GatesAir architects market-leading solutions for over-the-air broadcasting and public safety communications, leveraging the best use of wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. In broadcasting, GatesAir powers over-the-air analog and digital radio/TV stations and networks worldwide with the industry’s most operationally efficient transmitters. The company continues to innovate new design efficiencies with each product generation that reduce size, energy use and more to establish the industry’s lowest total cost of ownership.
GatesAir’s innovations extend to the studio, where turnkey solutions help our customers create and manage content across on-air and production facilities in alignment with today’s rapidly evolving requirements. This forward-looking philosophy extends to innovations in media transport, where both broadcasters and public safety/emergency response teams utilize our solutions to reliably move voice, data, audio and video between locations using traditional and emerging connections, from RF to IP.
Since 1998 Tecom Group as the software developer partner has successfully carried out numerous projects in field of television and radio transmission technology for Harris Corporation and in particular for its Broadcast Communication Division (BCD). Starting from 2014, after rebranding of Harris Broadcast and its separation into two independent companies Tecom Group continued to collaborate effectively with GatesAir.
There are over 100 employees – developers, testers and managers involved in projects with GatesAir on Tecom Group side. Resource management in all GatesAir projects is based on the approach that all the line management activities are handled by Tecom Group:
To describe more specifically the cooperation between Tecom Group and GatesAir it is important to mention, that Tecom Group took a significant part in the development of the following products: Maxiva™, Flexiva™, Intraplex® IP link. In Tecom Group’s portfolio of collaboration with GatesAir there are such services as: Embedded software development, Application/Control software, Web GUI, FPGA design and development, quality assurance (QA).
The whole scope of work that was tackled by Tecom Group engineers for GatesAir may be illustrated by the description of implemented projects below.
The Maxiva M2X (former Apex M2X) multimedia exciter is a state-of-the-art, software-defined exciter that provides broadcasters with a wide range of benefits and flexibility for their transmission systems. The M2X enables analog broadcasters to transition to digital via a simple software update and DTV broadcasters to recognize the full features and functionality of HDTV, DTV and mobile TV channels. This world-class exciter provides a flawless digital signal with complete technical and regulatory compliance for all digital and analog transmitters. The M2X supports a wide range of global digital standards, including ATSC, ATSC MDTV, DVB-T/H, DVB-T2, ISDB-Tb, DAB/DMB, CMMB, CTTB and a range of analog TV standards, including NTSC and PAL.
Tecom Group participated in developing and responsible for sustaining of DVB-T/H, DVB-T2, ATSC, CMMB standards support in Maxiva M2X.
The Synchrony MNA provides a variety of functions to enable ATSC broadcasters an efficient means of expanding their main channel and mobile digital broadcast services. It enables the creation of distributed transmission systems (DTS) in which multiple transmitters operate on the same frequency to improve coverage. Additionally, as a key component of the Harris MPH™ ATSC Mobile DTV solution, Synchrony MNA seamlessly brings together main channel HD and SD, mobile audio/video streams and supporting content data, into a complete service multiplex.
A single unit can be configured as a DTS adapter, mobile multiplexer or both. The broadcast studio requires only one Synchrony MNA to address several vital concerns for broadcasters—expanding digital coverage to reach new markets, filling coverage gaps created by digital coverage patterns and taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by mobile video and datacasting.
Tecom Group participated in developing and responsible for sustaining of Synchrony MNA.
Flexiva transmitters deliver a robust, high-performance over-the-air solution for every broadcaster, with fully broadband designs that boost reliability and simplify maintenance across all power levels. Built-in PowerSmart® technology enhances power and operational efficiency across all Flexiva solid-state and high-power tube models to accelerate ROI. Compact, lightweight, modular and efficient, Flexiva transmitters help broadcasters save money and reduce carbon footprints in any scenario.
Broadcasters also count on Flexiva as a single-platform solution for analog and digital broadcasting needs. Quad-mode operation ensures that broadcasters can leverage a common solution for FM, HD Radio, FM+HD Radio and DRM+ digital radio. The industry’s most flexible range of fourth-generation digital exciters guarantee that broadcasters can operate a reliable, high-quality digital radio service from day one, or quickly upgrade to digital via simple software updates. Additionally, built-in real-time adaptive correction technologies ensure that broadcasters deliver exceptional coverage and maximize efficiency for FM and digital radio, while remaining in compliance with standards and regulations.
Tecom Group participated in the whole cycle of product development and now the company is responsible for sustaining of Flexiva transmitters.
The Intraplex IP Link family of IP audio codecs provides high-end features at an affordable price. Offering an array of audio coding options, the IP Link codecs are suitable for use in Studio to Transmitter Links (STLs) as well as audio contribution and distribution networks. Support for IP multicast and multiple unicast streams enable one encoder to feed multiple decoders.
By incorporating dual WAN ports and a separate IP management port, the IP Link systems can provide a level of reliability not seen in comparably-priced codecs.
Tecom Group participated in developing and responsible for sustaining of Intraplex IP Link.
The purpose of project developing diagnostic built-in-test (BIT) for Flexiva FAX radio transmitter for production testing to ensure the circuits on the exciter board function as designed. The diagnostic test is an application that executes on the Xilinx MicroBlaze along with an external PC and test set. PC based test software is used to drive the built-in-test software and control test equipment for various manufacturing test scenarios. GUI of PC based test software is developed using Agilent Vee.
Tecom Group has developed the embedded and application software for diagnostic built-in-test (BIT) for Flexiva FAX radio transmitter.