Commercial radio reaches 12.4 million weekly listeners in Australia
WorldDAB and Digitalradio Deutschland e.V. have introduced the Automatic Safety Alert system, a new feature in DAB+ digital radio technology designed to deliver emergency alerts without an internet connection.
ASA alerts listeners even if mobile or internet connections fail. The system operates automatically, is regionally adjustable and is supported by the robust DAB+ radio transmission network. The ASA standard will be published globally, with initial tests at IFA Berlin and Germany’s nationwide Warntag (Warning Day) in September. New DAB+ radios are expected to support the ASA standard by mid-2025.
“Radio is one of the most trusted media worldwide and plays a critical role in crises,” said Jacqueline Bierhorst, president of WorldDAB. “This digital innovation in DAB+ ensures listeners receive automatic safety alerts tailored to their location.”
Collaboration between public and private sectors
The ASA system’s development was prompted by the catastrophic flood in Germany’s Ahr Valley three years ago. It emerged through collaboration between public and private broadcasters, device manufacturers and German safety authorities, including the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance.
WorldDAB says that, given global instability and the realities of climate change, ASA is vital internationally. It adds that DAB+ is available in about 70% of Europe, and the system’s global standardization and efficient programming ensure its future viability.
ASA features
WorldDAB says the ASA system offers several critical functionalities to enhance emergency response. Spoken alert messages convey all relevant information about an emergency, ensuring clarity and effectiveness. The system also includes a switch function, where receivers analyze references to alerts on other radio stations, increasing both the flexibility and reach of warnings. Location codes within the DAB+ signal accurately define warning areas, ensuring only those in affected regions receive the notifications.
Additionally, the system is designed with very short synchronized wake-up cycles, reducing power consumption and conserving battery life for portable receivers. This synchronization ensures that all devices activate simultaneously and receive alerts concurrently, providing a coordinated and efficient response.
Hardware development
WorldDAB, Digitalradio Deutschland e.V. and chip manufacturer Frontier Smart Technologies are working closely with manufacturers such as TechniSat and JVCKenwood to bring ASA-compatible devices to market via their Siena Pro module and Kino 4 Pro chip with a new software SDK version.
WorldDAB says that with the standard’s release, all DAB+ radio manufacturers worldwide are encouraged to integrate ASA into their product lines to ensure public safety through a wide range of brands. Frontier Smart Technologies has announced that the production version of ASA-compatible solutions will be available in Q4, enabling manufacturers to offer new devices to the market next summer. Other chip manufacturers are expected to follow suit.
Certification and testing
Digitalradio Deutschland e.V. and WorldDAB have developed a certification scheme for hardware manufacturers based on the well-known “Digital Radio Tick Mark,” which tests typical ASA scenarios such as waking from standby and evaluating location codes. An internationally recognized testing lab will ensure compliance with the standard. The ASA logo, found on certified device packaging and radios, highlights the consumer benefits and builds trust in the technology. The ASA logo is a registered trademark of the EUIPO for the EU, UK, and Switzerland.
Frontier Smart Technologies will present an initial platform test of ASA for B2B customers and the device industry at the upcoming IFA in Berlin, Sept. 6-10 Sept. The exhibition will demonstrate how the new functions can be integrated into future generations of devices. During Germany’s nationwide Warntag on Sept. 12, public and private radio broadcasters, in collaboration with Fraunhofer IIS, will conduct the first tests based on the ASA standard with selected devices.
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute is expected to globally standardize the ASA specification in September as ETSI TS 104 090 and ETSI TS 104 089, ensuring global compatibility and safety of devices and systems.
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