above the terrain height
averaged between distances of 3 to 15 km from the transmitter in the
direction of the coverage. Refer to Recommendation P.1546-2 for methods
of determining antenna HAAT.
2. GQ-AAS determined the estimated distance to the Minimum Usable Field
Strength (MUFS)
The estimated distances were determined from P.1546-2, Figure 1
(propagation curve for 100 MHz, land path, 50% time).
The estimated distance to the MUFS (66 dBuV/m) for a range of ERP
services and antenna HAAT is shown in Table 10. Note that in practice the
distances from the transmitting service to the MUFS in any direction will vary
depending on the effects of terrain and clutter in that direction.
Estimated Distance to MUFS (66 dBuV/m) (km)
Antenna HAAT
ERP
100 W
1 kW
10 kW
100 kW
10 m
2.5
14
20 m
3.2
6.5
11
18
37.5 m
4.1
15
24
75 m
5.6
12
21
32
150 m
8.1
16
28
44
300 m
13
24
40
59
600 m
19
36
55
78
1200 m
27
54
80
110
Table 10: Estimated distance to estimated MUFS (66 dBuV/m)
3. For an existing antenna HAAT of x, GQ-AAS determined the effect on the

predicted signal level at the MUFS for an antenna HAAT of 0.5x, 2x and 4x.
Doubling the antenna HAAT can cause up to +8 dB increase in field strength
at distances 50 km from the transmitting site. However a more typical
increase is 5 to 6 dB at the MUFS.
4. This change (in dB) in field strength due to changes in the antenna HAAT
represents the inverse change in the maximum ERP of the proposed service,
as tabled in the next Section.
6.3.4
Effective Radiated Power

The ERP6 of the proposed service shall not exceed the values shown in Table 11 in
any direction relative to existing or planned 400 kHz adjacent services. These values
incorporate the base maximum difference of 14 dB from Section 5.3.2.
As per ITU-R recommendation P.1546-2, Figure 1.
22
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Maximum ERP of Proposed Service Relative to Existing or Planned Services (dB)

ERP
HAAT
Transmitting Antenna HAAT of Proposed Service Relative to Existing

or Planned Services.
0.5x
2x
4x
100 W
37.5 m
+16 dB
+9 dB
+4 dB
1 kW
75 m
+16 dB
+9 dB
+3 dB
10 kW
150 m
+16 dB
+8 dB
+2 dB
100 kW
300 m
+16 dB
+7 dB
+1 dB
Table 11: Maximum ERP of the proposed service relative to the existing service for co-sited
services using different antennas.
The actual difference between the ERPs of the existing and proposed service shall be
such that the unwanted signal level (dBuV/m) compared to the wanted signal level
(dBuV/m) is no greater than 20 dB higher than the wanted signal level at any point
within the coverage area of the wanted signal (defined by the MUFS contour).
6.4
Non Co-sited Services (Near-sited)
6.4.1
General
Non co-sited services transmit are considered to be services transmitted from
separate antennas at locations in the order of 50 metres to several kilometres from
each other (depending on the maximum ERPs of the services), where there is not a
significant portion7 of the population to be served within the high field strength areas8
of each service.
Generally, it is expected the proposed service is intending to achieve the same,
similar, or highly-overlapping coverage area as the existing services that are
operating on carrier frequencies 400 kHz spaced from the proposed service.
6.4.2
Basis of Criterion
The basis for the criterion for non co-sited services is that the protection ratio
between the services of -20 dB shall be achieved. As with the co-sited services using
different antennas, the complicating factor is the different radiation patterns of the
transmitting antennas. In practice there can be a variation in the pattern of +3 dB
from the nominal gain at any angle.
A further complicating factor is the different propagation paths and possibly conditions
from the different sites, including different antenna HAATs and terrain profiles to the
coverage areas.
Therefore, to account for the potential variations in the antenna radiation patterns, the
maximum difference in the ERPs of the services is reduced by 6 dB to 14 dB) and to
account for differences in propagation conditions the maximum difference in the
ERPs of the services is further reduced by 4 dB to 10 dB. In practice, the variation
due to propagation differences may be much higher; the 4 dB is taken as an average
figure for reasonably close sites.
A significant proportion constitutes 0.1% of the population or 50 persons, whichever is less.

