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New Accessible Radio Publications and an NPR Labs Video Presentation: Overview of Radio Captioning
Click here To browse NPR Labs' Video Presenation: Overview of Captioned Radio; Radio Text Display Final Report: 3 Studies; Best Manufacturing Recommendations For Blind and Low Vision Users; Results from NPR Election Night '08 Captioned Radio Event; and see the NPR Labs' CONSOLIDATED REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
 
Update regarding the NPR Labs IBOC Power Calculator

Now that the FCC has acted on the NPR/iBiquity IBOC Power Proposal, the NPRLabs IBOC Power Calculator, originally provided as a courtesy to the industry to estimate allowable digital ERP for preliminary planning purposes, has been superseded.
Although the FCC ruling adopts the NPR-recommended power increase formula, the IBOC Power Calculator itself was based on a snapshot of the FCC database from late 2009, and is not to be relied upon for filing purposes.
Licensees may now prepare to file for voluntary digital facility upgrades, which should be based on accurate, current studies prepared by a qualified engineer, to determine their station's permissible digital ERP.

Please feel free to contact NPR Labs for more information on preparing digital ERP studies via

Comments and questions on retiring the power calculator should be directed to

 
Advanced IBOC Coverage and Compatibility Study (Final Report) Available
This report adds sections dealing with compatibility (impairment to analog main FM channel reception from same-station IBOC transmissions) and a means for estimating increases in IBOC coverage at elevated digital powers.
 
NPR Labs Online Viewing Applications for Public Radio and Television
The NPR Labs Public Television Online Viewing Application and the NPR Labs Public FM Radio Online Viewing Application comprise a set of tools that let users dynamically explore mapping and demographic data for PTFP-qualified FM and TV transmitters.
The tools are now freely available your interaction, and are intended for anyone affiliated with a PTFP-qualified FM and/or TV transmitter. Please see the abstracts introducing these tools and the scope of work in these PFTP studies.
 
20100301: REVISED NPR Labs PAD Applications for iBiquity v4.x and later Importer software
NPR Labs has learned that the PAD applications provided free-of-charge to NPR Members are incompatible with iBiquity's version 4.x and later Importer Software. NPR Labs has been working to revise the software, and is developing the replacement using the PADSDK provided through iBiquity Digital Corporation.
The alpha version has recreated the software as a Windows service with 'plug-in' components to operate the desired PAD stream, flexible scheduling to allow different services to push PAD to the same network port at different times.
 
IBOC DAB Interference Maps and Population Reports for 49 Public Radio Stations
Click here to see the maps and learn more about them.
 
Digital Radio Coverage and Interference Analysis Study Now Available

NPR Labs completed their DRCIA project - an exhaustive 18-month study projecting the consequences of interference between HD Radio and station analog broadcast signals, as well as HD Radio’s overall success in meeting coverage expectations and needs. Visit http://www.nprlabs.org/research/drcia to download the final report.
 
Research heading DRCIA PTFP PAD ACCESSIBLE RADIO

QuickLinks to interactive, on-line versions of PTFP Studies completed by NPR Labs
  Use and interact with the Public FM Radio Station Online Viewing Application
  Use and interact with the Public Television Station Online Viewing Application

Quicklinks to Adobe Acrobat® book-format versions of PTFP Studies completed by NPR Labs
  Download the PTFP Radio Study (.pdf 30MB)

Quicklink to the Public Radio and Public Television demographic tables for the U.S. population

PTFP Radio Study

Click here to use and interact with the Public FM Radio Station Online Viewing Application.
Click here to download the PTFP Radio Study. (.pdf 30MB)

This study performed an in-depth analysis of the current market coverage for each FM and AM station that can guide station-planning efforts to improve coverage and services. In addition, the study tabulated demographic coverage for minorities and specialized audiences, such as citizens with visual or hearing impairment. The information has been aggregated on a state-by-state basis and partitioned by county and market-area for analysis.

The study included collaboration with public radio stations, industry organizations and stakeholders. Unique features are:

• Downloadable data - In addition to printed compendiums, detailed mapping and demographic data are available to all PTFP-eligible entities for download over the Internet by clicking this link (.pdf 30MB)
• Configurable coverage maps - Levels of labeling and detail will be selectable via the Internet gateway to provide enhanced illustrations and analysis;
• Historical projections - Inclusion of key demographic data from a previous US Census to identify historical shifts in population served by public radio; and
• Ongoing support - All data will updated continuously for one year following initial release, to reflect new or changed facilities.

PTFP Television Study

Click here to use and interact with the Public Television Station Online Viewing Application

NPR Labs, in collaboration with PBS Technology and Operations, requested funds from the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program ( PTFP ) to research, prepare and distribute a comprehensive, nationwide study of public television digital coverage, necessitated by the change in the service area of many public television stations due to the shut off of analog signals in February 2009.

The DTV transition caused many stations to change their channels and operate under different broadcast characteristics that will change their service area. This study helps users understand the implications of their new service area, including identifying under-served areas of the country, changes in service area and population, and changes in cable carriage. This study includes TV translators---identified by the study CPB is sponsoring---to create a verified list of TV translators of all CPB-qualified public TV licensees.

The study performed an in-depth analysis of the new market coverage for each public television station that can guide station-planning efforts to improve coverage and services. In addition, the study tabulated demographic coverage for minorities and specialized audiences, such as citizens with visual or hearing impairment. To make the study accessible to the largest range of potential users, the results are presented in this interactive Web-based system.
The study included collaboration with public television licensees, organizations and stakeholders.
Unique features are:

• Downloadable data - In addition to printed compendiums, detailed mapping and demographic data is available to all PTFP-eligible entities for download on the Web;

• Configurable coverage maps - Levels of labeling and detail are selectable via the on-line viewing application to provide enhanced illustrations and analysis;

• Historical projections - Inclusion of key demographic data from a previous U.S. Census to identify historical shifts in population served by public television; and

• Ongoing support - All data will be maintained continuously for one year following its initial release.

 

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