1    الهيئة السعودية للمواصفات والمقاييس والجودة  
Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Org (SASO)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SASO /FDS/ 31597 :2019  
 
 
 
Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analog 
broadcasting receiver for (AM/FM/T - DAB+)  
 
 
ICS:  33.160.20  
          33.060.20  
  
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT SAUDI REGULATION CIRCULATED 
FOR COMMENT. IT IS, THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND 
MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS A SAUDI REGULATION UNTIL 
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  
 SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
2  CONTENTS  
FOREWORD  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  3 
1 Scope and object  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 4 
2 Technical  Requirements  ................................ ................................ ........................  4 
3      Terms and definitions ……………………… ….….………………………… .….…... 4 
4 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ............................  6 
 
Annex A : Requirement table for T -DAB+ Radio Receiver  ................................ ......................  7 
Annex B : Requirement table for AM/FM Radio Receivers  ................................ ....................  19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
3   
 
Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analog broadcasting receiver for 
(AM/FM/T - DAB+)  
 
 
FOREWORD  
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and Saudi 
Broadcasting Authority have prepared this draft Standard " Technical specifications of 
the radio, digital and analog broadcasting receiver for (AM/FM/T - DAB+)" This 
document will apply a s mandatory Saudi Standard. Starting  from 202 1/01/01  And 
vehicles  receivers, portable receivers  and home receivers  shall not be accepted unless 
after confirmation of the existence of the DAB +.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
4   
 
 
Technical specifications of the radio, digital and analog broadcasting receiver for 
(AM/FM/T - DAB+)  
 
1- Scope  
This specification  shall  apply  to all producers,  manufacturers,  importers  and 
retailers  who wish  to sell  radio  receivers  and all other  products  which  have  built-in 
radio  receivers  in Saudi Arabia. It  shall be used to assess the eligibility of a product 
for use in Saudi Arabia. This  specification details the requirements for an automotive 
radio receiver and for other receiver types like domestic and portable.  This 
specification covers devices which can  receive terrestrially transmitted AM, FM and  
T-DAB+ radio services. Some of these devices may also receive other digital radio 
services via alternative delivery platforms, such as the internet. This specification 
does not cover details of a receiver inten ded to receive digital services via these 
alternative delivery platforms.  This specification covers many types of receiver, 
including home receivers, portable receivers, devices integrated into the vehicle 
dashboard and aftermarket devices mounted in the d ashboard, behind the dashboard, 
to the vehicle windscreen or elsewhere. This specification covers devices whose sole 
function is to receive radio services, and also devices which have one or more other 
functions in addition to receiving radio services.  This specification  details  the 
requirements  for low cost radio  receivers,  which  represents  the low- end receiver 
market. However, the receiver requirements were compared to the parameters used 
for network planning in order to meet the required field strength and protection  ratios.  
 
2- Technical Requirements:  
2.1- Automotive radio receivers:  
 
All Automotive  radio  receivers  shall  be able to receive  terrestrial  transmitted  AM, FM 
and T -DAB+ sound broadcasting services and shall comply with the technical 
requirements  mentioned at Annex ( A) and ( B). The AM receivers shall comply with 
AM Type A specification.  
 
2.2- Domestic and Portable radio receivers:  
 
All Domestic and Portable radio receivers shall comply with the applicable technical 
requirements for AM, FM or T -DAB + mentioned at Annex ( A) and ( B). 
 SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
5  3- Terms and definition  
For the purposes of this document unless stated otherwise the word Receiver 
refers to an Automotive, Domestic and Portable AM, FM and DAB+ Radio Receive  
for the purposes of this document an automotive receiver is defined as any radio 
receiver that is designed specifically fo r use within a vehicle. For the purposes  of this 
document  the word  Adaptor  refers  to a DAB+  Digital  Radio  Adaptor.  An Adaptor  is 
defined  as a device  that provides  a DAB+  capability  to another  device,  for example  
an analogue radio (AM or FM) that does not have that  capability.  
For T -DAB+, the receiver must be able to play out “ adequate audio 
reception ”. The required “adequate audio reception” is based on the reception of a 
128 kbit/s DAB MPEG 2 audio component which has been transmitted with error 
protection level of UEP -3. “Adequate audio reception” is achieved when the receiver 
is capable of reconstr ucting a data stream at the output of the Viterbi decoder with an 
error rate equal to or better than 1 x 10 -4 when encoded with an error protection level 
of EEP -3A with a 128 kbit/s DAB MPEG 2 audio component.  
For T -DAB+ test purposes, an objective audio test and a performance audio test 
are specified. For the objective test, the audio component shall consist of a 1 KHz 
mono tone, encoded at 3 dB below  full scale  (-3dBFS)  when  transmitted  with error  
protection  level  of EEP-3A and the receiver will be requi red to have no more than a 
permitted number of audio impairments occurring in a given period of listening. An 
audible impairment is defined as any disturbance to the signal detectable by a listener 
and includes mutes or dropouts (when the signal disappears ) and audible noise  at the 
output.  The definitive  method,  known  as the onset  of impairment  (OOI)  test is detailed 
in IEC 62104:2015. For the performance tests an aural evaluation shall be made using 
a stereo music source with a 128 kbit/s DAB MPEG 2 audio component which has 
been transmitted with error protection level of UEP -3. 
Requirements for AM receivers operating in MF and HF bands are referring 
to low cost sound broadcasting receivers.  
Requirements  for FM receivers  operating  in VHF  bands  are referring  to low 
cost mono  and stereo sound broadcasting  receivers.  
 
