The Truth about Digital Modulation

Certain Hidden Fence companies advertise their products as offering DM, or “Digital Modulation”. They describe it as the most modern and up-to-date radio transmission technology for Hidden Fence systems. The “next generation” that is newer & better than even FM radio. The educated consumer needs to be informed that this is not the case.

Digital Modulation (DM) is a radio signal processing technology used to send and receive information over FM (Frequency Modulation), or AM (Amplitude Modulation) radio waves. It’s commonly used today in almost any device that performs some type of communication. Everything from cell phones to Hidden Fences function by sending “digitally modulated” signals over an FM or AM radio band. Although DM is based on AM/FM radio technology, it is NOT a next generation replacement for it. Rather…

Digital Modulation is the “digital” form of AM/FM radio.

Everyone is familiar with the differences between AM and FM radio. It’s widely known that FM radio signals are far more clear and secure than AM signals. This is why FM music plays over the radio with no static and fire/police departments typically communicate over FM channels. Bottom line; digital FM is superior to digital AM.

Due to the differences between these two types of radio technology most AM based Hidden Fence collars are likely to be affected by interference with other AM radio signals that originate from a number of common household electronic devices. The result of this interference is a digital AM Hidden Fence collar that can “misfire“, randomly shocking your pet. This can lead to a confused and frightened animal.

A DogWatch® digital FM Hidden Fence will NOT misfire, making it the SAFEST system for your pet

Digital Modulation (DM) is the radio signal processing technology used by ALL Hidden Fence products available on the market today. No matter if the product is based on AM or FM radio, DM is the technology used to process the transmissions. There is nothing special, new or unique about the use of DM within the Hidden Fence industry. All products available today use this technology.

FM Digital Radio Based Technology

The reason certain Hidden Fence companies make a big deal about offering Digital Modulation is because their products are actually AM radio based.

ALL Hidden Fence companies use Digital Modulation throughout their entire product lines

Your car radio is a good illustration of this. Installed in each (late model) automobile is a “digital” AM/FM radio. Regardless if the channel you tune to is AM or FM a “digital” (DM) radio is processing the incoming signal, providing you with something to listen to.

Also, no matter who manufactured your car (Ford, BMW, Toyota, etc), the radio is using a form of Digital Modulation to interpret the AM or FM radio signals. What makes one car radio sound better than another often comes down to simply tuning it to an FM station rather than an AM station. Similarly…

What makes one Hidden Fence product better than another is simply the type of digital modulation they use; FM vs. AM…

Note: Anyone interested in getting closer to the technical details of this subject can visit a number of different sites that provide more information. The following are links to a few…