A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between China’s Administrative Bureau of Radio Stations (ABRS) of NRTA and Fraunhofer IIS to further strengthen the strategic cooperation for the development and application of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) in mainland China.
On this occasion, a delegation from the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) led by Binbin Luo, Deputy Director of the radio division, visited Fraunhofer IIS.
The Chinese officials met with Dr. Bernhard Grill, Director with focus on Audio and Media Technologies, and Toni Fiedler, General Manager of Fraunhofer IIS China, to discuss the DRM international broadcasting standard as well as developments in the fields of digital radio and television transmission and coverage.
The MoU is based on long-term mutual trust established in previous collaborations, and aims to further develop the cooperation with regard to the open terrestrial DRM standard, including technologies substantially developed by Fraunhofer IIS, such as the xHE-AAC audio codec and the Journaline text service.
In addition, the two parties will intensify their exchange of information on DRM technology, work on jointly promoting DRM technology, conduct workshops on DRM technology, and conduct field trials to successfully drive the deployment of DRM in China.
Toni Fiedler, General Manager of Fraunhofer IIS China, said: “This MoU will further strengthen the relationship of Fraunhofer IIS with China’s broadcasting organizations and help both parties to collaborate even more closely on setting up the digital transmission ecosystems in TV, radio and the internet, introducing standards that deploy technologies driven by Fraunhofer IIS. We are honored to work with ABRS on the development of short wave digital radio in China.”
Binbin Luo, Deputy Director of the NRTA’s radio division, said: “A new generation of information technology for the development of the radio and TV industries has brought unprecedented, profound changes and severe challenges. To drive the industry forward, we focus on cutting-edge technology and promote the development of best-in-class core technologies in key standards. The cooperation with the world’s leading standard research institutions such as Fraunhofer IIS will ensure the deployment of reliable, future-proof technology in China’s digital radio ecosystems.”