[1] The two standards are only slightly different, with receivers able to work with either system with only minor inconsistencies in the displayed data.

RDS was inspired by the development of the Autofahrer-Rundfunk-Informationssystem (ARI) in Germany by the Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT) and the radio manufacturer Blaupunkt.

[3] The EBU Technical Committee launched a project at its 1974 Paris meeting to develop a technology with similar purposes to ARI, but which was more flexible and which would enable automated retuning of a receiver where a broadcast network transmitted the same radio programme on a number of different frequencies.

[2] Of the three broadcasting partners of the EBU, the BBC were reportedly pursuing the application of RDS technology most enthusiastically and sought to attract bids from manufacturers to make a "BBC-accredited radio" supporting RDS features.

Having received no manufacturer interest, however, the corporation engaged designers at Kinneir Dufort to produce a prototype showcasing these features.

Despite reluctance to develop screen-based functionality that might bring RDS into competition with television, the utility of being able to print out information such as weather maps or even advertising was regarded as potentially interesting to both radio and television manufacturers alike.

The standard will be created in close collaboration with U.S. colleagues from NRSC RBDS-Subcommittee and should offer a unified platform for FM broadcasting and data services worldwide.

The following information fields are normally contained in the RDS data: As far as implementation is concerned, most car stereos will support at least AF, EON, REG, PS and TA/TP.

There are a growing number of RDS implementations in portable audio and navigation devices thanks to lower-priced, small-footprint solutions.

In this situation, stereo enhancement devices combined with aggressive audio processing could render the RDS subcarrier unreceivable.

The later RBDS standard implemented in the U.S. assigned the same meanings to codes 0, 1 and 31, but made no attempt to match the rest of the original RDS plan and created its own list for codes 2–22 and 30,[11] including commercially important (in the U.S.) radio formats such as top 40, religious, country, jazz and R&B which were not in the RDS list.

[10][1]: 27  The code mismatches are mainly a problem for people taking portable radios into or out of North America.

The physical layer in the standard describes how the bitstream is retrieved from the radio signal.

Once synchronized (the offset word is predictable), the code is capable of correcting up to 5-bit burst errors.

(Likewise, the RBS offset words are chosen to appear as uncorrectable errors to MBS receivers.)

Country codes are re-used, but only in geographically distant regions beyond FM broadcast range from each other.

These are non-comprehensive examples that cover just the simple messages likes station name, radio text, and date/time.

The station name and decoder identification code is sent progressively over 4 groups, where the offset is defined by bit C1 and C0.

The station name and decoder identification code is sent progressively over 4 groups, where the offset is defined by bit C1 and C0.

That This Field Is For Program Identification Code When group type 4A is used, it shall be transmitted every minute according to EN 50067.