Req: means that the specification is “Required” and therefore mandatory  
Opt: means that the specification is “Optional” and therefore voluntary but highly 
recommendedSASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
6  4- Normative  References:  
Documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the 
present document.  
 
 ETSI EN 300 401 Radio Broadcasting  Systems;  
 Digital  Audio  Broadcasting  (DAB)  to Mobile,  Portable  and Fixed  receivers.  ETSI  TS 101 
756 Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Registered  Tables.  
 ETSI TS 102 563 Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Transpor t of Advanced Audio 
Coding (AAC)  audio.  
 ETSI TR 101 496 Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Guidelines and rules for 
implementation and operation; (Parts 1 and  2). 
 ETSI 300 384 Radio broadcasting systems; Very High Frequency (VHF), frequency 
modulated, sound  broadcasting  transmitters  
 IEC 62104:2015 Characteristics of DAB  Receivers.  
 ETSI TS 103 176 Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB); Rules of implementation; Service 
information  features  
 UK DRAP: MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS FOR DAB AND DAB+ IN -VEHICLE 
DIGITAL RADIO RECEIVERS AND ADAPTORS  DRAP -TEG -03, 
 UK DRAP: MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS FOR DAB AND DAB+ PERSONAL AND 
DOMESTIC DIGITAL RADIO RECEIVERS  DRAP -TEG -02. 
 RECOMMENDATION  ITU-R BS.415 -2 - Minimum  performance  specifications  for low- 
cost sound -broadcasting  receivers  
 ITU-R BS.703  Characteristics  of AM sound  broadcasting  reference  receivers  for planning 
purposes  
 ITU-R BS.560 -4 Radio -frequency protection ratios in LF, MF and HF  broadcasting  
 IEC 60315 -3:1989/AMD1:1999; Amendment 1 - Methods of measurement on radio 
receive rs for various classes of emission. Part 3: Receivers for amplitude -modulated 
sound -broadcasting  emissions  
 ITU-R BS.450 -3 - Transmission standards for FM sound broadcasting at  VHF  
 ETS 300 384 - Radio broadcasting systems; Very High Frequency (VHF), frequency 
modulated, sound broadcasting  transmitters  
 ITU-R BS.641 - Determination of radio -frequency protection ratios for frequency - 
modulated sound  broadcasting  
 ITU-R BS.412 -9 - Planning standards for terrestrial FM sound broadcasting at  VHF  
 IEC 62106:20 15 RDS (Radio Data  System)  
 