High field strength areas constitute the areas within the proximity of closely sited services where a wanted signal is
likely to be interfered with by a 400 kHz adjacent signal, due to very high field strengths around the unwanted signal
transmitter.
23
Rev 1

6.4.3
Methodology
The methodology GQ-AAS used for calculating the maximum distance between the
proposed service and the existing or planned services was based on coverage and
interference predictions using the Planet EV radio prediction software and the digital
terrain model for Melbourne, Victoria, representing largely flat terrain. GQ-AAS:
1. Chose representative combinations of ERP and antenna HAAT (see Table 7
below).
2. Determined the estimated distance9 to the MUFS (66 dBuV/m) for the chosen
combinations (see Section 6.3.3).
3. Assuming an omnidirectional radiation pattern, flat terrain and a circular
coverage area, calculated the estimated coverage area in km2.
4. Calculated 0.1% of the coverage area (representing the maximum
permissible area of interference) and determined the equivalent radius of the
interference area.
5. Conducted coverage predictions for the existing and proposed services at
varying distances apart, based on the services having the same:
4. Maximum ERP
5. Omnidirectional radiation pattern
6. Antenna height.
6. Calculated the area of interference for each service based on a required
protection ratio of -10 dB, using the Planet EV software. The interference
tends to be located close to the transmitter sites of the services (where the
unwanted field strength is highest).
7. Determined the maximum separation that meets the requirement for the area
of interference to be at most 0.1% of the coverage area.
6.4.4
Maximum Separation Distance (Identical Services)

The maximum distance separation for same power services with the same antenna
HAAT, operating at 400 kHz spacing is shown in Table 12.
ERP of
both
services
Antenna
HAAT
(m)
Estimated
Distance to
MUFS
(km)
Estimated
Coverage
Area
(km2)
Radius of
Interference Area
(based on 0.1% of
Estimated Coverage
Area)
Maximum
Distance
Separation
(m)
100 W
20
3.2
32
100 m
250 m
1 kW
37.5
8.5
230
270 m
500 m
10 kW
75
21
1,400
700 m
1.5 km
10 kW
150
28
2,500
900 m
2.2 km
100 kW
150
44
6,100
1.4 km
2.8 km
100 kW
300
59
11,000
1.9 km
5 km
Table 12: Maximum distance separation for same power, same antenna height near-sited
services
As per ITU-R recommendation P.1546-2, Figure 1.
24
Rev 1

6.4.5
Maximum Separation Distance (Different Services)

A similar process was carried out for same power services with different antenna
HAATs.
The maximum distance separation for these services operating at 400 kHz adjacent
channels is shown in Table 13.
Service 1
Service 2
Maximum
Distance
Separation
Power
Antenna
HAAT
(m)
Power
Antenna
HAAT
(m)
100 W
20
100 W
10
1 kW
75
1 kW
37.5
400 m
10 kW
150
10 kW
75
1.5 km
100 kW
300
100 kW
150
2.8 km
Table 13 Maximum distance separation for same power, different antenna height near-sited
services
The maximum distance separation is dictated by the service with the lower antenna
HAAT.
6.4.6
Conclusion
This criterion generally excludes the situations where there are high powered non
co-sited services with transmitter sites located within the population centres being
served by the service. Non co-sited high powered services are possible where the
transmitters are located in relatively remote locations providing wide coverage.
6.5
Horizontal Radiation Patterns

The differences in the horizontal radiation patterns (HRPs) of the proposed and
existing services must be taken into account when calculating the maximum ERP of
the proposed service relative to the existing service (Table 11) in any direction of the
HRP of the co-sited 400 kHz adjacent service.
The HRPs must also be taken into account in calculating the maximum separation
distance for non co-sited services (Tables 12 and 13).
6.6
Polarisation of the Services

