Pure and Frontier lead the way with radio evolution
11 February 2022 · Trade Exhibition
Pure has launched an innovative suite of new products for the iconic Evoke range that are built on Frontier’s leading Venice X platform, offering the benefits of SmartRadio to their customers.
Th...
You've reached our premium or archival content
To access this page, and more great content just like it, you need to become a paid subscriber.
If you already have an account, please login.
Otherwise, registration is quick and you'll have access instantly after payment.
I have a Pure Siesta and a Sangean receiver. They are excellent receivers.
But why haven't these receivers and the receivers described in the above article only have FM and DAB+ but no AM?
While there are triple-banded AM/FM/DAB+ receivers such as the Sangean DPR44 (branded as "Dick Smith") or DPR45, why isn't AM incorporated on most other models?
I predominantly listen to the simulcasted metropolitan talk stations on DAB+ instead of AM stations and have been doing so since 2009.
However there may be occasions where a particular AM station's broadcast is different to the particular DAB+ station. For example when our Federal Parliament is broadcast on the AM band (630kHz, Sydney), the DAB+ station is a continuation of its "rolling news" coverage.
The Venice X chip only incorporates FM, DAB+ and app processor, https://www.electronics-lab.com/worlds-first-single-chip-smart-radio/ .
The NXP SAF360 chip in addition to FM, DAB+ also processes DRM+, https://www.nxp.com/products/audio-and-radio/analog-digital-radio-and-audio/digital-radio-and-processing-system-on-chip:SAF360X .
It appears that the NXP is one up on the Venice X with decoding performed by software defined radio (SDR), https://www.electronicspecifier.com/products/communications/sdr-processor-decodes-drm-hd-radio-and-dab-dab-t-dmb . These chips are expected to be utilized in car infotainment systems.
Yet, the SDR method can decode any kind of modulation including AM, DSB, SSB. It is not unique to tabletop or car infotainment systems. You can experiment with $15 DVB usb dongles and suitable software to decode anything in addition to DVB broadcasts.
With the potential of SDR to decode any kind modulation, I cannot understand why the chip manufacturer does not incorporate AM into its portfolio of broadcast decoders.
Tesla removed the AM radio by mere software update while BMW argued that the AM radio has been disabled because electric motors interfere with radio reception, https://www.vice.com/en/article/yp3vmj/why-electric-cars-are-ditching-am-radio . You'd think that DSP methods could mimic the static sound and remove the static sound through software.
But that's a moot point,
My Camry has an electric motor/generator and when the electric motor operates in either generation and/or locomotion, it does not interfere with the AM reception.
Otherwise if motorists want to listen to AM radio, it's via a streaming IP app which costs money in data charges.
In sum, I fail to see why chip manufacturers fail to incorporate AM radio via SDR given that SDR can be decode analogue AM and FM and digital DAB, DAB+ and DRM+.
Thank you,
Anthony of I don't believe in the spin, Belfield in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation.