IEC 62104:2015

Overview - IEC 62104:2015 (Characteristics of DAB receivers)

IEC 62104:2015 specifies the functional and performance characteristics of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receivers for consumer equipment operating in VHF Band III for terrestrial and cable reception. The third edition updates the standard to reflect DAB system developments (including DAB audio services per ETSI TS 102 563), adds requirements for displays, text and data applications, and introduces additional test methods for receivers with integrated antennas or without external BER indicators by using an acoustic onset-of-impairment (OOI) method. The standard covers multiple receiver classes and categories - standard and multimedia receivers; domestic, automotive and adapter receivers - and excludes dedicated receivers for specific niche applications.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Receiver classes & functional behavior
  • Definitions for standard vs. multimedia receivers and domestic, automotive, adapter categories.
  • Service selection, multiplex reconfiguration handling, conditional access response and automatic ensemble switching.
• Audio & data handling
  • Support for DAB and DAB+ audio services; display, text labels, dynamic labels and data applications (Journaline, Broadcast Website (BWS), TPEG).
• Interfaces
  • RF input requirements for domestic/portable and automotive receivers; analogue and digital audio interfaces (references to IEC 61938 and IEC 60958-3).
• Performance measurement methods
  • Sensitivity testing using conducted and radiated signals at defined nodes, with both BER and acoustic OOI measurement options.
  • RF performance: sensitivity, maximum input power, adjacent-channel selectivity, far‑off rejection, Rayleigh channel (mobile) performance, acquisition time after synchronization loss.
• Optional features & accessibility
  • Guidance on service lists, displays (signal quality, audio coding info), service-following, announcements, dynamic range control, and accessibility features for visually impaired users.

Practical Applications - Who uses IEC 62104:2015

• Consumer electronics manufacturers designing DAB/DAB+ receivers to ensure interoperability and regulatory compliance.
• Automotive OEMs and Tier‑1 suppliers validating in-vehicle DAB receiver performance in VHF Band III and mobile (Rayleigh) conditions.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies performing RF and audio measurements (BER, acoustic OOI, radiated sensitivity, selectivity).
• Broadcasters and network planners using receiver characteristic profiles to model coverage, service following and ensemble reconfiguration impacts.
• Firmware/UI developers implementing display, text and data application requirements (Journaline, BWS, TPEG).

Related Standards (applicable)

• ETSI TS 102 563 (DAB audio services)
• IEC 61938 (analogue audio interfaces)
• IEC 60958-3 (digital audio interfaces)

Keywords: IEC 62104:2015, DAB receivers, DAB+, digital audio broadcasting, VHF Band III, sensitivity testing, BER, acoustic OOI, receiver selectivity, automotive DAB, Journaline, BWS, TPEG.