Digital radio glossary
Short explanations of the terms that come up with DAB+, FM and buying a radio.
A
- AACAAC, Advanced Audio Coding, is the audio compression method DAB+ uses. It keeps sound quality high at a low data rate.
- AdapterAn adapter adds DAB+ to a car radio or stereo that lacks it by receiving the signal and passing on the sound.
- AnalogueAnalogue means a signal that varies continuously, as FM radio does. It is the opposite of a digital signal made of numbers.
- AntennaThe antenna picks up the radio signal. Its position and length strongly influence how well a DAB+ radio receives stations.
- AUXAUX is an auxiliary audio input, usually a small jack socket, that lets an external device play through a car radio or stereo.
B
- BAKOMBAKOM is the Swiss Federal Office of Communications in Biel. It awards radio licences and manages frequencies.
- Bit rateBit rate is the amount of data per second a station uses for its audio. A higher rate generally allows better sound.
- BluetoothBluetooth is a short-range wireless link used to send audio or calls between a phone, an adapter or a radio and a speaker.
C
- Car radioA car radio is the built-in receiver in a vehicle. Newer ones include DAB+, older ones are often FM only.
- Channel blockA channel block is a defined slice of the radio spectrum used for DAB+. Each block carries one multiplex and is named like 12A.
- CodecA codec is the method that turns audio into compressed data and back again. DAB+ uses the AAC codec.
D
- DABDAB, Digital Audio Broadcasting, is the original digital radio standard from which the newer and more efficient DAB+ was developed.
- DAB+DAB+ is the improved digital radio standard used in Switzerland. It compresses audio more efficiently, so one frequency block carries more programmes.
- DigitalDigital means information coded as numbers. Digital radio such as DAB+ sends sound as data that the radio decodes.
- DLSDLS, Dynamic Label Segment, is the scrolling text on a DAB+ display showing, for example, the current programme or title.
- DVB-TDVB-T is a terrestrial digital television standard. It is a TV system, not a radio standard, and appears here for comparison.
E
F
- Factory resetA factory reset returns a radio to its original settings and deletes stored stations and presets, which often clears persistent faults.
- FirmwareFirmware is the built-in software of a device such as a radio. Updates can fix faults or add features.
- FMFM, frequency modulation, is the analogue radio band used for decades. The German name UKW and the French OUC refer to it.
- FrequencyFrequency is the number of oscillations per second of a radio wave. A station or a DAB+ block is sent on its own frequency.
I
K
L
M
P
R
S
- Service followingService following lets a radio switch automatically to another frequency or source that carries the same station when reception weakens.
- SimulcastSimulcast means broadcasting the same programme at the same time on two systems, for example on FM and on DAB+.
- Single-frequency networkA single-frequency network is a group of transmitters that send the same signal on the same frequency, which DAB+ makes possible.
- SlideshowA slideshow is a series of small pictures that some DAB+ stations send alongside the sound, shown on radios with a colour display.
- SRG SSRSRG SSR is the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, which runs the public radio and television services SRF, RTS and RSI.
- Station scanA station scan makes a radio search all channels and build a list of the stations it can receive at its current location.
- StreamingStreaming means playing audio over the internet as it arrives, without downloading the whole file first.