IEC 62106-6:2023

Radio data system (RDS) - VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range from 64,0 MHz to 108,0 MHz - Part 6: Compilation of technical specifications for Open Data Applications in the public domain

IEC 62106-6:2023 contains the technical specifications for Open Data Applications in the public domain. This document is maintained by the RDS Forum Office. The RDS Forum Office applies an easy procedure for registering new Open Data Applications, to ensure that they can be used without the need to change the RDS standard. The ODA feature permits defining new applications that can be decoded on a receiver. The receiver needs to the adequate software handler for the specific AID, which identifies the application. Receivers that have not implemented the software handler needed for decoding are not affected by ODA data received for any of the applications already defined and specified. The procedure for registering a new ODA is described in IEC 62106-3.
IEC 62106-6:2023 cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2018. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Annex E: coding of station logo;
b) Annex F: coding of slideshow;
c) Annex G: coding of internet connection;
d) Annex H: ODA tool – RDS data stream NFM.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-May-2023
• ICS: 33.160.40 - Video systems
• Technical Committee: TA 1 - Terminals for audio, video and data services and content
• Drafting Committee: MT 62106 - TC 100/TA 1/MT 62106
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 23-Jun-2023
• Completion Date: 26-May-2023

Relations

• Revises: IEC 62106-6:2018 - Radio data system (RDS) - VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range from 64,0 MHz to 108,0 MHz - Part 6: Compilation of technical specifications for Open Data Applications in the public domain
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62106-6 ®
Edition 2.0 2023-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Radio data system (RDS) – VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range
from 64,0 MHz to 108,0 MHz –
Part 6: Compilation of technical specifications for Open Data Applications in the
public domain
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc

If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].
IEC 62106-6 ®
Edition 2.0 2023-05
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Radio data system (RDS) – VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range

from 64,0 MHz to 108,0 MHz –
Part 6: Compilation of technical specifications for Open Data Applications in the

public domain
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.160.40  ISBN 978-2-8322-7052-3

– 2 – IEC 62106-6:2023 © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms and conventions . 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 9
3.3 Notation and conventions . 9
4 ODAs in the public domain . 9
4.1 ODAs in the group type A structure . 9
4.1.1 Traffic Message Channel (TMC) . 9
4.1.2 Other public ODAs . 9
4.2 ODAs in the group type C structure for the upper data-streams 1, 2 and 3 . 9
5 Protocol to stream RDS on bearers different from FM (NFM) . 9
Annex A (normative) Coding of RadioText Plus (RT+) tagging information for
RadioText in group type 2A/B . 10
A.1 General . 10
A.2 Terms used . 10
A.3 RT+ tag. 11
A.4 RT+ information elements and data model . 12
A.4.1 General . 12
A.4.2 List of RT content types . 12
A.4.3 Structures of RT+ messages . 13
A.4.4 Receiver data model . 14
A.5 RT+ coding for RT . 15
A.5.1 General . 15
A.5.2 RT+ identification (group type 3A) . 16
A.5.3 Coding of the RT+ tag . 17
A.5.4 Clearing of RT+ messages. 18
A.6 Broadcasting conventions . 22
A.7 Receiving conventions . 22
A.8 Marking . 22
Annex B (normative) Coding of RadioText Plus(RT+) tagging information for
RadioText in the eRT ODA of Annex C . 23
Annex C (normative) Coding of enhanced RadioText (eRT) . 24
C.1 General . 24
C.2 Coding eRT in ODA groups . 24
C.2.1 General . 24
C.2.2 eRT identification (Group type 3A) and coding of the text string . 24
C.2.3 Coding of the eRT text string . 25
C.2.4 UTF-8 decoding problems when used with RT+ . 26
C.3 Broadcasting conventions . 26
C.4 Receiving conventions . 26
C.5 Marking . 26
Annex D (normative) Coding of AF lists in the frequency range 64,1 MHz to
107,9 MHz: ODA-AF . 27

D.1 Objective to be achieved . 27
D.2 Description of the coding process . 27
D.2.1 ODA-AF identification (group type 3A) . 27
D.2.2 AF coding in the application group . 28
D.2.3 AF method A. 30
D.2.4 AF method B. 30
D.2.5 Convention for identification of the AF method used . 32
Annex E (normative) Station logo transmission coded in group type C . 33
E.1 Objective to be achieved . 33
E.2 Application identification code of this ODA . 33
E.3 Station logo requirements . 33
E.3.1 File type . 33
E.3.2 Logo resolution, file ID, file version and file size . 33
E.3.3 File transport . 34
E.3.4 Display mode . 34
E.3.5 Link of the logo with the PI code . 34
Annex F (normative) ODA app – Slideshow transmission coded in C-group type . 35
F.1 Objectives to be achieved . 35
F.2 Application identification code of this ODA . 35
F.3 Image requirements . 35
F.3.1 File type . 35
F.3.2 Resolution and file size . 35
F.4 Text character coding . 36
F.5 Slide structure and file elements used . 36
F.6 Slide carousel used by the broadcaster, file updating and file transmission . 38
F.7 File transport . 38
F.7.1 General . 38
F.7.2 Identification of the files . 38
F.8 Directory trigger group . 39
F.8.1 Function . 39
F.8.2 Specification . 39
F.9 Receiver display mode options . 40
Annex G (normative) Internet connection options coded in C-group type . 41
G.1 Objective to be achieved . 41
G.2 Application identification code of this ODA . 41
G.3 Choice of the ODA channel number . 41
G.4 Coding of IP address with port number . 41
G.4.1 General . 41
G.4.2 IPv4 coding . 41
G.4.3 IPv6 coding . 42
G.4.4 IP address and port number coded as URL text . 43
Annex H (normative) ODA tool – RDS data mode NFM . 44
H.1 Objective to be achieved . 44
H.2 Specification of the NFM protocol . 44
Bibliography . 46

Figure A.1 – Example 1: RT+ information of the category 'Item' (see Table A.2) will be

attached to the programme elements Item 1 and Item 2 . 15

– 4 – IEC 62106-6:2023 © IEC 2023
Figure A.2 – Example 2: RT+ information of the category 'Item' will be attached to the
programme elements Item 1 and Item 2, but not to the programme element News . 15
Figure A.3 – Example 3: RT+ information of the category 'Item' will be attached only to

the programme element Item 1, but not to the programme element Talk .
...

IEC 62106-6 ®
Edition 2.0 2023-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Radio data system (RDS) – VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range
from 64,0 MHz to 108,0 MHz –
Part 6: Compilation of technical specifications for Open Data Applications in the
public domain
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Secretariat Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform IEC Products & Services Portal - products.iec.ch
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a Discover our powerful search engine and read freely all the
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical publications previews. With a subscription you will always have
committee, …). It also gives information on projects, replaced access to up to date content tailored to your needs.
and withdrawn publications.
Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished
The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published
containing more than 22 300 terminological entries in English
details all new publications released. Available online and once
and French, with equivalent terms in 19 additional languages.
a month by email.
Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc

If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or need
further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
Centre: [e-mail].
IEC 62106-6 ®
Edition 2.0 2023-05
REDLINE VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Radio data system (RDS) – VHF/FM sound broadcasting in the frequency range
from 64,0 MHz to 108,0 MHz –
Part 6: Compilation of technical specifications for Open Data Applications in the
public domain
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 33.160.40 ISBN 978-2-8322-7088-2

