Applications for a Relatively High Speed FM Subcarrier Data Channel Suitable for Stationary and Mobile Reception

A new FM subcarrier system to provide relatively high speed data to mobile receivers has been developed. DARC (DAta Radio Channel) developed by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) uses an FM radio station to transmit alphanumeric and graphic data. A system utilyzing the DARC technology is currently being tested for use in the U.S. market. The system offers an overall transmission data rate of 16 kbps, without any interference to the stereo program or RBDS (Radio Broadcast Data System). With this large data capacity, FMSS offers consumers a variety of information including real-time traffic information, D-GPS (Differential Global Positioning System) and paging services together with other useful text and graphics information. This paper introduces applications for mobile receivers with descriptions of the transmission system components and recent receiver unit development using a special LSI for DARC.