Nautel Exporter Plus Owner's manual

Exporter Plus
Technical Instruction Manual
Document:NHB-XPR-PLUS-TIM-1.0
Issue: 1.0 2020-05-05
Status: Standard

Nautel Limited
10089 Peggy’s Cove Road
Hackett’s Cove, NS Canada B3Z 3J4
Phone: [phone] or
Toll Free: +1.877.6NAUTEL (6628835) (Canada & USA only)
Fax: [phone]

Nautel Inc. 
201 Target Industrial Circle 
Bangor, Maine USA 04401 
Phone: [phone] 
Fax: [phone] 

Customer Service (24 hour support) 
+1.877.628.8353 (Canada & USA only)
+1.902.823.5100 (International) 

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nautel.com
The comparisons and other information provided in this
document have been prepared in good faith based on publicly
available information. The reader is encouraged to consult the
respective manufacturer's most recent published data for
verification.




© Copyright 2020 NAUTEL. All rights reserved.

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Table of contents
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page v
Contents
Release control record ix
About this manual xi
Description 1-1
Overview 1-1
Location 1-3
Managing network traffic 1-4
Diversity delay 1-8
Physical requirements 1-9
Cooling requirements 1-10
Pre-installation tasks 2-1
Preparing for installation 2-1
Selecting a location for the Exporter Plus 2-2
Parts and tools 3-1
Parts supplied by Nautel 3-1
Parts not supplied by Nautel 3-1
Tools for installation 3-1
Unpacking 4-1
Connecting the Exporter Plus 5-1
Quick setup procedure 6-1
Starting the Exporter Plus 6-2
Verifying operating mode 6-3

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Table of contents
Page vi Issue 1.0 2020-05-05
Setting time zone offset 6-4
Configuring the network 6-5
Configuring the exciter 6-7
Checking status and alarms 6-8
Checking audio input levels 6-9
Checking GPS status 6-10
Checking LAN status 6-11
Setting audio diversity delay 6-12
Setting/verifying station information 6-13
Sending the IBOC Data to the Transmitter 6-14
Remote Connection to the Exporter 6-14
Remote interfacing 7-1
Discrete wiring - Station Interface connector 7-1
Network based control - Ethernet interface 7-3
Remote configuration interface 7-5
Operating 8-1
User interface 8-2
Main menu 8-7
Edit settings 8-8
View status 8-82
LCD settings 8-90
Routine maintenance 9-1
Checking the fan 9-1
Troubleshooting 10-1
GPS related alarms 10-2
Network related alarms 10-3
System related alarms 10-7
Importer related alarms 10-7

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Table of contents
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page vii
LED indications 10-8
Audio related alarms 10-10
Checking cable connections 10-11
Parts information 10-12
List of terms 11-1

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Table of contents
Page viii Issue 1.0 2020-05-05

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page ix
Release control record
Issue Date Reason
0.01 2008-10-15 Initial release of manual
0.02 2008-10-29 Incorporated Engineering review changes
0.03 2008-11-28 Added electrical schematic to Troubleshooting
section
0.04 2009-01-27 Incorporated Customer Service review changes
0.05 2009-02-19 Incorporated upgrades for software version 1.2.1
0.06 2009-03-10 Sections 1 - 5: Incorporated various minor changes
0.07 2009-07-02 Page 1-5: changed “route add 10.10.10.2” to “route
add 10.10.10.0”.
0.08 2009-08-10 Incorporated upgrades for software version 1.3.0.
0.09 2010-08-05 Incorporated upgrades for software version 1.4.0.
0.10 2010-11-16 Corrected change intended for Issue 0.07
0.11 2012-01-27 Incorporated upgrades for software version 1.6.0.
0.12 2013-01-10 Incorporated upgrades for software version 1.7.0.
0.13 2013-06-26 Incorporated upgrades for software version 1.8.0
(affects pages 6-3 and 8-10).
Added optional remote configuration features to
Section 7.
Updated to NAE97G; affects Troubleshooting section
parts information (Table 10.3) and electrical
schematic (Figure 10.10).

