Digital Radio
Digital radios receive information via digital signals. The digital signals are sent as bundles, or packets, of information combining analog and digital information. Digital signals can be compressed, which allows more information to be sent and received at one time. Digital radio receivers sort through distorted signals and remove static and fading, which allows the audience a cleaner listening experience. A digital radio is required to receive the free digital signals.
IBOC Sidebands
In-Band On-Channel broadcasting is the choice made by the FCC to transmit digital radio. To make this system work the digital signals are allowed to ride along side analog signals so that radio frequency allocation remains the same. Digital sidebands are added out of the range of the carrier frequency. This is to prevent interference with the existing analog signals. It has been noted that there are still small interference issues despite this arrangement. Both AM and FM stations can use this transmission system, although they must provide the further cost of converting their systems to make it work properly. Some stations now work in a hybrid environment using both analog and digital systems and can be heard on either type of radio.
HD Radio Broadcasting
HD Radio technology offers the same listening quality as a compact disc player. HD Radio is trademarked by iBiquity and is the product name for their IBOC-driven digital radio technology. HD Radio uses IBOC technology. The HD in HD Radio does not have a particular meaning and is not connected with high-definition television except that both technologies are digitally based. A digital radio station must pay a one-time license fee to iBiquity to use their HD Radio patents and software. The FCC has not stated any intentions to drop analog radio, unlike digital television signals.
Digital Radio Versus Satellite Radio
Digital radio comes in two flavors---free and subscriber paid for. Digital radio can be heard right now through a digital receiver; however, subscriber or satellite digital radio requires a receiver and a subscription in order to listen. Satellite radio is transmitted through a communications satellite instead of earth-bound radio frequencies. Satellite radio offers a much broader geographic range than radio signals. A satellite subscriber can listen to the same station from every area of the U.S. without the same interruptions that regular radio signals can encounter. Subscription digital radio requires special receivers to decode its signals.
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