Phillips announced that they've upgraded their SAF3550 HD Radio chip processor to allow up to eight separate streams on a single FM frequency. It also now allows for broadcasters to send voice and data signals that completely changes the possibilities of HD Radio's services. These data signals allow for a single station to provide an RDS-like format with info on a song or artist, but even further thinking is the ability to use it for things like traffic reporting.Theoretically, the traffic reporting system could be used in conjunction with GPS navigation systems and provide real-time re-routing around accidents or delays - your local radio station could provide you with this data without having to wait for the traffic report. This level of ultra-localization would give HD Radio a true benefit over Satellite, where traffic reporting is limited to major metro areas.