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual
Page x Issue 1.0 2020-05-05
0.14 2014-05-28 Incorporated upgrades for software version 1.9.0:
changes made to sections 6, 7, 8 and 10.
Updated to NAE97H; affectsTroubleshooting section
parts information (Table 10.3) and electrical
schematic (Figure 10.10).
0.15 2014-09-15 Section 7: Added DST Schedule to the remote
configuration list
0.16 2019-05-23 Supports software version 1.10.0.
Updated to NAE97K: affects Troubleshooting section
parts information (Table 10.3) and electrical
schematic (Figure 10.10).
Sections 7 and 8: re-worded Remote Configuration
sections as this feature is now auto-enabled (no
licensing requirement); added NOTES to applicable
screen shots that are still visible.
Section 8: Updated “Software Upgrade Procedure” to
correct the URL and added NOTE re. Windows
firewall; updated “Setting Destination IPAddress”
section with instructions to use ‘broadcast
mode’ for dual exciters
1.0 2020-05-05 Section 8:Added information to the ”Software
Upgrade Procedure” to support SW 1.10.0 release.
Issue Date Reason

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page xi
About this manual
This manual provides information about installing, operating and troubleshooting an Exporter
Plus. This manual is intended for use by field technicians and site managers.
Using this manual
Read the task list provided in Section 2, “Pre-installation tasks” on page 2-1. The task list
describes the preparations you must make prior to receiving and installing the Exporter Plus.
Later sections of this manual provide reference information regarding physical, cooling, LAN,
and synchronization requirements.
Features of this manual
This manual contains a number of useful features:
Online (PDF files)
• Click on blue text (hyperlinks) to jump to a related section or get additional
information (for example, to view a definition of a term).
• To find keywords, use Find in Acrobat Reader’s Edit menu.
• To quickly find a specific section, click the section in the PDF file’s Bookmarks list.
Printed
• To find a specific term, go to Section 11, “List of terms” on page 11-1.
Online resources
The Nautel website provides useful resources to keep you up to date on your Exporter Plus.
Nautel User Group (NUG)
The website includes a special section that customers can log into in order to access the Nautel
customer newsletter, product manuals, frequently asked questions (FAQ), information sheets,
and information about field upgrades.

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual
Page xii Issue 1.0 2020-05-05
Online documentation
The website’s NUG section provides online access to all the documentation for your Exporter
Plus. Documentation is provided in Acrobat (PDF) format. You can use the documentation
online or print the sections that you need.

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page 1-1
Section 1: Description
This section provides a description of the Exporter Plus and its associated digital radio system.
•Overview
•Location - see page 1-3
•Managing network traffic - see page 1-4
•Diversity delay - see page 1-8
•Physical requirements - see page 1-9
•Cooling requirements - see page 1-10
Overview
Refer to Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 on page 1-2.
The Exporter Plus represents the latest in HD Radio Exporter technology. It has the same
functionality as an Exporter, but in a smaller, more reliable and convenient package. The
Exporter Plus accepts AES/EBU-format audio from an audio processor. In FM systems, the
Exporter Plus will also accept program service data (PSD) for the main program service (MPS)
audio and Advanced Application Service data from an Importer via the Ethernet port. The MPS
audio is coded and merged with PSD and Importer data to create a single data stream that is
delivered to the FM exciter, also over the Ethernet port.
A secondary function of the Exporter Plus is to provide a delayed copy of the MPS audio. The
delayed MPS will become the analog component of the hybrid broadcast. The delay is
necessary for smooth blending between the digital MPS audio and analog MPS audio in areas of
poor reception. As a result, the Exporter Plus requires two MPS audio feeds, one of which is
simply delayed, and the other which is coded for eventual transmission on the IBOC carriers. In
an FM system, the delayed MPS audio is output as 44.1 kHz AES/EBU. In an AM system, the
delayed MPS audio is part of the IP data stream. See “Managing network traffic” on page 1-4 for
more information.
The Exporter Plus provides an AES/EBU output on the back panel and a headphone jack on the
front panel for monitoring of the audio content.
The front panel has a convenient user interface consisting of an LCD graphic display, keypad
and LEDs to indicate operational status. All connections are made to the back panel.