Reference to other documents or sources may be existing and is noted in the document where 
applicable.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
7  Annex (A): Requirement table for T -DAB+ Radio Receiver  
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  
1.1 Services reception  An automotive receiver must 
in addition to DAB+ services 
receive also FM and AM 
analogue radio services 
currently on air in Saudi 
Arabia  and based on AM and 
FM specifications.  Req. A DAB+ digital radio 
receiver with a primary 
purpose of adapting an 
analogue receiver to digital 
(also called Adapter) is  
not required to receive 
analogue radio services.  
1.2 Output for audio  The receiver shall output the 
audio signal to loudspeakers 
and/or provide outputs to one 
of the interfaces specified in 
Clause 5 of IEC 62104:2015  Req.  
1.3 Output for audio  The receiver may optionally 
provide an outpu t of the 
selected audio service 
component according  
to IEC 60958 -3. Opt.  
1.4 DMB (Digital 
Multimedia  
Broadcasting)  The receiver should support 
Hybrid Digital Radio  
services as specified in ETSI  
TS 102 428.  Opt. DMB is a video and  
multimedia technology 
based on DAB/DAB+  
1.5 Hybrid Digital 
Radio  The receiver should support 
Hybrid Digital Radio services 
as specified  in ETSI TS 101 
499 and ETSI TS 102 818  Opt.  
2 RF REQUIREMENTS  
2.1 Frequency range  174 to 230 MHz (VHF Band 
III) Req. Frequency allocation table 
is available in Annex A of 
the IEC 62104:2015  
2.2 RF performance  The receiver must comply 
with the Band III provisions 
of IEC 62104:20 15 with the 
exceptions that the 
thresholds for Gaussian 
Sensitivity, Rayleigh 
Sensitivity and Adjacent 
Channel Interference should 
be taken from this  document.  Req.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
8  2.3 RF Input - 
domestic and 
portable receivers  UHF FEMALE 75 Ohm as 
defined in IEC 61169 -2:2007 
or- Type F  
FEMALE 75 Ohm as 
defined in IEC 61169 -24 Opt. Domestic and portable 
receivers.  
2.4 RF Input - 
automotive 
receivers  Shall be fitted with an antenna 
connection as follows:  
- RF standard core: Type 
SMB MALE 50Ohm as 
defined in  IEC 60169 -10 or  
- Headshell, latch: Type 
Fakra (SMBA) with latch 
as defined  in ISO  20860 -1 Req. Automotive receivers: Not 
relevant for receivers 
integrated to the car 
(OEM).  
 
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
2.5 RF - Gaussian  
sensitivity receivers  Receivers supplied without 
an antenna shall be capable 
of providing Adequate 
Audio Reception with an 
input power level of -97,7 
dBm when fed by a DAB+ 
signal with Gaussian  
transmission channel 
characteristics. Automotive  
external ante nna will require 
a gain of -2,9 dBi or greater 
to produce this power at the 
required minimum field 
strength. Automotive 
receivers should have an 
input impedance of 50 
Ohms.  
   Req. A DAB+ Digital radio 
Automotive Receiver that is 
sold packaged or installed  
with an antenna must 
provide Adequate Audio 
Reception when receiving a 
DAB+ signal with a field 
strength signa l greater than 
FSG min in a Gaussian 
transmission channel.  
The value of FSG min is 
frequency of 220 MHz, 
and its value at other 
frequencies can be 
calculated from the 
following formula:  
FSG min = [29,2 + 
20log(F/220)]  
dBμV/m, where F is the 
frequency in MHz  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
9  2.6 RF - Gaussian 
sensitivity – 
Domestic and 
portable receivers  Receivers supplied without 
an antenna shall be capable 
of providing Adequate 
Audio Reception with an 
input power level of -
97,7dBm when fed by a 
DAB+ signal with Gaussian 
transmission channel 
characteristics. This external 
antenna will require a gain 
of - 8.1dBi or greater to 
produce this power at the 
required minimum field 
strength. Domestic receivers 
should have an input 
impedance of 75 Ohms.  Req. A domestic receiver that is 
sold with an antenna must 
provide Adequate Audio 
Reception when receiving 
a DAB+ signal wit h a 
field strength signal 
greater than FSG min in a 
Gaussian transmission 
channel. The value FSG min 
is frequency dependent. It 
is 34,4 dBμV/m for a 
signal with a centre 
frequency of 220 MHz, 
and its value at other 
frequencies can  be 
calculated from the 
following formula:  
FSG min = [34,4 + 
20log(F/220)]  
dBμV/m, where F is the 
frequency in MHz.  
2.7 RF - Maximum 
input power for a 
Gaussian Channel  For the maximum input 
power test, the minimum 
requirements in VHF band 
III for different types of 
DAB+ receivers defined in 
IEC 62104:2015 are:  
- Domestic receivers & 
Automotive accessory : -
10dBm  
- Portable receivers: -5dBm  
- OEM Automotive receivers: 
+10dBm  Req. The maximum input 
power is the maximum 
input level at which the 
DAB+ receiver will 
perform just before 
synchronisation is lost.  
2.8 RF - Rayleigh 
sensitivity - 
Automotive 
receivers  Receivers supplied without 
an antenna shall be capable 
of providing Adequate Audio 
Reception (as defined above) 
with an input power level of  
-92,2dBm when fed by a 
DAB+ signal with Rayleigh 
transmission channel Req. A DAB+ Digital radio In - 
Vehicle Receiver that is 
sold with an antenna must 
provide Adequate Audio 
Reception (as defined 
above) when receiving a 
DAB+ signal with a field 
strength signal greater SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
10  characteristics. This external 
antenna will require a gain of  
-2,9 dB or greater to produce 
this power at the required 
minimum field strength. The 
Rayleigh fading channel 
characteristics will be as 
specified in IEC 62104:2015.  than FSRmin in a 
Rayleigh  transmission 
channel.  
 
