In emergency situations, reliable and efficient communication is essential. Digital radio is a highly robust, trustworthy medium with nation-wide reach and plays a key role in disseminating alerts and information to the public. In Europe, the digital radio technology DAB+ is recognized as highly efficient and reliable in case of emergencies. In the event of a major disaster, such as an incident at a chemical plant, every minute counts and communication between authorities and the public has to be clear and inclusive.

EWFplus for the DAB platform now supports such efforts even better by waking up receivers from standby mode with the new EWS/ASA – Automatic Safety Alert functionality. WorldDAB recently finished the standardization of the new and enhanced Emergency Warning System (EWS) to which Fraunhofer IIS has made important contributions. It will be available for certified support in consumer receivers from now on. DAB ContentServer, the DAB+ head-end technology from Fraunhofer, is the first solution delivering all features of this new standard.

Tried and tested: Highly reliable warning with EWS/ASA

EWS/ASA alarm signaling wakes up receivers in standby mode so that authorities can transmit important information quickly and reliably at any time. To prevent over-warning, EWS/ASA supports geofencing, a method which ensures that only receivers in the affected area respond to the alarm signaling, instead of all receivers in the DAB-coverage area.

During the “Deutscher Warntag 2024” in Germany on September 12, 2024, Fraunhofer IIS and German public broadcasters BR, hr, rbb, and SWR teamed up to test and demonstrate the new EWS/ASA alarm signaling standard for DAB+.

Comprehensive warnings through combined alarm signaling standard, audio, and text

EWS/ASA is an integral part of EWFplus, the comprehensive solution for alert dissemination on the DAB+ digital radio platform that combines EWS alarm signaling, alert audio, and Journaline advanced text information. Existing TELESTAR EWF receivers can soon get the full EWFplus functionality including the new EWS/ASA alarm signaling standard as a firmware upgrade.

The EWFplus emergency warning functionality including the new EWS/ASA alarm signaling is now part of the Fraunhofer DAB ContentServer DAB+ head-end technology. DAB broadcasters, network operators and receiver module and device developers can rely on support for both broadcast signal generation and the detailed ETI/EDI Analyzer feature. Users of the DAB ContentServer technology with an active Software Update Support plan already have access to the new feature.

 A decoder module that is also available from Fraunhofer IIS facilitates the upgrade of existing DAB+ receivers and chipsets/platforms to WorldDAB’s EWS/ASA alarm signaling standard and the full EWFplus functionality.

EWFplus for enhanced safety and reach

EWFplus ensures a complete and inclusive transmission of delivery of emergency warning content. With the addition of the Journaline advanced text application, it is possible to reach hearing-impaired users through text and embedded images, provide multilingual information to serve non-native speakers and travelers, and provide detailed instructions and information that cannot be made available as part of a pure audio announcement. Journaline allows users to interactively access relevant information through a simple menu structure on the DAB+ receiver’s screen, without the need for Internet connectivity. For example, users can look-up nearby shelter locations or support points with full descriptions, depending on the type and region of the current incident, right on their radio set with just a few clicks.

Fraunhofer is working closely with broadcasters and receiver manufacturers around the world and cooperating with national disaster management agencies to enable the full EWF/EWFplus functionality on digital radio receivers to build up a comprehensive warning coverage.