Single chip address smart radio design
Frontier Smart Technologies, describes the Chorus 4 as the world’s first integrated smart radio chip. It will power radios offering internet connectivity, DAB / DAB+ and FM.
Smart radios are the fastest growing category in the digital radio market, with sales volumes currently growing at 30 per cent per year. By combining internet, DAB / DAB+ and FM in a single device, smart radios provide end-users with a complete range of listening options – including a rapidly growing number of DAB / DAB+ services, thousands of internet radio stations, online music services, such as Amazon Music and Spotify, and podcasts from around the world. The inclusion of DAB and FM ensures that the radio can operate even when there is no internet connectivity, for example outdoors, or if users want to use less power or data. Additional features include Bluetooth and full colour user displays.
The Venice X was launched by Frontier at the Hong Kong Electronics fair. It is a cost-optimised, customisable turnkey system which enables brands and manufacturers to build high quality smart radios quickly and cost-effectively, says Frontier.
Venice X is based on what is believed to be the world’s first dedicated smart radio silicon, Chorus 4. Offering IP, DAB and FM in a single integrated package, at a lower cost than any comparable solution, Venice X has the potential to allow brands to develop smart radios at truly mass-market prices, claims Frontier.
The Chorus 4 integrated SoC combines DAB+/FM radio tuners, an application processor and audio processing with integrated memory.
It offers reliable connectivity with integration to reduce noise and interference and also features interference avoidance technologies.
Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi with two antennae and Bluetooth 4.2.
Support for a colour screen allows the smart radio to present information and artwork. An iOS/Android control app can be branded for the radio manufacturer’s brand customer.
Management and firmware upgrades are provided for in-the-field updates. The company also offers the Smart software development kit to support development.
Venice X also exceeds the Digital Tick specifications which ensure that digital radios meet the quality standards expected by manufacturers, retailers, broadcasters and consumers. It is also possible to disable the DAB and FM capability. If these are not required by customers.
Venice X enters mass production at the end of April 2019.