The value of FSR min is 
frequency dependant. It is 
34,7 dBμV/m for a signal 
with a centre frequency of 
220 MHz  
2.9 RF - Rayleigh 
sensitivity – 
Domestic and 
portable receivers  Receivers supplied without 
an antenna shall be capable 
of providing Adequate Audio  
Reception (as defined above) 
with an input power level of  
-92,2dBm when fed by a 
DAB+ signal with Rayleigh 
transmission channel 
characteristics. This external 
antenna will require a gain of 
-8,1dBi or greater to produce 
this power  at the required 
minimum field strength. The 
Rayleigh fading channel 
characteristics will be as  
specified in IEC 
62104:2015.  Req. The receiver must provide 
Adequate Audio Reception 
of a DAB+ signal with 
Rayleigh transmission 
channel  characteristics 
with field strengths at or 
above the frequency 
dependent value of 
FSR min. of 39,9 dBμV/m 
for a signal with a centre 
frequency of 220 MHz  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
11  2.10 RF – Receiver 
selectivity 
(Adjacent channel 
interference)  A receiver must be able to 
provide adequate reception 
of a DAB+ audio sub -
channel with error protection 
level UEP3 when the wanted 
signal has a level of - 70dBm 
for domestic and - 77,7dBm 
for automotive receiver and it 
is in the presence of any one 
of the interfering signals with 
a frequency offset and 
amplitude a s described in the 
table below.  Req. The figure for adjacent 
channel interference 
(N+/ - 1) from the table 
below is applicable for 
the majority of DAB+ 
frequency blocks where 
the spacing between 
centre frequencies is 
1,712MHz.  
Frequency 
block of 
Interferin
g DAB 
signal 
relative to 
wanted 
signal  Level of 
interfering 
signal,  
 relative to 
wanted  
 signal 
(Gaussian 
wanted  
 signal at 
threshold  
 level of  
-70 dBm/t - 
77,7dBm at 
the input to 
the receiver)  
N±1 +35dB  
N±2 +40dB  
N±3 and to 
extent  
of band   +45dB  
 
