1997 Mar 04
10
Philips Semiconductors
Product specification
POCSAG Paging Decoder
PCF5001
7.2
The POCSAG paging code
A transmission using the “CCIR Radio paging Code No. 1”
(POCSAG code) is constructed in accordance with the
following rules (see Fig.5).
The transmission is started by sending a
preamble
,
consisting of at least 576 continuously alternating bits
(10101010...). The preamble is followed by an arbitrary
number of batch blocks. Only complete batches are
transmitted.
Each
batch
comprises 17 codewords of 32 bits each.
The first codeword is a synchronization codeword with a
fixed pattern. The
sync
word is followed by 8 frames
(0 to 7) of 2 codewords each, containing message
information. A codeword in a frame can either be an
address, message or idle codeword.
Idle
codewords also have a fixed pattern and are used to
fill empty frames or to separate messages.
Address
codewords are identified by an MSB at logic 0
and are coded as shown in Fig.5. A user address or RIC
consists of 21 bits. Only the upper 18 bits are encoded in
the address codeword (bits 2 to 19). The lower 3 bits
designate the frame number (0 to 7) in which the address
is transmitted.
Four different call types (‘numeric’, ‘a(chǎn)lphanumeric’ and two
‘a(chǎn)lert only’ types) can be distinguished. The call type is
determined by two function bits in the address codeword
(bits 20 and 21).
Alert-only calls consist only of a single address codeword.
Numeric and alphanumeric calls have message
codewords following the address. A message causes the
frame structure to be temporarily suspended. Message
codewords are sent until the message is completed, with
only the sync words being transmitted in their expected
positions.
Message
codewords are identified by an MSB at logic 1
and are coded as shown in Fig.5. The message
information is stored in a 20-bit field (bits 2 to 21).
The standard data format is determined by the call type: 4
bits per digit for numeric messages and 7 bits per (ASCII)
character for alphanumeric messages.
Each codeword is protected against transmission errors by
10 CRC check bits (bits 22 to 31) and an even-parity bit
(bit 32). This permits correction of a maximum of 2 random
errors or up to 3 errors in a burst of 4 bits (a 4-bit burst
error) per codeword.
Fig.5 POCSAG code structure.
handbook, full pagewidth
PREAMBLE
BATCH 1
BATCH 2
BATCH 3
LAST BATCH
SYNC | CW CW | CW CW | . . . . . | CW CW
FRAME 0
FRAME 1
FRAME 7
10101 . . . 10101010
Address code-word
Message code-word
0
18-bit address
2 function bits
10 CRC bits
P
1
20-bit message
10 CRC bits
P
MCD456