Wheatstone corrects HD/FM diversity delay
Published: PRODUCTS
Wheatstone is claiming its AirAura X3 is the first processor to accomplish off-air monitoring, measurement and real-time correction of HD diversity delay without requiring external gear.
The manufacturer describes maintaining precise diversity delay as critical for minimising listener tune outs when the HD signal blends to analogue at the fringes of a station’s coverage. The proof-of-concept FM processor embeds the diversity delay, as well as its measurement and correction, within the audio processor. This means that diversity delay is reportedly always kept in perfect alignment, and removes the need for outboard hardware.
‘In many stations, the FM processor provides the diversity delay and most FM processors can accept delay corrections from third-party outboard monitors,’ explained Jeff Keith, Wheatstone senior product development engineer. ‘However, when the off-air monitoring, delay measurement and correction functions are all embedded within the processor itself, outboard gear is no longer required.’