Specific Area Message Encoding

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Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) is a protocol used for framing and classification of broadcasting emergency warning messages. It was developed by the United States National Weather Service for use on its NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) network, and was later adopted by the Federal Communications Commission for the Emergency Alert System, then subsequently by Environment Canada for use on its Weatheradio Canada service. It is also used to set off receivers in Mexico City and surrounding areas as part of the Mexican Seismic Alert System (SASMEX).

Contents

History

From the 1960s to the 1980s, a special feature of the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) system was the transmission of a single 1050 Hz attention tone prior to the broadcast of any message alerting the general public of significant weather events. This became known as the Warning Alarm Tone (WAT). Although it served NWR well, there were many drawbacks. Without staff at media facilities to manually evaluate the need to rebroadcast an NWR message using the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), automatic rebroadcasting of all messages preceded by just the WAT was unacceptable and impractical. Even if stations and others with the need were willing to allow for this type of automatic capture, assuming the events for activation were critical, there was no way for automated equipment at the station to know when the message was complete and restore it back to normal operation.

SAME had its beginnings in the early 1980s when NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) began experimenting with system using analog tones in a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) format to transmit data with radio broadcasts. [1] In 1985, the NWS forecast offices began experimenting with placing special digital codes at the beginning and end of every message concerning life- or property-threatening weather conditions targeting a specific area. The intent of what became SAME was to ultimately transmit a code with the initial broadcast of all NWR messages. However, the roll-out moved slowly until 1995, when the U.S. Government provided the budget needed to develop the SAME technology across the entire radio network. Nationwide implementation occurred in 1997, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted the SAME standard as part of its new Emergency Alert System (EAS). [2] In 2003, NOAA established a SAME technology standard for weather radio receivers.

The SAME technique was later adopted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1997 [3] for use in the EAS as well as by Environment Canada [4] for its Weatheradio Canada service in 2004. Much like the original EBS dual-tone Attention Signal , this produces a distinct sound (the SAME header ) which is easily recognized by most individuals due to its use in weekly and monthly broadcast tests, as well as weather alert messages. During the said events, viewers and/or listeners will hear these digital codes in the form of buzzes, chirps, and clicking sounds (colloquially known as "duck farts" by broadcast engineers) [5] just before the attention signal is sent out and at the conclusion of the voice message. [6]

Format of digital parts

In the SAME system, messages are constructed in four parts, the first and last of which are digital and the middle two are audio. The digital sections of a SAME message are AFSK data bursts, with individual bits lasting 1920  μs (1.92  ms) each, giving a bit rate of 52056  bits per second. A mark bit is four complete cycles of a sine wave, translating to a mark frequency of 208313  Hz, and a space bit is three complete sine wave cycles, making the space frequency 1562.5 Hz.

The data is sent isochronously and encoded in 8-bit bytes with the most-significant bit of each ASCII byte set to zero. The least-significant bit of each byte is transmitted first, including the preamble. The data stream is bit and byte synchronized on the preamble. [7]

Since there is no error correction, the digital part of a SAME message is transmitted three times, so that decoders can pick "best two out of three" for each byte, thereby eliminating most errors which can cause an activation to fail.[ citation needed ]

Header format

The text of the header code is a fixed format:

<Preamble>ZCZC-ORG-EEE-PSSCCC+TTTT-JJJHHMM-LLLLLLLL-

This is broken down as follows:

1. A preamble of binary 10101011 (0xAB in hex) repeated sixteen times, used for "receiver calibration" (i.e., clock synchronization), then the letters ZCZC as an attention to the decoder (a message activation method inherited from NAVTEX).

2. ORG — Originator code; programmed per unit when put into operation [8]

3. EEE — Event code; programmed at time of event

4. PSSCCC — Location codes (up to 31 location codes per message), each beginning with a dash character; programmed at time of event

5. TTTT — Purge time of the alert event (from exact time of issue)

The National Weather Service is changing the maximum purge time for alerts on NOAA Weather Radio from 6 hours to 99.5 hours by summer 2023 to address long duration events purging before the event begins. [10]

6. JJJHHMM — Exact time of issue, in UTC, (without time zone adjustments).

7. LLLLLLLL — Eight-character station callsign identification, with "/" used instead of "–" (such as the first eight letters of a cable headend's location, WABC/FM for WABC-FM, KLOX/NWS for a weather radio station programmed from Los Angeles, or EC/GC/CA for a Weatheradio Canada station).

