EP0433904B1 - RDS broadcast receiver with a device for preferential reception of programs with the same country code - Google Patents

RDS broadcast receiver with a device for preferential reception of programs with the same country code Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0433904B1
EP0433904B1 EP90124163A EP90124163A EP0433904B1 EP 0433904 B1 EP0433904 B1 EP 0433904B1 EP 90124163 A EP90124163 A EP 90124163A EP 90124163 A EP90124163 A EP 90124163A EP 0433904 B1 EP0433904 B1 EP 0433904B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rds
reception
search
program
country
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EP90124163A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0433904A3 (en
EP0433904A2 (en
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Mathias Grundig E.M.V. Kalmer
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Grundig EMV Elektromechanische Versuchsanstalt Max Grundig GmbH
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Grundig EMV Elektromechanische Versuchsanstalt Max Grundig GmbH
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H60/00—Arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linking to broadcast information or broadcast space-time; Broadcast-related systems
    • H04H60/35—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users
    • H04H60/49—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying locations
    • H04H60/54—Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying locations where broadcast information is generated
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/20—Arrangements for broadcast or distribution of identical information via plural systems
    • H04H20/22—Arrangements for broadcast of identical information via plural broadcast systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/10—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised by the type of broadcast system
    • H04H2201/13—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised by the type of broadcast system radio data system/radio broadcast data system [RDS/RBDS]

