SOSS/ARA
Satellite Operating Support System (SOSS)
The primary tool that enables public radio stations to use programming from the PRSS is the Satellite Operating Support System (SOSS). The Audio Recording Automation (ARA) system is part of the SOSS suite of applications.
Extensive technical support and the SOSS Station User's Guide are available online.
General SOSS Description
The SOSS at public radio stations is comprised of:
- demodulators for receiving satellite-delivered digital audio and data
- a personal computer with hardware and software for scheduling programs and receiving DACS messages
- external interface hardware to assist with automating program capture functions
Using the SOSS, a public radio station can:
- receive schedule data for programs on the PRSS
- use that schedule data to schedule programs for live-to-air use, or to record them for later playback
- automatically record programs transmitted over the PRSS
- automate some "on-air" station operations
- read and send DACS messages
The SOSS is centered around a suite of custom software applications specially developed for use by public radio stations. These applications use program schedule information transmitted over the Downlink Services Channel (DSC) as a framework for station operators to select the programs that they want to record for later use or transmit directly to air. After station operators have selected the programs they want to use, the SOSS automatically tunes demodulators, starts recording equipment, or controls broadcast consoles using interface hardware available from the PRSS.
An enhanced DACS package is also part of the SOSS, providing public radio stations with a set of tools that enable efficient reception and local distribution of DACS messages.
ARA as an Automation System
Stations in the market for their first automation system may want to include the Audio Recording Automation (ARA) system in their list of choices to consider. ARA is part of the SOSS suite of applications provided by NPR Distribution to the PRSS. It's a logical choice for stations on a tight budget or for stations who want to "get their feet wet" with automated operations before committing to an expensive commercial automation system. ARA meets many of the key requirements of an automation system. It has the means to interface with and control most local station equipment, including an audio routing switcher. It can create and maintain a schedule of local events. It can execute that schedule in real-time, sending commands to connected equipment. It can be used to feed a program stream to the station's transmitter directly, or can be used to assist an announcer or board operator with manual sequencing of the program schedule. It can start and stop events at specific times, or upon receipt of a cue from a 25 Hertz sensor or other cueing system. It can be synchronized to the PRSS time standard, and can propagate that time to SOSS clocks and other timekeeping systems within the station. ARA can capture external alarms and other station status conditions and log them or display them on-screen.
A feature that is unique to ARA is its ability to directly control and receive status from the ComStream ABR700 satellite demodulators used within the PRSS. ARA can pre-tune a demodulator to the correct I.F. frequency in advance of a live-to-air satellite feed. ARA can also use external cues derived from "in-band" cues embedded within satellite-delivered programming.
ARA schedules can contain a mix of locally originated and satellite-delivered programs, cutaways, newscasts, spots, promos, IDs, and the like. Individual programs in the PRSS satellite schedule (which is received continuously) can be easily imported into the local ARA schedule. Schedule elements can be made to recur automatically in daily or weekly intervals with the use of ARA Templates. A Schedule Editor allows configuration of event timing and sequencing for future air traffic, while an Operator Action Display shows current air status and allows manual override in case circumstances change at the last minute.
The ARA uses a low-end Pentium computer, the OS/2 operating system, and an ARTIC coprocessor board. This combination of components allows true multitasking and provides sufficient performance to control several on-air programming streams in addition to offline recording of programming for later playback.