ennes-hartford - may2011 · sbe ennes workshop ‐hartford –may 2011 john bisset tieline...

Disaster Planning Using IP 1

Keeping It Going in the Real World SBE Ennes Workshop ‐ Hartford – May 2011John Bisset Tieline Technology Indianapolis, IN

5/23/2011 1

Our Vision

• Station engineers must search for a reliable means of backup to a variety of off air emergencies

• One solution is the internet

5/23/2011 2


Goal and Objective

• The goal is more reliable operation

• The objective is to involve your staff, the GM, and even the PD and air talent in identifying weak links

• Keep the station management informed!

5/23/2011 3

Air Staff Suggestions

• Having a sit‐down with the GM and PD and the Air Staff may expose you to scenarios you never considered

• Getting their point of view lets you plan and attack a variety of potential problems

5/23/2011 4


Starting at the Studio

• What kind of backup facilities?

• Can a spare Production room be put on the air?

• If so, HOW?5/23/2011 5

Expecting Air Staff to Move Cables Is A Chance Not Worth Taking

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The best wiring is worthless if staff can’t work around it

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So consider a simple switcher and label. label, label!

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Labeling Everything Speeds Troubleshooting Too

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Adopt Simple Operating Procedures• Develop a simple procedure for catastrophic loss of the automation system or satellite feedloss of the automation system or satellite feed

• Write it down and insure that all staff can follow the written instructionsfollow the written instructions

• Laminate the pages and post conspicuously5/23/2011 10


The STL – Another Form of Failure

5/23/2011 11

Today’s Situation

• In addition to implementing redundancy,

Stations are being squeezed to save money – especially with infrastructure costs

• Line costs tower leases congested RFLine costs, tower leases, congested RF paths, and elimination of services must be considered

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Alternative STL Solutions

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Consider Remote Gear For Backup

• It will keep you on the air, and fill in should you lose your RF STL

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Tieline has had customers report using simple POTS codecs as a

reliable backup STL

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Remember to Think Out of the Box

• Catastrophic failure should force you to p yconsider every option

• No ideas are “off limits”

• This is where the staff discussions are handy5/23/2011 16


Another Choice is Low‐Cost IPThis is the choice of many group

b d tbroadcasters

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Today’s Perception• IP could be considered, but it’s not reliable enough for broadcast STLreliable enough for broadcast STL

• Broadcasting over IP is complicated

• You need to be an IT Expert to broadcast over IP

5/23/2011 18


Today’s Solution!

IP i li bl f b d t STL• IP is reliable for a broadcast STL

• Broadcasting over IP is easy and not complicated

• Broadcasters have sufficient knowledge to configure and run these systems

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So What Are the Concerns with IP?

• Audio Quality – there can be a tradeoff between quality and reliability of an IP connection

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• Transport Reliability – Tieline recommends using wired broadband connections, that are not being shared for best reliability

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• Adequate Bandwidth – order a high speed, business class service with a downlink speed of at least 256kbps, and an uplink speed of at l 256kbleast 256kbps

• Faster installations provide greater reliability

5/23/2011 22


And the Biggest Concern

• Coding Algorithms

– Important to ask what is used – some deliver poor quality and artifacts

– Remember, you get what you pay for!

Ti li ’ M i d M i Pl Al ith id– Tieline’s Music and Music Plus Algorithms provide superior performance, as do AAC and APT

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Recommendations to reduce concerns

• Select a Quality Internet Service Provider (ISP) – “you get what you pay for” in service, too

• Tier 1 Service Providers are the best choice as their infrastructure makes up the internet “backbone”

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• Use the same ISP at both the Studio and Transmitter site

• The same provider can increase reliability, audio bandwidth, and reduce audio delay

• Second/third tier providers sublease• Second/third tier providers sublease bandwidth. The multiple switch hops can cause reliability issues

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• Do not share service with PC’s or company networks, use a dedicated DSL/ADSL line

• Business plans provide better performance than residential or domestic plans

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• Use good quality equipment to connect your codecs to the Internet

• Does your codec have Quality of Service features, such as a jitter buffer or forward

i ?error correction?

5/23/2011 27


• Insure your infrastructure is designed for media streaming and not domestic usage

5/23/2011 28


IP Benefits in STL Applications

• The technology can cover multi‐site facilities

• More expensive Satellite, RF, or Switch p , ,56/ISDN circuits can be eliminated

5/23/2011 29

IP can also be used to send the same programming to multiple

sitessites

5/23/2011 30


IP Benefits in STL Applications

• Both IP hardware and network infrastructure are cheaper

5/23/2011 31

Talk About Cheap Solutions

5/23/2011 32


The Report‐IT iPhone app offers LIVE 15kHz audio

5/23/2011 33

In a pinch!

