ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)

Radio Broadcasting Systems; Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) to mobile, portable and fixed receivers

REN/JTC-DAB-114

Sistemi radiodifuzije - Digitalna zvokovna radiodifuzija (DAB) za mobilne, prenosne in fiksne sprejemnike

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Technical Committee: BROADCAS - EBU/CENELEC/ETSI on Broadcasting
• Current Stage: 9 - Start of OAP
• Due Date: 27-Feb-2026
• Completion Date: 27-Feb-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 300 401 V2.2.1:2026 - Radio Broadcasting Systems - Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) to mobile, portable and fixed receivers

Standards Content (Sample)

Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)

EUROPEAN STANDARD
Radio Broadcasting Systems;
Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) to mobile,
portable and fixed receivers
2 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)

Reference
REN/JTC-DAB-114
Keywords
audio, broadcasting, DAB, data, digital, terrestrial

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ETSI
3 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 7
Foreword . 7
Modal verbs terminology . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 References . 9
2.1 Normative references . 9
2.2 Informative references . 10
3 Definition of terms, symbols, abbreviations and conventions . 10
3.1 Terms . 10
3.2 Symbols . 13
3.2.0 General . 13
3.2.1 Arithmetic operators . 13
3.2.2 Logical and set operators . 13
3.2.3 Functions . 13
3.2.4 Constants . 13
3.3 Abbreviations . 13
3.4 Conventions . 15
4 Basic DAB system description . 15
4.0 General . 15
4.1 Transport mechanisms . 17
4.2 Multiplex Configuration Information (MCI) . 19
4.3 Audio coding . 19
4.4 Service Information (SI) . 19
4.5 Conditional Access (CA) . 19
4.6 Energy dispersal . 19
4.7 Convolutional coding . 19
4.8 Time interleaving . 20
4.9 Common Interleaved Frame (CIF) . 20
4.10 DAB transmission signal . 20
4.11 Radio frequency parameters . 20
5 Transport mechanisms . 20
5.1 Introduction . 20
5.2 Fast Information Channel (FIC) . 22
5.2.1 Fast Information Block (FIB) . 22
5.2.2 Fast Information Group (FIG) . 23
5.2.2.0 Introduction . 23
5.2.2.1 MCI and SI: FIG type 0 data field . 24
5.2.2.2 Labels: FIG type 1 data field . 25
5.2.2.3 Extended labels: FIG type 2 data field . 26
5.2.2.3.1 FIG type 2 . 26
5.2.2.3.2 Structure of the extended label data field . 27
5.2.2.3.3 Segmentation . 28
5.2.2.3.4 Receiver considerations . 28
5.2.2.4 CA: FIG type 6 data field . 28
5.2.2.5 Summary of available FIGs. 29
5.3 Main Service Channel (MSC) . 30
5.3.0 General . 30
5.3.1 Stream mode . 30
5.3.2 Packet mode - network level . 30
5.3.2.0 Introduction . 30
5.3.2.1 Packet header . 31
5.3.2.2 Packet data field . 31
5.3.2.3 Packet CRC . 32
5.3.3 Packet mode - data group level . 32
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4 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
5.3.3.0 Introduction . 32
5.3.3.1 MSC data group header . 33
5.3.3.2 Session header . 33
5.3.3.3 MSC data group data field . 34
5.3.3.4 MSC data group CRC . 34
5.3.4 Interrelation of network and transport level in packet mode . 34
5.3.5 FEC for MSC packet mode . 35
5.3.5.0 Introduction . 35
5.3.5.1 FEC frame . 36
5.3.5.2 Transport of RS data . 36
5.3.5.3 Receiver considerations . 38
6 Multiplex Configuration Information (MCI). 38
6.1 Introduction . 38
6.2 Sub-channel organization . 40
6.2.0 General . 40
6.2.1 Basic sub-channel organization . 40
6.2.2 FEC sub-channel organization . 44
6.3 Service organization . 44
6.3.0 General . 44
6.3.1 Basic service and service component definition . 45
6.3.2 Service component in packet mode with or without Conditional Access . 46
6.3.3 Service component with Conditional Access in stream mode . 47
6.3.4 Void . 48
6.3.5 Service component global definition . 48
6.3.6 User application information . 49
6.3.7 Locating service components . 51
6.3.7.1 Service component identification . 51
6.3.7.2 Stream audio service components . 51
6.3.7.3 Stream data service components . 51
6.3.7.4 Packet data service components . 52
6.4 Ensemble and configuration information . 52
6.4.1 Ensemble information . 52
6.4.2 Configuration information . 53
6.5 Multiplex reconfiguration . 54
7 Audio coding . 54
7.1 Introduction . 54
7.2 Void . 55
7.3 Void . 55
7.4 Programme Associated Data (PAD) . 55
7.4.0 Introduction. 55
7.4.1 Coding of F-PAD . 55
7.4.2 Structure of X-PAD . 57
7.4.2.0 General . 57
7.4.2.1 Short X-PAD . 58
7.4.2.2 Variable size X-PAD. 58
7.4.3 Application types . 59
7.4.4 Contents indicator . 60
7.4.4.1 Contents indicator in short X-PAD . 60
7.4.4.2 Contents indicator in variable size X-PAD . 60
7.4.5 Applications in X-PAD . 61
7.4.5.0 Introduction . 61
7.4.5.1 MSC data groups in X-PAD . 61
7.4.5.1.0 Introduction . 61
7.4.5.1.1 X-PAD data group for data group length indicator . 61
7.4.5.1.2 X-PAD data group for MSC data group . 62
7.4.5.1.3 Transport of MSC data groups in short X-PAD . 62
7.4.5.1.4 Transport of MSC data groups in variable-sized X-PAD . 62
7.4.5.2 Dynamic label . 62
8 Service Information . 65
8.1 Service Information (SI) . 65
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5 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
8.1.1 Introduction. 65
8.1.2 Service component language . 67
8.1.3 Time and country identifier . 68
8.1.3.1 Date and time (d&t) . 68
8.1.3.2 Country, LTO and International table . 69
8.1.4 Service Component Information . 70
8.1.5 Programme Type . 72
8.1.6 Announcements . 73
8.1.6.0 General . 73
8.1.6.1 Announcement support . 73
8.1.6.2 Announcement switching . 74
8.1.6.3 OE Announcement support . 75
8.1.6.4 OE Announcement switching. 76
8.1.7 EWS information . 77
8.1.8 Frequency Information . 80
8.1.9 Void . 84
8.1.10 OE Services . 84
8.1.11 Void . 85
8.1.12 Void . 85
8.1.13 Ensemble label . 85
8.1.14 Service label. 85
8.1.14.1 Programme service label . 85
8.1.14.2 Data service label . 86
8.1.14.3 Service component label . 86
8.1.14.4 X-PAD user application label . 87
8.1.15 Service linking information . 87
9 Conditional Access (CA). 90
10 Energy dispersal . 90
10.1 General procedure . 90
10.2 Energy dispersal as applied in the Fast Information Channel . 90
10.3 Energy dispersal as applied in the Main Service Channel . 91
11 Convolutional coding . 91
11.0 Introduction . 91
11.1 Convolutional code. 91
11.1.1 Mother code . 91
11.1.2 Puncturing procedure . 92
11.2 Coding in the Fast Information Channel . 94
11.2.1 Transmission mode I . 94
11.3 Coding in the Main Service Channel . 94
11.3.0 Introduction. 94
11.3.1 Unequal Error Protection (UEP) coding . 94
11.3.2 Equal Error Protection (EEP) coding . 97
11.3.3 Future error protection coding . 98
12 Time interleaving . 99
13 Common Interleaved Frame . 105
14 DAB transmission signal . 105
14.1 General principles. 105
14.2 Structure of the main signal . 106
14.3 Synchronization channel . 109
14.3.0 Introduction. 109
14.3.1 Null symbol . 109
14.3.2 Phase reference symbol . 109
14.3.3 Time reference . 110
14.4 Block partitioning and association of blocks to OFDM symbols . 110
14.4.0 Introduction. 110
14.4.1 Block partitioning and association of blocks to OFDM symbols in the Fast Information Channel . 111
14.4.1.1 Transmission mode I . 111
14.4.2 Block partitioning and association of blocks to OFDM symbols in the Main Service Channel . 112
ETSI
6 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
14.4.2.1 Transmission mode I . 112
14.5 QPSK symbol mapper . 113
14.6 Frequency interleaving . 113
14.6.0 Introduction. 113
14.6.1 Transmission mode I . 114
14.7 Differential modulation . 114
14.8 Transmitter Identification Information signal . 115
14.8.0 Introduction. 115
14.8.1 Transmission mode I . 116
15 Radio frequency characteristics . 118
15.1 Use of the transmission mode. 118
15.2 Time characteristics . 118
15.3 Spectrum characteristics . 119
15.4 Spectrum mask . 120
15.5 Permitted values of the central frequency . 120
Annex A (normative): DAB location coding . 121
A.1 Introduction . 121
A.2 Coordinates . 121
A.3 Division into zones . 121
A.4 Division of the banded zones . 123
A.5 Division of the polar zones . 124
Annex B: Void . 127
Annex C: Void . 128
Annex D (informative): Multiplex reconfiguration . 129
Annex E (normative): Calculation of the CRC word . 131
History . 132

