Microtune's New Data Tuner Enables Telematics Services for Automobile Drivers
PLANO, Texas--Feb. 27, 2002--Developed for Panasonic, Microtune's New Telematics Tuner Enables
Safety and Security Services for Consumers and Permits Vehicle
Differentiation for Automotive Suppliers
Reinforcing its commitment to deliver market-leading radio frequency (RF)-based solutions for the automotive electronics industry, Microtune(TM), Inc. today introduced its new MT1390 telematics tuner.
Developed initially for Matsushita Communication Deutschland GmbH (Panasonic), a Neumunster/Germany-based subdivision of Matsushita, the MT1390 is designed to enable driver access to real-time telematics information, including traffic updates, weather conditions and navigation/routing services.
The MT1390, part of Microtune's family of highly specialized automotive AM/FM and video tuner/receivers, is in production now. Panasonic plans to implement the tuner in its new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) car radio generation.
"As entertainment, information and communications services converge in the automobile, Microtune's enabling RF technology provides a critical means to move data into and out of the vehicle," explained Douglas J. Bartek, Chairman and CEO of Microtune. "Our new MT1390 telematics tuner is the next-stage product in our expanding automotive-electronics solutions portfolio. It enables drivers to benefit from enhanced safety and security features, while permitting automotive manufacturers and suppliers to differentiate their brands."
The MT1390 is an audio and data FM reception tuner that functions as the 'background' tuner within the car's audio system, scanning all available frequencies and allowing for continuous reception of data from information systems such as Radio Data System (RDS). In combination with Microtune's MT1383/1384 companion AM/FM tuners, the MT1390 can also be used in dual-tuner AM/FM solutions designed to deliver outstanding system performance with telematics functionality.
Supports Delivery of Telematics Data
The MT1390, using data from the Traffic Message Channel (TMC), which is part of the RDS, provides real-time traffic information. It permits drivers to avoid potential problems and dangerous conditions, including road closings and traffic jams. The data, in turn, can be interpreted by a navigation system to dynamically plot alternate routes. For automotive manufacturers, navigation systems offer an increasingly important car selling feature, while allowing them to differentiate their automotive brands.
Using RDS data, the MT1390 also permits the updating of alternate channel information, the delivery of call sign and music format identification and the scrolling of text messages for the radio display. The tuner also delivers improved radio performance in multiple radio-frequency networks, permitting the seamless transmission of a radio signal between transmitters by continuously updating available, alternate programming. As a result, it allows consumers to drive across country while listening to the same radio program without audible disturbances.
Production-Ready Solution for Easy Implementation
The MT1390 is a highly integrated, manufacturing-ready tuner subsystem, designed for easy implementation in modular automotive electronics systems. With its compact 64.8x42x16mm size, it fits comfortably into the car radio platform where space, because of the audio tuner, the CD or CD changer, is at a premium. Optimized for excellent sensitivity, superior large signal behavior and improved channel selectivity, the MT1390 is engineered to offer robust performance for receiving weak signals and those packed in dense, urban signal environments. It also prevents interference with the main tuner in telematics applications. As a result, it produces clean, clear signals for audio and data.
As with Microtune's other automotive products, the MT1390 is environmentally hardened to operate under extended temperature ranges and adverse climatic conditions. Designed to meet stringent automotive specifications, it is also engineered, tested and manufactured to meet exacting ISO-9002 and QS 9000 quality standards.
Pricing and Availability
The MT1390 tuner is in production now and is priced at $20.00 per unit in quantities of 10,000.
About Microtune
Microtune, Inc. is a leading silicon and systems company that designs, manufactures and markets radio frequency (RF)-based solutions for the global broadband communications, automotive electronics and wireless connectivity markets. Inventors of the MicroTuner(TM) single-chip broadband tuner, the Company offers a portfolio of advanced tuner, amplifier, transceiver and wireless products that enable the delivery of information and entertainment across new classes of consumer electronics devices. The Company currently holds 14 U.S. patents for its technology, with an additional 42 applications pending approval that span its RF and wireless products, containing a total of more than 1,970 supporting claims. Founded in 1996, Microtune is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with key design, manufacturing and sales centers located around the world. The web site is www.microtune.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those discussing the development of new products and the results of those efforts, that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause such statements to differ materially from actual future events or results. Such forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "plan," "estimate," "expect," "believe," "could," "would," "anticipate," "may," or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements and other statements made elsewhere in this release are made in reliance on the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Factors which could cause actual results to differ include the Company's ability to develop new products that comply with industry standards and the ability to migrate customers to silicon-based products, the ability to manufacture new products in the time frame required, the ability to sell new products at anticipated levels, ability to develop new products within anticipated cost range, and general economic conditions that have affected the broadband communications, automotive and wireless connectivity markets recently, any of which may cause the Company's financial results to fluctuate. Readers are referred to the reports and documents filed by Microtune with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 (as amended), Form 10Q for each quarter and Form S-3 filed on August 17, 2001, as amended in December 2001.
Editors Note: Microtune, MicroTuner, VideoCaster and MicroStreamer are trademarks of Microtune, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.