GatesAir’s Networking Solution Eliminates Interference between Two FM Stations

GatesAir has recently supplied an Intraplex® intelligent IP networking and synchronization solution to KCSN(FM) for resilient signal transport across its new single-frequency network (SFN).

Broadcasting on 88.5 MHz from the campus of California State University in Northridge, KCSN has long struggled with mutual interference with another FM station, KSBR, broadcasting on the same frequency from Saddleback College in Orange County. The transition to an SFN with Intraplex IP networking brought the two stations together into a unified operation, solving the problem of interference as listeners traveled through the Los Angeles area.

Those consultations steered KCSN toward an SFN architecture that provided a seamless transition between transmitters as people travelled through the region. The complete system brings three transmitters – KSBR, KCSN main, and a KCSN booster in Beverly Hills – together using an Intraplex IP Link MPXp codec with integrated Intraplex SynchroCast® technology to simulcast and time-lock the signals. A competitive analysis of MPX codecs on the market proved that the GatesAir solution excelled in dual-domain design, network reliability, and built-in dynamic SFN capability. The migration from T1 to IP has also saved the operation about USD 1700 each month, which uses a very wide-bandwidth, private Ethernet service from AT&T to accommodate all signal networking.