IEC 62106-6:2018

Overview

IEC 62106-6:2018 is part of the IEC 62106 series and compiles the technical specifications for Open Data Applications (ODAs) in the public domain for the Radio Data System (RDS) used in VHF/FM broadcasting (64.0 MHz–108.0 MHz). Maintained by the RDS Forum Office, this part documents how ODAs are identified, encoded and used so new data services can be deployed without changing the core RDS standard. It preserves backwards compatibility while enabling RDS2 and expanded application features.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Open Data Application (ODA) model: ODAs are identified by an Application ID (AID). A receiver decodes ODA data only if it implements the corresponding software handler for that AID. Unimplemented ODAs do not affect legacy receivers.
• Registration procedure: The simple registration process for new public ODAs is managed by the RDS Forum Office; the formal registration procedure is described in IEC 62106-3.
• RDS2 / multiple data‑streams: Support for carrying RDS on multiple data-streams (RDS2) to increase data capacity.
• AF (Alternative Frequency) coding extension: New AF coding support below 87.5 MHz down to 64.0 MHz using ODA-AID 0x6365, with Annex D specifying AF list coding and 9-bit AF code tables for different VHF bands.
• RadioText and tagging: Normative specifications for RadioText Plus (RT+) and enhanced RadioText (eRT) coding (Annexes A–C), including tagging structures, message formats and broadcasting/receiving conventions.
• Character encoding rules: Data-streams 1, 2 and 3 are exclusively UTF‑8 coded; UCS‑2 eRT on data-stream 0 is retained for backwards compatibility.
• Normative annexes: Detailed coding rules and data models for RT+, eRT and AF lists are included as normative annexes.

Practical applications

• Enhanced in-car and mobile radio features such as synchronized song/artist tagging (RT/RT+), enriched text captions (eRT), and robust automatic station switching (AF lists).
• New public ODAs for traffic data (e.g., TMC), metadata and interactive services that can be deployed without modifying the core RDS specification.
• Development of receiver firmware and smartphone apps that decode RDS ODAs, or broadcast encoder systems producing compliant ODA streams.
• Use cases in broadcasting operations, automotive infotainment, radio app developers, and public safety/transport systems.

Who should use this standard

• Broadcast engineers and network operators planning ODA-enabled services
• Receiver manufacturers and firmware/software developers implementing ODA handlers
• Automotive OEMs integrating RDS/RDS2 receivers
• App developers and content providers using RDS metadata for enhanced user experiences
• Regulators and standards specialists overseeing VHF/FM services

Related standards

• IEC 62106-1 through IEC 62106-5 (other parts of the RDS series)
• IEC 62106-3 (procedure for registering new ODAs)
• Replaces IEC 62106:2015 as part of the 2018 technical revision

Keywords: IEC 62106-6, RDS, Open Data Applications, ODA, RDS2, VHF/FM, AF coding, RT+, eRT, ODA-AID 0x6365, UTF-8, RDS Forum.