Definitions

  • a binary data stream is transmitted inaudibly for the radio listener parallel to the broadcast radio program, which provides the receiver with a range of tuning, switching and operating information.
  • so-called PI codes Program Identification Codes
  • AF codes Alternative Frequency Codes
  • TP code Traffic Program Code
  • TA code Traffic Announcement Code
  • a deterioration in the reception conditions, especially in the case of mobile radio reception, can be eliminated by the receiving device by switching to an alternative frequency at lightning speed, so that the radio receiver can follow the current program practically without interruption.
  • This rapid change to an alternate frequency naturally presupposes that at least one alternative frequency with sufficient reception quality is available. If this is not the case (either because there is no alternative frequency for a local broadcaster; or because the vehicle equipped with a car radio leaves a limited transmission area so that the alternative frequencies are no longer receivable), von Manually or automatically to search for a new program chain with sufficient reception quality. This is particularly important if you expect the latest traffic announcements while playing a music cassette or while the receiving device is waiting while the radio program is muted.
  • EFA 0 326 746 A2 suggests that the device user be warned of the loss of the program chain by means of a warning signal so that he can manually select another transmitter station.
  • this type of information was also common for car radios for the ARI system (driver broadcasting information), which is disclosed in the "Grundig Technical Information" 4 / 5-1980, page 255.
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an RDS radio receiver, in particular an RDS car radio, which, in the event of a deterioration in the reception conditions, initially only searches for stations with the same country code and only then accepts a program from the neighboring country when the search is started remains unsuccessful after a home station.
  • the station search can only be limited to traffic information stations or include all RDS stations.
  • the receiving device should optionally be programmable via a switch in such a way that, after an automatic search, it only transmits frequencies with the country code received before the search started RAM takes over.
  • the power amplifier of the device should be muted and the mute should only be deactivated when a program with sufficient reception quality is received again.
  • the PI code consists of a four-digit hexadecimal character string, each HEX number being binary coded with 4 bits, so that the PI code comprises a total of 16 bits (see Fig. 1).
  • the first HEX number (bits 1 to 4) contains the country code, ie it indicates the state sovereignty to which the transmitter is to be assigned.
  • the second HEX number (bits 5 to 8) defines the broadcast area, i.e. it differentiates between local, regional, supra-regional, national and international programs.
  • the third and fourth HEX numbers (bits 9 to 16) identify the various program groups that are allocated to the federal states.
  • the RDS radio receiver shown in FIG. 2 contains, in a manner known per se, a synthesizer tuner 1, an IF amplifier 2 for selectively amplifying and demodulating the intermediate frequency, a stereo decoder 3 for decoding the stereo multiplex signal and a stereo output stage 4.
  • the reception quality is monitored with the level detector 5 and the multi-path detector 6.
  • the level detector 5 takes a measured variable from the IF amplifier 2 in accordance with the IF signal level to determine the signal field strength, while the multipath detector 6 has high-frequency interference amplitudes in the multiplex signal, caused by multipath reception, evaluates.
  • the analog / digital conversion of the control signals for the microprocessor 9 takes place either in the two detectors 5, 6 or in the microprocessor 9, provided that it is provided with corresponding converter inputs.
  • the RDS decoder 7 is also fed with the demodulated multiplex signal. After a 57 kHz bandpass filtering, the quadrature-amplitude-modulated RDS signal is demodulated and the digital data obtained after a subsequent biphase and differential decoding are fed to the microprocessor 9 for further processing.
  • the microprocessor 9 has the RAM 13 with several memory levels as working memory and additional memory.
  • the operating program is stored in the ROM memory 14.
  • the EEPROM memory 15 serves as a non-volatile program memory and contains in its individual memory levels for each stored program in addition to the PI code and the PS code (program service name code for displaying the name of a program chain) a number of selected alternative frequencies for one spontaneous program call.
  • the data contained in the respective memory level of the program memory 15 are transferred into the main memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13) by the microprocessor 9 when a specific program is called up. Then the AFs are related by briefly tuning the receiver checked for field strength, multi-path reception, transmitter center, RDS transmission quality and PI code and sorted in order according to their reception quality. Finally, the tuner 1 is tuned by the microprocessor 9 to the frequency with the highest field strength.
  • the microprocessor 9 determines via the level detector 5 and the multipath detector 6 that the reception quality is no longer sufficient because the user of the mobile RDS receiver e.g. leaving the broadcasting area of a program chain or moving in the border area to neighboring nation states, it will initiate an automatic frequency change, as exemplified in the flow chart of FIG. 3.
  • program step 1 the set transmitter is continuously monitored for reception interference. If the reception quality drops below a certain minimum, the next-order AF of the AF list contained in the working memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13) is removed by the microprocessor 9 in step 2 and checked in step 4 by briefly tuning the tuner 1 for reception worthiness. Before that, in step 3, the output stage 4 is muted by the microprocessor 9 via the electronic two-way switch 8.
  • the PI code is compared in step 5 with that of the previously set one Mother frequency. If the tests in steps 4 or 5 are negative, the program returns to step 2, that is, the next following AF is taken from the AF list contained in the working memory 13 and the test cycle is continued until an alternative frequency that is worth receiving is included exactly the same PI code is found. In this case, the ranking of the alternative frequencies in the AF list of the working memory 13 is reevaluated in step 6.
  • step 8 a search for RDS stations or for RDS traffic radio stations (depending on the device programming) is carried out via the entire reception frequency range started. A list of all the RDS stations found, sorted by PI code, is created in the second memory level of the RAM 13. Step 9 then checks whether RDS stations worth receiving have been found. If the result is negative, the search is repeated, returning to step 8; if the result is positive, the RDS stations found are evaluated with regard to their field strength and their country code and read from the station list. The check whether the country code of a reception frequency taken from the station list corresponds to the nationality of the station originally received is carried out in step 11.
  • step 12 is followed by program step 13, in which it is asked whether only RDS stations with identical country codes are permitted.
  • the question in program step 13 is decided by the position of the switch 10 symbolically represented in the block diagram, FIG. 2. If switch 10 is open (if the question in program step 13 is answered in the negative), then when the station list is read again, an RDS station with a different country code is also loaded from the microprocessor 9 into the main memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13). If the switch 10 is closed, i.e. if only RDS stations with identical country codes are allowed, the program returns from step 13 to step 8, which triggers a new station search.
  • Program step 14 follows when step 6, 11 or 13 offers a new reception frequency for tuning tuner 1. This frequency is fixed together with the PI code as the new mother frequency in the main memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13). As a result of program step 13, a new country code can also be defined as reference information for further station searches.
  • step 15 the muting of the final stage 4 is finally canceled via the switching device 8.
  • the program then returns to step 1 and initiates the same frequency change routine described above in the event of another reception disturbance.
  • the RDS receiving device in the event of deterioration in the reception quality with switch 10 open (synonymous with non-existent switch) initially only searches for RDS transmission frequencies which are broadcast with the same country code in the PI code. Only if the search is unsuccessful, even over the entire reception frequency range, is an RDS transmitter with a different country code accepted and recorded as a new mother transmitter in the working memory.
  • the output stage of the receiving device is muted until a program worth receiving is available again.
  • switch 10 When switch 10 is closed, the search for alternative frequencies is limited only to transmitting stations with the same country code, which will be welcomed by a radio listener who often moves with his mobile receiving device along the border to a foreign-language neighboring country. If the limit is exceeded, he must then at least temporarily open switch 10 to adapt the receiving device to a new country code.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)

Abstract

The RDS broadcast receiver described starts an automatic station-finding run for a new program chain if no further alternative frequencies of the program previously received are available to it which are suitable for reception when there is a deterioration in the conditions of reception. To avoid the receiving set adjusting itself to a program chain of the neighbouring country in mobile use in the area of the border to a foreign-language neighbouring country because its quality of reception is found to be particularly good, a device is provided with which the receiver preferably only searches for transmitters suitable for reception, the country code of which corresponds to that of the transmitter previously received. Transmitters with deviating country code are also accepted only after the entire receiving range has been searched without success. <IMAGE>

