Table of Contents
Advertisement
TP
Traffic Program Identification: The TP flag identifies the station as one that routinely
broadcasts traffic bulletins for motorists as part of its normal, everyday programming. When the
TP flag is displayed on the receiver faceplate, the radio is searching for traffic announcements. The
radio keeps track of TP stations offering this service to speed up the search-and-switch process.
M/S
Music / Speech Switch: This flag simply indicates whether music or speech is the primary
broadcast programming. The purpose of this function is not well explained in the respective
Standards; hence it comes as no surprise that it is not widely used.
DI
Decoder Information: This is one of several 'flags' that convey yes/no or other very basic data.
This particular flag tells the receiver whether the broadcast is monaural, or is being transmitted in
any of several methods of stereo or binaural broadcasting. As many as 16 encoding options may
be accommodated! This is a rather esoteric function and, thus far, remains unused both in Europe
and in the US.
AF
List of Alternative Frequencies: A network broadcaster, or one with low-power rebroadcast
transmitters (translators) to fill holes in his coverage area, can include a list of all frequencies where
the identical program can be heard simultaneously. The RDS receiver (particularly the upscale car
radio) constantly searches for the best signal that carries the very same program. When a better
signal is found, the radio re-tunes with no noticeable interruption. The principal utility of this RDS
function is with European radio networks and US stations with 'translators.'
CT
Clock Time and date: Time and date codes should use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and
Modified Julian Day (MJD). If MJD = 0 the receiver should not be updated. The listener, however,
will not use this information directly and the conversion to local time and date will be made in
the receiver's circuitry. CT is used as time stamp by various RDS applications and thus it must be
accurate.
RT
RadioText: This is a 64-character block of plain text that the listener can select for visual
display on the faceplate of the radio by pressing an INFO button on the receiver. This function is
not available on many automobile radios for safety reasons, which has precipitated the frowned-
upon practice of scrolling the PS field instead.
Most radios have limited alphanumeric display capability, so the 64 characters of RadioText
march across the front panel, much akin those annoying LED advertising signs found in airport
buses or fast food emporia. Like the scrolling-PS implementation, RadioText can announce song
titles and performers, run special promotions or contests, or broadcast sponsors' messages.
65 Aleksandar Stamboliyski Str., 8000 Bourgas, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 56 820027, Fax: +359 56 836700
E-mail: office@devabroadcast.com ,Web: www.devabroadcast.com
- 18 -
Advertisement
Table of Contents