• The iPhone can be equipped with an XLR adapter and attenuator to interface to broadcast gear

• Granted, it’s 15kHz mono, but in a pinch, you are on the air

5/23/2011 34


Things to Keep in Mind

• There are lots of IP solutions

• Here are some considerations

5/23/2011 35

Equipment Considerations

• You’ll want to insure the equipment is IPV6 Compatible

• The present internet (IPV4) is running out of addresses

• IPV6 will provide billions of new IP addresses and will involve new hardware

5/23/2011 36



• You’ll want ease of use – a front panel display rather than having to connect a computer to see what’s going on or to make adjustments

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• Diagnostics are also important – Again, tools that can be accessed from a front panel screen, without having to connect a computer

• Even something as simple as front panel audio metering is helpful

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• Other useful features include QoS (Quality of Service) features such as

– Forward Error Correction

– Jitter buffer

– Bit Rate monitor

5/23/2011 39


A Backup SD/SDHC Card SlotA Backup SD/SDHC Card Slot

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USB and SD/SDHC keeps you on the air

• A lot of broadcast equipment is providing this kind of auxiliary backup

• Specify it and use it – it’s one more defense against being off the air

5/23/2011 41

So, if I choose IP

Where do I start?

5/23/2011 42


Audio over IP Expert

• Tieline provides a free tutorial manual that can be downloaded. For your copy of this reference guide, go to:

• www.ipaudioexpert.com

5/23/2011 43

Internet Reference Sites

• http : //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interenet_backbone

• Lists major internet service providers that make up the internet backbone

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• For more detailed information on transitioning to IPv6 check out the summary and reference papers on IPv6 at www.Wikipedia.com

5/23/2011 45


• http://www.speedtest.net/index.php

• A site that will test internet speed – connect your computer to this link if low bandwidth is suspected

5/23/2011 46


Troubleshooting Tip

• Every computer and IP codec has an internal IP address of 127.0.0.1

• This provides a loopback test, allowing the audio to be looped from the encoder to the d ddecoder

• Listen to the headphone output, if you hear audio, the problem is the network

5/23/2011 47

Suggested Reading

• TCP/IP Jumpstart 0 Internet Protocol Basics

• Author: Andrew G. Blank

• Publisher: Sybex, www.sybex.com

5/23/2011 48


Audio over IP is the Future

• Analog leased line and even ISDN are being phased out in most regions

• Regular DSL data plans are sufficient to deliver 22kHz stereo audio

• A variety of equipment is turning to IP – audio consoles, even transmitters!

5/23/2011 49

• Now let’s look at some other ways to keep your station going

5/23/2011 50


It Never Hurts to Label Lines –even with a Sharpie!

Clearly Label All DisconnectsUsing a Brother P-Touch®


Or Gaffer’s Tape

Walk Your Site Quarterly


A Forest Doesn’t Spring up Over Night

Exposed Ground Radials – More Fines, Less Signal


Why it’s important to supervise contractors

WANTED: Qualified Site Manager


Coax Is Not a Climbing Peg!

AM ATU Maintenance


ATU Maintenance• Loose connections cause heat buildup

• Twice a year tighten all bolts and nuts

• Every other year, remove hardware and clean – especially if parameters are unstable

• Mark with a Sharpie®, the location of coil taps or rollers in variable coils

• Plug all holes, keep inside clean

It’s important to seal all entries


Expanding Foam Combined With Stainless Steel Wool Inside ATU

Why It’s Important to Seal ATU’s


A Contactor With Built-in Arc Detector

Don’t Paint the Spark Gap!


Loose Slats = FCC Fine

Satellite Feed horns – homes for insects and even birds!


The Opening Protects Nests

A 1-Liter Water Bottle Solution!


Wire Labels Under Clear heat shrink

Impress Your Manager With an Organized Workbench!


Another Organized Shop

Workbench Based on Kindorf®(He got it one piece at a time!)


Every Workbench Needs Adapters

Use a Clipboard for a Third Hand


Screw-in Hooks Organize Manuals/schematics

Check Parameters Quarterly


Don’t Forget Consultant Sites

G h b k C• www . Grahambrock . Com– Online FCC Apps, newsletter and links

• www . Munn-Reese . ComRF Newsletter– RF Newsletter

• www . CavellMertz . Com– FCC Info and new flag service

Hoods keep water out of buildings but may attract insects


Generator Ice Shield

Pleated Air Filters Trap the Dirt


Don’t Forget Microprocessor Battery Backups – Inside

EquipmentEquipment

Post a “No Digging” Sign Around Your AM Site


Add Crushed Stone to the Transmitter Building Perimeter

An Important Investment to Any Studio or Transmitter Site


Add Emergency Lighting

Transmitter site “gotta haves”• A spare fan for your exciter

S f• Spare fuses

• Klein Kleaners – moistened towels/baby wipes

• Trouble lamp and spare bulbs

• First Aid Kit – well stockedFirst Aid Kit well stocked

• Bubble wrap – protects your knees, and “grabs” fallen parts when placed in the bottom of equipment rack where you’re working


A Great Idea Gone Bad

At Your Service

John Bisset and Mary Ann Seidler

Business Development Executives

Tieline Technology

317‐845‐8000

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.Tieline.com5/23/2011 90

ennes-hartford - may2011 · sbe ennes workshop ‐hartford –may 2011 john bisset tieline...

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