– 2 – IEC 62106-6:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 2
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms, definitions, abbreviated terms and conventions . 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 9
3.3 Notation and conventions . 9
4 ODAs in the public domain . 9
4.1 ODAs in the 37-bit ODA application group type A structure . 9
4.1.1 Traffic Message Channel (TMC) . 9
4.1.2 Other public ODAs . 9
4.2 ODAs in the group type C structure for the upper data-streams 1, 2 and 3 . 9
5 Protocol to stream RDS on bearers different from FM (NFM) . 9
Annex A (normative) Coding of RadioText Plus (RT+) tagging information for
RadioText in group type 2A/B . 10
A.1 General . 10
A.2 Terms used . 10
A.3 RT+ tag. 11
A.4 RT+ information elements and data model . 12
A.4.1 General . 12
A.4.2 List of RT content types . 12
A.4.3 Structures of RT+ messages . 13
A.4.4 Receiver data model . 14
A.5 RT+ coding for RT . 15
A.5.1 General . 15
A.5.2 RT+ identification (group type 3A) . 16
A.5.3 Coding of the RT+ tag . 17
A.5.4 Clearing of RT+ messages. 18
A.6 Broadcasting conventions . 19
A.7 Receiving conventions . 22
A.8 Marking . 22
Annex B (normative) Coding of RadioText Plus(RT+) tagging information for
RadioText in the eRT ODA of Annex C . 23
Annex C (normative) Coding of enhanced RadioText (eRT) . 24
C.1 General . 24
C.2 Coding eRT in ODA groups . 24
C.2.1 General . 24
C.2.2 eRT identification (Group type 3A) and coding of the text string . 24
C.2.3 Coding of the eRT text string . 25
C.2.4 UTF-8 decoding problems when used with RT+ . 26
C.3 Broadcasting conventions . 26
C.4 Receiving conventions . 26
C.5 Marking . 26
Annex D (normative) Coding of AF lists in the frequency range 64,1 MHz to
107,9 MHz: ODA-AF . 27

D.1 Objective to be achieved . 27
D.2 Description of the coding process . 27
D.2.1 ODA-AF identification (group type 3A) . 27
D.2.2 AF coding in the application group . 28
D.2.3 AF method A. 30
D.2.4 AF method B. 30
D.2.5 Convention for identification of the AF method used . 32
Annex E (normative) Station logo transmission coded in group type C . 33
E.1 Objective to be achieved . 33
E.2 Application identification code of this ODA . 33
E.3 Station logo requirements . 33
E.3.1 File type . 33
E.3.2 Logo resolution, file ID, file version and file size . 33
E.3.3 File transport . 34
E.3.4 Display mode . 34
E.3.5 Link of the logo with the PI code . 34
Annex F (normative) ODA app – Slideshow transmission coded in C-group type . 35
F.1 Objectives to be achieved . 35
F.2 Application identification code of this ODA . 35
F.3 Image requirements . 35
F.3.1 File type . 35
F.3.2 Resolution and file size . 35
F.4 Text character coding . 36
F.5 Slide structure and file elements used . 36
F.6 Slide carousel used by the broadcaster, file updating and file transmission . 38
F.7 File transport . 38
F.7.1 General . 38
F.7.2 Identification of the files . 38
F.8 Directory trigger group . 39
F.8.1 Function . 39
F.8.2 Specification . 39
F.9 Receiver display mode options . 40
Annex G (normative) Internet connection options coded in C-group type . 41
G.1 Objective to be achieved . 41
G.2 Application identification code of this ODA . 41
G.3 Choice of the ODA channel number . 41
G.4 Coding of IP address with port number . 41
G.4.1 General . 41
G.4.2 IPv4 coding . 41
G.4.3 IPv6 coding . 42
G.4.4 IP address and port number coded as URL text . 43
Annex H (normative) ODA tool – RDS data mode NFM . 44
H.1 Objective to be achieved . 44
H.2 Specification of the NFM protocol . 44
Bibliography . 46

Figure A.1 – Example 1: RT+ information of the category 'Item' (see Table A.2) will be

attached to the programme elements Item 1 and Item 2 . 15

– 4 – IEC 62106-6:2023 RLV © IEC 2023
Figure A.2 – Example 2: RT+ information of the category 'Item' will be attached to the
programme elements Item 1 and Item 2, but not to the programme element News . 15
Figure A.3 – Example 3: RT+ information of the category 'Item' will be attached only to

the programme element Item 1, but not to the programme element Talk . 15
Figure A.4 – Bit allocation for group 3A (message bits and AID) .
...