iBiquity Showcases First Transmission of Real-Time Traffic Data Using HD Radio Technology

iBiquity Digital Corporation, the sole developer of HD Radio™ technology, in cooperation with Microspace, NAVTEQ, Broadcast Electronics, Panasonic and Las Vegas Station KSTJ-FM, displayed in its NAB booth #N3334 and BE’s NAB booth #N1902, the first prototype transmission of real-time traffic data using HD Radio technology.

The traffic information that visitors to iBiquity’s booth will see displayed on a Panasonic GPS navigation system is the result of an end-to-end system that exactly replicates how radio stations will commercially bring this valuable service to end users’ radio screens.

“Navigation is just one of many telematics applications that broadcasters will be able to offer to their listeners using the broadcast infrastructure we are showing at NAB,” said Joe D’Angelo, Vice President of Data Business Development, iBiquity Digital Corporation. “This same transmission method could be used to send a host of other types of content to listeners, such as sports’ scores, stock quotes, and any other information that broadcasters want to send for real-time or archival insertion along with their HD Radio broadcasts.”

“HD Radio technology provides an ideal outlet for our satellite services into local radio stations,” said Joe Amor, Vice President and General Manager, Microspace. “We deliver business music to more than 100 million people every day, and now with this demonstration in Las Vegas, we’ve shown that we can deliver real-time digital content to radio listeners using iBiquity’s technology and Microspace’s satellite services.”

“The navigational field is just one of the new data services opening up to broadcasters because of HD Radio. Data opportunities are limitless, but up until now the management of software and broadband links haven’t been available for broadcasters to take advantage of these opportunities. We hope to fill in that gap with these new offerings,” said Ray Miklius, BE Vice President, Studio Products.

iBiquity is planning to test this prototype transmission system on a trial basis to stations in four of its target markets: Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York.

The commercial rollout of HD Radio technology commenced in 2003 when AM and FM stations around the country began digital broadcasting and continued with the launch of HD Radio receivers at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2004. More than 300 radio stations in over 100 U.S. markets across 39 states have licensed HD Radio technology and are live, or in the process of going live, with digital broadcasts.

Thanks to Microspace’s Greg Hurt & Carla Torrence for this capcom story.