Sony Selects RadioScape's State of the Art Digital Radio Module Design

LONDON--March 8, 2005--Sony Corporation has chosen RadioScape's RS350A(TM) DAB module design as the basis for its upcoming automotive DAB radios. The RS350A module is designed for the challenging environment of automotive applications and provides DAB functionality for existing radio designs.

"We are delighted that one of the world's leading consumer electronics companies has selected RadioScape's module for its entry into the DAB automotive market," said Dave Hawkins, RadioScape's Vice President for Receivers. "Our unique, Software Defined Digital Radio solution provides the flexibility for customers to customise the module to create products that meet their specific requirements. This is not only cost effective but also ensures our solutions are continually at the forefront of innovation and technological leadership."

"The entry of Sony into the automotive DAB market is a positive endorsement of the excellent growth potential in this market segment," added Anika Nyberg, President of WorldDAB. "It takes several years for new products such as DAB to be designed into cars as standard. The opportunity that Sony and others are addressing is the aftermarket demand to have DAB radios fitted to their cars. The explosive growth of DAB receivers in the UK, and increasingly in other countries in the world, has mainly been in the home and now people, hooked on the exciting unique content only available on DAB, want to be able to continue their listening experience during the drive to work. We believe that automotive is one of the next important growth sectors for DAB and are delighted that RadioScape is committed to empowering it."

RadioScape RS350A

The module has several features specifically for automotive use. It can process up to three DAB channels on a multiplex simultaneously to provide any combination of audio channels and data channels of news or travel information. Service Linking enables the radio to automatically move to associated stations when the first goes out of range using linking information provided by the broadcaster. Lastly, the module provides "phantom" power up the antenna cable to power an amplifier at the base of the antenna. This is the preferred design for many cars as it removes the necessity of having expensive coaxial cable to screen the signal cable, instead it boosts the signal from the antenna immediately for its journey to the receiver so that it stands out from any background interference.

Specifications and price

The RS350A is powered from an externally regulated DC supply of 5V and 3.3V. Control is provided via a serial interface - for example I2C. It measures 62mm by 37mm by 10mm to allow vertical fitment in a standard automotive receiver DIN enclosure and is fully screened to meet all electromagnetic requirements for automotive type approval. It can receive DAB Band III and L-band enabling it to be used world-wide wherever there are Eureka 147 DAB transmissions. This fully integrated module requires only the minimum of external components. The module is available from RadioScape at around $40 depending on volume and optional features.

Local representation in Japan

RadioScape has recently appointed Triangle Technologies as its representative in Japan, who assisted with this design win. It provides local support to the Japanese consumer electronics companies, who are now entering the DAB market in a big way.

About RadioScape

RadioScape(R) Ltd. is one of the world leaders in Software Defined(tm) solutions for Digital Radio applications. RadioScape simplifies the creation of wireless receivers and transmission infrastructure for digital radio, partners with Texas Instruments to create digital radio chips for consumer products, and designs its own family of DAB/FM modules including the RadioScape RS200(tm), RS200L(tm), RS201(tm), RS201L(tm), RS350A(tm), RS300L(tm) and RS250H(tm). Founded in 1996, RadioScape's investors include Royal Bank Ventures, Scottish Equity Partners, Atlas Venture, JAFCO, Texas Instruments, Yasuda Enterprise Development, iGlobe Partners, Psion and NTL. RadioScape is headquartered in London, England with offices in Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit http://www.radioscape.com

RadioScape is a registered trademark and RS200, RS200L, RS201L, RS200A and RS350A are trademarks of RadioScape Limited. All other trademarks are acknowledged.