 
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
3 DAB+ channel decoding requirements  
3.1 Decoding – general  Receivers must be capable 
of decoding at least one 
audio sub - channel.  Req.  
3.2 Decoding – DAB+  A receiver shall be able to 
decode a DAB+ audio 
service contained in a sub -
channel of a size up to and 
including 144 Capacity Units 
(e.g.96 kbps@EEP1A).  Req. DAB+ audio services 
are defined in ETSI TS 
102 563  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
12  3.3 Decoding - DAB  A receiver should be able to 
decode a DAB audio service 
contained in a sub -channel of 
a size up to and including 
280 Capacity  
Units (e.g. 256 kbps@UEP1).  Opt. DAB audio services are 
defined in ETSI EN 300 
401. 
3.4 Decoding – 
Audio Service  Stereo, parametric stereo 
and spectral band 
replication shall be 
supported  Req.  
4 Audio decoding requirements  
4.1 Audio decoding  According to ETSI EN300 
401 Section 7 – Audio 
Coding; All clauses except 
7.4.1.1 (Dynamic Range 
Control), 7.4.5.1 (MSC Data  
Groups in X -PAD), 
7.4.5.2 (Dynamic 
Label Segment)  Req.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
13   
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
4.2 Audio decoding for  
DAB+  According to ETSI TR 102 
563 - all sections are relevant  Req.  
4.3 Audio 
decoding – 
general  According to ETSI TR 101 
496 part 2 Section 3 – 
Implementation and 
Operation of System  Features;  
Clauses 3.1 (Introduction), 
3.2 (Data  Transport  
Mechanisms), 3.2.2 
(Stream Mode), 3.4 
(Audio Coding).  Req.  
5 Functionality and user interface  
5.1 Retuning – scan A receiver which has a 
stored list of service labels 
from many ensembles should 
automatically update its 
stored service list or provide 
the user with the option of 
manually scanning the whole 
Band III band to update its 
stored service list when 
required.  Req.  
5.2 Retuning - updates  Receivers which only 
display the services on the 
current ensemble should 
update the displayed list of 
audio services if the selected 
ensemble reconfigures to 
add, remove or rename 
services automatically or 
manually.  
This rescan / retune feature 
must be able to cope with the 
following changes:  
1. Service mov es to a  
different multiplex  
2. New multiplex  launches  
3. Multiplex changes its  
frequency  Req. DAB+ Ensembles in Saudi 
Arabia  will change their 
configuration from time to 
time. It is preferred that the 
receiver should update its 
stored database of 
available programmes by 
constantly checking the 
FIC of the ensemble to 
which  it is currently tuned.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
14  4. New Service  appears  
5. Service changes name  
6. Service  disappears  
7. Multiple Instances of the 
same programme content 
with the same Service ID on 
different  frequencies  
and with varying signal levels  
5.3 Text display  Automotive receiver shall 
have a means of displaying 
text to the user and this is also 
highly recommendable for 
other receiver types; 
alternative options for user  
interaction could exist for 
special receiver types.  Req.  
5.4 Text display - 
basic 
presentation  The text display shall display 
the audio service name (the 
Component Label). The text 
display must be able to 
display the following 
graphic symbols, correctly 
mapped, visually well - 
formed a nd clear: 
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQR
STU VWXYZabcdefghijklmn
opqrstuvw xyz0123456789  
Lower case characters may be 
mapped to upper case 
equivalents and therefore 
show only: 
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST
UVWXYZ0123456789  Req.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
15   
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
5.5 Text display – 
full range 
presentation  For displays wishing to 
display the full range of 
Dynamic Label text, 
including these symbols as 
specified in ETSI EN 300 
401, and if the receiver 
cannot display these graphic 
symbols correctly, then the 
graphic al symbol shown 
shall be a “space” or “□” or, 
in any case, a similar 
distinctly non alpha / 
numeric character.  Req. It is likely that 
Broadcasters will also use 
the following characters: 
@ ? + - $ € % & !  
."() ,” and Arabic characters.  
5.6 Arabic character set  In addition to the complete 
EBU Latin based Repertoire 
(code 0000), the Receivers 
shall support characters for 
ARABIC language (HEX 
code 7E) from ISO/IEC 
10646 using UTF -8 
transformations (codes 0110 
and 1111).  Req.  
5.7 Text display - labels  Receivers shall receive labels 
from ensembles and audio 
services, and display long 
form labels in  
preference to short form labels.  Req.  
5.8 Text display – 
labels preference  The receiver shall display the 
Component Label, in 
preference to the Service 
Label, as it is possible to 
have two audio channels 
sharing the same Service 
Label. If a Component Label 
is not broadcast,  
the Service Label shall be 
used.  Req.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
16  5.9 Text display – 
Component 
label  The text display shall display 
the Component label  in either 
its short form (8 characters 
long) or its long form (16 
characters long). It is not 
permissible for the receiver to 
truncate the label to any other  
length.  Req.  
5.10 Text display – 
Dynamic Label  
Service  Receivers shall receive the 
Dynamic Label Service from 
up to 48 bytes of the X -PAD 
of the currently received 
service and display it to the 
user legibly.  
Receivers should treat the 
special characters 0x0A and 
0x0B as specified and apply 
such formatting as is 
possible on the display. The 
Recei ver shall act upon the 
Command to remove the 
label from the display by 
immediately removing the 
label, even if it has only 
been partially displayed.  Req. ETSI EN300 401 provides 
relevant information in the 
following section:  
 Section 7 – Audio  Coding  
o Clause  7.4.5.2 (Dynamic  
Label Segment)  
 
ETSI TR 101 496 part 2 
provides information in the 
following section:  
 Section 3 – 
Implementation and 
Operation of System 
Features  
o Clauses 3.2.4 
(Programme Associated  
Data (PAD)),  3.5.6  
(Dynamic Label)  
 
