Digital Modulation of Several FM Multiplexes
With RDS and TMC Encoder

Car radios are analogue radios: FM will most probably remain the most important transmission mode for mobile radio reception for a long time. In the meantime, administration and additional services for mobile radio receivers become more and more complex: Channel lists, alternative frequency handover, programme and traffic information are essential parts of the Radio Data System (RDS). The car radio must be able to receive and process this information most reliably.

To evaluate the RDS functions' quality, you have to do substantial and complex tests that check how the car radio software deals with errors in the RDS data stream.

For these tests, maintech offers as the most capable device of its class the Multi-FM-Modulator  that is able to modulate several multiplexes – other devices usually feature two paths at most. The Multi-FM-Modulator provides best conditions to simulate a mobile operating of the car radio receiver and to test its RDS software. Thanks to the simultaneous modulation of several signals, automatic frequency changes and channel handovers can be tested optimally.

The handling of TMC information, essential for head units with integrated navigation function and navigation devices with up-to-date traffic information, can be evaluated, too.

Time-consuming testing trips to locations with convenient radio transmitter conditions grow unnecessary; an acquisition of severel expensive single devices generating only one FM signal each can be spared. Modulating up to 24 multiplexes, the Multi FM Modulator can make work easier for car radio and navigation device manufacturers as well as for their customers (e.g. in specification of standard test cases, evaluation).

Further Information: Leaflet Multi-FM-Modulator.pdf

Features

• Modulation of FM signals for RDS software testings of radio receivers and navigation systems

• Efficient solution with one single device

• Digital modulation of up to 24 separate stereo multiplexes

• Automation interface: TCP remote control

• RDS encoder and TMC encoder

• Transmission of RDS signals with programme information (PS, PTY), traffic information (TP, TA, EON) and more

• Optimal solution for testing channel list generation and Alternative Frequency function (AF)

• With TMC: Traffic Message Channel information

• Controlled error generation and fault tracing in the RDS data stream (e.g. inserted bit errors, bit errors with correct checksums etc.)

• Lowest priced solution for testing channel handover

Test Procedure Automation: Remote Control via TCP

For series of tests and automated procedures, the Multi FM Signal Generator is equipped with an TCP interface for remote control of all functions.

With a simple Telnet program, you can send commands and monitor events. Please ask for our client software for a demonstration of the interface.