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3
S ection I
INT RODUCT ION
MODEL 510 PRODUCT DES CRIPT ION
T he “R adio
Data S ystem”
The Radio Data System allows the FM broadcaster to transmit
certain digital data along with regular audio programming. Packets
of data transmitted on a low-level subcarrier identify the station and
its particular broadcasting format, allow for transmission of
advertising or other text messages, and perform additional
identification, control and ‘housekeeping’ functions.
R DS vs. R BDS
The Radio Data System was developed in Europe and is abbreviated
RDS there. The initial US implementation of RDS differed
sufficiently from the European standard to warrant its being
renamed the Radio
Broadcast
Data System, or RBDS. Differences
between the two standards have been reconciled and minimized
over the years, yet RBDS is still used as the US designation in many
instances. For the sake of clarity and simplicity, the more generic
and established term RDS will be used through this Manual, as
indeed it is used throughout the rest of the world.
Features
Features of the Inovonics 510 include:
•
Display of all common RDS data groups.
•
Easy installation, initial calibration and
use.
•
A unique “Glossary” utility to define the
RDS abbreviations, and then to locate and
display the subject data group.
•
A built-in RS-232 port for computer
interface.
