HD Radio Equipment Certification

Intertek conducts HD Radio Certification Testing with iBiquity’s approval. Not only does Intertek provide HD Radio certification testing, but one-stop-shop service packages are also available.

Intertek is a major partner of iBiquity in certification testing services. Every HD Radio receiver has to fulfill iBiquity's requirements for performance. This is achieved by a certification process that iBiquity has developed.

Certification Parameters 

• Sensitivity
• Bit Error Rate testing
• Functional check
• Audio quality verification
• Blend alignment
• Acquisition time

About HD Radio Broadcasting 

HD Radio technology, developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation, enables AM and FM radio stations to broadcast their programs digitally. The more than 1,800 HD Radio stations in the United States offer crystal-clear audio – AM sounds like traditional FM, FM approaches CD quality – as well as advanced data services and additional FM channels, called multicasts, all subscription free.  Over 80 different HD Radio receivers are available: from table top receivers and stereo component systems to and in-dash automotive and marine radios. And the technology is increasingly available as a factory-installed feature on many automotive lines.

Digital HD Radio technology uses the same frequencies as AM and FM. With digital broadcasting, text data and one frequency multiple program (FM only, called “multiplexing”) functionality can be achieved—that is, higher sound quality and more information.  With HD Radio technology, broadcasters can use the current radio spectrum to transmit free analog simultaneously with new higher quality digital signals. This eliminates the static, hiss, pops and fades associated with today’s radio caused by conditions known as multipath, noise and interference.

HD Radio technology is the only digital broadcast system approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for AM and FM radio in the United States. With more than 1,800 HD Radio stations on the air in the US plus more than 900 new HD2/3 channels, iBiquity is also pursuing international opportunities. Due in large part to HD Radio technology’s ability to deliver digital-quality sound and services while leveraging existing analog spectrum, HD Radio technology is available throughout the U.S. and commercial implementation is gaining momentum in various countries, including Brazil, Mexico and The Philippines. Testing and demonstrations of the system are also underway in Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand and Ukraine, Vietnam and various other countries around the world.

About iBiquity Digital 

iBiquity Digital is the developer and licenser of HD Radio technology, which is transforming AM and FM broadcasting with vastly increased number of channels, drastically improved sound quality and an array of new data services. iBiquity is actively engaged with broadcasters; receiver, component and broadcast equipment manufacturers; automotive manufacturers and retailers in the United States and around the world to ensure swift and successful adoption of HD Radio technology.  Any manufacturer of HD Radio equipment must have HD Radio certification through iBiquity.

iBiquity Digital's investors include 15 of the nation's top radio broadcasters, including ABC, Clear Channel and CBS Radio; leading financial institutions, such as Grotech Capital Group, J.P. Morgan Partners, New Venture Partners, FirstMark Capital, and strategic partners Ford Motor Company, Harris, Texas Instruments and Visteon. Founded in 2000, iBiquity Digital is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Detroit, MI, and Basking Ridge, NJ. For more information, please visit  www.ibiquity.com.

Facts about HD Radio Technology 

IBiquity is leading a market-driven change from traditional analog radio to fully digital radio.  Factors supporting this change include:

• HD Radio technology has better sound quality: AM stations sound like FM, and FM stations have CD-like quality sound
• HD Radio technology provides listeners with text information in supplement with audio, for example song name/artist, local news & weather information, etc.
• There is no subscription fee for HD Radio broadcasts with a new HD Radio receiver
• Using the same frequency as traditional AM/FM broadcasts, HD Radio technology allows listeners a smooth transition from analog to digital
• HD Radio broadcasting now having covers of over 84% of the population of U.S., with plans to expand coverage all over the world
• Major manufacturers are producing HD Radio receivers, including Alpine, JVC, Jensen, Pioneer, Kenwood and Sony.
• HD Radio receivers are available at most retailers
• Major automotive manufacturers are committed to including HD Radio technology as factory-installed feature: Audi, BMW, Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, Hyundai (Genesis), Jaguar, Mercedes, MINI USA, Toyota (Scion), and Volvo

Intertek provides a full package of services in addition to HD Radio certification, including:

• US: FCC+ETL+HD Certification.
• Canada: IC+cETL+HD Cert.
• Europe: EMC/ R&TTE Directives+ Safety+ HD Cert.
• Other Countries: Regional Regulatory Requirements+ HD Cert.

Moreover, Intertek also can provide support during the development process, including:

• Full certification service
• Walk-in service
• Technical support
• Follow-up on your test project with iBiquity

*HD Radio and the HD Radio logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp 

Contact us to see how Intertek can help your organization with HD Radio Equipment Certification.