New context for hybrid broadband broadcast applications using FM, RDS and mobile Internet. Presented to BTAC in Ottawa on November 30 2009

1. Hybrid
FM (+RDS) & Internet
Radio (v3)
François Lefebvre
Communications Research Centre, Canada
BTAC, November 30, 2009
1

2. Why this Topic ?
CRC's interest in
innovative broadcast applications
Extensive knowledge/tools in DAB
But: radio not going digital in Canada soon ?
FM here to stay ?
What can we do with FM ?
2

3. Hybrid ?
Enhanced broadcast services
complementary ”out-of-band” content
(broadcast and/or return channel)
Converged devices
3

4. Why Hybrid ?
Leverage existing infrastructure
- give it a new life -
Transition strategy
- old, old+new (hybrid), new -
Advantageous features of new channel
- cost, capacity, many-to-many, regulation -
It's happening anyways!
4

5. It's Happening:
Broadcast Devices Become Broadband
The Internet
”Coming to all devices near you”
© Allen Qu, Flickr
5

6. Threats (to broadcasters)
● Market fragmentation
● Reduced market shares
● Increased competition
● Non-regulated competition
● Loss of control
➢ Business models
➢ Internet ”content” industry
➢ Consumer electronics manufacturers
➢
3rd party mashups
➢ End-user
➢ Loss of relevance...
But also opportunities...
6

7. HBB Radio Delivery Options
(current Canadian context)
Market Penetration: GOOD POOR NO
7

8. New Trends
8

9. #1 FM + RDS in mobile devices
GSM
Phones
© HTC
9

10. #2 FM by Default (not by Design)
© Broadcom
10

11. #3 Mobile Internet
- 2.5 / 3G
- HSPA convergence in Canada (single standard)
- Emergence of mobile Internet devices
- iPhone
- PDA's
- USB keys
11

12. #4 Software-based Platforms
- PC, mobile phone / device, ...
- Developer access to platform resources
- API
- RF interfaces (FM receiver,...)
- Silicon processes (codecs, modem,...)
Consequences:
- Innovation
- New uses created after manufacturing
- Economies of scale – one HW platform
12

13. #4 Software-based Platforms (2)
- 50k Apps in ONE YEAR
- Apps-driven
13

14. #5 Software Apps Stores
Developers: upload / sell / upgrade
Users: download / buy / remove / upgrade
All major players have their own platforms (Apple,
RIM, Nokia, Android...)
Where are the new broadcast Apps ?
14

15. #6 Converged Devices (Hybrid Ready ?)
Personal Home
© Yamaha
© vTech
© Terratec
Car
© PURE
© Garmin
© ROKU
© Pioneer
15

16. #7 NAB : FM in mobile phones
Emergency Alert System
VS
16

17. #8 RDS in GPS Devices
Many existing devices can receive RDS-TMC
Live traffic information
Services exist in Europe
Service being deployed in US / Mexico / Canada ?
© Garmin
17

18. New HBB Radio Apps
(FM + RDS + Internet)
18

19. HBB Radio Apps
- Now playing
- Station ID, song title, artist information, ...
- Dynamic text, top news (text over RDS) ?
- Tagging
iTunes tagging, Zune tagging, other...
- Application triggers
- Notifications (emergencies, mass phoning!)
- Links to online content
- Slideshow
- Electronic program guide
- Live traffic information
- Emulate Microsoft's DirectBand (12kbps, not RDS)
- FM / Internet roaming....
- ...
19

20. Internet Radio Apps for iPhone
© Apple, iTunes Store
20

21. 3G – Speed and Reliability
© PC World, A day in the life of 3G, June 28, 2009
21

22. 3G Radio : End-User Costs ?
AAC + SBR + PS = 48 kbps
=
6 kB/s
=
21.6 MB / hour
30 hours per month = 650 MB
In Canada, 500 MB/month = 25$ - 30$
22

23. iTunes Tagging Explained
- On HD Radio AND FM RDS
- Only HD docking for iPods / iPhones
- Only iPod Nano 5th gen.
- User clicks on special ”tagging” button
- HD: iPod syncs with dock when connected
- iPod / iPhone syncs tags with PC iTunes software
- New tag section on iTunes
- Click to buy...
Microsoft: Zune Tagging on FM / HD Radio
Works with Zune Marketplace
© Microsoft
23

24. iTunes Tagging HD Radio
© iBiquity
24

25. th
iPod Nano 5 Generation
Good
- FM Receiver with RDS
- FM Radio is ”cool”
- Younger generations exposed to FM
- Infrastructure in place (RDS?)
- New revenues : iTunes Tagging
Bad
- No general tagging: only iTunes
- Apple controls to ecosystem
- ”iTuneization” / ”Mainstreamization” of music
- Canadians will now see poor RDS offerings...
25

26. iTunes ”Tagged”
© iBiquity
26

27. Other Tagging Opportunities
- Music sales through various online stores
- Other revenue sharing models
- Open to non-iTunes content (emergent, long-tail,...)
- Tagging of talk radio
- Advertizing tagging
- ....
27

28. Next ?
28

29. RDS in Ottawa, Sept. 2009
(as surveyed with iPod Nano)
RICH=6 BASIC=9 POOR=7 NOT RECEIVED=6
29

30. WANTED:
Open FM RDS Smart Phone
HTC Tattoo HTC Touch Diamond 2
Android Windows mobile
FM API ? FM + RDS
– no mention Open API ?
in android code Unofficial API - YES
RDS ?
© HTC © HTC
30

31. App Example:
Power Radio FM Player for WM
© HTC
31

32. Radio Directories
- Central listings of radio stations
- Detailed stations info + more...
- CE devices and others
- Managed vs unmanaged
- Free vs licensed
FM Radio
Unique internet link
Internet radio
unmanaged, free
Internet radio + DAB
+ FM + ...
Managed, licensed
32

33. RadioDNS
- Central lookup for registered radio stations
- Internet query based on RDS data
- nslookup -type=CNAME 09880.c201.ce1.fm.radiodns.org
- Internet replies with services available, ...
STATUS
- Defining international governance
- Defining 3 applications: EPG, Tagging, VIS
Who will manage canadian domains ?
33

34. BBC RadioDNS
Open Source Demonstration
34

35. Pure Sensia
Internet radio
Wifi
DAB (Band III only)
FM + RDS
Touch
Apps
RadioDNS, ....
35 © Pure

36. Conclusions
- HBB Radio = new opportunity ?
- Hybrid = Out-of-band = more capacity
- Enhanced via Internet = non-regulated
- Democratisation of broadcast innovation ?
- ”Open” devices will be needed
Will FM+RDS be integrated into mobile devices ?
Will FM+RDS be usable via open API ?
- Participate in alignment / standardisation efforts ?
RadioDNS, IMDA, …
- Need to enhance / harmonize RDS infrastructure ?
- Experiment with RadioDNS ?
- CRC willing to explore...
Hybrid FM + RDS + 3G: the new digital radio ?
36