Radio Data System facts for kids

Radio Data System, or RDS, is a special way for FM radio stations to send small bits of digital information along with the music or talk you hear. Think of it like a secret message hidden in the radio waves! This information can show you things like the name of the radio station, the time, or even what song is playing. Engineers first tested RDS in 1983 and 1984, and it became an official standard in 1988.

What Information Can RDS Send?

RDS can send many different types of information to your radio. This makes listening to the radio more helpful and interactive.

Station Name (Programme Service)

• Programme Service name: This is usually the name of the radio station. It can be a short version (up to 8 letters and numbers) or a longer version (up to 16 characters). This helps you quickly see which station you are listening to.

Programme Type (PTY)

• Programme type: RDS can tell your radio what kind of show is playing. There are 16 different types, like "News," "Pop Music," "Sports," or "Talk." Some radios let you search for stations based on these types.
• PTY-31 (Emergency Messages): This special type was meant for urgent emergency messages. However, it was rarely used correctly, so many newer radios don't pay attention to it anymore.

Traffic Information

RDS is very useful for getting traffic updates.

• Traffic Programme (TP): If this is turned on, it means the radio station regularly broadcasts messages about traffic. Your radio might even switch to this station if you're looking for traffic news.
• Traffic Announcement (TA): When a traffic announcement is actually happening, the radio sends a special signal. Your radio might get louder or switch from a CD to the radio so you don't miss the update.
• Enhanced Other Networks (EON): If the station you are listening to doesn't have traffic information, EON allows your radio to temporarily switch to another station that does. This way, you can still get important traffic news.
• Traffic Message Channel (TMC): This sends coded messages about traffic jams or road closures. These messages aren't spoken aloud. Instead, a special device, like a GPS or navigation system, can read them and show you the traffic on a map.

Other Helpful Features

• Alternative Frequency (AF): If you are driving a long distance, the signal for your favorite station might get weak. RDS can tell your radio about other frequencies that broadcast the same program. Your radio can then automatically switch to the stronger signal, so you don't lose your station.
• Radio Text (RT): This feature allows the station to send short text messages to your radio display. It can show things like the name of the song playing, the artist, or even station slogans. In theory, it can send up to 64 characters per line.

Images for kids

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  Logo for RDS1 and RDS2

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  A Radio Data System – Traffic Message Channel (RDS-TMC) receiver (left) attached to a TomTom navigation system to integrate real-time traffic data into the navigation.

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  Typical radio display when no RDS data is available

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  Typical radio display showing the PS name (programme service) field.

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  Sample Radio Text usage, in this case showing the name and artist of the song being broadcast – Duran Duran's "Save a Prayer" – the bottom line scrolls to reveal the rest of the text.

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  PI A206

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  Service menu of a car radio

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  RDS on Radio C Yekaterinburg 103.7 MHz

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  RDS Demodulator Sanyo LC72723

See also

In Spanish: Radio Data System para niños