Hitachi builds first microsystem with DAB

Hitachi is the first of the major Japanese brands to adopt the RadioScape DAB module concept, which has been used to bring the world's first microsystem with DAB, the AXM68D, to the UK market.

Hitachi is the first of the major Japanese brands to adopt the RadioScape DAB module concept, which has been used to bring the world's first microsystem with DAB, the AXM68D, to the UK market.

The RadioScape RS200 module makes DAB radios as easy to make as FM ones by fully integrating Band III DAB, FM and RDS into a single module that only requires buttons, power, output, case, display and antenna to be added.

"The RS200 is based on Texas Instruments' advanced baseband technology in the form of the DRE200, which is one of the world's best selling receiver chips for the Eureka 147 DAB standard", said Peter Johnson, Product Marketing Manager at Hitachi.

"This gives us great confidence that there will not be any supply chain delays as TI can supply any number of these DSP chips.

RadioScape's RS200 has become the gold standard for DAB receivers as it provides outstanding sensitivity at nearly the theoretical optimum of -100dB and superb audio quality - as well as being exceptionally easy to implement into a design".

Ian Dickens, Chief Executive at the DRDB, added: "To see the first microsystem with DAB enter the UK market is great news.

That it bears the known and respected brand of Hitachi is a bonus.

In 2004, we expect other major Japanese brands to launch a range of new, innovative DAB products, sensibly priced, with consumer appeal into this booming audio market".

Nigel Oakley, RadioScape's VP of Marketing, concluded: "Hitachi is the first internationally known brand to produce a DAB radio based on our innovative module concept.

Having mass market consumer priced DAB receivers from a well known brand readily available across the UK removes a major constraint and thus will dramatically change the perception of DAB, facilitating its widespread adoption".

The RadioScape RS200 module includes DAB, FM and RDS and is priced at under $40 in volume quantities, enabling digital radio manufacturers to quickly and easily bring feature rich products to market at very competitive prices.

RadioScape's unique software-defined radio approach to DAB enables custom features to be added as software to the module to provide product differentiation.

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