Radio used to be a wonderland, a place where we could discover
extraordinary new worlds of music—and sometimes even find
ourselves in the process. In the last two decades, though,
commercialization and consolidation have robbed radio of its magic.
We’re left with screaming talk-show hosts, infantile disc jockeys
and music that should be shoveled instead of played.
But radio is back, thanks to two daring companies and a little
rocket science. Two satellite radio services, XM and Sirius,
now beam down about 100 channels each of high-quality music, news,
sports and entertainment.
No matter what’s
playing, it will surely be better than most of FM radio’s
offerings. Sirius offers 60 music stations, and all seem to be
programmed by people with a passion for their subgenre. The only
category that seems slighted is blues, which is allotted only one
station while country gets five and jazz gets six. But it is the
best blues station I have ever heard. Surprisingly, I develop a
taste even for niches I have snubbed in the past. For example, I
must confess I have always been blind to the genius of the
Grateful Dead, yet I am addicted to 17JamOn—a station
highlighting Dead-inspired jam bands. Go figure.
Satellite
Radio Receivers
Satellite Radio beams the signal up to a satellite, and overcome
the limitations of ground-based
transmitters
Satellite Radio - Basic Concept
Satellite radio is
such a remarkably simple concept that one might wonder why it took until
2001 for the first space-based audio service to make its debut in the
United States.
At least it’s
simple on the surface: Take a music, news or talk station, beam the signal
up to a satellite, and overcome the limitations of ground-based
transmitters whose signals generally drop off as distance increases. Then
make sure the programming is more appealing than traditional radio
stations and cut down on the number of commercials in exchange for a
monthly subscription fee.
But as it turns out,
satellite radio is a whole lot more complex than it seems on paper – and
it took cutting-edge technology to make the systems operated by Sirius
Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio work.
XM and Sirius are
not the first companies to enter the satellite radio industry: Worldspace
Corp., a firm based in Washington, has provided satellite radio in Asia,
Africa and Europe since 1998. But Worldspace was intended primarily for use in
One
of XM's two seven-meter uplink satellite dishes located at the
company's headquarters.
fixed locations, while the systems used by XM and Sirius are optimized to
reach U.S. listeners on the go.
Sirius uplinks
its signal from New Jersey, with backup
dishes in Manhattan (above).
It took a number of
years to develop the XM and Sirius systems.
Engineers had to
figure out how to squeeze dozens of individual channels into a relatively
small amount of bandwidth and come up with reliable methods of beaming
signals from thousands of miles in space to roving antennas smaller than
tennis balls.
They also had to
develop inexpensive circuitry, or chipsets, to enable receivers to decode
the satellite signals, which are encrypted to prevent reception by
non-subscribers. Both firms are working on newer versions of their
chipsets that will be smaller and use less power.
Sirius and XM each
took somewhat different approaches, although the end result, from a lay
person’s perspective, is the same: 100 channels of music, news, sports
and other fare available virtually anywhere in the continental United
States. The companies are trying to distinguish themselves with
programming and attitude.
XM’s system uses
two very powerful satellites floating in space directly above the equator.
The spacecraft are in geostationary orbit -- they appear from the ground
to remain in fixed perches, because they move around the Earth at the same
speed the planet is rotating.
Geostationary
satellites are commonly used for all sorts of space-based communications
because they enable use of inexpensive, fixed antennas. Satellite TV and
Internet systems are two examples of consumer-oriented technologies that
use this type of satellite.
Repeat
that, please
Since geostationary
spacecraft are above the equator, terminals on the ground must have a
decent view of the southern sky to receive signals from them. This posed a
challenge for XM, since listeners in cars often pass by obstacles, such as
buildings, foliage or hills, which can block geostationary satellite
signals.
XM’s solution is a
network of repeaters – antennas on buildings and other sites that
receive satellite signals from an optimally placed antenna and retransmit
them. The repeaters are located primarily in built-up areas, where loss of
the satellite signal is most likely to occur.
Each XM receiver is
equipped to receive signals from both of the company’s Boeing 702
satellites and a repeater simultaneously. As long as one of the sources is
available, the radio will play without interruption. In addition, the
receivers have buffers that store programming for several seconds,
allowing operation to continue even if no signal is available momentarily.
Sirius uses a trio
of Loral FS1300 satellites in unique elliptical orbits in an effort to
avoid the problems posed by geostationary satellites.
The orbits, shaped
like figure eights, allow the satellites to appear higher in the sky than
XM’s, cutting down on the potential for a listener to be out of range of
a satellite signal -- and allowing Sirius to have a much smaller number of
repeaters.
Sirius’ repeater
network also avoids the need for specialized antennas that can track the
company’s non-geostationary satellites as they move about the sky,
Sirius feeds its repeaters using capacity on a geostationary satellite
leased from a traditional satellite operator. Listeners can’t tell that
the signals they receive via the repeaters do not
travel over Sirius’ fleet of satellites.
The Sirius
satellites each spend about 16 hours over the United States, then whip
around the other side of the Earth and return eight hours later for
another stint hovering over Sirius’ listening area, according to Ted
Hessler, the company’s vice president of space segment and enterprise
operations.
Two Sirius
spacecraft cover the United States at any given time, Hessler said.
In
the studio
XM and Sirius both
operate digital broadcast centers that combine dozens of individual
recording studios with huge amounts of storage to hold hundreds of
thousands of compact discs worth of music in digital format.
1.
Sirius and XM both produce live and taped programming,
ranging broadly from Alanis Morissette, right, to sports and
news.
Programmers just
point and click at the material they want to play, and it airs directly
from the storage system at the appointed time. During transmission, the
system also adds a short description of the music or other material for
display on a small receiver screen. That
is one unique advantage to satellite radio -- you can find out the artist
and song title as each piece of music plays.
The 22 terabytes of
storage capacity at XM’s facilities in Washington can hold about 250,000
CDs, said Anthony J. Masiello, XM’s senior vice president of operations.