Description

Mit dem Radio-Daten-System (RDS) wird für den Rundfunkhörer unhörbar parallel zum ausgestrahlten Rundfunkprogramm ein binärer Datenstrom übertragen, der dem Empfangsgerät eine Reihe von Abstimm-, Schalt- und Betriebsinformationen liefert. Unter anderem werden z.B. als Abstimmhilfe fortlaufend sogenannte PI-Codes (Programme Identification Codes) und AF-Codes (Alternative Frequency Codes) gesendet, die dem Empfänger die Zuordnung einer Senderfrequenz zu einer bestimmten Programmkette erlauben und ihm alternative Frequenzen anbieten, mit denen das gleiche Programm empfangen werden kann. Ferner kann das Gerät anhand des sogenannten TP-Codes (Traffic Programme Code) erkennen, welche Sender Verkehrsnachrichten übertragen, und es erhält mit dem TA-Code (Traffic Announcement Code) ein Schaltsignal, mit dessen Hilfe es z. B. während des Abspielens einer Musikcassette oder in Wartestellung bei unterdrücktem Rundfunkprogramm eine Verkehrsnachricht vorrangig über die Lautsprecher durchgeben kann.With the radio data system (RDS), a binary data stream is transmitted inaudibly for the radio listener parallel to the broadcast radio program, which provides the receiver with a range of tuning, switching and operating information. Among other things, so-called PI codes (Program Identification Codes) and AF codes (Alternative Frequency Codes) are sent continuously as a tuning aid, which allow the receiver to assign a transmitter frequency to a specific program chain and offer him alternative frequencies with which the same program can be received. Furthermore, the device can use the so-called TP code (Traffic Program Code) to recognize which stations transmit traffic messages, and it receives a switching signal with the TA code (Traffic Announcement Code), with the help of which it can be used, for B. during the playback of a music cassette or on hold with the radio program suppressed, a traffic message can be given primarily through the loudspeakers.

Eine Verschlechterung der Empfangsverhältnisse, besonders beim mobilen Rundfunkempfang, kann vom Empfangsgerät durch blitzschnellen Wechsel auf eine alternative Frequenz eliminiert werden, so daß der Rundfunkhörer praktisch unterbrechungsfrei dem laufenden Programm folgen kann. Dieser schnelle Wechsel auf eine Ausweichfrequenz setzt natürlich voraus, daß mindestens eine alternative Frequenz mit ausreichender Empfangsqualität zur Verfügung steht. Ist dies nicht der Fall (sei es, weil es für einen lokalen Sender keine alternative Frequenz gibt; sei es, weil das mit einem Autoradio versehene Fahrzeug ein begrenztes Sendegebiet verläßt, so daß auch die alternativen Frequenzen nicht mehr empfangswürdig sind), so muß von Hand oder automatisch nach einer neuen Programmkette mit ausreichender Empfangsqualität gesucht werden. Dies hat besondere Bedeutung, wenn man während des Abspielens einer Musikcassette oder in Wartestellung des Empfangsgerätes bei stummgeschaltetem Rundfunkprogramm neueste Verkehrsmeldungen erwartet.A deterioration in the reception conditions, especially in the case of mobile radio reception, can be eliminated by the receiving device by switching to an alternative frequency at lightning speed, so that the radio receiver can follow the current program practically without interruption. This rapid change to an alternate frequency naturally presupposes that at least one alternative frequency with sufficient reception quality is available. If this is not the case (either because there is no alternative frequency for a local broadcaster; or because the vehicle equipped with a car radio leaves a limited transmission area so that the alternative frequencies are no longer receivable), von Manually or automatically to search for a new program chain with sufficient reception quality. This is particularly important if you expect the latest traffic announcements while playing a music cassette or while the receiving device is waiting while the radio program is muted.

Die EFA 0 326 746 A2 schlägt für diesen Fall vor, den Gerätebenutzer durch ein Warnsignal auf den Verlust der Programmkette aufmerksam zu machen, damit er von Hand eine andere Sendestation anwählen kann. Diese Art des Hinweises war aber auch bereits bei Autoradios für das ARI-System (Autofahrer Rundfunk Information) üblich, was in der "Grundig Technischen Information" 4/5-1980, Seite 255, offenbart ist.In this case, EFA 0 326 746 A2 suggests that the device user be warned of the loss of the program chain by means of a warning signal so that he can manually select another transmitter station. However, this type of information was also common for car radios for the ARI system (driver broadcasting information), which is disclosed in the "Grundig Technical Information" 4 / 5-1980, page 255.