ETSI TR102 563 provides 
relevant information in the 
following section:  
 Section 5 – Audio  
o Clause 5.4 (Programme 
Associated  Data)  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
17   
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
5.11 Text display – 
Automotive 
receivers  To avoid taking unnecessary 
attention  from the driver 
Automotive receivers shall 
not animate or scroll the 
dynamic label  
by default.  Req.  
6 Announcement signa ling and switching, service labels  
6.1 Announcement 
switching  Automotive receiver shall 
support announcement 
switching as  defined in  ETSI 
300 401 sub -section 8.1.6. 
This feature instructs the 
receiver to select an 
alternative audio  source only 
for the duration of an audio 
announcement, before 
returning  to 
the original source.  Req. Manufacturers may 
provide the user with an 
option to disable this 
feature.  
6.2 Traffic 
Announcement  Automotive receiver shall 
vector from the selected 
service to an a udio service 
carrying a Traffic 
Announcement if all the 
following conditions are met:  
• The selected service is 
signalled as supporting 
announcements by means of 
a Fig 0/18 in the Service 
Information with ASu flag 
bit 1 set to indicated 
“Traffic” and is provided 
with a Cluster  Id. 
• An announcement is raised 
by another service on the 
same ensemble with the 
same Cluster  Id. 
• The user has not selected a 
menu option to disable the  
announcement  feature  Req. The receiver does not have 
to respond to 
announcements that are 
signalled as being present 
on other Ensembles. 
Whether it does so or not 
is a design choice for the 
manufacturer.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
18  6.3 Traffic 
Announcement on 
same Programme 
Identifier (PI)  Automotive receivers shall 
not switch to Traffic 
Announcements received on 
an FM service if that FM 
service has the same 
Programme Identifier (PI) 
Code as the Service ID (SID) 
of the original signal.  Req. Services whose SID and 
PI codes match will be 
carrying identical content. 
There is no need to disrupt 
the DAB audio  by 
switching to the FM 
version of the same audio 
– which may not be co -
timed.  
6.4 Service following  Automotive receiver shall 
support all aspects of 
service following as 
specified in the ETSI 
document ETSI TS 103 176 
Digital Audio Broadcasting 
(DAB); Rules of 
implementation; Service 
information features.  Req. ETSI EN300 40 1 provides 
relevant information in the 
following Section 8 – Data  
Features; Clauses 8.1.1  
(Introduction), 8.1.8 
(Frequency Information), 
8.1.10.1  (OE Frequencies), 
8.1.10.2  (OE Services), 
8.1.15 (Service Linking 
Information)  
7 User information  
7.1 Easy to Use and 
Simple 
Documentation  Receivers shall be simple to 
set up and  operate and be 
provided with clear easy to 
understand user  
documentation in both Arabic 
and English in line with that  
requirement.  Req.  
7.2 Support Package  The following peripheral 
items shall be included 
within a baseline package:  
• Batteries for Remote 
control (if included)  
• An easy to understand user 
manual in both Arabic and  
English  
• Reception antenna(s) for 
supported band(s) (if antenna 
is not integrated). Note: not  
mandatory  
for automotive receivers.  Req.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
19  Annex (B): Requirement table for AM/FM Radio Receivers  
 
 
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req. Notes  
1 AM radio Type A: a low sensitivity receiver for operation in MF  
1.1 Frequency range  526.5kHz - 1606.5kHz  Req.  
1.2 Type of modulation  A3 (Double sideband 
amplitude modulation  with 
full carrier)  Req.  
1.3 Channel spacing  9 kHz  Req. In the case of a tuner using  
PLL (Phase Locked 
Loop), the radio shall be 
able to change  the 
receiving frequency in 
9kHz steps.  
1.4 RF - Sensitivity  Not worse than 5mV/m 
(with a built -in antenna 
with facilities for using an 
external antenna)  Req. Sensitivity of receivers is 
understood as "noise 
limited sensitivity" in terms 
of field strength, required 
to achieve a signal to noise 
ratio of 26dB at the audio 
output at 30% modulation 
of 400Hz tone. T he AF 
signal -to-noise ratio shall 
be according to the IEC 
Publication 60315 -3 and 
the field strength values for 
MF band are measured  
according to the IEC 
Publication 60315 -3 
1.5 RF - Selectivity  Overall selectivity for 
a low sensitivity 
receiver shall be:  
at -6dB points: passband 
not less than ±3kHz,  
at -20dB points: passband 
not greater than ±10kHz  Req. Selectivity of a receiver is a 
measure of its ability to 
discriminate between a 
wanted signal to which the 
receiver is tuned and 
unwanted signals entering  
through the antenna circuit. 
The selectiv ity measurement 
is based on the 
Recommendation  ITU-R 
SM.332 -4. SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
20  1.6 RF - Image, 
intermediate freq. 
and spurious 
response ratio  Image rejection ratio shall 
not be less than 30dB  
 
 Req. The value of image and 
intermediate frequency 
rejection ratio and the 
production of harmonics of 
the intermediate frequency 
and/or of the oscillator 
frequency are factors 
influencing the choice of 
intermediate frequency. If 
both the carrier frequencies 
and the intermediate 
frequ ency are an integral 
multiple of the carrier 
spacing, then all interfering 
products will also be 
integral multiples of the 
carrier spacing. 
Theoretically, a maximum 
protection could then be 
obtained because the 
frequency difference 
between any interfering 
signal of this kind  and 
the wanted carrier 
frequency,  
would be zero or a multiple 
of the channel spacing. No 
specific intermediate 
frequency are 
recommended, but the use 
of frequencies in the range 
450-470 kHz is common. 
An image rejection ratio is 
measure d according to the 
IEC Publication  
60315 -3. SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
21   
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req. Notes  
1.7 Audio performance  If Audio output is 
available, then the Audio 
power output shall not be 
less than 0.1W for less 
than 10% distortion.  Req.  
2 AM radio Type B: a combined receiver for operation in MF and HF  
2.1 Frequency range   
MF: 526,5kHz - 1606,5kHz  
 Req. HF band 2.3 MHz - 
21.85MHz is divided to 
SW1, SW2 and SW3.  
 