Terry Smith, senior
vice president and chief technology officer of Sirius, said his
company’s studios in mid-town Manhattan have about seven terabytes of
storage. While that is less than XM has, Smith says it’s plenty.
"Our library is
constantly being refreshed as new content comes in," Smith said.
Both companies also
maintain large collections of CDs to augment their digital libraries. They
also retransmit programming that originates elsewhere, such as news,
sports and comedy channels, and maintain studios where artists perform
live.
Another, less
visible key to satellite radio is digital compression, a technique to use
radio spectrum as efficiently as possible. Both satellite radio
broadcasters use sophisticated algorithms to squeeze as much material as
they can into the available bandwidth without causing audio quality to
degrade.
XM and Sirius are
each allocated 12.5 megahertz of radio spectrum by the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission.
Satellite Radio is
looking far beyond the dashboard.
Satellite radio has turned the corner.
First positioned as a mobile
entertainment service for long-distance truckers and road
warriors, pay radio is now heading home, to the park, and anywhere
else people want to listen to
music. Thanks to the recent success of Delphi's SKYFi, a
portable amplifier/speaker
shell with a slot for an XM Satellite Radio receiver module, XM--and
its competitor, Sirius--are looking far beyond the dashboard.
The Delphi SKYFi--at a street price of $99
for the boombox with amplifiers and
speakers, and $99 for the receiver module
2. The programming is beamed to satellites from dishes
operated by satellite radio operator.
3.
The satellites broadcast the signal back to Earth, where
it's picked up directly by receiver units. The signal is
also received and rebroadcast by repeater stations in
metropolitan areas. XM uses two geostationary satellites
(right) that remain constantly above the United States.
Sirius uses three satellites, two of which are always over
the country.
4. A receiver buffers the broadcast for a few seconds,
so if it loses the satellite signal it can use one from a
repeater station, helping insure a continuous broadcast.
Overpasses and tall building are particular problems.
itself--breaks
the $200 price barrier. That appears to have caught the attention
of cost-conscious consumers who also have to pony up $9.99 per
month for XM Radio service.
Sony's home unit cost $300 to $350 when it was introduced
in 2001. In 2002, Sony stopped producing the home unit when it
decided not to continue the line.
XM
PCR
XM is convinced it can woo
PC users away from streaming radio stations and hook them
on XM's 101 channels, many of which deliver live programming. The
XM PCR ($69.95) connects to a PC via a
USB port. "Programming is our product," says
Chance Patterson, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for XM
Radio. "We've made a huge investment of time, resources and
personnel to make our channels sound different from local AM, FM
or cable music channels," he says. "The number of phone
calls we get for requests, songs, information and a chance to
speak to the on-air host is wild." Because of the
interaction, he says, subscribers feel a connection to the
service.
KENWOOD
HERE2ANYWHERE
Sirius has been keeping close tabs on
Delphi's portable coup and is making its own moves outside the
car.
Sirius providers Kenwood and
Audiovox rushed to market this summer with transportable
products that allow you to shuttle the receiver module from the
car to the home.
Earlier this year Kenwood introduced the
Here2Anywhere KTC-H2A1 receiver module ($130) that can attach to
car, home, PC or marine audio
systems via docking kits ($69.95). The transportability is
emphasized since, on top of the cost of these products, each
Sirius subscription costs $12.95 a month (two to four additional
receivers run subscribers an extra $6.99 a month).
By connecting the audio out jack of the
Sirius receiver to the auxiliary input of an audio/video receiver
and the AC power supply to a power strip, you can play back
Sirius's 100 channels through your home entertainment system. You
also can listen solo through headphones as long as you're near an
AC outlet and have a line of sight to the satellite with the
supplied antenna.
Unlike AM and FM antennas that can receive
broadcast signals from local transmitters, satellite radio
antennas must have a clear shot of a satellite to receive a
signal. In densely populated areas where obstructions such as tall
buildings or mountains can block the signal, line of sight may not
be necessary because satellite radio providers have installed
repeaters that rebroadcast the signal. Repeaters allow people to
receive an uninterrupted signal under bridges and in tunnels as
well.
If you're in an area where there are no
terrestrial receivers to repeat the signal, the antenna needs a
clear path to a satellite. Sirius's satellites are located above
the Dakotas. The geo-stationary XM satellites are located above
the equator in line with the United States' East and West coasts.
DELPHI SKYFi
Sirius licensee Audiovox
has beenselling car
module under its own brand at retail stores and, more recently,
to Hertz locations in numerous markets.
Audiovox recently introduced the S.R.S. (Satellite
Radio Shuttle) for $99.95. This transportable Sirius
receiver can be used in the car and at home with the addition of
the SIR-CK1 Car Kit ($69.99) and the Home Dock Kit ($89.99). The
home kit includes a power supply and 4-in.-dia. hinged antenna.
A line out from the base housing runs to an auxiliary input on a
home stereo system. The car kit includes a 2.5-in. antenna for
mounting on the roof of a car.
You can connect a satellite radio
receiver with a line out jack to a
car stereo system just as you would a
CD portable with a car kit--provided the car's head unit
has a cassette player. But an increasing number of car stereos
feature CD players as
standard equipment, making the cassette adapter solution
obsolete. A professionally installed satellite radio receiver is
one solution, albeit an expensive one.
A cheaper and easier option is the
SIR-CK1, which includes a
wireless FM modulator. You mount a base housing in the
car, plug in the Sirius receiver, and tune the radio to an
unused FM station over which the Sirius channels are delivered.
Power comes by way of the cigarette lighter via a supplied
adapter.
As power efficiency improves and antenna
technology shrinks, look for satellite radio to appear in many
different forms. In fact, look for a Sirius boombox in the first
quarter of 2004.
As for XM, "we're constantly
working to reduce the size and cost of products," says
Patterson. This fall the company will ship the Roady, a
do-it-yourself car kit that brings the cost of a mobile
satellite radio down to $119.
This is where it gets fun.
AUDIOVOX SATELLITE RADIO SHUTTLE
XM's
signal originates at the XM broadcast center and is beamed
from two antennas to the broadcast satellites. You pick up
the signal directly from the satellite, or with the help
of repeaters.