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Page 1-2 Issue 1.0 2020-05-05
Figure 1.1: Exporter Plus in an FM HD radio system
Figure 1.2: Exporter Plus in an AM HD radio system
Note: Other common system components, such as Ethernet switches and audio processors, are
not shown. They are described later. Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 are based on a combined IBOC
system.
MPS Audio
GPS
Receiver
GPS
Antenna
Delayed
MPS Audio
(44.1 kHz)
Ethernet
Sample Rate
Converter
Exporter Plus
Coding Delay
MPS Audio
(44.1 kHz)
MPS Audio
(44.1 kHz)
FM
EXCITER To
Transmitter
MPS Audio
GPS
Receiver
GPS
Antenna
Ethernet
Sample Rate
Converter
Exporter Plus
Coding Delay
MPS Audio
(44.1 kHz)
MPS Audio
(44.1 kHz)
AM
EXCITER To
Transmitter
+
Stereo to
Mono NOTE:
Mono = Left/2 + Right/2

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page 1-3
Location
Broadcast studio
For FM systems, the intended location of the Exporter Plus is at the broadcast studio, as
illustrated in Figure 1.3. This configuration requires that there be a LAN STL between the studio
and transmitter site to deliver the IBOC data from the Exporter Plus to the FM Exciter. The
LAN STL must have a bandwidth of approximately 150 kbs. However, since the IBOC data
contains audio information that cannot tolerate excessive delay, a bandwidth exceeding 150 kbs
is recommended.
For AM systems, it is possible to use the Exporter Plus at the studio, however this may be
impractical due to AM’s need for higher IBOC data rates (because IBOC data includes analog
audio) and because any network packet loss will affect both analog and IBOC transmission.
Figure 1.3: Exporter Plus at Studio
Note: Figure 1.3 is based on a low-level FIR (finite impulse response) IBOC system.
Transmitter Site
It is possible to place the Exporter Plus at the transmitter site, thus eliminating the need for a
LAN STL (see Figure 1.3). For reasons described above, it may be most practical for AM systems
to follow this configuration. All that is required is that MPS audio be sent to the transmitter
site, no differently than would be required with a non-IBOC installation. If there is no LAN
connection between the studio and transmitter site, then it is not possible to implement MPS
PSD, or monitor the status of the Exporter Plus.
STUDIO TRANSMITTER SITE
Exporter
Plus Audio
STL
LAN
STL
MPS
Automation
System
To
Transmitter
Exciter
Audio
STL
LAN
STL

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Page 1-4 Issue 1.0 2020-05-05
Figure 1.4: Exporter Plus at Transmitter Site
Managing network traffic
Single subnet
The simplest network that the Exporter Plus can support is one configured as a single subnet
(see Figure 1.5). The PC user can browse to the Internet or to the web interface of the exciter,
Exporter Plus or transmitter.
Figure 1.5: Single Subnet Network
In this case, only one Ethernet port (ETH0) on the Exporter Plus requires configuration and IP
forwarding is not required. If access to devices on other subnets is not necessary, then gateway
address configuration is also not required.
STUDIO TRANSMITTER SITE
Audio
STL
MPS
Automation
System
To
Transmitter
Audio
STL Exporter
Plus
PC
IP = 192.168.1.2
GW = 192.168.1.1
Router
IP = 192.168.1.1
192.168.1.x subnet Other
Subnets/
Internet
Transmitter
IP = 192.168.1.5
Exciter
IP = 192.168.1.4
Exporter Plus
IP = 192.168.1.3
IBOC Data

