Early History
North American digital satellite radio began in the United States in October 1997, when XM Radio became one of 2 U.S. companies to be awarded an FCC license to deliver Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (SDARS) to the United States. On November 12, 2001 digital satellite radio became a reality as XM Radio launched its nationwide service to became the first company to offer a national digital satellite radio service, initially offering over 100 channels of music, news, talk, sports, comedy, science, childrens programming and more.
On June 16, 2005, Canadian Satellite Radio received a six year broadcasting license by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a Satellite Digital Audio
Radio Services (SDARS) undertaking in Canada. The Canadian service was launched on November 22, 2005, utilizing a temporary studio broadcast center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Initially blending 70+ existing U.S. XM Radio channel lineup, XM Canada has created an additional 8 channels of Canadian English and French programming, which is blended together to offer a rich and diverse blend of satellite radio programming.
Corporate History
XM Canada™ operates through its subsidiary, Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. XM Canada™ is the exclusive Canadian licensee of the U.S. XM Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ: XMSR), the leading satellite radio provider in the U.S. with more than seven million subscribers in the United States.
Technology
XM Canada is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where it owns a new state of
the art broadcasting studio which allows it to create the unique Canadian content to add to the XM Canada service. XM Radio is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and owns the
largest digital radio facility of its kind with 82 end to end
broadcasting studios. XM Radio is encoded using CT-aacPlus
technology, digitized and broadcast in near CD quality 128kb/sec
format, which delivers an extremely robust and crisp signal that
is in every way superior to analog radio signals. Because the
signal is digitized, there is very signal quality loss, so the
received signal is very close to the original source track.
Illustration courtesy of XM Radio
Satellite Technology
XM radio delivers its satellite radio programming to its subscribers via 4 of the worlds most powerful commercial satellites, currently in geo-stationary orbit 22 300 miles above the Earth. The 2 active XM radio satellites are Boeing HS-702's and are aptly named "Rhythm" and "Blues". "Rhythm" (XM-3) was launched on February 28, 2005, "Blues" (XM-4) was launched on October 30, 2006. The new satellites replace the original 2 XM Radio satellites "Rock", launched on March 18, 2001 and "Roll", launched on May 8, 2001. The original satellites now serve as in-orbit spares in case of systems failure of either of the 2 active XM satellites. "Rhythm" and "Rock" are currently positioned at 85 degrees West Longitude, servicing mostly the western half of the United States. "Blues" and "Roll" are currently positioned at 115 degrees West Longitude, servicing mostly the eastern half of the United States. Together these 4 satellites offer nationwide U.S. Coverage and beyond. The footprint from the XM Radio satellites extend approximately from Mexico City, Mexico to more than a couple hundred miles into Canada and approximately 100 miles off both the east and west coasts. This allows people travelling into Canada or Mexico to enjoy uninterrupted coverage. Monitored and controlled by Telesat Canada, the satellites broadcast their signals back down to Earth using the L band radio frequencies (950-1450 MHZ). Rhythm and Blues as well as Rock and Roll are designed to broadcast using different frequencies to avoid interference and use a variety of methods to minimize dead spots including spacial, time and frequency diversity.
Reception Technology
Because the signals are so much more powerful that other
satellite signals, such as satellite television broadcasts, XM
radio needs only small omni directional antenna located on the
vehicle or home. The antennas are similar to GPS or satellite
telephone antennas in that they contain a number of small, flat
arrays that collect the signal and do not require pointing like
traditional satellite antennas. They need only have a clear line
of sight to the satellite.
In addition to audio programming, XM also offers information
about the broadcast, including the song title, artist, and genre
of music right on your XM receiver display. In many U.S. urban
cities where large buildings and tunnels can interfere with the
XM signal, XM radio also supplements their signal with
terrestrial transmitters. Your XM receiver will automatically
switch from the satellite to the terrestrial broadcast if
available to maintain the highest quality broadcast possible.
Recently, XM Radio began broadcasting current weather the traffic
conditions of many major U.S. cities as well, allowing listeners
to stay updated.
XM Radio Satellite Footprint
XM Radio Receivers
XM Radio receivers come in 4 different configurations, portable XM Radio receivers, plug and play systems, satellite-ready head units, and home receivers.
Portable XM Radio Systems
These are designed for those that wish to enjoy XM radio while on the go. Completely self contained and portable, they will operate while in the car, walking, jogging and more. Currently, portable units are available from Delphi and Pioneer.
Plug and Play XM Radio Systems
These are transportable units that can be used either in the car, or at home. Plug and play units operate in conjunction with home and car docking units that allow power and antenna connections. The advantage of this configuration is you can use it at home or in the car using a single radio, avoiding the need for a second subscription.
Satellite-Ready Head Units
Satellite-ready radios allow XM Radio reception on quality after market CD and DVD head units. Currently, these are available from Alpine, Pioneer, Panasonic, Sony, JVC, Kenwood, Clarion and Jensen. Additionally, many of the new vehicle manufacturers include XM Ready radios in their new vehicles. Currently, these include; Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infinity, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln-Mercury, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Nissan, Porsche, Range Rover, Scion, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. In order to receive XM Radio programming on a satellite-ready radio, you will require a XM Radio decoder add-on module and external slim line antenna to receive the programming.
XM Radio Satellite Antennas
XM Radio systems use an innovative omni-directional antenna design, so you won't have to worry about pointing your satellite antenna as it will automatically aquire a satellite lock as long as you continue to have a clear view of the southern sky. Due to XM Radio's satellite broadcasting power, the satellite signal is capable of penetrating some objects such as certain wood roofs, however steel, concrete or an abundance of trees can interfere with your signal. XM Radio antennas come in a multitude of designs depending on its required use. These include portable antennas for the home and vehicle, permanent vehicle slim antennas, commercial truck/RV antennas, marine mount antennas as well as outdoor home mount antennas for difficult home installations.
XM Radio Service
After you have successfully installed your XM Radio
on your vehicle, home or computer, you should be able to receive
the XM Radio preview channels, these are a limited number of
random XM channels that you will be able to receive once your
receiver is installed and antenna setup. You should then tune to
channel 0 and your XM radio display will show your units'
hardware ID. This is the unique ID number that identifies your
receiver to the XM network and allows activation.
Monthly subscriptions to XM Canada is $14.99 CAD per month.
XM Canada also offers discounts for additional units as well, so if you
want one for the car and one for home, or one for each of the
cars, XM will discount the monthly cost of the additional units.
Once you are ready to activate your Canadian XM Canada service, have your hardware ID, Canadian mailing address and credit card ready and you can activate over the Internet, or by calling 1-877-438-9677. XM Canada charges a one time activation fee of $14.99 CAD.
If you are a U.S. resident, you will want to visit our U.S. XM Radio Section instead.