Each field of the header code is terminated by a dash character, including the station ID at the end; individual PSSCCC location numbers are also separated by dashes, with a plus (+) separating the last location from the purge time that follows it.

Full message format

An EAS message contains these elements, in this transmitted sequence:

  1. Header.
  2. Attention signal — Sent if any message is included (normally sent with all messages except RWT on broadcast radio/TV); must be at least eight seconds long. (On weather radio in Canada the 1050 Hz tone is only used with three event codes: RMT, SVR & TOR[ citation needed ])
  3. Message — An audio message. The FCC permits encoded video or text in lieu of an audio message, but neither are implemented in practice. [11]
  4. Tail — (Preamble) NNNN (EOM).

There is one second of blank audio between each section, and before and after each message. For those used to packet communications systems where each packet has a checksum, note that there is no checksum used in the message format. The header and EOM are transmitted 3 times, [12] and the receiver is obliged to implement columnar parity correction.

The combined tones date back to 1976[ citation needed ] when they were made part of the Emergency Broadcast System, the EAS' predecessor.

Event codes

There are roughly 80 different event codes that are used in EAS. These codes are defined federally by the FCC for use in the EAS system and publicly by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) standard [13] for SAME protocol weather radio receiver decoder units.

All but the first six of these used to be optional and could be programmed into encoder/decoder units at the request of the broadcaster. However, a July 12, 2007, memo by the FCC now requires mandatory participation in state and local level EAS by broadcasters. Furthermore, the creation and evolution of a voluntary standard by the CEA in December 2003 has provided participating manufacturers of weather radio receivers a single definitive reference to use when designing and programming receivers. In addition, some receiver manufacturers have added an additional layer as to whether or not an event code can be user-suppressed (e.g., a Hurricane Warning in a Midwest US State) or will never be allowed to be suppressed (e.g., Nuclear Power Plant Warning).

