DAB radio chip supplier Frontier Silicon is pioneering touch screens for digital radio, and has also announced a $10m investment in a new advanced chip for digital radios.
CHIPS
The chip technology, known as Chorus 3, delivers an ultra low-cost and lower-power device that will help drive cost effective listener migration to DAB digital radio over the course of the next ten years.
With a 50% saving on cost and a 50% saving on power consumption, the new DAB chip is a greener form of technology and the first of its kind to support all types of DAB radio, which means that it is particularly suited to the car industry’s plan for pan-European design. The new chip will be shipping to receiver manufacturers by early 2010.
This investment builds on the recently released ‘Digital Britain’ report, which proposes government endorsement of the digital migration of radio and commitment to DAB as the primary distribution network for future radio broadcasting.
Frontier Silicon CEO Anthony Sethill believes the cost structure and performance of the new DAB chip will assist the Government’s aim to achieve the necessary criteria for a digital migration of radio by 2015.
TOUCH SCREENS
The company has also developed a unique touch screen, full-colour audio-visual system that marks a major step forward in digital radio capabilities.
Frontier Silicon is in talks with several leading broadcasters and manufacturers about adopting the system, known internally as Advanced DAB. Its roll-out comes as penetration of DAB radios continues to rise, with ageing analogue broadcasting systems switched off in Switzerland, and ahead of the fresh launch of DAB+ in Australia.
Once fully launched, Touch Radio will enable users to:
* access a media-rich electronic program guide,
* view a slideshow depicting station ID and imagery,
* tag and store information on featured products via interactive advertising,
* tag and store information on favourite music tracks for purchase,
* watch real-time traffic information and receive updates on public transport
