The DRM Consortium released its DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Functionality Recommendation. The document describes and defines the core functional parameters of consumer radio receivers capable of receiving DRM radio broadcasts. As DRM is being increasingly rolled out, adopted and demonstrated globally such a document is necessary to offer a guide to receiver manufacturers, but also broadcasters and regulators, so that consumers get a common and consistent DRM digital radio experience.
DRM – Digital Radio Mondiale – is the international ITU-R standard for digital radio in all radio broadcasting bands, maintained by the not-for-profit DRM Consortium. DRM is the digital successor technology for the former analogue AM and FM transmissions.
The DRM Receiver Functionality Recommendation applies to all types of consumer-targeting DRM radio receivers, with detailed application-specific requirements for automotive receivers, personal mobile devices (such as mobile, feature, and smart phones or tablets incorporating built-in radio receiver functionality for terrestrial broadcast radio), and general-purpose receivers (all types of stand-alone receivers, including home and desktop radios).
The Consumer Receiver Recommendation builds upon the more technical DRM MRR – Minimum Receiver Requirements Specification (mrr.drm.org), which must be implemented and followed by any DRM receiver. The new Consumer Receiver Recommendation covers DRM digital radio in all broadcasting bands: in the LW, MW, SW and VHF bands (Band I, II and III) and Analogue AM and analogue FM radio.
According to the DRM Technical Committee Chairman, Johannes von Weyssenhoff: “The document describes three clear and simple levels of functionality as a guide to receiver manufacturers. These functionality levels do not necessarily need to be implemented on a single chip, module or even device. The level 2 (Feature Radio) defines a well-rounded radio receiver with a key set of features. The Receiver Recommendation is comprehensive and simple to follow. It allows manufacturers to produce excellent receivers, whether they go
for levels 1, 2 or 3 (Essential Radio, Feature Radio or Advanced Radio solutions). No matter the level a DRM receiver will prove it is a fitting and flexible audio broadcasting system for the 21st century.”
DRM Chairman, Ruxandra Obreja, also welcomed the release of the DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Recommendation seeing it as “a useful tool for any manufacturer, broadcaster and regulator. The guide will allow manufacturers the freedom and flexibility to produce receivers of variable degree of complexity that offer a consistently good experience for the listener. It also allows for receivers to incorporate applications and services (like distance learning, emergency warning) that fully meet the needs of many economically and socially diverse communities across the continents. The guide will become thus an essential tool in the DRM eco-system that will bring receivers in numbers, with the adequate functionality, to the countries embracing the DRM standard and their millions of listeners.”
Dowlnload a copy of the document here.
This story first appeared on RadioInfo.asia