Radio Data System (RDS)-the technical realisation of a new broadcast service

In 1985 BBC Radio decided to implement an RDS service on all its FM network and local radio transmitters. The initial stage of the phased implementation plan required RDS to be made available on all those transmitters serving England by the autumn of 1987. Future stages would extend the coverage to the rest of the UK. Consequently, early in 1986, BBC Design and Equipment Department started the design of the necessary equipment. The equipment produced are described. Three distinct sets of equipment were needed to get RDS under way: encoding equipment origination computer and monitoring receiver.<
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