Imagine
flying 35,000 feet in the air at almost 600 mph between California
and New York listening to real time satellite radio broadcast over
the United States. This will be possible by the end of this year
when jetBlue Airways and Air Tran launches XM Satellite Radio
service.
XM
Radio is currently the nation's
number one satellite radio service with well over a million people
subscribing to their service. Passengers onboard any jetBlue
Airways and Air Tran will be able to listen into over 100 digital
channels of live broadcast which are broadcasted live daily from
studios in Washington D.C., New York City, and Nashville, TN. Passengers
onboard all future jetBlue Airways flight will be treated to
something extra. Passengers listening to XM onboard jetBlue will
be able to see the name of the artist and the song on their own
personal TV screen along with an audio-video experience.
Satellite radio is a subscription radio service. It's
similar to cable television, in that it provides a wide range of
programming not available on traditional AM/FM radio for a monthly
fee. back to top
What does satellite radio offer?
A totally new radio experience that includes:
Unparalleled programming variety:
multiple music channels, including rock, country,
hip-hop, R&B, electronic, jazz, classical, Latin,
world, christian, and pop channels;
national news, sports, talk, and entertainment channels;
traffic and weather channels for select metropolitan
markets;
freedom from censure — satellite radio is not subject
to FCC regulations for terrestrial radio.
Commercial-free music: all music channels on both XM and
SIRIUS are commercial-free.
A clean, digital signal: no static or interference, near
CD-quality sound, and the ability to transmit text information
like stock quotes and sports scores alongside musical signals.
Coast-to-coast coverage: satellite radio is available across
the contiguous 48 states. (Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S.
Territories cannot receive satellite radio signals).
Think of the difference in fidelity between AM and FM
— it's at least that big a jump from FM to satellite radio. Most
people listening for the first time are startled by the clarity,
the strong bass response, and the lack of static (not to mention
the amazing variety of programming). back to top
Q: What will I hear on satellite radio?
A: Satellite radio provides variety that you'll rarely hear
on earthbound radio. Music channels offer a wide range of
programming, including classic rock, classical, jazz, modern rock,
alternative, world beat, and Latin. Most musical styles are
represented in depth, and all music channels are commercial-free.
You'll also hear a wide range of entertainment, sports, news, and
talk programming.
Q: Does satellite radio carry local stations?
A: No. However, both XM and SIRIUS currently offer local
traffic and weather reports for major metropolitan areas in the
U.S.
Q: What are the differences between SIRIUS and XM Satellite
Radio?
A: XM and SIRIUS both offer over 60 channels of
commercial-free music, more than 40 channels of news, sports, and
entertainment, as well as traffic and weather channels for
specific metropolitan markets. We think you'd be happy with either
service.
Still, there are certain differences between SIRIUS and XM. The
best way to evaluate the services is to take a look at their
channel listings and compare them to your individual tastes and
interests.
Here are a few of the more general differences to consider:
XM
Satellite Radio
SIRIUS
Satellite Radio
$9.99/Month
$12.95/Month
68
channels of commercial-free music.
65
channels of commercial-free music.
44
channels of news, sports, comedy, talk, and entertainment.
45
channels of news, sports, comedy, talk, and entertainment.
Traffic
and weather for 21 major metropolitan markets.
Traffic
and weather for 20 major metropolitan markets.
2
NASCAR racing channels. Major League Baseball play-by-play
beginning in 2005.
Live
NHL, NFL, and college sports games play-by-play.
Online
streaming: subscribers pay $3.99/month; $7.99 online
service only.
Online
streaming of music content: included in subscription
price.
Q: What do I need to get satellite radio?
A: You need 4 things to get satellite radio:
A satellite radio antenna. The antenna picks up the
satellite signal anywhere within the contiguous 48 states
(satellite radio service is not available in Alaska, Hawaii,
or U.S. Territories). Antennas are included in car and home
kits, and come with portable boomboxes. Antennas must be
purchased separately for in-dash receivers, home component
tuners, and external satellite radio tuners.
A satellite radio tuner. A satellite radio tuner
passes the satellite signal from the antenna to the receiver.
External tuners are only necessary for "satellite
radio-ready" in-dash receivers.
A satellite radio receiver. A satellite radio
receiver is where the controls for selecting channels and
categories, and displaying artist, channel, and song
information are located. Receivers are built-in to
plug-and-play tuners, home component-style tuners, and
(obviously) car stereos with a built-in satellite radio tuner.
A subscription to either XM or SIRIUS. A satellite
radio subscription to either XM or SIRIUS must be activated in
order to receive programming.
Q: What types of satellite radio tuners are available?
A: Satellite radio products are designed to work in
specific locations — in your car, your home, or on the go as a
portable. So it's important to think about how you're going to use
satellite radio in order to determine which product will best fill
your needs. There are 3 basic types of satellite radio tuners:
Plug-and-play satellite radio tuners
compact, portable tuners that may be transferred from
one location to another;
require separate accessory kits for use in the car or
the home;
many work with a portable boombox that can be used
literally anywhere you can get a satellite signal (like
the beach, camping, at a ballgame, picnic, etc.);
require only one subscription, regardless of the number
of kits or boomboxes you use them with.
Satellite radio tuners for the car (3 types)
Universal tuners can work with any in-dash
receiver via an FM modulator, a cassette adapter, or a
line output.
"Satellite radio-ready" in-dash receivers
will control an external satellite radio tuner.
In-dash receivers with a built-in satellite radio
tuner.
Home satellite radio tuners
Component-style satellite radio home tuners that look at
home on your home stereo rack.
Q: How can I get satellite radio with the best sound quality in
my car?
A: If you want satellite radio in your car, but demand the
best sound quality, go with an in-dash receiver with a built-in
satellite radio tuner, a "satellite radio-ready"
receiver connected to an external satellite radio tuner, or a
plug-and-play satellite radio tuner connected to your car stereo's
auxiliary input.
