HD Radio technology is a digital broadcast system for AM and FM radio stations, used mostly in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It broadcasts a digital signal over traditional radio frequencies, allowing for up to three additional channels of new audio programming with crystal clear, static-free sound, as well as on-screen information such as: album art, station logos, song & artist info, traffic, weather and critical emergency alerts.
HD Radio was originally the trademarked term for the in-band on-channel (IBOC) digital radio technology, transmitted using OFDM with an audio compression format called HDC (High-Definition Coding). HDC is a proprietary codec based upon, but incompatible with, the MPEG-4 standard HE-AAC.
The system was developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation, a company formed by the merger of USA Digital Radio consortium and Lucent Digital Radio. iBiquity developed HD Radio, and the system was selected by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2002 as a digital audio broadcasting method for the United States. iBiquity was acquired by DTS in September 2015, and the HD Radio technology and trademarks were subsequently acquired by Xperi in 2016.
“There is no question that, 15 years ago, as the first car partner for the HD Radio system, BMW Group helped revolutionize dashboard entertainment, leading the charge in bringing digital radio into vehicles and offering advanced radio services to car owners,” says Jeff Jury, Xperi SVP and general manager, Connected Car. “We are grateful for the innovative thinking of BMW Group that continues to bring forward-looking technologies into vehicles, helping to shape the future of the in-cabin experience.” Today, HD Radio comes standard in all BMW models in the USA.
Today, HD Radio is available in more than 75 million automobiles worldwide, and has achieved an estimated 85 billion+ listening hours in cars since 2005. Ninety-five+ percent of all Americans are able to receive an HD Radio signal, with 79% of all radio listening to stations broadcasting via HD Radio Technology.
Building on 15 years of HD Radio success and innovation, Xperi has developed a wider range of solutions designed to improve the in-vehicle experience in addition to HD Radio: DTS AutoSense and DTS AutoStage. DTS AutoSense comprises occupancy and driver monitoring systems implemented at the edge. DTS AutoStage, built on the largest and deepest data set of broadcast and music metadata, combines over the air broadcast with IP-delivered content for a robust, richer, more personalized in-cabin infotainment experience.
“As vehicles offer more and more immersive entertainment features to vehicle occupants, it is important to continue to develop technologies that ensure these richer experiences can be consumed and enjoyed with safety as a key consideration, something that the BMW Group continues to do,” says Jury. “Xperi and the BMW Group have partnered to develop the future of the in-cabin experience.”
Xperi technologies holds DTS, HD Radio, IMAX Enhanced, Invensas, TiVo, and Perceive. Xperi technologies are integrated into billions of consumer devices, media platforms, and semiconductors worldwide.
www.hdradio.com | www.xperi.com
