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PI
Program Identification: This block of data identifies the broadcast station with a hexadecimal
numerical code, which becomes the "digital signature" of the station. The code is assigned by the
broadcasting authority in most countries, but in the US it is calculated from a numerical encoding
of station call letters. The receiver processes the PI code to assist automatic tuning features (station
memories), and to prevent false switching to alternative frequencies that might be shared by
broadcasters in nearby regions.
PIN
Program Item Number: The code should enable receivers and recorders designed to make use of
this feature to respond to the particular program item(s) that the user has preselected. Use is made
of the scheduled program time, to which is added the day of the month in order to avoid ambiguity.
PS
Program Service Name: This is the station's "street name" that will appear on the receiver
faceplate display. The PS can be up to eight characters in length (including spaces) and can be as
simple as the station's call letters: KWOW or KWOW FM, or a slogan: NEWSTALK or LIVE 95.
The Program Service Name is automatically displayed, even on automobile receivers, and because
of driving safety considerations broadcasters are generally discouraged from scrolling messages
in this field. As a matter of fact, it is a violation of both the CENELEC and the NRSC standards to
scroll the PS display, although the practice has become universally common.
PTY
Program Type: The PTY data flag identifies the station format from a collection of pre-defined
categories. Many RDS receivers are able to seek the listener's preferred format automatically.
This means that a car radio can switch from a fading station to a stronger one that carries the
same variety of music, though not the very same program, as provided by AF switching. The
PTY function of RDS helps a broadcaster catch 'transient audience' share. A listing of the PTY
categories is given in
Under some programming circumstances, the PTY identifier may be made 'dynamic,' changing
between categories for a station that "dayparts" (changes its format for specific time periods).
The PTY code is not meant to change from song to song or to accommodate a top-of-the-hour
newscast, however.
PTYN
Program TYpe Name: The PTYN feature is used to further describe current PTY. PTYN
permits the display of a more specific PTY description that the broadcaster can freely decide
(e.g. PTY=4: Sport and PTYN: Football). The PTYN is not intended to change the default eight
characters of PTY which will be used during search or wait modes, but only to show in detail the
program type once tuned to a program. If the broadcaster is satisfied with a default PTY name, it is
not necessary to use additional data capacity for PTYN. The Program Type Name is not intended
to be used for automatic PTY selection and must not be used for giving sequential information.
"APPENDIX C.1" on page 56
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65 Aleksandar Stamboliyski Str., 8000 Bourgas, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 56 820027, Fax: +359 56 836700
E-mail: office@devabroadcast.com ,Web: www.devabroadcast.com
and
"APPENDIX C.2" on page 57.
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