The other options for getting satellite raido in your car, in
order of descending sound quality, are via wired FM modulator,
wireless FM transmitter, and cassette adapter. back to top
Q: Can I get satellite radio in a leased vehicle?
A: Yes. If you lease your vehicle, you have five options
for getting satellite radio in it:
use a satellite radio tuner with a cassette adapter (plugged
into your car's cassette player);
use a satellite radio tuner with an FM modulator (and listen
to the program on an unused FM frequency);
install an aftermarket receiver with an auxiliary input and
connect a plug-and-play satellite radio tuner;
install a new receiver with satellite radio controls and an
outboard tuner (the equipment can be removed and installed in
your next car);
install an in-dash receiver with a built-in satellite radio
tuner.
Q: Is it only for my car? Can I get satellite radio in my home?
How about in my RV, in my truck, or in my boat?
A: Absolutely! If you have a tuner, a properly-installed
antenna, and a subscription, you can receive satellite radio
service just about anywhere within the continental United States.
(Note: Satellite radio service is available only within the
continental United States — not available in Hawaii, Alaska, or
US Territories.) If you want satellite radio in your house, check
out a plug-and-play tuner. They are designed for mobile and home
use — simply transfer the tuner from a docking station in your
home to a second station in your car — and pay only one
subscription fee.
You can also install a receiver with satellite radio controls, an
outboard tuner, and an antenna (we carry marine
and truck/RV satellite radio antennas) in an RV or boat.
You'll enjoy the ultimate in programming variety on vacation or on
the water. (Satellite radio has an offshore range of at least 100
miles, depending on your location, off the coast of the lower 48
states; service is not available in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S.
Territories.) back to top
Table
of Contents
We all have our favorite
radio
stations that we preset into our car radios, flipping
between them as we drive to and from work, on errands
and around town. But when you travel too far away from
the source station, the signal breaks up and fades
into static. Most radio signals can only travel about 30 or 40 miles from
their source. On long trips that find you passing
through different cities, you might have to change
radio stations every hour or so as the signals fade in
and out. And it's not much fun scanning through static
trying to find something -- anything -- to listen to.
Photo courtesy XM Satellite Radio Satellite radio broadcasters promise
crystal-clear music transmitted from thousands of miles into
space.
Now, imagine a radio station that can broadcast its signal from
more than 22,000 miles (35,000 km) away and then come through on
your car radio with complete clarity. You could drive from Tacoma,
Washington, to Washington, D.C., without ever having to change the
radio station! Not only would you never hear static interfering with
your favorite tunes, but the music would be interrupted by few or no
commercials.
XM
Satellite Radio and Sirius
Satellite Radio have both launched such a service. Satellite
radio, also called digital radio, offers uninterrupted,
near CD-qulity
music beamed to your radio from space.
Car manufacturers have been installing satellite radio receivers
in some models for a few years now, and several models of portable
satellite radio receivers are availabel from a variety of
electronics companies. In this article, you'll learn what separates
satellite radio from conventional radio and what you need to pick up
satellite radio signals.
THE BASICS
Satellite radio is an idea over a decade in the making. In 1992,
the U.S. Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the
"S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of
satellite-based Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS). Only four
companies applied for a license to broadcast over that band. The FCC
gave licenses to two of these companies in 1997. CD Radio (now Sirius
Satellite Radio) and American Mobile Radio (now XM
Satellite Radio) paid more than $80 million each to use space in
the S-band for digital satellite transmission.
At this time, there are three space-based radio broadcasters:
Satellite radio companies are comparing the significance of their
service to the impact that cable
TV had on television
30 years ago. Listeners won't be able to pick up local stations
using satellite radio services, but they will have access to
hundreds of stations offering a variety of music genres. Each
company has a different plan for its broadcasting system, but the
systems do share similarities. Here are the key components of the
three satellite radio systems:
Satellites
Ground repeaters
Radio receivers
Taking a closer look, you will see slight variances in the three
satellite radio companies' systems. In the next three sections, we
will profile each of the companies offering satellite radio
services.
XM Satellite Radio
XM Radio uses two Boeing HS 702 satellites, appropriately dubbed
"Rock" and "Roll," placed in parallel
geostationary orbit, one at 85 degrees west longitude and the other
at 115 degrees west longitude. Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) is
about 22,223 miles (35,764 km) above Earth, and is the type of orbit
most commonly used for communications satellites.
The first XM satellite, "Rock," was launched on March 18,
2001, with "Roll" following on May 8. XM Radio has a third
HS-702 satellite on the ground ready to be launched in case one of
the two orbiting satellites fails.
Photo courtesy XM Satellite Radio This graphic illustrates how the XM Radio
system works.
XM Radio's ground station transmits a signal to its two GEO
satellites, which bounce the signals back down to radio
receivers on the ground. The radio receivers are programmed to
receive and unscramble the digital data signal, which contains up to
100 channels of digital audio. In addition to the encoded sound, the
signal contains additional information about the broadcast. The song
title, artist and genre of music are all displayed on the radio. In
urban areas, where buildings can block out the satellite signal,
XM's broadcasting system is supplemented by ground transmitters.
Photo courtesy XM Satellite Radio An XM Satellite Radio receiver
Each receiver contains a proprietary chipset. XM began delivering
chipsets to its XM radio manufacturing partners in October 2000. The
chipset consists of two custom integrated circuits designed by STMicroelectronics.
XM has partnered with Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, Delphi Delco, Sony
and Motorola to manufacture XM car radios. Each satellite radio
receiver uses a small, car-phone-sized antenna to receive the XM
signal. General
Motors has invested about $100 million in XM, and Honda has also
signed an agreement to use XM radios in its cars. GM began
installing XM satellite radio receivers in selected models in early
2001.
For $9.99 per month, subscribers can receive the XM signal. For
that price, listeners get up to 100 channels of music, talk and
news. Many of the channels have no commercials, with none of the
channels having more than seven minutes of ads per hour. XM's
content providers include USA Today, BBC, CNN/Sports Illustrated and
The Weather Channel. The service bolsters that lineup with its own
music channels
Sirius Satellite Radio
Unlike XM, Sirius does not use GEO satellites.
