IEC 62106:2015(E) describes the Radio Data System, RDS, intended for application to VHF/FM sound broadcasts in the range 87,5 MHz to 108,0 MHz which may carry either stereophonic (pilot-tone system) or monophonic programmes (as stated in ITU-R Recommendation BS 450-3 and ITU-R Recommendation BS.643-3). The main objectives of RDS are to enable improved functionality for FM receivers and to make them more user-friendly by using features such as Programme Identification, Programme Service name display and, where applicable, automatic tuning for portable and car radios, in particular. The relevant basic tuning and switching information therefore has to be implemented by the type 0 group (see 6.1.5.1), and it is not optional unlike many of the other possible features in RDS. This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2009 and constitutes a technical revision. It includes the following changes:
- for the RDS feature EON and the use of group types 14A and 14B some additional explanations were added;
- in Annex E, containing the character code tables to be used in RDS, the explanation for Table E.1 and Table E.2 was extended;
- several small typing errors were corrected;
- to Enhanced RadioText in Annex Q an additional explanation was added.