Abstract: A digital audio broadcasting system (DAB) includes a transmitter configured to transmit a DAB multiplex to one or more mobile receivers. The DAB multiplex includes a live payload and a time diversity “early” signal to circumvent temporary obstruction and loss of a main live signal. Techniques are provided for minimizing the amount of bandwidth used by the time diversity signal in the DAB multiplex in order to maximize the available amount of content channels in a spectrum-limited, satellite, digital, radio broadcast to mobile receivers. The time diversity signal may be minimized by limiting the amount of data in the time diversity signal to a predetermined amount, by transmitting mono, audio data in the time diversity signal and/or by eliminating the time diversity signal when non-real time data is being transmitted.

Abstract: A coverage area for a satellite digital audio broadcasting system is generated using a wide-area beam and at least three other beams. The other beams each have a coverage area that overlaps the coverage area of the wide-area beam. The beams may be generated by a plurality of satellites traveling in highly elliptical orbits. A frequency spectrum including four or more frequency blocks of approximately 1.5 MHz each may be used to transmit media content from the satellites on the beams. The multi-beam system can provide a content distribution blend tailored to specific regions while providing multi-regional content through out the coverage area. For example, the system provides a content distribution blend tailored to regional diversity of Europe through regional beams while providing European “country agnostic” or “supra-national” content to all users through the wide-area beam.