Nach dem Stand der Technik, wie beispielsweise in der EPA 0 326 747 A2 beschrieben, ist es außerdem bekannt, einen automatischen Sender-Suchlauf zu starten, wenn ein zuvor gewähltes Programm auch über die alternativen Frequenzen nicht mehr empfangen werden kann. Dabei ergibt sich aber der Nachteil, daß sich in Gebieten aneinandergrenzender Nationalstaaten das Empfangsgerät auf eine Programmkette des Nachbarlandes einstellen wird, wenn deren Empfangsqualität höher als die eines Inlandprogrammes bewertet wird. Besonderes bei fremdsprachigen Nachbarländern ist dies jedoch meist nicht erwünscht, solange ein Programm des Heimatlandes noch mit ausreichender Empfangsqualität empfangen werden kann.According to the prior art, as described for example in EPA 0 326 747 A2, it is also known to start an automatic station search if a previously selected program can no longer be received via the alternative frequencies. This has the disadvantage, however, that in areas of contiguous nation states, the receiving device will adjust to a program chain of the neighboring country if its reception quality is rated higher than that of a domestic program. However, this is usually not desirable, especially with foreign-language neighboring countries, as long as a program from the home country can still be received with sufficient reception quality.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt deshalb die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen RDS-Rundfunkempfänger, insbesondere ein RDS-Autoradio zu schaffen, der bzw. das bei Verschlechterung der Empfangsverhältnisse zunächst nur nach Sendern mit gleicher Länderkennung sucht und erst dann ein Programm des Nachbarlandes akzeptiert, wenn die Suche nach einem Heimatsender erfolglos bleibt. Der Sendersuchlauf kann sich dabei, je nach Programmierung des Gerätes, nur auf Verkehrsfunksender beschränken oder sämtliche RDS-Sender umfassen.The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an RDS radio receiver, in particular an RDS car radio, which, in the event of a deterioration in the reception conditions, initially only searches for stations with the same country code and only then accepts a program from the neighboring country when the search is started remains unsuccessful after a home station. Depending on the programming of the device, the station search can only be limited to traffic information stations or include all RDS stations.

Ferner soll das Empfangsgerät wahlweise über einen Schalter derart programmierbar sein, daß es nach einem automatischen Suchlauf nur Frequenzen mit der vor Beginn des Suchlaufs empfangenen Länderkennung in den Arbeitsspeicher übernimmt. Während des Suchlaufs soll die Endstufe des Gerätes stummgeschaltet sein und die Stummschaltung erst aufgehoben werden, wenn wieder ein Programm mit ausreichender Empfangsqualität empfangen wird.Furthermore, the receiving device should optionally be programmable via a switch in such a way that, after an automatic search, it only transmits frequencies with the country code received before the search started RAM takes over. During the search, the power amplifier of the device should be muted and the mute should only be deactivated when a program with sufficient reception quality is received again.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand der Zeichnungen erläutert. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
das Strukturschema des PI-Codes
Fig. 2
das Blockschaltbild für ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen RDS-Rundfunkempfängers
Fig. 3
ein Flußdiagramm für den Steuerungsablauf beim Wechsel auf eine andere Empfangsfrequenz.
The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:
Fig. 1
the structural scheme of the PI code
Fig. 2
the block diagram for an embodiment of the RDS radio receiver according to the invention
Fig. 3
a flowchart for the control sequence when changing to a different reception frequency.

Wie aus der Spezifikation des Radio-Daten-Systems, pr. EN 50 067 vom Oktober 1988, hervorgeht, besteht der PI-Code aus einer vierstelligen hexadezimalen Zeichenfolge, wobei jede HEX-Zahl mit 4 Bit binär codiert ist, so daß der PI-Code insgesamt eine Folge von 16 Bits umfaßt (s. Fig. 1).As from the specification of the radio data system, pr. EN 50 067 from October 1988, the PI code consists of a four-digit hexadecimal character string, each HEX number being binary coded with 4 bits, so that the PI code comprises a total of 16 bits (see Fig. 1).

Die erste HEX-Zahl (Bits 1 bis 4) enthält die Länderkennung, d.h. sie gibt an, welcher staatlichen Hoheit der Sender zuzuordnen ist.The first HEX number (bits 1 to 4) contains the country code, ie it indicates the state sovereignty to which the transmitter is to be assigned.

Die zweite HEX-Zahl (Bits 5 bis 8) definiert den Sendebereich, d.h., sie unterscheidet zwischen lokalen, regionalen, supra-regionalen, nationalen und internationalen Programmen.The second HEX number (bits 5 to 8) defines the broadcast area, i.e. it differentiates between local, regional, supra-regional, national and international programs.

Die dritte und vierte HEX-Zahl (Bits 9 bis 16) kennzeichnen die verschiedenen Programmgruppen, die den Bundesländern zugehörig aufgeteilt sind.The third and fourth HEX numbers (bits 9 to 16) identify the various program groups that are allocated to the federal states.

So lautet z.B. der PI-Code für die Programmkette "Bayern 3" in hexadezimaler Schreibweise "D 323". In binärer Schreibweise ergibt sich daraus die Bit-Folge "1101 0011 0010 0011".For example, the PI code for the "Bayern 3" program chain in hexadecimal notation "D 323". This results in the bit sequence "1101 0011 0010 0011" in binary notation.

