Broadcast Partners DAB Plus headend aXemble User manual

DAB+ headend aXemble
manual V2.0
Broadcast Partners
June 2018
Broadcast Partners
1
Axelsestraat 58
NL - 4537 AL Terneuzen
T. [phone]
www.broadcastpartners.nl
Auteurs: Davy van Delft / Rene van de Kolk
Nummer: Tnz 185070
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ners.
© 2018 Broadcast Partners
1
Broadcast Partners is de handelsnaam van Broadcast Digital Networks B.V. De onderneming is ingeschreven in het handels-
register van de Kamer van Koophandel onder nummer 54982979.

Content
Introduction
Inlog aXemble
1. Audio sources ........................................................................................... 4
2. Services................................................................................................... 7
3. Multiplexes ............................................................................................. 13
4. Dashboard.............................................................................................. 18
5. Connecting ............................................................................................. 20

Introduction
DAB+ chain overview with aXemble hardware
The aXemble DAB+ headend is a multiplexer that gathers different DAB+ program
streams and their audio sources and produces the necessary signalling and EDI output
required for DAB+ transmission.
The aXemble headend uses a user-friendly web interface to configure audio sources,
program services and the multiplex.
Besides the headend, a standalone aXemble Audio encoder is separate available.
In this document we describe the aXemble DAB+ headend V2.0 released June 2018.

Inlog
To configure the aXemble DAB+ headend from factory preset, connect your device to
the aXemble, open an internet browser and open the following url:
http://10.0.10.15
Username : admin
Password : password
In Settings page, on top an option for future build firmware releases is available.
Backup allows you to make a local backup or restore a upload to the aXemble.
In the license code field, an overview of available services is in overview. Modifications
can be done to activate more services.

Timezone options can be modified as of customers wishes. An overview of live NTP set-
tings is available in the dashboard below the settings.
In the administration field you can modify inlog on aXemble with a personal password.
The control interface and datainterface can be modified manual on preffered IP ranges.
In the network configuration an overview of live network performance is available.

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
1. Audio Sources
Main page aXemble audio sources:
The audio sources overview can be shown by selecting audio sources from the main
menu on the left.
Press
to add a new audio source or press
to edit an existing audio source.

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
General settings:
NAME: Provide a name for the audio
source for easy selection when adding
an audio source to a service. (required)
COMMENT: Provide a more detailed de-
scription of the audio source if needed.
(optional)
TYPE: Select the type of audio source
used:
-Stream (Icecast of SHOUTcast
stream)
-Stream - PCM (PCM stream from de-
vice)
-AES/EBU (Digital input XLR)
-Analog (Analog input left and right
XLR) This option only in aXemble en-
coder
-Livewire host connection
-aXemble encoder connection
-SDP file configuration for Ravenna /
Dante available
GAIN: gain that can be applied by the
encoder
Audio source types:
1–Stream
Provide a streaming url (i.e. icecast, shoutcast or other streaming servers)
2–Stream –PCM
Provide a streaming url from an AoIP encoder which provides a PCM stream.
Select the needed fourcc codec (most common is s16l) and the PCM stream sample rate
(only 48 and 32 kHz supported)

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
3–AES/EBU
Select AES/EBU to use the digital XLR input (currently 1 input available)
4–Analog
Select Analog to use the 2 analog XLR inputs (currently 1 input available)
5 –Livewire
Select Livewire host to use this AoIP protocol
6- aXemble encoder
Select this option to connect the aXemble separate encoder
unit
7- Ravenna / Dante protocol
Select this option to use this function and define your SDP-
file content parameters

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
Note:
Currently only 1 digital or 1 analog input can be used. This option is only for aXemble
encoder.
Although both source types can be selected and used in multiple services, only the last
service and last selected source type will be active.
Save / Delete settings
Remember to save all settings by pressing Save in the right bottom corner.
Optionally you can delete an audio source by pressing Delete

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
2. Services
Main page aXemble services:
The services overview can be shown by selecting Services from the main menu on the left.

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
Main page edit services:
NAME: Provide a name for the service for
easy selection when adding a service to a
multiplex.
(required)
COMMENT: Provide a more detailed descrip-
tion of the service if needed. (optional)
LABEL: Provide a label which describes the
service. The label will be displayed in the
services selection list on the display of the
DAB+ receiver. Max. 16 characters allowed
(required)
SHORT LABEL: Provide a short label of max. 8
characters containing no other than the
characters used in LABEL. (case sensitive)
to add a new service or press
to edit an existing service. Use
to duplicate.