Instead, its three SS/L-1300
satellites form an inclined elliptical satellite constellation.
Sirius says the elliptical path of its satellite constellation
ensures that each satellite spends about 16 hours a day over the
continental United States, with at least one satellite over the
country at all times. Sirius completed its three-satellite
constellation on November 30, 2000. A fourth satellite will remain
on the ground, ready to be launched if any of the three active
satellites encounter transmission problems.
The Sirius system is similar to that of XM. Programs are beamed
to one of the three Sirius satellites, which then transmits the
signal to the ground, where your radio receiver picks up one of the
channels within the signal. Signals are also be beamed to ground
repeaters for listeners in urban areas where the satellite signal
can be interrupted.
Sirius offers car radios and home entertainment systems, as well
as car and home kits for portable use. The Sirius receiver includes
two parts -- the antenna module and the receiver module. The antenna
module picks up signals from the ground repeaters or the satellite,
amplifies the signal and filters out any interference. The signal is
then passed on to the receiver module. Inside the receiver module is
a chipset consisting of eight chips. The chipset converts the
signals from 2.3 gigahertz (GHz) to a lower intermediate frequency.
Sirius also offers an adapter that allows conventional car radios to
receive satellite signals.
WorldSpace
So far, WorldSpace has been the leader in the satellite radio
industry. It put two of its three satellites,
AfriStar and AsiaStar, in geostationary orbit before
either of the other two companies launched one. AfriStar and
AsiaStar were launched in October 1998 and March 2000, respectively.
AmeriStar, which will offer service to South America and
parts of Mexico, has not yet been launched. Each satellite transmits
three signal beams, carrying more than 40 channels of programming,
to three overlapping coverage areas of about 5.4 million square
miles (14 million square km) each. Each of the WorldSpace
satellites' three beams can deliver over 50 channels of crystal
clear audio and multimedia programming via the 1,467- to
1,492-megahertz (MHz) segment of the L-Band spectrum,
which is allocated for digital audio broadcasting.
The United States is not currently part of WorldSpace's coverage
area. The company has invested in XM Radio and has an agreement with
XM to share any technological developments. WorldSpace is going
beyond one nation and eyeing world domination of the radio market.
That might be overstating the company's intent a bit, but WorldSpace
does plan to reach the corners of our world that most radio stations
cannot. There are millions of people living in WorldSpace's
projected listening area who cannot pick up a signal from a
conventional radio station. WorldSpace says it has a potential
audience of about 4.6 billion listeners spanning five continents.
Photo courtesy WorldSpace WorldSpace will be able to broadcast to
the majority of the world's population when its AmeriStar
satellite is launched.
WorldSpace broadcasters uplink their signal to one of the three
satellites through a centralized hub site or an individual feeder
link station located within the global uplink beam. The satellite
then transmits the signal in one, two or all three beams on each
satellite. Receivers on the ground then pick up the signal and
provide CD-quality sound through a detachable antenna.
Photo
courtesy WorldSpace Two of the WorldSpace satellite radio
receivers
WorldSpace satellite receivers are capable of receiving data at a
rate of 128 kilobits per second (Kbps). The receivers use the
proprietary StarMan chipset, manufactured by STMicroelectronics, to
receive digital signals from the satellites.
For more information on satellite radio and related topics, check
out the links on the next page.
Both the XM and SIRIUS satellite radio systems work in a
similar, deceptively simple, manner. In essence, they bounce
digital signals off orbiting satellites; the signals are then
received and decoded by compatible satellite receivers back on
Earth. Both SIRIUS and XM signals are transmitted in the 2.3GHz
S-band, reserved by the FCC in 1992 for digital audio radio
service (DARS) transmissions.
XM uses two Boeing HS 702 satellites, dubbed "Rock"
and "Roll." The two satellites are in geostationary
orbit, approximately 22,000 miles above the Earth. (XM has a third
satellite already built and awaiting emergency launch, just in
case something happens to the two orbiting satellites.)
Instead of geosynchronous satellites, SIRIUS uses three Space
Systems/Loral satellites in an inclined elliptical constellation.
This configuration puts at least one satellite over the U.S. at
all times; each satellite spends about 16 hours a day over the
continental U.S.
Because they use different satellites, the SIRIUS and XM
systems are incompatible with each other. You have to choose the
system you want, and then purchase a receiver specifically for
that system. XM radios can't receive SIRIUS broadcasts, and vice
versa.
Both systems broadcast both digital audio and a digital data
stream for each channel. The data stream provides information
about the music that's playing, including artist and song
information. To display this information, most SIRIUS and XM radio
receivers have big multi-line LCD displays.
XM Radio is the most popular satellite radio system in the
U.S. Basic programming runs $9.99 per month, which gives you
more than 130 total channels, including 68 commercial-free music
channels.
The programming divides up this way:
6 channels devoted to pop music by decade (40s, 50s, 60s,
70s, 80s, and 90s)
7 country, folk, and bluegrass channels
9 pop music channels (including adult contemporary and
show tunes)
3 Christian music channels
14 rock music channels (from classic to alternative to
heavy metal to jam bands)
7 hip hop and urban channels (including classic soul)
5 jazz and blues channels
3 new age and "lifestyle" channels
4 dance music channels (including disco)
4 Latin music channels
3 world music channels (including reggae)
3 classical music channels
2 kids channels (including Radio Disney)
12 news channels (including CNN, Fox News, BBC, and XM
Public Radio)
3 comedy channels
12 talk and entertainment channels (including progressive
and conservative channels, plus a channel just for truckers)
6 sports channels (including two NASCAR channels)
9 college sports channels (AAC, Big 10, and Pac 10)
20 local traffic/weather channels for selected
metropolitan areas
XM also offers two premium channels ($2.95 extra per month):
High Voltage (with the Opie & Anthony show) and Playboy
Radio. Download a PDF version of the XM Radio programming guide here.
