Riedel Communications, a provider of real-time video, audio, data, and communications networks, is providing the communications equipment for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

In the first three races, the system has supported wired and wireless communications for over 300 people, including pilots, security and referees. The series started in Abu Dhabi in February and will next be  held in Gdynia, Poland on July 26. It finishes in China this November. 

Two TETRA base stations supported 300 handheld radios for full event coverage, with two of Riedel's RiFace universal radio interfaces allowing 24 analogue radios to be operated. To bridge the distance between the race airport and the event site, Riedel set up a broadband link connecting the two through trunking over IP.

Riedel engineers have built a signal distribution infrastructure for video, audio, communications, and data with the company’s MediorNet real-time media network. The intercom system, made up of two Artist frames equipped with MADI cards and 20 control panels, was integrated with Riedel's TETRA installation. This comprises of seven MediorNet Compact frames and three MediorNet Modular frames for signal distribution and processing. Technicians interfaced audio signals through MADI and Riedel's RockNet digital audio network solution in combination with MediorNet.

These systems are integrated with the event's main mixing console, located in an outside broadcasting van, which provides the big-screen mix for the live audience. Riedel also supplied the wireless video links and HD cameras for the racing planes' onboard cameras, delivering pictures from the pilots' perspectives. Using MediorNet as a backbone, a Riedel Artist digital matrix intercom (for the distribution of analog audio), digital audio and Ethernet data signals, served as the event communications infrastructure.

“Riedel often works at the cutting edge of live sports and entertainment productions, where clear communication and reliable, flexible signal transport are essential to a safe, successful, and exciting event,” says Yungmin Lee, project manager at Riedel Communications. “We’ve been involved in other groundbreaking Red Bull events and look forward to a great season working on the 2014 Red Bull Air Race World Championship.”

Photo credit: Red Bull content pool