DRM Decoder/Demodulator Plug-in for WiNRADiO G303 and G305 Series Receivers

This DRM Demodulator/Decoder Plug-in makes it possible to receive and listen to DRM transmissions on a WiNRADiO G303 or G305 Series receiver. DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) is a non-proprietary digital system for short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave bands which offers a dramatic improvement over conventional analogue AM transmissions with its near-FM quality of sound.

For this project, WiNRADiO joined forces with VT Merlin Communications to develop and provide a state-of-the-art DRM decoder and demodulator for WiNRADiO receivers, which have now become fully integrated DRM-capable receivers, the first of its kind, pioneering the DRM technology for the benefit of the radio enthusiast and professional community.

The DRM Demodulator/Decoder is an XRS Plug-in which, upon installation, can be selected from the receiver's Demodulators top bar menu, as simply another alternative demodulator. The DRM Demodulator/Decoder then appears fully integrated within the receiver front panel:

The DRM Demodulator/Decoder panel consists of the following main parts:

 Spectrum scope, which shows the real-time spectrum of the received signal
 Demodulator/Decoder status, which indicates the progress status of the main stages of the demodulation/decoding process
 Services display, which shows the various DRM "services", making it possible for the user to select a service
 Text message window, which shows a decoded text message, if it exists in the DRM transmission
 Recorder/player, which can record audio in a variety of formats, as well as the intermediate frequency signal
 Playlist, which makes it possible to easily and quickly select previously recorded files

DRM transmission of Radio Luxembourg

Since DRM has been officially launched with an inaugural broadcast on 16 June 2003, DRM transmissions have started proliferating, with many traditional broadcasters now regularly broadcasting using DRM technology. DRM broadcasts are gaining in popularity because of the truly incredible sound quality compared to conventional analog shortwave and medium wave broadcasts, and the additional information content. What does DRM broadcast sound like? Download the following short clip, received on the WiNRADiO G303i receiver equipped with the DRM Decoder/Demodulator plug-in, and note the conspicuous absence of noise, clicks, pops and fading, so typical for short waves. This signal was received on 6095 kHz (Radio Luxembourg) using this DRM Decoder/Demodulator plug-in, and recorded in the MP3 format using its integrated recorder.  Download DRM audio sample.

Weak signal DRM transmission

The DRM technology requires a very high quality receiver (in particular, a receiver with a very low phase noise), such as the WiNRADiO G303 receiver. With such a receiver, even quite weak signals can be received reliably and drop-out free. The DRM Decoder/Demodulator screenshot on the left shows one such situation when the signal strength of a station (Deutsche Welle) was a mere -117 dBm (click here to see the complete WiNRADiO receiver control panel when tuned to this station). The received audio was still excellent; download the actual sample below.  Download DRM audio sample.

Intermediate Frequency Samples

Those who already have a WiNRADiO DRM Decoder/Demodulator might benefit from the following DRM samples for initial testing and familiarization with this technology. These are live recordings of DRM broadcasts of Radio Luxembourg and Radio Deutsche Welle, done using the "IF" (intermediate frequency) recording function of the WiNRADiO DRM Decoder/Demodulator. These recordings can be played back using the same demodulator, simulating reception of a DRM signal. To play these samples, download and unzip the following ZIP files (each is approximately 5 MB long) and place the resulting ".if.wav" files into the ../Program files/WiNRADiO/Audio files folder. The files will then appear in the Playlist. Select the desired file and press the Play button. During the playback you will see the spectrum of the recorded signal in the real-time spectrum analyzer, exactly as if a live signal was received. (Note that it takes several seconds of synchronization and prebuffering before the sound appears.)

 Download DRM IF sample (Radio Luxembourg, 6095 kHz)
 Download DRM IF sample (Radio Deutsche Welle, 15435 kHz)

Minimum system requirements

 IBM PC AT compatible, 500MHz Pentium CPU, 64MB RAM, 10MB free HDD space
 Windows 98/2000/NT/XP/Vista
 16-bit SoundBlaster compatible* sound card
 WiNRADiO G303 or G305 series receiver

* Sound card must support full-duplex at 48 kHz sampling rate, without AGC (recommended model Sound Blaster Live! or similar).

The DRM Demodulator/Decoder Plug-in is also available via .    Download it now and experience the wonders of DRM technology.