SIRIUS is currently the number-two satellite radio system in
the U.S., but it's catching up fast. For $12.95 per month you
get more than 120 total channels, including 65 channels of
commercial-free music.
The programming divides up this way:
13 pop music channels (including soft-rock and oldies
channels
17 rock music channels (including alternative and classic
rock)
6 country, folk, and bluegrass channels
4 hip hop channels
5 R&B/urban music channels
6 electronic/dance music channels
6 jazz/standards channels
3 classical music channels
5 Latin/world music channels
13 news channels (including CNN, Fox News, BBC, three NPR
channels, and three regional Weather Channel channels)
8 sports channels
24 talk/entertainment channels (including two conservative
channels, two liberal channels, two comedy channels, and Radio
Disney)
Download a PDF version of the SIRIUS programming guide here.
XM Receivers
Various manufacturers offer XM Radio receivers for automobile,
home, and portable use. Naturally, the monthly subscription fee is
on top of the initial hardware price.
Car Units
Alpine
CDA-9820XM, the world's first integrated in-dash XM radio/CD
tuner. Price is $350.
Audiovox
SRXM001, an on-dash XM unit that connects via your car's FM
radio. Price is $179.95.
Delphi
XM Roady, an add-on XM unit for your car stereo that connects
via your car's cassette player. Price is $119.99.
Delphi
XM Roady 2, a step-up add-on car unit. Includes built-in FM
transmitter to play back via your car's FM radio. Price is
$129.99.
XMCommander,
a hard-wired XM system that connects to any car audio system.
Price is $169.99.
Transportable Car/Home Units
Delphi
XM SKYFi, a portable XM receiver you can use in your car or
(with the optional SKYFi Audio System kit) in your home.
Price is $99.99 for the portable unit; the home system kit runs
an additional $99.99.
Home Units
Polk
XRt12, a component-sized XM tuner that connects to your home
audio or home theater system. Includes its own remote control.
Price is $329.95.
Portable Units
Delphi
XM MyFi, the world's first portable satellite radio receiver.
Includes flash storage so you can listen up to 5 hours of
programming at your leisure; the satellite antenna is built into
the iPod-like unit. Price is $349.99.
SIRIUS Receivers
Last updated Nov 19, 2004.
xxxxxxxx
Like XM, SIRIUS partners with various manufacturers to
offer car and home satellite tuners. Some of the more popular
units are listed here.
Car Units
Audiovox
SRSIR001FMR, an on-dash unit that connects via your car's
FM radio. Price is $179.95.
Kenwood KTC-SR903/KCA-R70FM
lets you mount the satellite tuner under your dash and the FM
adapter/controller in your dash; the SIRIUS signal is received
by the satellite tuner and then fed through your car's
existing FM radio. Price for the two units together is $300.
Transportable Car/Home Units
Audiovox
SIR-PNP2, a transportable unit for both car and home use
with optional car and home kits. Price is $99.99.
Blaupunkt
America SR04, a transportable SIRIUS tuner that comes with
its own car and home kits. Price is $149.99.
JVC
KT-SR1000, a PDA-sized transportable unit for either car
or home use. Price is $99.99.
SIRIUS
Sportster, a portable SIRIUS receiver you can use in your
car or home (with optional home and car kits) or on its own
with the optional SIRIUS Sportster Boombox. Price is $99.99.
Home Units
Audiovox
CE1000SR, a component-style SIRIUS tuner that connects to
your home audio or home theater system. Price is $249.99.
Kenwood
DT-7000S, a compact SIRIUS tuner that connects to any home
entertainment system. Price is $299.95.
Tivoli
Model SIRIUS, a standalone tabletop satellite radio with
an old-school wood cabinet look. Product ships in early 2005;
price is TBA.
Satellite
Radio Frequently Asked Questions
Version: 1.0
Revised: 04/15/2000
What is Satellite Radio?
Satellite Radio or Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) is a
subscriber based radio service that is broadcast directly from
satellites. Subscribers will be able to receive up to 100 radio
channels featuring Compact Disk digital quality music, news,
weather, sports, talk radio and other entertainment channels.
In 1992, the FCC allocated a portion of the "S" band
for nationwide radio broadcast in the United States of satellite
based Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS). In 1997, the FCC
awarded 8-year radio broadcast licenses to two companies, Sirius
Satellite Radio former (CD Radio) and XM Satellite Radio (former
American Mobile Radio). Both companies have been working
aggressively to be prepared to offer their radio services to the
public by the end of 2000. It is expected that automotive radios
would be the largest application of Satellite Radio.
How much does it cost?
To receive Satellite Radio broadcasts, you must subscribe
with either Sirius Satellite Radio or XM Satellite Radio.
Subscription costs are expected to run $9.95 per month.
Users will also have to purchase a radio receiver or an adapter
for an existing radio that is capable of receiving the Sirius or
XM satellite broadcast.
When will it be available?
Satellite Radio is expected to be generally available at the
beginning of 2001 from both Sirius Satellite Radio and XM
Satellite Radio.
Both companies have been building their broadcast studios and
establishing programming and radio manufacturing arrangements.
During 2000, satellite launches and communication networks are
being built and tested.
Sirius Satellite Radio announced in April 2000, that Sirius-1,
the first of it's three satellites is scheduled to be shipped to
its launch site May 31st and launched June 28th. Sirius-2
is scheduled for launch in September and Sirius-3 in October.
Where can I sign-up for programming and purchase radios?
You will be able to subscribe through thousands of different
national, regional and local retail stores, over the Internet,
and through automobile dealers.
You will be able to buy satellite capable radios at thousands of
consumer electronics, auto accessory and other retail stores, on
the Internet, and at automobile dealerships across the U.S.
These radios will be manufactured by the leading names in
consumer electronics.
What Programming will be available?
Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio each have their
own programming line-up. Programming will be available 24 hours
per day, seven days a week and will feature a combination of
music, news, talk, sports, entertainment, and children's
programming.
For the latest information see the Sirius and XM web sites.
