Complete and accurate SIS Information
HD RADIO™ TECHNOLOGY – STATION INFORMATION SERVICE
DEFINITION
Station Information Service (SIS) data provides basic information about the station such as call sign, as well as information not displayable to the consumer such as the station identification number. The SIS information is common to all programs since it originates at the Exciter/Exporter, regardless if the broadcast system includes an Importer for SPS programs.
Refer to the NRSC-5-C document for further details: SY_IDD_1020s.
SIS also provides information from an advanced data receiver that is seeking and scanning for data services on the channel. Therefore, it is very important that the SIS be set properly at the station during broadcast.
- Station Call Sign and Station Slogan should be broadcast consistently and accurately on all HD Radio stations. The SIS information will need to be updated after every software update.
- Table 1 describes the SIS fields that iBiquity strongly recommends to be always supported.
- Table 2 describes the SIS fields that iBiquity considers to be optional.
- Table 3 describes the SIS fields that iBiquity considers to be required in order to support data services.
Note that in order for a field to be sent, it must be enabled in the Exciter/Exporter station information schedule.
All of the fields described in Tables 1, 2, and 3 are enabled by default in software versions 4.X and above.
Table 1
SIS Fields that iBiquity strongly recommends to be always supported.
| Exciter / Exporter
Field |
NRSC-5-C
Designation |
Description |
| Station Name Short | Station Name
(short format) |
Identifies the 4-alpha-character station call sign plus an optional (-FM) extension. |
| Slogan | Universal Short Station Name
Station Slogan |
Provides the slogan for the MPS.
Allows for the transmission of the station names up to 12 characters in length and supports international character sets. Note that each SPS may also have a unique slogan, but this information is provided by the SIG channel in the Importer. |
| TBD | Audio Service Program Type
(conveyed in the Service Information Message for an audio service) |
Equivalent to the RBDS PTY field.
Provides the program type for the MPS. Note that each SPS may also have a unique audio service program type, but this information is provided by the SIG channel in the Importer. |
Table 2
SIS Fields that iBiquity considers to be optional.
| Exciter / Exporter
Field |
NRSC-5-C
Designation |
Description |
| Date and Time
Settings |
SIS Parameter Message | May be used by the receiver to display the exact date/time of day, adjusted by the time zone of the station.
Note that for the receiver to display this information, the station must be using a GPS-locked time base. |
| Station Message | Station Message | May be used to convey textual information of general interest to the consumer such as weather forecasts or public service announcements.
Includes a high priority delivery feature to convey emergencies that may be in the listening area. |
Table 3
SIS Fields that iBiquity considers to be required in order to support data services.
| Exciter / Exporter
Field |
NRSC-5-C
Designation |
Description |
| Station Identification
FCC ID Country Code |
Station ID Number | Consists of Country Code and FCC Facility ID.
Used by the receiver to perform alternate frequency searches of data services. It is very important for each station to correctly populate their FCC-assigned Facility ID in order for the seek/scan of data services to perform correctly. |
| TBD | Service Data Type
(conveyed in the Service Information Message for a data service) |
NRSC Supplemental Information provides the most up-to-date information regarding the Service Data Types: http://www.xperi.com/broadcasters/us-regulatory. |
| TBD | MIME Type Hash
(conveyed in the Service Information Message for a data service) |
This information originates from the broadcast token and is not entered manually through the GUI.
However, the service information must be enabled in the SIS schedule. Broadcasters who have stations in HD Radio data services networks, such as BTC or TTN, should consult service provider documentation to ensure that the SIS service message settings comply with the applicable data providers’ requirements. |
IMPLEMENTATION
Broadcast monitors that display Extended SIS are the accurate monitoring tool for SIS information.
Commercially available HD Radio receivers may also be used as a test tool for monitoring that the SIS information is being broadcast and displayed correctly on the receiver.
- Station Call Sign is typically set up in the HD Radio Exciter.
- Station Slogan should be used to broadcast more information about the main program.
- It is recommended to keep the Station Slogan under 20 characters since HD Radio receivers have different display constraints.
