FM-RDS developments
at CRC
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications
March 22, 2011
By Jean-Michel Bouffard
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
Plan
Our objective
History
FM-RDS Tx/Rx test platform
Android development
Recent progress
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
History
To bring FM on mobile devices
Why? To show the potential for innovation. To encourage the development of new FM applications.
How? Presence of FM-RDS chips on mobile devices. Accessible API for developers.
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
History
2009-2010 App. for HTC Touch Pro Windows Mobile(closed platform)
FM-RDS chip(no official API)
Developed RDS decoder(rdslib)
Presented at NAB 2010
Copyright: HTC
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
History
2010 (After NAB)
App. for T-Mobile G1 Android(open platform)
FM-RDS chip(no! → We used a RDS over WiFi)
Developed FM-RDS app.(Support for ODAs)(Using USRP + PC)
Waiting for Android phone with FM-RDS chip. Copyright: HTC
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
FM-RDS Tx/Rx test platform
Tx/Rx platform to experiment with FM-RDS Hardware (generic and cheap) Laptop USRP with basic TX and basic RX daughter boards
Software GNURadio version 3.2.2 GNURadio Companion 3.2.2 gr-rds (to enable RDS)
Built from free software
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
FM-RDS Tx/Rx test platform
GNURadio FM-RDS applications
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
FM-RDS Tx/Rx test platform
Experiment with RDS features RadioText Open Data Applications(Not available on commercial radio stations)
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
FM-RDS Tx/Rx test platform
iTunes tagging Proprietary iTunesprotocol
RT+
Other types of metadata would be possible
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
FM-RDS Tx/Rx test platform
FM-RDS monitoring ODAs in the ottawa areaDon't lie, we know what you're doing!
Freq Group AID Name Comment
97.9 8A CD46 RDS-TMC
11A C3B0 iTunes tagging
No data
12A 4BD7 RT+ No data
101.9 13A 4BD7 RT+ RT+ data available but no RT
103.3 11A C737 UMC
104.7 8A CD46 RDS-TMC
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
Android development
Why Android? Project backed by Google(A little company that have succeeded with some of their projects)
Partly open platform(Could enable low level access to hardware resources)
Some devices already had FM receivers(Might be possible to unlock/use the chip)
Rumours mentioned the possible inclusion of an FM API in Android 2.2(That would have simplified things a lot!)
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
Android development
Functional diagram RDS data over ip RDS decoding in rdslib Use custom RDS streams or stream grabbed from commercial radio stations
RDS awareapplicationdevelopedwithout theneed of therequiredhardware
USRP
PC
Samsung Phone
Dalvik Vitual Machine
Java Native Interface
Android native Linux OS
RDS decoder library
CRC FM PlayerJava Application
RDS decoded
RDSraw
Software Defined Radio (GNU Radio)
Tx Rx
TCP/UDP streams
WiFi
Raw RDS
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
Android development
ODA Rx on G1PCPC
USRPUSRP
Tx FMTx FM
Rx FMRx FM
USRPUSRP
PCPC
WiFiWiFi
G1G1
USRPUSRP
PCPC
TxTx
RxRx
G1G1
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
Android development
One click!
11stst ODA Application! ODA Application!
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
Recent progress
Q4 2010New phone: Android(Great! It's the platform we have selected earlier)
FM-RDS chip(yes! But no API)
Developed an API(Silicon Labs fmsi4709)
Enhanced the app RDS Audio Volume Region GUI Seek Copyright: Samsung
DRCG - New Radio Platforms and Applications - March 22, 2011
Conclusion
Objective progressing well FM is on an Android mobile device We distribute an API for FM control and RDS decoding We distribute an application Advanced FM features Platform to release prototype RDS based services
Door is opening for hybrid radio innovation