Sirius has announced they will carry 50 channels of CD-quality
music in a variety of formats and 50 channels of third-party
news, sports, and talk-radio programs. Some Sirius channels
include:
National Public Radio
Bloomberg News Radio
Sports Byline USA
SpeedVision
OutdoorLife
C-SPAN Radio
Music Channels organized by:
Latin
Rock
Jazz
Hits
R&B
Eclectica
Rhythmic
Country
Classical
XM has announced they will carry:
Black Entertainment Television
5 music channels by the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation
Bloomberg News Radio
C-SPAN Radio
CNN/fn
CNN/Sports Illustrated
CNN en Espanol
The Weather Channel
One-on-one Sports
AsiaOne
Salem Communications
USA Today
BBC World Service
PBS's News Hour with Jim Lehrer
Johnathan Schwartz
How does it Work?
Programming will be originated and managed in the broadcast
studio's of Sirius and XM. Programming will be transmitted
to multiple high-powered satellites positioned in orbits above
the U.S. The signal will then be broadcast from the satellites
directly to satellite radio capable receivers across the United
States.
XM will utilize two high-power HS 702 satellites built by Hughes
Space & Communications Inc. The XM satellites will be
positioned in geostationary orbits at 85 degrees West Longitude
and 115 degrees West Longitude to deliver clear contiguous
transmission across the continental U.S
Sirirus will utilize three satellites in inclined elliptical
orbits rather than geostationary orbits over the equator. The
elliptical orbit places the satellite about 16 hours a day north
of the equator with two satellites over the U.S. at all times.
The elliptical orbits enable the satellites to broadcast from a
higher angle than geostationary satellites.
For reception in urban areas, where satellite reception may be
obstructed, both Sirius and XM will use terrestrial repeaters to
ensure continuous reception.
Can I use my current car radio?
Your existing AM/FM car radio will not be able to receive
satellite radio broadcasts. Two options are available.
Replacement of your radio with a 3-band capable receiver (AM,
FM, Sirius or XM Satellite). Radios can be purchased as a dealer
option or can be directly purchased at consumer retail stores,
mail order and Internet stores. All major manufactures are
prepared to provide radios capable of satellite radio reception.
A second option is the purchase an adaptor for existing AM/FM
radios. The adaptor will contain the satellite receiver, along
with display and control functions.
Can I use the same Satellite receiver to receive either XM
or Sirius Programming?
At this time, unfortunately no. Sirius and XM have developed
slightly different technologies which means that you can
purchase a radio capable of receiving satellite broadcasts from
one company or the other, but not both.
Both Sirius and XM have announced an agreement to develop a
unified standard for satellite radios. This "second
generation" satellite radio will allow a single radio to
receive broadcasts from either company. Availability of radios
conforming to this new standard has not be made available.
Click on
the
thumbnail to
download
DW6040
System User's Guide
(PDF, 1,059K)
Click on
the
thumbnail to
download DIRECWAY
VoIP
document (PDF,
1,820K)
Click on
the
thumbnail to download
DW6040
System Configuration
Data Sheet
(PDF, 58K)
Click
here if you need
to download free Acrobat Reader®
software
Programming ...
Q:
What is the difference between XM™ and SIRIUS™?
A: The biggest difference is the
programming offered by each service. XM offers 68
commercial-free music channels, 33 channels of news,
sports, talk and entertainment, and 21 dedicated
channels of instant traffic and weather, all for just
$9.99 a month.
SIRIUS offers over 65 channels of 100%
commercial-free music and more than 50 channels of
news, entertainment, weather and sports, including the
NFL™ for only $12.95 a month.
The type of hardware you want to buy also may
affect your decision. Car stereos and portable
satellite receivers are compatible with either one
service or the other. Alpine, Delphi, Pioneer and Sony
are compatible with XM, while Audiovox, Panasonic and
JVC work with SIRIUS.
Q: What are the advantages of satellite
radio over FM radio?
A: Besides a larger selection of
channels and programming, satellite radio also offers
digital-quality sound that's available across the
continental US. Another great feature satellite radio
offers is a display of channel, artist and song title
information.
Technology ....
Q: How can I listen?
A: In order to listen to satellite
radio, you need four components: a subscription, a
receiver, a tuner and an antenna. These components let
you listen to satellite radio just about anywhere.
You can listen in your car, in your home, and even
take it on the go!
Q: What's the purpose of a docking station?
A: The docking station included in
the home and car kits not only functions as a mounting
base for your receiver, but also connects the receiver
to the antenna and power source. The wires stay
connected to the docking station--not the receiver--so
transferring it from your home to your car is quick
and easy.
Q: Do I need to have an antenna mounted to
the outside of my car or home?
A: Yes. Antennas need a direct
line of sight to pull in the satellite signals.
Q: Can I get my local channels through
satellite radio?
A: No. In order to listen to your
local programming you have to switch back to the AM or
FM band on your stereo.
Technology
Subscription
: Is there a
monthly fee?
A:
Yes. Just as with cable and satellite TV, there is a
monthly fee. XM's fee is $9.99 and Sirius charges
$12.95 per month.
Q: Are there
any activation fees?
A:
Yes. Each service charges an activation fee when you
set up your subscription. For current charges, visit
the websites for XM (www.xmradio.com) and Sirius (www.sirius.com).
: How do I
get billed for my subscription?
A:
If you choose a multi-year plan, you pay everything up
front. All other plans are billed monthly.
Q: How do I
sign up for the service?
A:
You have the option of signing up at your local
Circuit City, on the XM or Sirius Websites, or by
calling their toll-free phone numbers, whichever you
prefer.
Q: How do I
get my new satellite radio system installed?
A:
We're glad you asked. We have more than 600 Circuit
City stores nationwide with Installation Specialists ready to professionally
install your system.
==========================
Satellite
Radio FAQ
What is Satellite
Radio?
