TDGB2 Series Automotive AM/FM Tuners for DSP ICs; First among Component Manufacturers to Develop Tuners for New Generation of DSP ICs

TOKYO--March 25, 2004--ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. (Pink Sheet:APELY) has announced the development of its TDGB2 series front-end(1) tuners for the newest generation of digital signal processor (DSP) ICs. They will begin shipping samples in the middle of April. This series will be on display for three days beginning May 26, 2004 at the ALPS SHOW 2004, at the New Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo's Minato-ku.

(1) Generally speaking, tuners: receive modulated high frequency broadcast signals carrying audio and video data, allow channel selection (either through signal detection or tuning), and demodulate HF signals into usable audio and video data. The part of the equipment that detects the HF signal and converts it to an intermediate frequency in preparation for demodulator processing is called the front-end block, and the device that converts the modulated signal back to audio and video format is called a demodulator. The product covered in this announcement is a front-end block.

The TDGB2 series are front-end tuners for baseband block DSP ICs, which are expected to grow in popularity. The development of DSP ICs and the front-end tuners that accompany them requires three companies: a set maker; an IC manufacturer, who also must develop the needed software; and a manufacturer of HF tuners. Cooperation, therefore, is indispensable. In developing the TDGB2 Series, ALPS drew on the experience it gained in the development of HD Radio(TM) tuners (announced in January 2003), which also required the cooperation of three companies. Their success makes them the first component manufacturer in the industry to develop a front-end tuner for the new generation of DSP ICs. In addition, ALPS employed its original RF circuit technology to add circuitry that controls the noise emitted by the power circuits. This original apparatus will give the tuner maximal functionality under conditions of signal instability. Set makers who procure these tuners from ALPS will find it easier to develop products compatible with the diverse broadcast formats that have emerged in recent years.

DSP Systems

There are a number of advantages to using DSP ICs in the baseband block together with a compatible tuner.

Software signal processing allows signals on different frequency bands to be converted to an intermediate frequency band even without dedicated circuitry. This means that set makers can use the same front-end tuner and demodulator regardless of the equipment's intended market, allowing standardization of design, shortening development times, and lowing total costs.

Analog systems, in contrast, must be manufactured for compatibility with one and only one region.

In the demodulator, a DSP IC provides a number of functions, including HD Radio(TM) broadcast reception, MP3 decoding, and adjustment of sound volume and quality, which makes it easy for manufacturers to add functionality to their products.

In DSP systems, signal detection, noise cancellation, and other signal processing can be controlled using the IC's software. For this reason, set makers no longer need to set filters and air-core coils to adjust analog tuners for each different region, but can instead use the same reliable equipment for every market. When a tuner's location is changed, field intensity can vary dramatically. DSP ICs use software control to respond flexibly to these variations. This characteristic is especially valuable in car radios, which undergo substantial changes in reception conditions. It is expected, therefore, that these systems will penetrate the automotive market first.

Features

-- First component manufacturer to market with new tuners for DSP systems

1) ALPS noise reduction circuitry built in.

2) Antenna has built-in DAA functionality.

3) AGC threshold can be set using I2C buss.

4) High sensitivity, low distortion.

5) Excellent phase noise characteristics.

6) Compatible with frequencies used everywhere in the world.

7) Compact (52x42x13mm).

Principal Application

Car stereos.

Planned Sales

Sample shipments: from the middle of April 2004.

Sample price: 20,000 yen.

Planned monthly production: 15,000 units (in June 2004)

Development and production site: Communication Devices Division, Soma Plant (Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture)

HD Radio(TM) is a registered trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.

Outline of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.

Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments -- Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics -- which are contributing to the advance of a digital society.

ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 23 production bases in 8 countries as well as 60 sales bases in 13 countries. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2003 amounted to 601,816 million yen.

Note to Editors: In the word "I2C" the "2" is superscript.