Key for event code tables
USA type keyCAN/MEX type keyEvent level key
MMandatory codeABAdministrative bulletinADVAdvisory
O1Original optional codeCICurrently implementedWCHWatch
O22002 optional code [14] [15] RTRequired testWRNWarning
O32017 optional code [16] FIFor future implementationTESTTest
NINot implementedNINot implemented
TSTesting for Implementation
Event codes in use:
The following event codes have been implemented by agencies in the United States and/or Canada, and CIRES A.C. in Mexico.
Event CodeU.S. TypeCAN. TypeMEX. TypeEvent DescriptionEvent Level
ADRO1ABNIAdministrative MessageADV
AVAO2FINI Avalanche WatchWCH
AVWO2FINIAvalanche WarningWRN
BLUO3NINI Blue Alert WRN
BZWO1CINI Blizzard Warning WRN
CAEO2FINI Child Abduction Emergency ADV
CDWO2FINI Civil Danger Warning WRN
CEMO1FINI Civil Emergency Message WRN
CFAO2FINI Coastal Flood WatchWCH
CFWO2FINI Coastal Flood Warning WRN
DMOO1ABNIPractice/Demo WarningTEST
DSWO2CINI Dust Storm Warning WRN
EANMFINI National Emergency Message (Formerly known as "Emergency Action Notification", and is a national-level EAS activation. If it's ever used, it will be seen on all broadcast stations at the same time across the country, to carry a live Presidential message.)WRN
EATNIFINI Emergency Action Termination (No longer used after 2012. It was NOT used to terminate the Emergency Action Notification test of 2011.)ADV
EQWO2FICI Earthquake Warning WRN
EVIO1FINI Evacuation Immediate WRN
EWWO3NINI Extreme Wind Warning WRN
FFAO1FINI Flash Flood Watch WCH
FFSO1FINI Flash Flood StatementADV
FFWO1FINI Flash Flood Warning WRN
FLAO1FINI Flood Watch WCH
FLSO1FINI Flood StatementADV
FLWO1FINI Flood Warning WRN
FRWO2FINI Fire Warning WRN
FSWNICINIFlash Freeze WarningWRN
FZWNICINIFreeze Warning (also known as a "Frost Warning" in Canada.)WRN
HLSO1FITS Hurricane Local StatementADV
HMWO2FINI Hazardous Materials WarningWRN
HUAO1CITS Hurricane Watch WCH
HUWO1CITS Hurricane Warning WRN
HWAO1FINI High Wind Watch WCH
HWWO1CINI High Wind Warning WRN
LAEO2FINI Local Area Emergency ADV
LEWO2FINI Law Enforcement Warning WRN
NATNIABNINational Audible TestTEST
NICMABNINational Information Center (Never used, but assumed to be a National Emergency Message follow-up. This code was discontinued on December 12, 2023.[ citation needed ])ADV
NMNO2ABNINetwork Notification MessageADV
NPTMABNINationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System (formerly known as "National Periodic Test")TEST
NSTNIABNINational Silent TestTEST
NUWO2FINI Nuclear Power Plant WarningWRN
RHWO2FINI Radiological Hazard WarningWRN
RMTMRTNIRequired Monthly Test (These are required to contain headers, an attention signal, an audio message, and end of message tones.)TEST
RWTMRTCIRequired Weekly Test (These only require headers and end of message tones, but an attention signal and/or audio message are optional except for NOAA Weather Radio stations.)TEST
SMWO2TSNI Special Marine Warning WRN
SPSO1FINI Special Weather Statement ADV
SPWO2FINI Shelter In-Place warningWRN
SQWO1CINI Snow Squall Warning WRN
SSAO3NINIStorm Surge WatchWCH
SSWO3NINIStorm Surge WarningWRN
SVAO1CINI Severe Thunderstorm Watch WCH
SVRO1CINI Severe Thunderstorm Warning WRN
SVSO1TSNISevere Weather Statement (U.S., CAN)ADV
TOAO1CINI Tornado Watch WCH
TOEO2FINI 911 Telephone Outage EmergencyADV
TORO1CINI Tornado Warning [17] WRN
TRAO2CINI Tropical Storm Watch WCH
TRWO2CINI Tropical Storm Warning WRN
TSAO1TSNI Tsunami WatchWCH
TSWO1TSNI Tsunami Warning WRN
VOWO2FICI Volcano Warning WRN
WSAO1CINI Winter Storm Watch WCH
WSWO1CINI Winter Storm Warning WRN
 ??AO2CINIUnrecognized WatchWCH
 ??EO2CINIUnrecognized EmergencyADV
 ??SO2CINIUnrecognized StatementADV
 ??WO2CINIUnrecognized WarningWRN

* Unrecognized Alerts are only seen on NOAA Weather Radios. This is typically due to poor reception, or for newly-implemented event codes, which an older radio may not recognize.