Basically, it is an
additional band for your radio. Unlike standard radio, which is
transmitted from earth-bound transmitters, satellite radio comes
primarily from a signal sent via satellites orbiting the earth
directly to 3-band AM/FM/ SAT radios. Satellite radio is offered
on a paid basis by two companies, Sirius Radio and XM Radio both
of which provide digital-quality, no commercial radio programming
throughout the United States. This Satellite Radio FAQ
should help you determine if satellite radio is right for you.
Satellite radio may very well be the wave of the future because of
the clarity, lack of commercials and broad range without signal
inturruption. Some prominant radio personalities, such as Howard
Stern, have begun to move their shows to Satellite radio, partly
to avoid FCC regulation. It is important to note that the FCC
doesnt regulate the content on Satellite Radio, so on air
personalities are free to discuss topics and use any language they
choose.
Is Satellite Radio
for me?
That's up to you, of
course. This Satellite Radio FAQ should help. There are 4
main differences between satellite radio and the stations provided
on traditional radio:
Digital
Clear Sound: Satellite radio signals are digital, and
the satellites cover the entire continental US and many other
countries such as Mexico. This means channels have no
geographic boundaries; you can drive across the country and
not have dead spots or be constantly searching for a channel
you like.
Programming
and Content: Sirrus and XM Radio both offer over 100
channels each. So satellite radio offers far more variety than
standard radio. If you live somewhere that doesn't have many
radio stations, you may find yourself pleasantly suprised byt
the choices and with the variety of programming now available
to you.
No
Commercials: All the channels on both XM Radio and
Sirius are 100% commercial-free!
Cost of
Satellite Radio:
While broadcast radio is free, satellite radio is a
subscription service. XM Radio costs $9.99/month, while Sirius
is $12.95/month. Sirius offers annual and lifetime
subscriptions that can significantly reduce this cost as well.
What Programming is
Available on Satellite Radio?
Both Sirius Radio and
XM Radio offer over 100 channels of music, entertainment and news
each:
Sirius
Radio offers programming including:
C-SPAN Radio,
The Weather Channel, BBC, Bloomberg Radio Networks, Playbill,
CNBC, Discovery Networks, NPR, Public Radio International,
Wisdom Radio, WRN, Court TV, E! Entertainment Radio, ESPN, Fox
News, Live Broadway, Radio Disney, Sports Byline USA, ABC Radio
Networks, CNN Headline News, EWTN, Online Tonight, Radio
Classics, The Word Network, WSM and Grand Ole Opry, Webster
Hall, American Academy of Achievement - Shock Jock
Howard Stern has announced that he'll join Sirius in
January 2006.
XM Radio
offers programming including:
C-SPAN Radio,
BBC World Service, CNN Headline News, Bloomberg News Radio, The
Weather Channel, NASCAR, Discovery Networks, CNBC, CNET Radio,
CNN in Espanol, The Sporting News, E! Entertainment News, Radio
Disney, Sonic Theatre, Radio Classics, MTV, VH1, Ask!, America
Right, America Left, The Power, Family Talk, Open Road, FOX
News, CNN, ABC News & Talk, MSNBC, ESPN, FOX Sports
How
to Put Satellite Radio in Your Car or Home
Since its debut,
satellite radio has truly taken off. By the sumnmer of 2004, the
two leading satellite radio services, XM and Sirius, have stated
that they have signed up more than 3,000,000 subscribers. With its
crystal-clear digital signals, satellite radio is the new way to
listen to radio, offering dozens of commercial-free, premium
channels, .
Currently, most enjoy
satellite radio in their cars. With more then 100 channels of
music, news, sports, and entertainment, you'll be sure to find
something you want. It's a great way to enjoy a long drive too,
knowing you'll never lose a channel to static interference or poor
reception.
But satellite radio
is for more than just a single car. Many people don't realize some
satellite radio components can be swapped between cars or even
from car to home. Connecting satellite radio to your home sound
system gives you an array of great options you won't get with
traditional over the air radio signals.
For satellite radio,
here's what you need to get started:
A satellite radio
antenna.
A control module
-- either a separate control module with display panel that
allows you to select channels, or a receiver with built-in
satellite radio controls .
A tuner module,
which delivers the satellite signal received by the antenna to
the control module. (These can be in a single piece of
equipment.)
A subscription
(around $12 a month) to either XM or Sirius.
Ways to add satellite
radio to your car:
1. Buy a new
system for your car - A popular way to get satellite
radio is to replace your car radio with an in-dash receiver that
has built-in satellite radio controls, and add a same-brand,
satellite radio tuner that mounts out of sight. Many major car
audio manufacturers make either Sirius or XM tuned equipment.
Tuners and controllers from different manufacturers won't work
together.
2. Add
satellite radio to your existing car stereo - If you want
to keep your current radio, you can purchase an FM modulated
package. FM modulators send a signal to an unused frequency on
your radio through the FM antenna jack.
3. Bring
satellite radio from car to home - Sony makes a
plug-and-play XM tuner, that lets you enjoy satellite radio in
your car and living room. In the car, you can use the RF modulator
to connect it to your receiver, use a cassette adapter that fits
into the cassette deck opening, or connect it directly to your
receiver's auxiliary input. You'll need an antenna connection, as
well. At home, you'll simply connect it to your receiver with a
docking kit, mount an optional antenna, and get all of your
favorite channels any time of day.
Sony's tuner is also
a good choice if you have more than one vehicle -- you can carry
the tuner from one car to the next, and only pay one subscription
fee.
What about an
antenna? Unlike the tuners and controllers, you're not
limited to purchasing from the same manufacturer when you buy an
antenna. Car antennas mount on the roof (the wires wrap around the
rear glass molding); some mount on the rear glass.
Which service
provider should I use? This depends on your choice of equipment
manufacturer. Satellite radio gear is specific to either XM or
Sirius; for instance, Kenwood receivers are Sirius-ready. Both
offer a variety of music, entertainment, and sports programming,
but the services have different channel lineups.
Sirius Radio has partnered with Ford-Lincoln-Mercury automobiles
and is available as an installed option in some models.
XM Radio has
partnered with General Motors -Cadillac -Buick automobiles and is
available as an installed option in some models.