Microtune's AM/FM Amplifiers Provide Production-Ready, Cost-Effective, World-Standard Solutions for Automotive In-Glass Antenna Systems
PLANO, Texas--July 14, 2003--NSG Integrates Microtune's New Automotive Amplifiers as Components
in Its In-Glass Antenna Architecture for One of Japan's Largest
Vehicle Manufacturers
Expanding its automotive electronics product portfolio, Microtune(R), Inc. (Pink Sheets:TUNE) today introduced two new radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, the MT1410 (AM/FM) and the MT1411 (FM only). Offering a manufacturing-ready and cost-effective solution, the two companion amplifiers improve the reception and performance of radio signals received from a car's in-glass antennas. They enable global automotive suppliers to develop advanced audio systems and antenna architectures that bring enhanced entertainment capabilities to quality-conscious drivers and passengers.
Customized versions of the MT1400 series were originally developed for Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. (NSG) as integrated components of state-of-the-art in-glass antenna subsystems that NSG designed for one of Japan's largest vehicle manufacturers.
"We are pleased to be supplying the MT1410 and MT1411 to NSG and to its automotive customers," explained Barry F. Koch, Vice President and General Manager of Microtune's Transportation Electronics Business Unit. "Japanese vehicle manufacturers demand high-performance, high-quality, very reliable RF electronics components that integrate easily into their automotive platforms and systems designs. The MT1410 and MT1411, the first in a new family of AM/FM amplifier products, cost-effectively meet these requirements, while providing a world-standard solution that can be implemented in vehicles targeted for Japan, the U.S. or Europe."
The MT1410 and MT1411 amplifiers boost and condition the RF signals in the AM or FM band. They compensate for the reduced strength of signals received from in-glass antennas and support the logic requirements of antenna diversity systems. Most in-glass antenna systems provide for multiple antenna signals, which combine with an intelligent system to automatically switch to the best available signal path. Called antenna diversity systems, they provide for improved reception in a mobile environment. The MT1410 serves as the main AM/FM amplifier in antenna diversity systems, the MT1411 as the sub-amplifier. In combination, they yield improved system performance.
Packaged in a compact size (approximately 55.2mm x 29.5mm), the amplifiers are tested, production-ready solutions, designed for 'plug-in' implementation in modular antenna system architectures. They are engineered to deliver optimal input impedance, high linearity and low noise, critical features of an automotive AM/FM receiving system. A low noise figure enables high system sensitivity to receive clear sound in rural areas, while high linearity permits robust performance in dense, urban signal environments. The MT1400 series amplifiers also permit designers to adjust key parameters, including gain or input/output impedance, providing the flexibility to optimize performance and integration of the whole AM/FM receiver system.
As critical advantages, the amplifiers can be easily customized to meet the specific housing, mounting and connector requirements of customers, permitting seamless integration into varied car platforms that deploy different antennas, radios and mechanics. The amplifiers also support the frequency ranges of Japan, Europe and the U.S. to meet diverse world standards across global markets.
Microtune is a supplier of specialized RF silicon and systems solutions for the transportation industry. In addition to its suite of amplifiers and AM/FM tuners, the company also offers RF components for mobile multimedia/TV systems and telematics. As with Microtune's other transportation electronics products, the MT1400 series amplifiers are environmentally hardened to operate under extended temperature ranges and adverse climatic conditions. Designed to meet stringent automotive specifications, they are also engineered, tested and manufactured to meet ISO-9002 and QS-9000 quality standards.
About Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG)
Nippon Sheet Glass, a world leading glass company based in Japan, designs, manufactures and markets glass for automotive, building, information and electronic markets. The company was established in 1918, and annual sales amount is approximately 300 billion Japanese yen. The web site is http://www.nsg.co.jp/.
About Microtune
Microtune, Inc. is a silicon and subsystems company that designs, manufactures and markets radio frequency (RF)-based solutions for the global broadband communications and transportation electronics markets. Inventors of the MicroTuner(TM) single-chip broadband tuner, the Company offers a portfolio of advanced tuner, amplifier, and transceiver products that enable the delivery of information and entertainment across new classes of consumer electronics devices. The Company currently holds 25 U.S. patents for its technology, with approximately 50 applications pending approval that span its RF products, containing more than 2000 supporting claims. Founded in 1996, Microtune is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with key design and sales centers located around the world. The web site is www.microtune.com.
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