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
REGION: Select the region where the DAB
transmitters will operate.
PROGRAM TYPE: Select the desired program
type to identify the programme content
for their intended audience.
COUNTRY: Select the country where the
DAB transmitters will operate.
SERVICE ID: Provide a unique ID that identi-
fies the service within a multiplex
LANGUAGE ID: Select the desired language
to identify the programme for the re-
ceiver.
PROTECTION: Select a desired Equal Error
Protection (*1). EEP-3A is the most com-
mon used protection.
BITRATE: Select a desired bitrate. >= 96
kbps is recommended for music. aXemble
sets the sample rate, audio mode and SBR
to recommended settings.
SAMPLE RATE: Select a desired sample rate.
The DAB+ encoder resamples the input.
When using AES input, the chosen sample
rate must match the sample rate of the
AES input signal.
AUDIO MODE: Select a desired audio mode.
Parametric Stereo is disabled and cannot
be used in combination with bitrates
above 64 kbps.
See table 1. for recommended settings.
SBR: Spectral Band Replication is an option
to enhance audio or speech codecs, es-
pecially at low bit rates. SBR cannot be
used for bitrates above 128 kbps.
CAPACITY: Capacity shows the CU’s
(Capacity Units) that the service occu-
pies in the whole service. 864 CU’s
max.

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
Audio Source: Select an audio source needed for the
service. (required) Backup audio source provides
the possibility to add a secondary feed. In case
of interruption automatisch switchover is availa-
ble. Time settings for switchover adjustable from
10 till 60 seconds before watchdog activates
backup source switched on air. Manual reset to
main feed is the preffered way to manage. (re-
ferring to latency times in STL)
PAD: Select the preferred PAD size for the associ-
ated data file
DLS: Provide a text string to run alongside the
DAB+ programme. Dynamic Label Segment is
similar to RDS on FM Radio.
Slideshow: Select one or more images to be dis-
played on SLS capable DAB+ receivers. Multiple
images will be displayed as a slideshow, chang-
ing at a 10 sec. interval. Images larger than
320x240px or with a file size exceeding 50kb will
be automatically resized

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
Table 1: Recommended Audio mode settings
Bitrate
Sam-
ple
rate
Audio
mode
PS
recommen-
ded
PS
availa-
ble
SBR recom-
mended
SBR
availa-
ble
24
32
ste-
reo
√
√
√
√
32
32
ste-
reo
√
√
√
√
40
32
ste-
reo
√
√
√
√
48
32
ste-
reo
√
√
√
√
56
48
ste-
reo
√
√
√
√
64
48
ste-
reo
√
√
√
√
72
32
ste-
reo
√
√
80
32
ste-
reo
√
√
88
32
ste-
reo
√
√
96
48
ste-
reo
√
104
48
ste-
reo
√
112
48
ste-
reo
√
120
48
ste-
reo
√
128
48
ste-
reo
√
136
48
ste-
reo
144
48
ste-
reo
152
48
ste-
reo
160
48
ste-
reo
168
48
ste-
reo

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
176
48
ste-
reo
184
48
ste-
reo
192
48
ste-
reo
Save / Delete settings
Remember to save all settings by pressing Save in the right bottom corner.
Optionally you can delete a service by pressing Delete

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
3. Multiplexes
Main page aXemble multiplexes:
The multiplexes overview can be shown by selecting Multiplexes from the main menu on
the left.
If a multiplex is configured, press to activate the multiplex and start the EDI
transport stream or press to stop a multiplex.
Press
to add a new multiplex or press
to edit an existing multiplex.

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
Main page aXemble edit multiplexes:

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
NAME: Provide a name for the multi-
plex.
COMMENT: Provide a more detailed
description of the multiplex if
needed. (optional)
DABMODE: Currently only DAB transmis-
sion mode I is supported. Choose to
operate the transmitter in MFN mode
(Multi Frequency Network) or SFN
mode (Single Frequency Network).
MFN is chosen for a single transmitter
and SFN is needed if more than 1
transmitter will operate in a network.
COUNTRY: Select the country where the
DAB transmitters will operate.
ENSEMBLE ID: Provide a 4 digit ID to
identify the multiplex. For test pur-
poses this ID can be anything but
when used on-air this ID must be
unique among other multiplexes.
LOCAL TIME OFFSET: Choose a system
time offset if needed. Auto is the pre-
ferred selection. LANGUAGE ID: Choose
the language used for services in the
multiplex
LABEL: Provide a label which describes
the multiplex. The label will be dis-
played in advanced information
menu’s of the DAB+ receiver. Max. 16
characters allowed (required)
SHORT LABEL: Provide a short label of
max. 8 characters containing none
other than the characters used in LABEL.
(case sensitive)
Services:
To add services to the multiplex, select a configured service and click
The horizontal bar will show how many capacity units are used and how many are avail-
able

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
Multiplex destinations
The generated multiplex (EDI transport stream) can be sent to multiple transmitters.
Both unicast and multicast streams can be used.

Broadcast Partners
Tnz 185070 DAB+manual aXemble
DESTINATION PORT: Provide a destination port on which the transmitter will listen. The
destination port is used for all destinations
REED SOLOMON EDI-FEC: FEC is a Forward Error Correction mechanism to detect and correct
multiple symbol errors in the transport stream. FEC 0 can be used on LAN networks,
for other networks FEC 5 is recommended.
Destinations
Select type (unicast/multicast) and add a description and a destination IP-address and
press to add the destination to the multiplex.
Press to remove a destination entry.
Save / Delete settings
Remember to save all settings by pressing Save in the right bottom corner.
Optionally you can delete a multiplex by pressing Delete