Method for determining audio broadcast transmission signal coverage

Abstract

Computer implemented methods and systems for the prediction of the reception of a desired in-band on-channel digital audio broadcast signal (IBOC DAB) are described. A method includes computing a first ratio of a weaker undesired adjacent broadcast signal to a stronger undesired adjacent broadcast signal; computing a second ratio of the desired IBOC DAB signal to the stronger undesired adjacent broadcast signal. The method also includes computing a minimum allowable reception ratio based on the second ratio and the slope and intercept of a line, wherein the slope and intercept of the line is based on both (i) a plurality of ratios of a weaker adjacent broadcast signal to stronger adjacent broadcast signal and (ii) a plurality of ratios of a desired IBOC DAB signal to a stronger adjacent broadcast signal. Reception is predicted when the computed minimum allowable reception ratio is less than the first ratio.

1 . A computer implemented method of predicting the reception of a desired in-band on-channel digital audio broadcast signal, the method comprising:
 (a) computing a first ratio of the field strength of a weaker undesired adjacent broadcast signal to the field strength of a stronger undesired adjacent broadcast signal;   (b) computing a second ratio of the field strength of the desired in-band on-channel digital audio broadcast signal to the field strength of the stronger undesired adjacent broadcast signal;   (c) computing a minimum allowable reception ratio based on the second ratio and the slope and intercept of a line, wherein the slope and intercept of the line is based on both (i) a plurality of ratios of a weaker adjacent broadcast signal to a stronger adjacent broadcast signal and (ii) a plurality of ratios of a desired in-band on-channel digital audio broadcast signals to a stronger adjacent broadcast signal;   (d) predicting reception of the in-band on-channel digital audio broadcast signal when the computed minimum allowable reception ratio is less than the first ratio.   
     
     
         2 - 28 . (canceled)