PIRA32 RDS Encoder

The PIRA32 RDS encoder is a result of more than 10 years experience collecting and meets requirements of most regional, local, RSL, LPFM and other medium- and small-coverage radio stations. It’s also highly suitable for service and development purposes. Fully digital concept and uniquely effective design ensures high reliability, excellent signal characteristics and gives the user many advanced features while maintaining low acquisition costs. The PIRA32 was worldwide first compact dynamic RDS encoder. It is also implemented in products of several 3rd party manufacturers, resulting in more than 7000 units overall.

PIRA32 system features
  • Fully dynamic stand-alone RDS encoder
  • Direct digital RDS signal synthesis
  • RS-232 control interface based on set of simple ASCII commands or UECP protocol; OS independent, no driver required
  • Control software includes powerful Windows GUI application
  • Firmware updates are free
  • Text features include dynamic PS, parsing, scrolling, fixed messages and scheduling
  • Two switchable program sets (with optional DSN and PSN setting)
  • Bypass relay, high reliability
  • External TA and Program switch
  • Switchable MPX loopthrough
  • Internal real-time clock incl. backup battery, showing real-time also as PS
  • No special 19 kHz input needed - pilot tone internally recovered from MPX signal
  • Digital 57 kHz phase locked loop - rock stable RDS subcarrier in all cases, the PLL will never lock to a pilot frequency outside the functional range
  • Easy and fast set-up
RDS services directly supported by the unit
  
PI Program Identification M/S  Music/Speech
PS Program Service PIN Program-Item Number
PTY Program Type ECC  Extended Country Code
TP Traffic Program RT Radiotext
AF Alternative Frequencies    TDC Transparent Data Channels
TA Traffic Announcement IH In House Applications
PTYN  Program Type Name ODA Open Data Applications
DI Decoder Identification CT Clock-Time and Date
EON Enhanced Other Networks information   LIC Language Identification Code
RT+ Radiotext Plus TMC Traffic Message Channel

Click to enlarge(The RDS services are described in Support)

Total text capacity:

  • 25 kB - Equivalent to more than 3200 PS strings. Send text messages without any space limitations!
  • 100 text messages for off-line operation - up to 255 characters each sent as RT, dynamic/scrolling PS or both. Manual or automatic switching.
  • Four modes for dynamic/scrolling PS transmission at selectable speed, incl. word alignment and one-by-one character scrolling.
Documentation download
  
  
Technical specifications
  
Supply voltage and current: 8-15 V DC, 90 mA typical
Total power consumption: only 1 W
RDS/RBDS signal: conforms to CENELEC EN 50067 / EN 62106
Output level of RDS: adjustable from 0 to 2.8 V p-p
RDS signal bandwidth: +/- 2.4 kHz (50 dBc)
Spurious suppression: >90 dB
Harmonics suppression: >80 dB
MPX leadthrough voltage gain: 1 (guaranteed from 2 Hz to 100 kHz)
TA switching: multimode software or external switch
Clock reference: pilot tone or internal generator
19 kHz pilot PLL capture range:  +/- 4 Hz
Pilot tone level: min. 120 mV p-p
Phase shift adjust: full range in 9.5 degrees steps
Signal connectors: unbalanced, BNC
Data connector: RS-232 (DCE, 9 pins), bidirectional
Com. speed: software switchable 1200-19200 bps
Com. mode: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit
UECP protocol support: Partial (see the manual for details)
ASCII protocol support: Yes
Recommended power supply: Wall mount adapter 12V/1A DC, 2.1x5.5mm barrel plug (+) inside
  
How to connect the PIRA32 to a computer?

The RDS encoder can be connected to a computer via USB adapter cable or standard serial cable terminated by CANON D-SUB plugs.
Use this description if you wish to make the cable yourself.

As a next step, download the Magic RDS 3 control software and you can start to use the RDS encoder at once.

The RDS encoder can be also controlled from non-Windows operating systems (Linux, MS-DOS, ...) using any RS-232 ASCII terminal. The command set is easy to learn and gives full control over the RDS stream. It's a strong tool also for developers. You can find detailed description of this advanced use in the manual.

Bidirectional interface provides all info about the RDS encoder services status even if it's installed in neighbour room, abutting building or on a transmitter site in mountains. Ethernet connection is supported by the control software as well.

For more information and set-up details download the manual.

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