Orthogonally polarised services may provide additional protection margin between
services of up to 10 dB due to orthogonal discrimination of the receiving antenna.
This figure was provided for Band II FM broadcasting services in the now superseded
CCIR Report 122-3 [Ref 21] and is included in the Australian Broadcasting Planning
Handbook.
The current ITU-R recommendation covering the discrimination of orthogonally
polarised antennas is for television antennas only and does not include Band II
antennas. Further consideration is required.
There may be minimal advantage in this criterion as the majority of services are listed
as mixed or linear polarisation in the Ministrys radio database.
6.7
Modulation
As detailed in Section 5.2.2, in laboratory and field testing for the HD Radio system in
the USA, at a wanted to unwanted ratio of -20 dB, a reduction in the audio S/N quality
was only observed on the performance of a portable receiver. Car radios and a
25
Rev 1

domestic hi-fi receiver were not affected by the 400 kHz adjacent channel HD Radio
service.
GQ-AAS considers that further research and additional results for the current tests in
France and Brazil are required before this criterion can be finalised.
6.8
Intermodulation
6.8.1
General
Intermodulation was investigated in Section 3.2.3 and it was found to be a potential
problem where there are three (or more) 400 kHz spaced channels serving the same
area and there are populated areas with high unwanted field strengths
(>100 dBuV/m). This occurs when a high powered transmission site is located within
an urban area, such as the Skytower site in Auckland.
6.8.2
Basis of Criterion
The potential intermodulation victim services in populated high field strength areas
are the two services 800 kHz apart (see Sections 3.2.3 and 4.2.3). The basis for the
criterion for three 400 kHz spaced services is that the required protection ratio for the
potential victim services is approximately 1 dB at the 100 dBuV/m contour. This is
based on the values in Table 3 for a wanted field strength of 85 dBuVm and a factor
of 15 dB to take account of the likely receiver antenna height being 1.5 m rather than
10 m.
To limit the potential for interference, it may be preferable that the middle frequency
service (presumably the new service) has a lower field strength in the interference
areas than the 800 kHz spaced services. However, if there is another 400 kHz
spaced service (existing or in the future), that is four (or more) 400 kHz spaced
services in a row, the original victim services will become potential interferers and the
new services the victims. If the new services have lower field strengths than the
existing services, they would be more susceptible to intermodulation interference.
Therefore the most effective way to minimise the potential for intermodulation
interference in high field strength areas where they fall on populated areas is to
ensure that the wanted and unwanted field strengths are of similar or equal level.
This is best achieved by having the services co-sited or very closely sited with similar
or the same ERPs and antenna radiation patterns.
6.9
Effects of Terrain on the Variability of the Received Signal Levels

The maximum distance between transmitting sites for services spaced at 400 kHz for
common coverage areas should apply in areas only where the effects of terrain are
similar for both services. In cases where terrain unfavourably causes significantly
greater signal attenuation of one service than the other, the effects of terrain should
be considered in more detail.
Exceptions to the minimum distance between transmitting sites spaced at 400 kHz for
separate coverage areas (Section 6.4.4,) may be granted for situations in which the
terrain favourably attenuates signals between the two coverage areas.
6.10 Interference Contributions from Multiple Stations

For multiple interfering stations the total interference contribution would be
determined using the Root Sum Square method (with a 6 dB exclusion principle).
The process is to calculate the individual values of usable field strength (Eu) for the
service considering each individual source of interference acting alone.
The individual values of Eu are then summed arithmetically (ie not in dB) excluding
any individual Eus that are -6 dB or more relative to the highest value of Eu.
The resultant overall Eu is the required level of usable field strength.
26
Rev 1

PLANNING NEW SERVICES

The planning of a new 400 kHz spaced service can use these criteria and in simple
cases (co-sited using the same antenna) they may be sufficient to meet the Ministrys
planning requirements.
However, the likelihood is that the planning of the services will require a more
complex treatment. In these cases the criteria provide the basis of the planning in the
specific area of the 400 kHz considerations, though the services will need to be
planned taking into account all the relevant criteria as well as the other factors
required as part of the Ministrys PIB 39 for Spectrum Licence Engineering Rules for
Crown Management Rights.
SUMMARY
8.1
Findings and Conclusions