Some receivers may not be 
able to receive all bands 
recommended by ITU -R 
BS.415 - 2 but shall be able 
to receive SW2 band.   
SW1: 2,3 -2,5MHz, 3,2 -
3,4MHz,  
3,9-4,0MHz, 4,75 -5,06MHz, 
5,95- 
6,2MHz, 7,1 -7,6MHz  Opt. 
 
SW2: 9,2 -9,9MHz, 
11,6- 12,2MHz, 13,57 -
13,87MHz,  
15,10 -15,8MHz  Req. 
 
SW3: 17,48 -17,9MHz, 
21,45 - 21,85MHz, 25,6-
26,1MHz,  
26,965 -27,41MHz  Opt. 
2.2 Type of modulation  A3 (Double sideband 
amplitude modulation with 
full carrier)  Req.  
2.3 Channel spacing  MF: 9kHz 
HF:5kHz  Req. In the case of a tuner using 
PLL (Phase Locked Loop), 
the MF radio shall be able 
to change the receiving 
frequency in 9 kHz steps.  
In the case of a tuner using 
PLL (Phase Locked Loop) 
a HF receiver shall be able 
to change the receiving 
frequency in 5 kHz steps.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
22  2.4 RF - Sensitivity  Not worse than 150μV  Req. Sensitivity of receivers is 
understood as "noise 
limited sensitivity" in terms 
of field strength, required 
to achieve a signal to noise 
ratio of 26dB at the audio 
output of 30% modulation 
of 400Hz tone. The AF 
signal -to-noise ratio shall 
be according to th e IEC 
Publication 60315 -3 and 
the field strength values for 
MF band are measured 
according to the IEC 
Publication 60315 -3 
2.5 RF - Selectivity  At -6dB points: passband not 
less than ±3kHz  
At -20dB points: 
passband  not greater than  
±10kHz  
At -40dB points: 
passband  not greater than  
±20kHz  Req. Selectivity of a receiver is a 
measure of its ability to 
discriminate between a 
wanted signal to which the 
receiver is tuned and 
unwanted signals  entering 
through the antenna  
circuit.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
23   
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req 
 Notes  
2.6 RF - Image, 
intermediate freq. 
and spurious 
response ratio  Image rejection ratio shall 
not be less than 30dB for 
MF 
 
Image response ratio for 
HF shall not be less than 
5dB 
 
Intermediate frequency 
and spurious response 
ratio for HF shall not be 
less than 12dB  
 
This does not apply to 
Software Defined Radios 
(SDR).  Req. No specific intermediate 
frequency are 
recommended, but the use 
of frequencies in the range 
450-470 kHz is common. 
However, it should be 
noted that when such 
frequencies are used it is 
then not possible to achieve 
a sufficient image rejection 
ratio in HF bands. For this 
case the use  of higher 
intermediate frequency in 
conjunction with double - 
conversion should be 
considered for HF. An 
image rejection ratio is 
measured according to the  
IEC Publication 60315 -3 
2.7 RF - Automatic 
gain control 
(A.g.c.) 
performance  The output level shall not 
change by more than 6dB for 
a reduction in signal level of 
10dB. Similarly,  the output 
level shall not change by 
more than 3 dB for an 
increase in signal level of  
20dB.  Req. Automatic gain control is 
responding to changes of a  
signal level at the antenna 
input of the receiver. The 
ITU-R BS.415 -2 specifies 
that the output level should 
not change for more than 
10 dB for a reduction in a 
signal level of 30dB from 
0,1V. The value of 0,1V is 
rather high so it is better to 
use the definition from 
ITU-R BS.703 using the 
sensitivity values (MF  60 
dBμV/m, HF 40 dBμV/m)  
2.8 RF - Frequency  
stability  Shall  be such that the receiver 
does not require frequent 
retuning  Req.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
24  2.9 Audio 
performance - 
Power output  Power output, for less than 
10% distortion shall not be 
less than  
0.1W  Req.  
2.10 Audio 
performance – 
Overall fidelity  Overall fidelity including 
acoustic response of 
loudspeaker shall be at least 
250-3150Hz within 18dB 
limits  
or, alternatively it may be 
more convenient for some 
manufacturers to consider 
only the electrical 
characteristics which shall be 
at least 100-4000Hz within 
12dB limits (audio frequency 
of 400 Hz  
should be taken as the 
reference 0 dB level)  Req.  
 
