dataFM

dataFM SYSTEM OPERATION

Important Concepts to Understand

Point-To-Point - a message or communication goes from Point A to Point B only. A telephone call, email or pager is Point-To-Point. There is a one-to-one relationship. You can have group communications which is really many one-to-one's. If an email is sent to 100 people, that is really 100 one-to-one communications.

MultiPoint - one message or communication goes from Point A to an unlimited number of Points. A television show is multipoint - one broadcast can be seen by many (unlimited) viewers. dataFM is true MultiPoint communications. Text messages are sent, received and stored by unlimited numbers of receivers.

How the System Works

  • Messages are entered into a dataFM Data Terminal in Ringgold, Ga via the internet, modem connection or by our 24/7 support group.
  • The message is then uplinked to satellite for regional or national distribution.
  • Regional Network Centers then receive via satellite the messages intended for their geographic area.
  • The messages are encoded by the RDS Subcarrier encoder and then added to broadcast signal of a local FM radio station (Z93 in Atlanta). The data is actually transmitted right along with the music from the radio station.
  • The message that is sent will then be received by any receivers that have had the correct 'telephone number' entered and the message will be stored.

RDS - a worldwide standard for the transmission of data on subcarriers of FM radio stations. The dataFM system will and equipment will work exactly the same anywhere in the world.

FM Broadcast Transmitter - these are the FM radio stations that you listen to with your car radio, boombox or home stereo. Our technology uses the regular broadcast frequencies.
  • Messages can be entered directly by modem or service center at any Local/Regional Network Center.
  • Most of the FM radio stations in our network have emergency power, so our system is always available.
  • Additional network resources and capabilities are available for First Responders, Emergency Management and other agencies responsible for public safety.