Sirius, XM Work on Interoperability Issues
From: SkyReport.com 3-30-05
Executives with Sirius and XM sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission saying they are on track with efforts to include radio technology that's interoperable between the two satellite radio services.
In the letter, XM and Sirius said they have designed and licensed receiver systems that share a common head unit, antenna and wiring harness, while other entities are responsible for the manufacture and distribution of their satellite radios. Several aftermarket and OEM radio manufacturers produce head units that operate with receiver boxes for either service, the companies said, and at least one automaker factory installs head units and antennas compatible with both satellite radio systems.
The current configuration allows consumers to purchase a trunk-mounted box for either satellite radio provider without disturbing the rest of the components, the letter stated.
The companies also said they are optimistic that, at a minimum, a prototype for a complete interoperable radio, which includes a receiver, a common antenna and two baseband modules (one for each service), will be completed this year.
XM and Sirius said so far they have spent $5 million on the interoperable effort. "Simply put, Sirius and XM have invested considerable time, effort and money designing, launching and operating systems compliant with the commission's rules, including an interoperable radio design offered to manufacturers," the letter stated.
In February 2002, XM and Sirius signed a joint development agreement to develop interoperable technologies, and interoperability between systems is required by FCC regulations.
From: SkyReport.com 3-30-05
Executives with Sirius and XM sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission saying they are on track with efforts to include radio technology that's interoperable between the two satellite radio services.
In the letter, XM and Sirius said they have designed and licensed receiver systems that share a common head unit, antenna and wiring harness, while other entities are responsible for the manufacture and distribution of their satellite radios. Several aftermarket and OEM radio manufacturers produce head units that operate with receiver boxes for either service, the companies said, and at least one automaker factory installs head units and antennas compatible with both satellite radio systems.
The current configuration allows consumers to purchase a trunk-mounted box for either satellite radio provider without disturbing the rest of the components, the letter stated.
The companies also said they are optimistic that, at a minimum, a prototype for a complete interoperable radio, which includes a receiver, a common antenna and two baseband modules (one for each service), will be completed this year.
XM and Sirius said so far they have spent $5 million on the interoperable effort. "Simply put, Sirius and XM have invested considerable time, effort and money designing, launching and operating systems compliant with the commission's rules, including an interoperable radio design offered to manufacturers," the letter stated.
In February 2002, XM and Sirius signed a joint development agreement to develop interoperable technologies, and interoperability between systems is required by FCC regulations.
