IBC 2013: new N+1 FM transmitter redundancy from Ecreso

Ecreso has announced the addition of N+1 redundant systems to its compact range of FM transmitters. This is the latest announcement from the transmitter specialists within the WorldCast Systems group who earlier this year launched their unrivalled 10-year warranty on the same range.

To be officially unveiled at IBC 2013, Ecreso’s N+1 systems offer the ultimate in redundancy and reliability in a cost-effective approach that enables a broadcaster to run a single back-up transmitter for up to 8 transmitters operating from a single site. Should one of the units suffer a failure, the Nephtys N+1, the sophisticated control and switching unit, will quickly and automatically switch that unit’s output to the back-up transmitter to ensure continuity of the broadcast. The back-up transmitter can also be used to ensure seamless transmission during scheduled maintenance and testing of the main transmitters. Easy to install and maintain, the N+1 transmitter systems can be supplied as fully customised rack integrations, fully configurable to the broadcaster’s requirements.

The Nephtys control unit can be managed locally or remotely and includes TCP/IP for intuitive web-based management and full SNMP-based monitoring and control.

Commenting on the launch, Group CTO Nicolas Boulay comments: “Ecreso’s emphasis on reliability and optimized performance means that each of our FM transmitters is designed to be rock solid but an N+1 system can offer the broadcaster even greater levels of assurance and ensure they stay On-Air at maximum power no matter what happens to any one of their transmitters.”

Ecreso’s compact range of FM transmitters combines exciter and amplifier in a convenient, single space-saving unit of up to 3U in size. Available up to 2kW power levels, the compact range offers a fully digital modulator, exceptional efficiency, and the new Advanced Metering Interface, AMI, which provides an at-a-glance overview and analysis of the RF Spectrum, MPX Spectrum, Audio Spectrum and Peak Meters. The compact range is also covered by Ecreso’s unique 10 year warranty. The warranty is underpinned by the company’s Expert Maintenance Reporting service that enables identification of potential issues and preventive action. It also sends regular reports on the status of key parameters and performance of components.