Der in Fig. 2 dargestellte RDS-Rundfunkempfänger enthält in an sich bekannter Weise einen Synthesizer-Tuner 1, einen ZF-Verstärker 2 zum selektiven Verstärken und Demodulieren der Zwischenfrequenz, einen Stereo-Decoder 3 zum Decodieren des Stereo-Multiplexsignals und eine Stereo-Endstufe 4. Als zentrale Steuereinheit, verbunden mit dem Bedienteil 12, dient der Mikroprozessor 9, der auch zur Sendereinstellung das notwendige Abstimmsignal an den Synthesizer-Tuner 1 liefert. Die Empfangsqualität wird mit dem Pegeldetektor 5 und dem Mehrwegedetektor 6 überwacht. Der Pegeldetektor 5 entnimmt dem ZF-Verstärker 2 nach Maßgabe des ZF-Signalpegels eine Meßgröße zur Feststellung der Signalfeldstärke, während der Mehrwegedetektor 6 hochfrequente Störamplituden im Multiplexsignal, verursacht durch Mehrwegeempfang, auswertet. Die Analog-/Digitalwandlung der Steuersignale für den Mikroprozessor 9 erfolgt entweder in den beiden Detektoren 5, 6 oder im Mikroprozessor 9, sofern er mit entsprechenden Wandlereingängen versehen ist. Der RDS-Decoder 7 wird ebenfalls mit dem demodulierten Multiplexsignal gespeist. Nach einer 57 kHz-Bandpaßfilterung wird das in Quadratur amplitudenmodulierte RDS-Signal demoduliert und die nach einer anschließenden Biphase- und Differential-Decodierung gewonnenen digitalen Daten zur Weiterverarbeitung dem Mikroprozessor 9 zugeführt.The RDS radio receiver shown in FIG. 2 contains, in a manner known per se, a synthesizer tuner 1, an IF amplifier 2 for selectively amplifying and demodulating the intermediate frequency, a stereo decoder 3 for decoding the stereo multiplex signal and a stereo output stage 4. The microprocessor 9, which also supplies the necessary tuning signal to the synthesizer tuner 1 for setting the transmitter, serves as the central control unit, connected to the control unit 12. The reception quality is monitored with the level detector 5 and the multi-path detector 6. The level detector 5 takes a measured variable from the IF amplifier 2 in accordance with the IF signal level to determine the signal field strength, while the multipath detector 6 has high-frequency interference amplitudes in the multiplex signal, caused by multipath reception, evaluates. The analog / digital conversion of the control signals for the microprocessor 9 takes place either in the two detectors 5, 6 or in the microprocessor 9, provided that it is provided with corresponding converter inputs. The RDS decoder 7 is also fed with the demodulated multiplex signal. After a 57 kHz bandpass filtering, the quadrature-amplitude-modulated RDS signal is demodulated and the digital data obtained after a subsequent biphase and differential decoding are fed to the microprocessor 9 for further processing.

Als Arbeitsspeicher und Zusatzspeicher besitzt der Mikroprozessor 9 den RAM-Speicher 13 mit mehreren Speicherebenen. Das Betriebsprogramm ist im ROM-Speicher 14 abgelegt. Der EEPROM-Speicher 15 dient als nichtflüchtiger Programmspeicher und beinhaltet in seinen einzelnen Speicherebenen für jedes abgespeicherte Programm neben dem PI-Code und dem PS-Code (Programme Service Name-Code für die Anzeige des Namens einer Programmkette) eine Anzahl ausgewählter alternativer Frequenzen für einen spontanen Programmabruf.The microprocessor 9 has the RAM 13 with several memory levels as working memory and additional memory. The operating program is stored in the ROM memory 14. The EEPROM memory 15 serves as a non-volatile program memory and contains in its individual memory levels for each stored program in addition to the PI code and the PS code (program service name code for displaying the name of a program chain) a number of selected alternative frequencies for one spontaneous program call.

Die in der jeweiligen Speicherebene des Programmspeichers 15 enthaltenen Daten werden bei Abruf eines bestimmten Programms durch den Mikroprozessor 9 in den Arbeitsspeicher (erste Speicherebene des RAM-Speichers 13) übertragen. Anschließend werden die AFs durch kurzzeitiges Abstimmen des Empfängers in Bezug auf Feldstärke, Mehrwegeempfang, Sendermitte, RDS-Übertragungsqualität und PI-Code überprüft und entsprechend ihrer Empfangsqualität in der Reihenfolge sortiert. Zuletzt wird der Tuner 1 durch den Mikroprozessor 9 auf die Frequenz mit der höchsten Feldstärke abgestimmt.The data contained in the respective memory level of the program memory 15 are transferred into the main memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13) by the microprocessor 9 when a specific program is called up. Then the AFs are related by briefly tuning the receiver checked for field strength, multi-path reception, transmitter center, RDS transmission quality and PI code and sorted in order according to their reception quality. Finally, the tuner 1 is tuned by the microprocessor 9 to the frequency with the highest field strength.

