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Radio to the Power of X - How It Works
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| How It Works: |
XM Satellite Radio, the first digital satellite radio service in the U.S., offers more than 170 digital channels of revolutionary radio including 69 commercial-free music channels, 67 news, sports, talk and children's channels, and XM Instant Traffic and Weather broadcast coast-to-coast in digital quality. Transmitted channels via XM's four powerful satellites directly to car and home radios, the basic service is available for a monthly subscription fee of $12.95. XM radios are available in retail outlets throughout the US; and major automotive manufacturers like General Motors and Honda are offering factory-installed XM radios in new car models. |
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| Part Rocket Science, Part Rock n' Roll: |
XM Satellite Radio consists of a state-of-the art Broadcast Center in Washington, DC, that covers 150,000 square feet and includes some 80 studios; four Boeing satellites, and approximately 800 terrestrial repeaters located throughout the continental United States. XM broadcasts digitized programming, both original and acquired, to the satellites which are positioned over the East and West Coasts in geostationary orbits. The repeater network ensures signal coverage, particularly in urban areas where tall buildings and other obstructions may otherwise interfere with signal reception. The repeaters receive the XM signal directly from the satellites and then re-transmit it to XM radios anywhere. |
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| XM Radios: |
An XM radio can receive and play XM's encrypted digital signal once that radio is activated. XM radios incorporate a proprietary chipset that decodes the signals from the satellites and repeaters. The chipset, designed by XM in conjunction with STMicroelectronics, consists of two custom integrated circuits that process satellite and repeater signals, and decode audio and data streams. Each XM radio requires an XM antenna.
There is a broad array of XM Radio products available from leading manufacturers. XM radios come in a wide variety of configurations, allowing you to easily add XM to your existing stereo system or buy a new AM/FM/XM car stereo system, or buy a new car with XM as a factory-installed option. Each XM radio comes with an information display screen that shows the channel name and number, artist, and song title. |
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| Take XM Radio on the Go: |
XM is the first satellite radio company with portable, handheld radios that get live reception on the go. You can listen to live XM, or you can store XM programs for playback anytime. Some portable XM radios even let you play MP3 music. |
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| Add XM to Your Current Stereo: |
A variety of plug-and-play satellite radios can be added to your existing car or home stereo to enable them to receive XM. The radio slips into a sleek docking station installed in your car or home; the radio can be transported between multiple cars or between car and home using separate accessory kits. It can also be used as a stand-alone XM home stereo system when connected to a pair of powered speakers. |
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| Replace Your Current Stereo with XM: |
An "XM Ready" car stereo can be combined with an XM receiver and an XM antenna to create a new AM/FM/XM car stereo system.
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| Antenna Options: |
Two leading antenna manufacturers, Terk and Antenna Specialists, have worked closely with XM to ensure that XM customers will have a variety of attractive antenna options from which to choose. Terk has developed both a low-profile roof-mount and a glass-mount antenna for cars. Antenna Specialists has also developed a glass-mount car antenna, as well as specialty XM antennas for the trucking and boating markets. |
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