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page 1-5
Multiple subnets
The Exporter Plus has dual Ethernet ports that can be used to isolate IBOC data from other
network IP traffic. The potential problem is that IBOC data is a streaming format with
embedded timing information which can be degraded if flowing through a busy local area
network. Consider the network configuration in Figure 1.6.
Figure 1.6: Dual Subnet Network
A user on the Studio Network PC will want the ability to browse both the Internet
(192.168.1.x subnet) and equipment on the 10.10.10.x subnet. In order to do this the Studio
Network PC needs several gateways - one for the Internet router and one for the 10.10.10.x
subnet. Typical PC configuration allows for a single gateway, however it is possible to modify
the PC routing table to assign gateway addresses to specific IP addresses.
Figure 1.7 on page 1-6 shows the command route table and describes how to add the exciter IP
address to the routing table of the Studio Network PC. Using the example equipment
configuration and IP addresses shown in Figure 1.6, the command to add a static IP route
would be:
– route add 10.10.10.0 mask 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.3
To make the static route persistent, you can use the “-p” option when adding routes.
To confirm that you have added the route correctly, use the command route print. Figure 1.8
on page 1-7 shows the command route print which displays the content of the route table.
Exporter Plus
Eth1 IP = 192.168.1.3
Eth0 IP = 10.10.10.1
IP Forwarding = On
GW = 192.168.1.1
Studio Network PC
IP = 192.168.1.2
GW = 192.168.1.1
Route 10.10.10.2
to 192.168.1.3
Router
IP = 192.168.1.1
subnet 192.168.1.x
Other
Subnets/
Internet
Exciter
IP = 10.10.10.2
GW = 10.10.10.1
IBOC
Data Transmitter
IP = 192.168.1.5
subnet 10.10.10.x

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Page 1-6 Issue 1.0 2020-05-05
Figure 1.7: PC Route Table Command

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Issue 1.0 2020-05-05 Page 1-7
Figure 1.8: PC Route Print Command

Exporter Plus Technical Instruction Manual Description
Page 1-8 Issue 1.0 2020-05-05
Diversity delay
A feature of any IBOC system is the receiver’s ability to transition between analog and digital
playout when digital signal reception is poor. Ideally this transition would be unnoticable for
the listener, so it is important that any delay caused by digital signal processing (approximately
eight seconds) is matched on the analog signal. Furthermore, the audio levels should be the
same. The Exporter Plus allows the user to adjust both of these parameters.
The diversity delay setpoint can be adjusted via the user interface (UI) (see Setting delay period
- see page 8-38), or using remote inputs. Toggling the remote diversity delay increase input
causes the diversity delay to increase by an amount established in the UI (see Setting delay
increment - see page 8-39).
In some cases it is desirable to remove analog delay altogether, forcing the receiver to use only
the analog reception. The need for this is prevalent during live programming, such as sporting
events, where stadium listeners need the audio to closely align with the live action.
The Exporter Plus has provision for diversity delay ramping, which allows changing between
the desired setpoint delay and no delay. The ramping function can change the delay over a pre-
defined ramp rate (set though the UI), by continuously adding (ramp up) or deleting (ramp
down) audio samples. If the ramp rate is very short, there may be noticeable effects on the
audio pitch. The amount of time taken to ramp diversity delay up or down is configured by
setting the ramp rate. The ramp rate (see Setting ramp rate - see page 8-38) is set as a multiple of
the diversity delay setpoint. For example, assuming a diversity delay setpoint of eight seconds
(8 s), setting the ramp rate to:
– 1 results in a ramp interval equal to the diversity delay (8 s).
– 2 result in a ramp interval twice the diversity delay (16 s).
– 100 (recommended value) results in a ramp interval of 800 s.