Stellt im weiteren Verlauf der Mikroprozessor 9 über den Pegeldetektor 5 und den Mehrwegedetektor 6 fest, daß die Empfangsqualität nicht mehr ausreichend ist, weil der Benutzer des mobilen RDS-Empfängers z.B. das Sendegebiet einer Programmkette verläßt oder sich im Grenzgebiet zu benachbarten Nationalstaaten bewegt, so wird er einen automatischen Frequenzwechsel einleiten, wie er im Flußdiagramm nach Fig. 3 beispielhaft dargestellt ist.In the further course, the microprocessor 9 determines via the level detector 5 and the multipath detector 6 that the reception quality is no longer sufficient because the user of the mobile RDS receiver e.g. leaving the broadcasting area of a program chain or moving in the border area to neighboring nation states, it will initiate an automatic frequency change, as exemplified in the flow chart of FIG. 3.

Im Programmschritt 1 wird der eingestellte Sender fortlaufend auf Empfangsstörungen hin überwacht. Sinkt die Empfangsqualität unter ein bestimmtes Mindestmaß, so wird im Schritt 2 die nächstrangige AF der im Arbeitsspeicher (erste Speicherebene des RAM-Speichers 13) enthaltenen AF-Liste vom Mikroprozessor 9 entnommen und im Schritt 4 durch kurzzeitiges Abstimmen des Tuners 1 auf Empfangswürdigkeit geprüft. Zuvor wird aber im Schritt 3 die Endstufe 4 über den elektronischen Zweifachschalter 8 vom Mikroprozessor 9 stummgeschaltet.In program step 1, the set transmitter is continuously monitored for reception interference. If the reception quality drops below a certain minimum, the next-order AF of the AF list contained in the working memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13) is removed by the microprocessor 9 in step 2 and checked in step 4 by briefly tuning the tuner 1 for reception worthiness. Before that, in step 3, the output stage 4 is muted by the microprocessor 9 via the electronic two-way switch 8.

Sind die Mindestanforderungen an die Empfangsqualität erfüllt, so folgt im Schritt 5 ein Vergleich des PI-Codes mit dem der bisher eingestellten Mutterfrequenz. Fallen die Prüfungen in den Schritten 4 oder 5 negativ aus, so kehrt das Programm zum Schritt 2 zurück, d.h., es wird die nächstfolgende AF der im Arbeitsspeicher 13 enthaltenen AF-Liste entnommen und der Prüfzyklus so lange fortgesetzt, bis eine empfangswürdige alternative Frequenz mit exakt gleichem PI-Code gefunden wird. In diesem Fall wird im Schritt 6 eine Neubewertung der Rangfolge der alternativen Frequenzen in der AF-Liste des Arbeitsspeichers 13 vorgenommen.If the minimum requirements for the reception quality are met, the PI code is compared in step 5 with that of the previously set one Mother frequency. If the tests in steps 4 or 5 are negative, the program returns to step 2, that is, the next following AF is taken from the AF list contained in the working memory 13 and the test cycle is continued until an alternative frequency that is worth receiving is included exactly the same PI code is found. In this case, the ranking of the alternative frequencies in the AF list of the working memory 13 is reevaluated in step 6.

Wird keine empfangswürdige alternative Frequenz mit identischem PI-Code gefunden und im Schritt 7 erkannt, daß sämtliche im Arbeisspeicher 13 enthaltenen Ausweichfrequenzen durchgetestet wurden, so wird im Schritt 8 ein Suchlauf nach RDS-Sendern oder nach RDS-Verkehrsfunksendern (je nach Geräteprogrammierung) über den gesamten Empfangsfrequenzbereich gestartet. Dabei wird in der zweiten Speicherebene des RAM-Speichers 13 eine Liste aller gefundenen RDS-Sender, sortiert nach PI-Code, angelegt. Im Schritt 9 wird dann geprüft, ob empfangswürdige RDS-Sender gefunden wurden. Bei negativem Ergebnis wird, zurückkehrend zum Schritt 8, der Suchlauf wiederholt, bei positivem Resultat werden die gefundenen RDS-Sender bezüglich ihrer Feldstärke und ihrer Länderkennung bewertet und aus der Senderliste ausgelesen. Die Prüfung, ob die Länderkennung einer der Senderliste entnommenen Empfangsfrequenz der Nationalität des ursprünglich empfangenen Senders entspricht, erfolgt im Schritt 11.If no alternative frequency with an identical PI code that is worth receiving is found and it is recognized in step 7 that all the alternative frequencies contained in the working memory 13 have been tested, in step 8 a search for RDS stations or for RDS traffic radio stations (depending on the device programming) is carried out via the entire reception frequency range started. A list of all the RDS stations found, sorted by PI code, is created in the second memory level of the RAM 13. Step 9 then checks whether RDS stations worth receiving have been found. If the result is negative, the search is repeated, returning to step 8; if the result is positive, the RDS stations found are evaluated with regard to their field strength and their country code and read from the station list. The check whether the country code of a reception frequency taken from the station list corresponds to the nationality of the station originally received is carried out in step 11.