As a result of the study, Gibson Quai-AAS determined the following findings and
conclusions.
8.1.1
8.1.2
8.1.3
Protection Ratios
1.
GQ-AAS considers that the existing co-channel and adjacent channel

protection ratios used in the planning of FMBCs should remain unchanged
for the use of 400 kHz services providing coverage to the same area.
2.
GQ-AAS considers that the intermodulation interference issues for 400 kHz
spaced services, can be addressed by keeping the populated areas
experiencing very high field strength to small areas and ensuring that in
these areas, the wanted and unwanted signal field strengths are of similar
or equal levels.
The Skytower 400 kHz spaced trials and report

3.
GQ-AAS is surprised that no 400 kHz adjacent channel interference

reported, though the differences in HRP in some directions (> 20 dB) would
indicate that it was likely.
4.
GQ-AAS notes that the audio quality of the 93.8 MHz service was
consistently lower than the 400 kHz adjacent services, though no
explanation was given in the report.
5.
GQ-AAS notes that the two engineers generally found that careful tuning
was required to tune to the 93.8 MHz service and that for the very low cost
radios, it was not possible to tune to the 93.8 MHz frequency in high field
strength areas
6.
GQ-AAS finds that the tests were inconclusive on intermodulation

interference.
The listener survey (from the Skytower trials)

7.
GQ-AAS notes that Research International who conducted the survey

concluded that from the survey results,
there is no significant interference with the 93.4FM and 94.2FM
frequencies with the introduction of a higher powered 93.8 FM signal
8.1.4
Issues raised by RBA

8.
GQ-AAS concludes that If 400 kHz spaced services are considered for an
area that has an adjacent area with services operating on these
frequencies, it is very unlikely that proposed 400 kHz spaced services will
27
Rev 1

be able to meet the planning criteria to operate co-channel with the existing
services.
8.1.5
8.1.6
9.
GQ-AAS considers that the introduction of 400 kHz spaced services is

unlikely to increase the likelihood of intermodulation interference to
aeronautical and mobile radio services if the usual Ministry planning
procedures are followed.
10.
Receiver Tuning. GQ-AAS makes the following observations on the

prevalence of analogue and digital tuning.
Digital tuned radios are more expensive than an equivalent analogue

tuned radio.
Analogue tuned radios vary in their ability to be tuned to the 400 kHz
spaced services.
It is likely that digital tuned radios will become more common place in
time, but it is likely that low cost analogue tuned radios will continue to
be sold.
Stations on the 400 kHz spaced channels will not be as readily

available to all listeners as those on the 800 kHz spaced channels.
Listeners wanting to tune to the 400 kHz spaced channels are likely to
purchase radios (analogue or digital tuned) that will allow them to tune
to the channel.
International Research
11.
GQ-AAS notes that 400 kHz spaced services have been introduced
successfully in India, on a smaller scale in the UK (primarily London) and
for low power services in the US. The Indian services are mandated to be
co-sited with antenna sharing by 800 kHz services.
12.
GQ-AAS finds that there is very little literature publicly available concerning
the outcomes of introducing 400 kHz spaced services.
Digital Radio
13.
From the study of the research on digital radio in the FM band (primarily the
IBOC HD Radio system), GQ-AAS concludes that the use of 400 kHz
spaced services in the same coverage area will not restrict the introduction
of HD Radio in the New Zealand, as any effects related to 400 kHz spaced
HD Radio services in the same coverage area would also apply to 400 kHz
HD Radio services that are not serving the same area.
14.
GQ-AAS has concerns that the testing to date of the impact of the
introduction of HD Radio appears to have been extremely limited and notes
that the ITU-R is waiting for more comprehensive results from on-going
trials in France and Brazil.
15.
GQ-AAS concludes that though the initial results are positive, further
studies are required to confirm whether HD Radio can be introduced
without causing a change to the required protection ratio for 400 kHz
spaced FMBC services.
16.
GQ-AAS concludes that there is a significant degradation (approximately

10 dB) in the available 400 kHz protection ratios for SCA services with the
introduction of hybrid HD Radio. This would apply to any 400 kHz adjacent
channel services, where one service had an SCA service and the other had
a hybrid HD Radio signal.
17.
GQ-AAS concludes that further information on the variation of the changes

to the required protection ratios for SCA services with wanted signal level is
required to determine whether there is a particular issue for 400 kHz
service providing coverage to the same area.
28
Rev 1

