Atmel Introduces AM/FM Chip to Enable Car-Radio Reception Quality

    SAN JOSE, Calif.--July 24, 2001--Atmel(R) Corporation announced today the highly integrated AM/FM receiver IC T4258, providing outstanding car-radio reception quality. Along with the frequency synthesizer U4256BM for car-radio front ends, the T4258 offers a global solution for all car-radio receivers.
    The signal path is fully programmable, and thus allows fast and easy customer configuration to receive all AM and FM bands in Europe, the FM band in Japan, and also the US AM/FM bands including the weatherband.
    A software-controlled integrated IF filter combined with highly sophisticated receiving condition analyzers enable superior reception quality worldwide. The integrated receiving-condition analyzers are capable of identifying and measuring the disturbing signals (fading, multipath, and adjacent channel). The evaluated information is passed to a microcontroller (any standard 8-bit muC is suitable).
    Easily programmed, the bandwidth of the integrated IF filter of the T4258 can be adjusted from 200 kHz down to 50 kHz. In addition, the center frequency can be shifted by +40 kHz. The filter's special characteristics enable the T4258 to receive FM stereo signals and RDS even with a filter bandwidth setting of down to 70 kHz.
    The T4258 consequently eliminates disturbing signals in AM mode, too. The integrated AM noise blanker detects incoming AM peaks as they are barely arising and immediately initiates the appropriate counter-measures.
    "The T4258 is the logical complement of our AM/FM car radio receiver product line. It incorporates a global reception concept with highest reception quality. Car radio manufacturers will be able to provide their customers multi-platform solutions with improved performance," said Dirk Kleffmann, product marketing manager at Atmel Wireless & Microcontrollers Division.
    Combined with the frequency synthesizer U4256BM, Atmel offers a 2-piece chip set, which also eliminates any need for mechanical tuner alignments during final assembly. Digital-to-analog (DAC) converters, integrated in the U4256BM, enable the tuner manufacturer to align up to two tuned filter fast and accurate in a completely automatic alignment process. An integrated high-current charge pump provides quick response time for fast switching to programmed stations. Due to the integrated band gap, only one supply voltage is required.
    Both devices provide maximum integration. They are controlled via a 3-wire bus and can be connected together easily. The T4258 performs both the AM and the FM tuner functioning. The AM part is an up/down-conversion circuit, the FM part a double-conversion system. Thus, fewer external filters are necessary. An adjustment-free, completely integrated FM demodulator helps to reduce production costs.
    Reference design demo boards with application software are available. Samples (T4258 in SSO44, and U4256BM in SSO20) are available now. Pricing for the T4258 starts at 2.25 US$ (100 k).