Sennheiser congratulates the recently established FCC regulations for wireless microphone technology.
In the realm of professional audio, a game-changer is on the horizon. Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) are expected to revolutionise the industry, promising superior protection and greater spectrum efficiency.
Traditional wireless microphones, while commonplace, have been found to have their drawbacks. Multiple carriers in these devices are susceptible to generating non-harmonic distortion products known as intermodulation (IM). Moreover, each transmitter in a conventional wireless microphone continuously outputs power, typically 50 mW.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recognised these issues and has adopted new rules for WMAS operation in the United States. The aim is to achieve greater spectrum efficiency and sharing compatibility.
Sennheiser, a renowned name in the audio industry, has been at the forefront of this technological advancement. The company started developing its WMAS over a decade ago, and in 2018, they filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the FCC, requesting a modification in the bandwidth limit specified for wireless microphones.
The benefits of WMAS technology are manifold. It offers higher spectral efficiency and greater interference protection compared to conventional wireless microphone systems. One of the key advantages is the elimination of the possibility of IM products.
Traditional wireless microphones use a dedicated, mono-directional transmitter-receiver pair for each audio channel. In contrast, WMAS technology uses portable bidirectional transceivers that communicate with a base station at a low power spectral density. This technology multiplexes audio channels onto a wideband RF channel, with a 6 MHz bandwidth in the United States.
Sennheiser's WMAS will allow for a single pack that serves as both a transmitter and an in-ear monitor receiver, streamlining equipment for performers.
The FCC has monitored further developments of WMAS technology and concluded that it justified the requested rule change. Another company, the Open Research Institute, has also been working on WMAS for over a decade and filed a similar Petition for Rulemaking with the FCC in 2018.
In-ear monitor channels with WMAS technology can use the same block of RF spectrum as wireless microphones, enhancing spectral efficiency. This innovation is set to transform live performance and studio applications, offering a more efficient and interference-free audio experience.
Conventional wireless microphones have an RF bandwidth of 200 kHz. The wider bandwidth of WMAS technology will provide a significant improvement, ensuring smoother and clearer audio transmission. As the industry prepares for this shift, it's clear that WMAS is poised to revolutionise the professional audio industry.