Solange eine abweichende Länderkennung festgestellt wird, kehrt das Programm über Schritt 12 zum Schritt 10 zurück, bis die gesamte Senderliste ausgelesen ist. Ab diesem Zeitpunkt folgt dem Schritt 12 der Programmschritt 13, bei dem gefragt ist, ob nur RDS-Sender mit identischer Länderkennung zugelassen sind. Die Frage im Programmschritt 13 wird durch die Stellung des im Blockschaltbild, Fig. 2, symbolisch dargestellten Schalters 10 entschieden. Ist Schalter 10 geöffnet (wird also die Frage im Programmschritt 13 verneint), so wird beim nochmaligen Auslesen der Senderliste auch ein RDS-Sender mit abweichender Länderkennung vom Mikroprozessor 9 in den Arbeitsspeicher (erste Speicherebene des RAM-Speichers 13) geladen. Ist der Schalter 10 geschlossen, d.h. sind nur RDS-Sender mit identischer Länderkennung erlaubt, so kehrt das Programm vom Schritt 13 zum Schritt 8 zurück, wodurch ein erneuter Sendersuchlauf ausgelöst wird.As long as a different country code is determined, the program returns to step 10 via step 12 until the entire station list has been read out. From this point on, step 12 is followed by program step 13, in which it is asked whether only RDS stations with identical country codes are permitted. The question in program step 13 is decided by the position of the switch 10 symbolically represented in the block diagram, FIG. 2. If switch 10 is open (if the question in program step 13 is answered in the negative), then when the station list is read again, an RDS station with a different country code is also loaded from the microprocessor 9 into the main memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13). If the switch 10 is closed, i.e. if only RDS stations with identical country codes are allowed, the program returns from step 13 to step 8, which triggers a new station search.

Der Programmschritt 14 folgt, wenn von Schritt 6, 11 oder 13 eine neue Empfangsfrequenz zur Abstimmung des Tuners 1 angeboten wird. Dabei wird diese Frequenz zusammen mit dem PI-Code als neue Mutterfrequenz im Arbeitsspeicher (erste Speicherebene des RAM-Speichers 13) fixiert. Resultierend aus Programmschritt 13 kann dadurch auch eine neue Länderkennung als Bezugsinformation für weitere Sendersuchläufe festgelegt werden.Program step 14 follows when step 6, 11 or 13 offers a new reception frequency for tuning tuner 1. This frequency is fixed together with the PI code as the new mother frequency in the main memory (first memory level of the RAM memory 13). As a result of program step 13, a new country code can also be defined as reference information for further station searches.

Im Schritt 15 wird schließlich die Stummschaltung der Endstufe 4 über die Schalteinrichtung 8 wieder aufgehoben. Das Programm kehrt dann zum Schritt 1 zurück und leitet bei erneuter Empfangsstörung die gleiche vorbeschriebene Frequenzwechselroutine ein.In step 15, the muting of the final stage 4 is finally canceled via the switching device 8. The program then returns to step 1 and initiates the same frequency change routine described above in the event of another reception disturbance.

Aus der vorangehenden Beschreibung geht hervor, daß das RDS-Empfangsgerät bei Verschlechterung der Empfangsqualität bei geöffnetem Schalter 10 (gleichbedeutend mit nicht vorhandenem Schalter) zunächst nur nach RDS-Sendefrequenzen sucht, die mit gleicher Länderkennung im PI-Code ausgestrahlt werden. Erst wenn die Suche, auch über den gesamten Empfangsfrequenzbereich erfolglos bleibt, wird ein RDS-Sender mit abweichender Länderkennung akzeptiert und als neuer Muttersender im Arbeitsspeicher festgehalten.From the preceding description it is apparent that the RDS receiving device in the event of deterioration in the reception quality with switch 10 open (synonymous with non-existent switch) initially only searches for RDS transmission frequencies which are broadcast with the same country code in the PI code. Only if the search is unsuccessful, even over the entire reception frequency range, is an RDS transmitter with a different country code accepted and recorded as a new mother transmitter in the working memory.

Die Endstufe des Empfangsgerätes wird so lange stummgeschaltet, bis ein empfangswürdiges Programm wieder zur Verfügung steht.The output stage of the receiving device is muted until a program worth receiving is available again.