ETSI
7 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
Intellectual Property Rights
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Foreword
This draft European Standard (EN) has been produced by Joint Technical Committee (JTC) Broadcast of the European
Broadcasting Union (EBU), Comité Européen de Normalisation ELECtrotechnique (CENELEC) and the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and is now submitted for the combined Public Enquiry and Vote phase
of the ETSI EN Approval Procedure (ENAP).
NOTE 1: The EBU/ETSI JTC Broadcast was established in 1990 to co-ordinate the drafting of standards in the
specific field of broadcasting and related fields. Since 1995 the JTC Broadcast became a tripartite body
by including in the Memorandum of Understanding also CENELEC, which is responsible for the
standardization of radio and television receivers. The EBU is a professional association of broadcasting
organizations whose work includes the co-ordination of its members' activities in the technical, legal,
programme-making and programme-exchange domains. The EBU has active members in about
60 countries in the European broadcasting area; its headquarters is in Geneva.
European Broadcasting Union
CH-1218 GRAND SACONNEX (Geneva)
Switzerland
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
The Eureka Project 147 was established in 1987, with funding from the European Commission, to develop a system for
the broadcasting of audio and data to fixed, portable or mobile receivers. Their work resulted in the publication of ®
European Standard, ETSI ETS 300 401 [i.1], for DAB (see note) which now has worldwide acceptance. ®
NOTE 2: DAB is a registered trademark owned by one of the Eureka Project 147 partners.
® ®
The DAB family of standards is supported by World DAB , an organization with members drawn from broadcasting
organizations and telecommunication providers together with companies from the professional and consumer
electronics industry.
ETSI
8 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
With respect to the previous version of ETSI EN 300 401 [i.2] published in January 2017, the present document
contains several refinements to the DAB system. These refinements were performed and agreed by the WorldDAB
Forum and include the following areas:
• inclusion of new and revised FIGs;
• provision of signalling for indication of services with public prominence;
• addition of the DAB location coding system.

Proposed national transposition dates
Date of latest announcement of this EN (doa): 3 months after ETSI publication
Date of latest publication of new National Standard
or endorsement of this EN (dop/e): 6 months after doa
Date of withdrawal of any conflicting National Standard (dow): 6 months after doa

Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and
"cannot" are to be interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of
provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
ETSI
9 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
1 Scope
The present document establishes a broadcasting standard for the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) system designed
for delivery of high-quality digital audio and video programmes and data services for mobile, portable and fixed
reception from terrestrial transmitters in the Very High Frequency (VHF) frequency bands as well as for distribution
through cable networks. The DAB system is designed to provide spectrum and power efficient techniques in terrestrial
transmitter network planning, known as the Single Frequency Network (SFN) and the gap-filling technique. The DAB
system meets the required sharing criteria with other radiocommunication services.
The present document defines the DAB transmission signal. It includes the coding algorithms for multiplexing of audio
and video programmes and data services, channel coding and modulation. Provision is also made for transmission of
additional data services which may be programme related or not, within the limit of the total system capacity. The
present document provides information on the system configuration which includes information about the ensembles,
services, service components and linking of them.
The present document describes the nominal characteristics of the emitted DAB signal. The aspects related to the
receiver design are outside the scope of the present document.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found in the
ETSI docbox.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
[1] ETSI TS 103 466: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); DAB audio coding (MPEG Layer II)".
[2] ETSI TS 102 563: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Transport of Advanced Audio Coding
(AAC) audio".
[3] ETSI TS 101 756: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Registered Tables".
[4] ETSI TS 102 367: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Conditional access".
[5] ETSI TS 103 176: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Rules of implementation; Service
information features".
[6] ETSI EN 301 234: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Multimedia Object Transfer (MOT)
protocol".
[7] ETSI TS 102 980: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Dynamic Label Plus (DL Plus);
Application specification".
[8] ETSI ES 201 980: "Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM); System Specification".
[9] ETSI TS 102 386: "Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM); AM signalling system (AMSS)".
[10] IEC 62106: "Radio data system (RDS) - VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range from
64,0 MHz to 108,0 MHz".
ETSI
10 Draft ETSI EN 300 401 V2.2.1 (2026-02)
[11] Recommendation ITU-T X.25: "Interface between Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data
Circuit-terminating Equipment (DCE) for terminals operating in the packet mode and connected to
public data networks by dedicated circuit".
[12] ETSI TS 104 089: "Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Emergency Warning System (EWS);
Definition and rules of behaviour".
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents may be useful in implementing an ETSI deliverable or add to the reader's
understanding, but are not required for conformance to the present document.
[i.1] ETSI ETS 300 401 (edition 1) (1995): "Radio Broadcasting Systems; Digital Audio Broadcasting
(DAB) to mobile, portable and fixed receivers".
[i.2] ETSI EN 300 401 (V2.1.1) (2017): "Radio Broadcasting Systems; Digital Audio Broadcasting
(DAB) to mobile, portable and fixed receivers".
3 Definition of terms, symbols, abbreviations and
conventions
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms apply:
Access Control System (ACS): particular set of rules for managing entitlement checking and conditional access
messages
announcement cluster: group of services which share the same announcement interruption privileges
Capacity Unit (CU): smallest addressable unit (64 bits) of the Common Interleaved F
...