BS EN 62106:2015

What is this BS EN 62106 - Radio data system (RDS) for VHF/FM sound broadcasting about?  

BS EN 62106 discusses the specification of the radio data system (RDS) for VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range. BS EN 62106 describes the RDS, intended for application to VHF/FM sound broadcasts in the range 87,5 MHz to 108,0 MHz which may carry either stereophonic (pilot-tone system) or monophonic programs (as stated in ITU-R Recommendation BS 450-3 and ITU-R Recommendation BS.643-3).  

The main objectives of RDS are to enable improved functionality for FM receivers and to make them more userfriendly by using features such as Programme Identification, Programme Service name display, and, where applicable, automatic tuning for portable and car radios, in particular. The relevant basic tuning and switching information, therefore, has to be implemented by the type 0 group, and it is not optional unlike many of the other possible features in RDS. 

Who is BS EN 62106 - Radio data system (RDS) for VHF/FM sound broadcasting for? 

BS EN 62106 on radio data system (RDS) for VHF/FM sound broadcasting is useful for: 

• Radio stations  
• Radio equipment manufactures  
• Radio broadcasters  
• Product development teams  

Why should you use BS EN 62106 - Radio data system (RDS) for VHF/FM sound broadcasting?  

Radio technology is constantly evolving. FM radio with RDS is an analogue-digital hybrid system, which is still a valid data transmission technology and only the applications need adaptation. Now the time has come to solve the only disadvantage, the lack of sufficient data capacity. With RDS2, the need to increase the data capacity can be fulfilled. 

BS EN 62106 discusses modulation characteristics of the data channel (physical layer), baseband coding (data-link layer), message format (session and presentation layers), coding of information, description of features, offset words to be used for group and block synchronization, theory and implementation of the modified shortened cyclic code, implementation of group and block synchronization using the modified shortened cyclic code, programme identification codes and extended country codes, basic and extended RDS character sets, and programme type codes. 

Using BS EN 62106 guidelines you would be able to address the issue of data capacity, which lets your customers have better radio reception. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 62106:2015 supersedes BS EN 62106:2009, which is withdrawn. BS EN 62106:2015 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN 62106:2009.  

These include: 

• For the RDS feature EON and the use of group types 14A and 14B some additional explanations were added 
• In Annex E, containing the character code tables to be used in RDS, the explanation for Table E.1 and Table E.2 was extended 
• Several small typing errors were corrected 
• To Enhanced Radio Text in Annex Q an additional explanation was added