CEA Adopts Performance Standard for Public Alert Receivers

The Consumer Electronics Association says its R3 Audio Systems Committee has adopted a new standard for Public Alert receivers. Titled CEA-2009 – Receiver Performance Specification for Public Alert Receivers, the standard defines minimum performance criteria for consumer electronics products designed to receive digital alert signals broadcast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Radio service and Environment Canada’s Meteorological Services of Canada Radio network.
CEA-2009 helps consumers make better use of warnings, watches and public alerts issued by NOAA. Messages broadcast by NOAA are the single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information available to the U.S. public. The standard expands the functionality of the receivers by increasing the options available to consumers about when and how they are notified of these alerts.
For example, the standard defines consistent alerting signals (i.e. colored lights, LCD displays, etc.) that will indicate a public alert notice has been issued even when the device is in standby.
Dwayne Campbell, chairman of the working group that developed the standard stated, “This standard will help ensure products incorporating this technology provide reliable and consistent public warnings.”
CEA-2009 is available from Global Engineering Documents at http://global.ihs.com.