8.1.7
8.2
18.
GQ-AAS notes that IBOC services have the potential to cause spectral
regrowth, which may increase noise within the emission mask of a service
spaced 400 kHz from the IBOC service. To overcome this, tighter spectral
emissions have been adopted for the HD Radio specifications and GQ-AAS
concludes that these UELs should be adopted with any introduction of HD
Radio in New Zealand.
19.
GQ-AAS notes that the specifications and methods of measurement of

other IBOC digital radio systems such as FMeXtra and DRM+ have not yet
been finalised into standards and therefore the effects of these services
can not be quantified at this time.
Practicality of 400 kHz Spaced Combining Equipment

20.
RFS advised that though at present they do not manufacture a combiner

for 400 kHz spaced services, they have determined that a four-pole cross
coupled balanced combiner could be used to combine 400 kHz spaced
services. One of the limitations associated with such a design is the pass
bandwidth, which is likely to be restricted to approximately +/-140 kHz.
This would be a limitation for upgrading to an HD Radio signal using such a
combiner.
21.
GQ-AAS notes that the power differential between the services to be

combined and the maximum power capacity are also factors that would
influence the design of a 400 kHz combiner. In practice, GQ-AAS expects
that the limitations of the combiners will restrict the difference between the
services transmitter powers to approximately 10 dB.
Criteria
Subject to meeting the criteria developed as part of this report and the Ministrys other
requirements, GQ-AAS considers that 400 kHz spaced services co-sited or near cosited can be implemented successfully in New Zealand.
GQ-AAS has developed criteria for a range of factors and scenarios that affect the
potential operation of 400 kHz spaced services. These criteria provide a guide to
how 400 kHz services covering the same area can be potentially introduced.
8.2.1
Co-sited Services Using a Shared Antenna

1. On the assumption that the combiner is not a limitation, the criterion for two
co-sited 400 kHz spaced services to share the same antenna is that the
difference in the ERPs of the services shall be less than 20 dB.
8.2.2
Co-sited Services Using Different Antennas

2. The basis of the criterion is that to account for the potential variations in the
antenna radiation patterns, the maximum difference in the ERPs of the
services at any bearing of the radiation patterns is 14 dB.
3. GQ-AAS applied this to a range of antenna heights and found that the
maximum possible ERP of the proposed service relative to the existing
service varied with the antenna height of the proposed service (see
Table 11).
8.2.3
Non Co-sited Services Using Different Antennas

4. The basis of the criterion is that to account for the potential variations in the
antenna radiation patterns and for the differences in propagation conditions
from the sites, the maximum difference in the ERPs of the services is 10 dB.
5. GQ-AAS applied this to a range of antenna heights and ERPs and found that
the maximum distance separations between the sites for a range of ERPOs
and antenna heights (see Tables 12 and 13).
29
Rev 1

8.2.4
Intermodulation
6. The basis for the criterion for three 400 kHz spaced services is that the
required protection ratio for the potential victim services is approximately
1 dB at the 100 dBuV/m contour.
7. GQ-AAS concludes that the most effective way to minimise the potential for
intermodulation interference in high field strength areas where they fall on
populated areas is to ensure that the wanted and unwanted field strengths
are of similar or equal level.
8. GQ-AAS concludes that this is best achieved by having the services co-sited
or very closely sited with similar or the same ERPs and antenna radiation
patterns.
8.2.5
Other Criteria
9. The other criteria such as horizontal radiation patterns and terrain effects
come into play as part of the criteria above or are to be considered in the
detailed planning and evaluation of the proposed service to determine if it
meets the Ministrys planning requirements.
8.3
Planning New Services

It is likely that the planning of a new 400 kHz spaced service will require detailed
planning taking into account all the relevant criteria above as well as the other factors
required as part of the Ministrys PIB 39 for Spectrum Licence Engineering Rules for
Crown Management Rights.
30
Rev 1

ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 References
1.
ITU-R Recommendation BS.450-3 Transmission standards for FM sound

broadcasting at VHF
2.
ITU-R Recommendation BS.412-9 Planning Standards for terrestrial FM sound

broadcasting at VHF
3.
Australian Broadcasting Planning Handbook - ACMA
4.
FM Receiver Study Version 1.1, May 2004 - performed by Nozema on behalf of

the Swiss Federal Office of Communications
5.
For NAB - A Review of Four Studies of FM Receiver Adjacent-Channel

Immunity by Dr. Raymond L. Pickholtz and Dr. Charles L. Jackson; November
1999
6.
ITU-R Recommendation BS.641 Determination of radio frequency protection

ratios for frequency modulated sound broadcasting
7.
Report on Field Test Results of CanWest 93.8 MHz FMBC 400 kHz Channel
Spacing Trial at Skytower
8.
Research International: Project Tweak Measuring the effects on the 93.4FM

and 94.2FM frequencies with the increase in 93.8FM frequency power in
Auckland
9.
MED: VHF-FM Broadcasting: Frequency Availability and Allocation Discussion

Paper, September 2005
10.
Radio Broadcasters Association VHF-FM Broadcasting: Frequency

Availability and Allocation Response to Ministry of Economic Development
Discussion Paper; December 2005
11.
Research International: Project Frequency, December 2005
12.
FCC: Radio and Television Broadcast Rules 47CFR Part 73.807 Minimum
distance separation between stations
13.
Times of India: Friday January 6 2006 Cheer for listeners as FM radio bids
open today
14.
BECIL India: Multi-channel FM Broadcasting From Common Transmission

Infrastructures
15.
NZ MED PIB 39 Issue 2: Spectrum Licence Engineering Rules for Crown

Management Rights.
16.
Ibiquity Digital Corporation: HD Radio FM Transmission System Specifications

Rev D; February 2005
17.
The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) DAB Subcommittee

Evaluation of the Ibiquity Digital Corporation IBOC System Part 1 FM IBOC;
November 2001
18.
Further Report on Analog SCA Compatibility with iBiquity Digitals FM-IBOC

System; March 2002
19.
ITU-R Document 6E/404-E HD Radio Testing Update
20.
ITU-R recommendation P.1546-2 Method for point-to-area predictions for

terrestrial services in the frequency range 30 MHz to 3 000 MHz
21.
CCIR Report 122-3 Advantages to be gained by using orthogonal wave

polarization in the planning of broadcast services in bands 8 (VHF) and 9
(UHF)
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Criteria For 400 KHZ Channelling

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New Zealand Ministry of Economic

Development - Radio Spectrum Management

Gibson Quai AAS Pty Ltd ABN 91 009 323 620

Telecommunications and IT Consultants

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

Final Report Criteria for 400 kHz Channelling

400 kHz Channelling Plan for FM Radio

The final report on the proposed criteria for the application of

Draft for Internal Review

Draft for Client Review

Revised Final to Client

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

Protection Ratios for FMBC services ....................................................................... 3

New Zealand 400 kHz Spaced Trials......................................................................... 8

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

Planning New Services ............................................................................................ 27

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

New Zealand FMBC Planning Parameters

3. Maximum frequency deviation: +75 kHz.

50 kHz, though 100 kHz in practice.

Mixed and linear.

Analogue FM Radio Signals

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

Figure 1: Analogue FMBC baseband signal

Supplementary Information Systems

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

PROTECTION RATIOS FOR FMBC SERVICES

General Values for Protection Ratios

Radio-frequency protection ratios (dB)

monophonic broadcasting; steady interference

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

The notes associated with the general protection ratios are:

Protection Ratios in Specific Circumstances

For Carrier Differences Greater than 400 kHz

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

For Varying Wanted Signal Levels

Protection Ratio (dB)

Protection Ratio (dB)

For Interference Caused by Intermodulation of Strong RF Signals

Protection Ratio (dB)

Protection Ratio (dB)

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

Testing of receivers for the Swiss Federal Office of Communications [Ref 4] on a

FCC 400 kHz Protection Ratio and Receiver Performance

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

Median Measured 400 kHz

Auto after market

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management

NEW ZEALAND 400 kHz SPACED TRIALS

Final Report - 400 kHz FMBC spacing_Rev1.doc

New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development - Radio Spectrum Management