 
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
3 FM radio  with RDS  
3.1 Frequency range  87.5MHz - 108.00MHz  Req.  
3.2 Type of modulation  Receiver shall be designed to 
demodulate: F3/F8 Req. Character "F" stands for  
Frequency modulation, and 
the numbers  "3" and "8"  
designates the "One  Channel 
or two channels containing 
analogue information"  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
25   
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
3.3 Channel spacing  Channels spacing shall be 100 
kHz Req. In the case of a tuner using 
PLL (Phase Locked Loop) 
a FM receiver shall be able 
to tune the receiving 
frequency in 100 kHz  
steps.  
3.4 RF - Sensitivity  Not worse than -75dB rel. 
1mW (321 dB(μV/m))  Req. Sensitivity of receivers is 
understood as "noise 
limited sensitivity" in 
terms of field strength, 
required to achieve a 
signal to noise ratio of 
30dB at the 50mW audio 
output.  
3.5 RF - Signal to noise  
ratio Better than 30dB  Req.  
3.6 RF – Intermediate 
frequency  Shall be 10.7MHz  
 
This does not apply to 
Software Defined Radios 
(SDR).  Req. The local oscillator 
position can be 10,7MHz 
higher or lower from the 
receiving frequency.  
3.7 RF - Selectivity  At least - 30dB at ±300kHz  
 
This does not apply to 
Software Defined Radios 
(SDR).  Req. Selectivity of a FM receiver 
is a measure of its ability to 
discriminate between a 
wanted signal to which the 
receiver is tuned and 
unwanted signals entering 
through the antenna circuit. 
Channel separation i s 
100kHz.  
3.8 RF – 
Receiver 
bandwidth  Shall be ± 75 kHz  
This does not apply to 
Software Defined Radios 
(SDR).  Req.  
3.9 RF – Radiation of 
the local oscillator  The local oscillator 
radiation should be less 
than the limits  
specified by CISPR 22 
or EN 55022.  Req. TRA Technical specification 
on EMC and Safety 
Requirements to be 
considered.  SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           /  
 
26  3.10 Audio 
performance – 
power output  If the Audio Output is 
available,  then the Audio 
power output shall  
be not less than 0.1W  Req.  
3.11 Audio 
performance – 
Distortion  The distortion shall be less 
than 5% for a frequency 
deviation varying between 
±15 kHz and ±75 kHz with a 
modulation frequency o f 
400 Hz and an output power 
of 50mW.  Req.  
3.12 Audio performance 
– De-emphasis  De-emphasis of the sound 
signal shall be 50μs  Req.  
3.13 Radio Data 
System (RDS)  Automotive receivers have to 
comply with the RDS (Radio 
Data System) standard IEC 
62106:2015  Req. Chapter 3.13 mandatory 
for automotive receivers! 
Optional  
for other receivers.  
3.13.1  Basic RDS features  Programme Identification (PI)  Req. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.2  Basic RDS features  Programme Service (PS) 
name  Req. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.3  Basic RDS features  Alternative Frequency (AF) 
lists Req. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.4  Basic RDS features  Traffic Programme (TP) code  Req. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.5  Basic RDS features  Traffic Announcement (TA) 
signal  Req. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.6  Additional RDS  
features  Decoder Information (DI)  Opt. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.7  Additional RDS  
features  Music Speech (MS)  Opt. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.8  Additional RDS 
features  Programme Type (PTY)  Req. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.9  Additional RDS 
features  Programme Item Number 
(PIN)  Opt. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.10  Optional RDS  
Additional  Enhanced Other Networks  
information (EON)  Req. For automotive receivers!  
3.13.11  Additional RDS  
features  Clock Time and date (CT)  Opt. For automotive receivers!  
 SASO STANDARD                                                            SASO           / 
 
27   
No. Resource  Reference/ Details  Req.  Notes  
4 User information  
4.1 Easy to Use and 
Simple 
Documentation  Receivers shall be simple to set 
up and operate and be provided 
with clear easy to understand 
user documentation in both 
Arabic and English in line with 
that 
requirement.  Req.  
4.2 Support Package  The following peripheral 
items should be included 
within a baseline package:  
• Batteries for Remote 
control (if included)  
• An easy to understand user 
manual in both Arabic and  
English  
• Reception antenna(s) for 
supported band(s) (if antenn a 
is not integrated). Note: not  
mandatory for automotive  
receivers.  Req.  
 
 
1 To convert dBm to dBuV add 107 dB (for 50 ohm systems)  
Req: means Requirement, mandatory  
Opt: means optional, voluntary