Orban and Sage Integrated EAS Into Audio Processors

The companies have combined software-based emergency alerting technology into the OPTIMOD 5950 HD audio processor.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Software

Orban and Sage Integrated EAS Into Audio Processors

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Should broadcast radio stations be permitted to replace dedicated emergency hardware with software-based systems?

Orban Labs and Sage Alerting Systems have integrated next-generation Emergency Alert System (EAS) software directly into the OPTIMOD 5950 HD audio processor. This development marks a transition toward software-based EAS functionality for U.S. broadcast stations.

Why it matters

By shifting EAS capabilities from dedicated hardware to integrated software, stations can simplify their infrastructure. This move responds to a petition submitted to the FCC in 2025 advocating for broader software-based EAS support.

The OPTIMOD 5950 HD processor now hosts the SAGE next-generation EAS software, which includes IPAWS CAP reception and RWT generation. The integration allows broadcast facilities to manage emergency alerts entirely through software interfaces.

The players

Orban Labs

Orban Labs is a broadcast audio processing company that produces hardware and software solutions for radio and television stations.

Sage Alerting Systems

Sage Alerting Systems specializes in the development of emergency alert technology for the broadcast industry.

Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission is the independent U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications.

The details

The integrated system runs as an add-in on the Orban Labs audio processing platform, eliminating the need for separate, hardware-dependent alert devices. The platform will be showcased to industry professionals during an upcoming demonstration at the NAB Show New York.

In 2025, Sage submitted a petition to the FCC regarding software-based EAS support.
The NAB Show New York opens on October 21, 2026, at the Javits Center.

The Tech Race

This integration follows evolving standards established by the Emergency Alert System (EAS) standards, which previously relied on rigid hardware architectures. By migrating critical alerting functions to software, the industry is moving away from proprietary boxes toward flexible, virtualized broadcast environments.

Broadcast engineers can expect a shift toward more streamlined studio infrastructure that reduces the maintenance associated with legacy hardware. While the product is currently unavailable for purchase, its eventual release will offer stations a path to consolidate their signal processing and alerting needs.

The takeaway

The move toward software-based EAS support highlights a broader industry trend of virtualizing broadcast equipment to reduce complexity. Station managers should monitor FCC regulatory updates to determine when these integrated software solutions may be deployed in their facilities.