** While the CEA standard [13] lists the FZW event code as "Freeze Warning", Environment Canada refers to it [18] as a "Frost Warning". However, it will be displayed as a "Freeze Warning" on receivers that are compliant to the CEA standard.
Environment Canada additionally uses [18] the WSW event code to refer to any of the following weather conditions: Blowing Snow Warning, Freezing Drizzle Warning, Freezing Rain Warning, Snowfall Warning, Snow Squall Warning
*** The EQW and VOW event codes are used in Mexico as part of the Mexican Seismic Alert System (also known as SASMEX). EQW is referred as "Alerta Sísmica", while VOW is referred to as "Alerta Volcánica". [19] Other event codes are being tested, such as Hurricane Warning (HUW), Hurricane Watch (HUA) and Hurricane Statement (HLS). Required Weekly Tests (RWT) are conducted every three hours to make sure receivers are working properly. [20]
**** The FCC created the BLU code for Blue Alerts beginning on December 14, 2017. [21]
*****The FCC in 2012 modified protocol for national EAS activations. Emergency Action Notifications are now treated as any other EAS alert (except that it is mandatory to air), eliminating the need for Emergency Action Terminations, so the FCC removed it from operation. [22]
Internal use only:
Receiver decoders that comply to the CEA standard [13] will neither display the messages below, nor activate a warning tone if applicable. While the message will be stored in memory, it will not be displayed to the user. The FCC has also designated [14] these event codes as being for "internal use only", and not for display. Environment Canada lists [18] these messages as "Administrative Bulletins".
Event CodeU.S. TypeCAN. TypeEvent DescriptionEvent Level
TXBO2ABTransmitter Backup OnADV
TXFO2ABTransmitter Carrier OffADV
TXOO2ABTransmitter Carrier OnADV
TXPO2ABTransmitter Primary OnADV
The above events are only seen on NOAA Weather Radio if certain situations happen, such as a station losing power. In this case, the "TXB" or "Transmitter Backup On" code would be transmitted, following by beeping noises of multiple frequencies, finally followed by EOM tones. However, these tones are not typically transmitted over the air.
Future implementation:
The following codes are part of the CEA standard [13] for receiver decoders, but are not listed as being in use by any agencies in the United States. Environment Canada lists [18] these codes as being "for future implementation". None of these event codes are being implemented in Mexico, as Mexico's network is for seismic and volcanic alerts at this time.
Event CodeU.S. TypeCAN. TypeEvent DescriptionEvent Level
BHWNIFI Biological Hazard WarningWRN
BWWNIFI Boil Water Warning WRN
CHWNIFI Chemical Hazard WarningWRN
CWWNIFI Contaminated Water WarningWRN
DBANIFI Dam WatchWCH
DBWNIFI Dam Break WarningWRN
DEWNIFI Contagious Disease WarningWRN
EVANIFI Evacuation WatchWCH
FCWNIFI Food Contamination WarningWRN
IBWNIFI Iceberg WarningWRN
IFWNIFI Industrial Fire WarningWRN
LSWNIFI Landslide WarningWRN
POSNIFIPower Outage AdvisoryADV
WFANIFI Wild Fire WatchWCH
WFWNIFIWild Fire WarningWRN

The FCC established naming conventions for EAS event codes. The third letter of the code must be one of the following. [23]

Third letter of event codeCategoryDescription
WWarningAn event that alone poses a significant threat to public safety and/or property, probability of occurrence and location is high, and the onset time is relatively short.
AWatchMeets the classification of a warning, but either the onset time, probability of occurrence, or location is uncertain.
EEmergencyAn event that, by itself, would not kill, injure or do property damage, but indirectly may cause other things to happen that result in a hazard.
SStatementA message containing follow up information to a warning, watch, or emergency.

The exception to this convention is for "TOR" (tornado warning), "SVR" (severe thunderstorm warning), "EVI" (evacuation immediate), "EAN, EAT, NIC" (the EAS national activation codes), and "ADR" (administrative messages). [14]

On weather radio receivers

An example of a SAME alert weather radio receiver. SAMEWXRadio.jpg
An example of a SAME alert weather radio receiver.

There are many weather/all-hazards radio receivers that are equipped with the SAME alert feature, which allows users to program SAME/FIPS/CLC codes for their designated area or areas of their interest and/or concern rather than the entire broadcast area. (For example, a person living in Irving, Texas, would program a FIPS code for Dallas County. However, if there is a need to know of severe weather from the west and northwest ahead of time, the user would program additional FIPS codes for Denton and Tarrant Counties.)

On a more specialized receiver, a user has the option to eliminate any SAME alert codes that may not apply to their area such as a "Special Marine Warning" or a "Coastal Flood Warning". Once the SAME header is sent by NOAA/NWS and if it matches the desired code(s), the receivers then decode the event, scroll it on their display screens, and sound an alarm.

Receivers receive on one of the following National Weather Service network frequencies (in MHz): 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550. The signals are typically receivable up to 40 miles (80 km) from the transmitters. [24]

See also

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