NXP introduces RFCMOS single-chip car radio Solution

     NXP Semiconductors announced the TEF664x, adding to its highly successful family of RFCMOS single-chip car radio solutions. The TEF664x integrates a low IF AM/FM tuner and DSP processing unit in a single chip and is specifically designed for single tuner applications.

     Oems and car radio manufacturers around the world, especially in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China), require highly integrated solutions that reduce the number of external components without sacrificing performance and avoid complex system integration processes. The new TEF664x tuner offers a fully scalable range of radio functions from standard to advanced, with coprocessors such as NXP's SAF356x providing digital radio support, providing maximum design flexibility for automotive Oems and audio equipment suppliers in the automotive parts market.

     With excellent scalability, the TEF664x is the perfect choice for high-growth markets. Strategy Analytics (January 2012) estimates that the total number of BRIC infotainment systems will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% from 2012 to 2018, compared with a CAGR of only 6% in mature automotive markets such as North America, the European Union, Japan and South Korea. For the automotive parts market, the BRIC countries are expected to grow at a CAGR of 10%, while mature markets will maintain their current levels.

     NXP's single-chip tuner family uses proven DSP digital processing technology and is widely acclaimed for its best reception performance. Car radio systems based on the TEF664x design will benefit from a number of features, including improved weak signal processing, FM noise blanking, stronger multipath suppression against ambient noise, press noise suppression and more.

     As the global market continues to move towards greater integration and maximum efficiency, NXP's leading single-chip tuner solutions are on track for success. In particular, the fully integrated TEF663x single chip released in early 2011 has been widely recognized by the market, and the integration of a complete radio and digital audio processing solution - from antenna input to audio output - in a single RFCMOS chip is the first in the entire industry. The TEF664x has no built-in digital audio signal processing subsystem, providing great flexibility and supporting alternative configurations without sacrificing reception performance. Through the NXP SAF356x software radio coprocessor, some models in the TEF664x support HD radio and DRM(+).

     Toshiyuki Nakazaki, Deputy Managing Director of Clarion Malaysia, said: "As the world's leading provider of in-car infotainment solutions, we rely on NXP and its innovative semiconductor solutions for in-car radios. We have already started using NXP's single-chip family of highly integrated silicon solutions with a high degree of flexibility and excellent sound quality. The TEF664x chip is based on the concept of scalability and simplified integration, which we need to succeed in the high growth BRIC markets."

     Jeff Jury, Chief operating Officer of iBiquity Digital, a developer of digital HD radio technology, explained: "NXP is our strategic partner and its HD radio solution combines a high-performance RF front end with a software-radio baseband processor. This range of solutions is becoming increasingly important for HD radio technology brands that require global digital radio solutions. NXP's solutions complement the rapid expansion of HD radio broadcasting around the world, and our current entry into the Mexican market is a good example. This strategy is supported by NXP's global best-in-class broadcast reception solution, which not only offers outstanding scalability, but also offers significant competitive advantages in terms of functionality, performance and system cost. We can say that NXP is the ideal partner for our market success in a global market where the need for regional and segment individuality is evident."

     Torsten Lehmann, General Manager, Automotive Entertainment Solutions, NXP Semiconductors, added: "We developed the TEF664x specifically in response to the scalability and system flexibility needs of our customers, including global Oems and automotive parts manufacturers. "This state-of-the-art single-chip tuner family not only delivers the highest reception performance for single-tuner applications, but also offers a high degree of flexibility in feature features, further completing our automotive radio portfolio."