Wireless audio technology has taken a decisive step into the future with the development of Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS). This innovative technology represents an evolution in audio transmission, enabling the operation of multiple channels within a single spectrum block, optimizing the use of radio frequency (RF) resources and improving operational efficiency in live events, theater, broadcasts, and more.
What is WMAS?
WMAS is an advanced wireless audio transmission system that employs digital wideband techniques to operate microphones, in-ear monitors (IEM), and other multichannel applications. Unlike traditional narrowband systems, which operate in spectrum blocks limited to 200 kHz, WMAS allows for the use of broader blocks, resulting in a greater capacity to handle multiple audio channels within a single frequency range.
This advancement not only improves sound quality but also simplifies frequency setup and coordination, something that professional users, such as sound technicians at live events and broadcasters, highly value. According to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), WMAS can support several audio channels per MHz, offering a more efficient use of the spectrum.
The technological neutrality of WMAS and its coexistence with narrowband
WMAS is a neutral technology, meaning it is not limited to a single type of application or technology but can adapt to different needs and environments. This neutrality is crucial for our industry as it allows for the coexistence of wideband and narrowband wireless systems, without one replacing the other. In the current spectrum, particularly in the UHF TV bands, WMAS and narrowband systems must operate in harmony. This coexistence is essential to optimize spectrum usage and ensure that both technologies can leverage their respective strengths.
The new regulatory frameworks that allow the implementation of WMAS will foster innovation in the development of wireless solutions, opening new possibilities for manufacturers and users. The UHF bands, traditionally used by wireless microphone systems, will not be displaced by WMAS; instead, both technologies will continue to function complementarily.
The importance of regulation
Regulatory advances in Europe and the United States have been fundamental to the development of WMAS. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. and the European CEPT body have allowed wireless microphone systems to use wider spectrum blocks, provided efficient use of the spectrum is ensured. This facilitates the operation of multiple audio channels on a single frequency, opening new possibilities for audio professionals.
Shure, a leader in audio technology, has been an active advocate of these regulations, promoting standards that allow for more efficient use of the spectrum and higher output power in WMAS systems. In the U.S., Shure has secured FCC approval for higher power levels for WMAS, ensuring reliable and stable operation, even in high-demand environments.
Innovation and the future of wireless audio
For manufacturers like Shure, WMAS represents not only a technological breakthrough but also an opportunity to innovate within a regulatory framework that promotes the development of scalable, versatile, and easy-to-use solutions. As this technology is adopted globally, it is expected to radically change how audio is managed in live events, theater, and broadcasts, providing greater flexibility and control.
WMAS also allows for reduced spacing between audio channels, improving interference management and minimizing intermodulation issues that often affect current wireless systems. This is achieved by using multi-carrier transmissions in wider spectrum blocks, ensuring impeccable audio quality and greater reliability.
Key advantages of WMAS:
• Greater channel capacity: WMAS allows for more channels in the same spectrum, facilitating the management of multiple wireless devices.
• Efficient use of the spectrum: With WMAS, RF spectrum is used more effectively, reducing congestion and optimizing performance.
• Easy setup: WMAS systems simplify device configuration, reducing the number of frequencies that need to be managed.
• Reliable operation: The higher output power and advanced features of WMAS systems ensure stable transmission even in high-demand environments.
A change that benefits the entire industry
Shure’s commitment to WMAS reflects its vision of a future where wireless technologies are more accessible, efficient, and reliable. By investing in research and development, Shure ensures that its WMAS-based products meet the highest demands of audio professionals, staying at the forefront of technological evolution.
This change not only benefits users but also the industry as a whole, enabling more efficient use of RF spectrum, opening new possibilities for innovation in wireless audio applications, and strengthening Shure’s leadership in this field.