Bei geschlossenem Schalter 10 beschränkt sich die Suche nach Ausweichfrequenzen ausschließlich auf Sendestationen mit gleicher Länderkennung, was ein Rundfunkhörer begrüßen wird, der sich häufig mit seinem mobilen Empfangsgerät entlang der Grenze zu einem fremdsprachigen Nachbarland bewegt. Bei Grenzüberschreitung muß er dann zur Anpassung des Empfangsgerätes an eine neue Länderkennung den Schalter 10 zumindest vorübergehend öffnen.When switch 10 is closed, the search for alternative frequencies is limited only to transmitting stations with the same country code, which will be welcomed by a radio listener who often moves with his mobile receiving device along the border to a foreign-language neighboring country. If the limit is exceeded, he must then at least temporarily open switch 10 to adapt the receiving device to a new country code.

Claims (3)

  1. RDS radio receiver, in particular RDS car radio, having electronic tuning and memory elements, having a device for assessing the reception quality and having a central control unit which initiates an automatic station search as soon as the programme currently received and its associated alternative frequencies are no longer receivable, characterized in that the central control unit (9) evaluates the country identification supplied by the RDS decoder (7) and contained in the PI code of the RDS data signal and, on comparing it with the country identification of the programme received before the start of the search, preferably transfers only receivable RDS reception frequencies having the same country identification to the working memory (13) and also stores programmes of the neighbouring country only after an unsuccessful search of the entire reception frequency range.
  2. RDS radio receiver according to Claim 1, characterized in that a central control unit (9) is designed as a microprocessor and can be additionally programmed via a mechanical or an electronic switch (10) in such a way that, during an automatic search, only stations are selected which have the country identification received before the start of the search.
  3. RDS radio receiver according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, during the station search, the output stage (4) is muted by the central control unit (9) by means of a switching device (8) and in that said muting continues to be maintained until a programme having adequate reception quality can be received again.
EP90124163A 1989-12-21 1990-12-14 RDS broadcast receiver with a device for preferential reception of programs with the same country code Expired - Lifetime EP0433904B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3942339 1989-12-21
DE3942339A DE3942339A1 (en) 1989-12-21 1989-12-21 RDS BROADCAST RECEIVER WITH A DEVICE FOR PREFERABLY RECEIVING PROGRAMS WITH THE SAME COUNTRY DETECTION

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EP0433904A2 EP0433904A2 (en) 1991-06-26
EP0433904A3 EP0433904A3 (en) 1992-03-04
EP0433904B1 true EP0433904B1 (en) 1994-11-02

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EP90124163A Expired - Lifetime EP0433904B1 (en) 1989-12-21 1990-12-14 RDS broadcast receiver with a device for preferential reception of programs with the same country code

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AT (1) ATE113777T1 (en)
DE (2) DE3942339A1 (en)

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DE4206475C1 (en) * 1992-03-02 1993-07-08 Blaupunkt-Werke Gmbh, 3200 Hildesheim, De
JP3320915B2 (en) * 1994-09-07 2002-09-03 パイオニア株式会社 Network follow processing method and RDS receiver executing the same
DE19638482A1 (en) * 1996-09-20 1998-04-02 Bosch Gmbh Robert Procedure for selecting a transmission frequency
DE19723290A1 (en) 1997-06-04 1998-12-10 Thomson Brandt Gmbh Method of programming a television receiver
FR2792795B1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2001-07-13 Sagem AMPLIFIED LISTENING SYSTEM AND HANDS-FREE MOBILE TELEPHONY METHOD
KR20060123722A (en) * 2003-09-24 2006-12-04 쥐엔 넷컴 에이/에스 A handsfree kit for a mobile telephone
DE102012204090A1 (en) * 2012-03-15 2013-09-19 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Device for receiving and reproducing radio signals by broadcast stations for e.g. compact disk player in motor car, has control unit determining presence of device in tunnel and frequency of radio signal, which is received by tunnel station
DE102014201602A1 (en) 2014-01-29 2015-07-30 Continental Automotive Gmbh System and method for detecting geographic regions for mobile receivers and methods

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EP0275527A1 (en) * 1986-12-19 1988-07-27 TELEFUNKEN Fernseh und Rundfunk GmbH Method for the transmission and/or the use at the reception of additional information within a radio signal
GB8719944D0 (en) * 1987-08-24 1987-09-30 British Broadcasting Corp Radio data system receivers
JP2571247B2 (en) * 1988-01-07 1997-01-16 パイオニア株式会社 Receiving frequency selection method for radio data receiver
JP2647671B2 (en) * 1988-02-05 1997-08-27 パイオニア株式会社 Receiving machine
GB8806200D0 (en) * 1988-03-16 1988-04-13 British Broadcasting Corp Improvements to rds radio receivers

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Publication number Publication date
DE3942339C2 (en) 1993-09-23
ATE113777T1 (en) 1994-11-15
DE59007629D1 (en) 1994-12-08
DE3942339A1 (en) 1991-06-27
EP0433904A3 (en) 1992-03-04
EP0433904A2 (en) 1991-06-26

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