Field Trial Results of AM Transmitter Carrier Synchronization

摘要

AM transmitter carrier synchronization usingoff-the-shelf GPS timing-reference hardware has thepotential to increase the effective coverage of co-channelAM stations with overlapping contours by eliminating beatfrequencies and the associated noise artifacts that serve tomake the reception in the fringe areas unlistenable, both indaytime and nighttime scenarios. This paper, a follow-on toan earlier NAB publication, will address the basic carriersynchronization system design and will present results,including ongoing field measurements, that will serve todemonstrate the improvements in reception quality in theregion of overlapping fringe-area co-channel contours thatcan be realized with low-cost transmitter carriersynchronization. In addition, this paper will discuss thesuccessful implementation of two synchronous AM stationnetworks utilizing multiple co-channel boosters that arecurrently operated by the WAPA Radio Network, coveringlarge portions of the island of Puerto Rico.