Our Next Meeting

All Are Welcome at SBE Meetings;
SBE Membership is not Required

Meeting Date:

August 12, 2021 at 6:30 PM Eastern

Location: Virtual Meeting via Internet

Directions: Due to COVID-19, our meeting will be virtually.  Please Register in advance for this meeting using this link.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. To learn about Zoom, please see this tutorial. We typically open the meeting 30 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting time to give everyone time to mingle and visit, begin Chapter 37 business at the scheduled meeting time, and introduce our guest speaker shortly thereafter.  To save valuable time when we have large attendance, we have omitted the opportunity for attendees to introduce themselves.  (Sorry, it just takes too long.)  Instead, please feel free to add your affiliation after your Zoom name and say "Hello" via Zoom's chat function.  Please note that Chapter 37 meetings are being recorded.  If you prefer not being recorded, please disable your camera and mute your audio.

Broadcasting with Software-Defined Hardware

Guest Speaker: Chuck Kelly

Our August guest speaker will be Chuck Kelly, VP Market Development of the Elenos Group.  His presentation Broadcasting with Software-Defined Hardware addresses the field of radiofrequency modulators that are completely programmable and capable of creating virtually any digital TV or FM broadcast standard by uploading new firmware.  For example, it is feasible to install firmware for the ATSC-1 and ATSC-3 digital television standards and switch from one to the other with just a "click."  Chuck's presentation will cover both the firmware (FPGA and DSP) as well as the hardware - a 16-layer printed circuit board with over 2,200 components (see photo, below).

Just as in consumer and industrial RF communications, commercial broadcast products can now take advantage of the flexible architecture and economies of scale of embedded systems within microprocessors for a variety of over the air formats. Software-defined radios have their origins in the U.S. and European defense sectors of the late 1970s. In the 80's, commercial DSPs were beginning to show up in higher end consumer products.  In modern consumer gear, both IOS and Android devices are routinely reprogrammed using this technology without a second thought.  Broadcasting, a comparatively "niche" industry, can finally get away from special purpose hardware with the flexibility to upgrade as standards are modified to better suit the broadcast business model without expensive chassis replacements.

Chuck is a 48 year radio veteran, including Chief Engineer stints in Illinois and Colorado.  Since 1980, he has worked in the sales and product management side of the business at ITC/3M, Broadcast Electronics/Elenos, and Nautel.  He was two-term President of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and is a Fellow of the society.  Chuck is an active amateur radio operator holding the callsigns W9MDO, VE1MDO and 4E1MDO.

Special thanks to Broadcasters General Store for sponsoring the video conference and other technical support costs of Chapter 37.  We look forward to (virtually) seeing you soon!