Amplifier Chip boosts integrated car antenna performance.
November 19, 2008 -
Targeted for in-glass, roof, or bumper antennas, automotive-qualified MT1119 enables multi-standard (AM, FM, HD-Radio(TM), DRM) car radio reception. It amplifies car radio signal, compensating for reduced performance of integrated antenna systems. Designed for single- or multiple-antenna systems, 4 x 4 mm RFIC also features temperature compensation to support ambient temperatures from -40 to +115°C. Another version, MT1120, suits applications with higher AM performance requirements.
Microtune's New Automotive-Qualified Amplifier Chip for Integrated Car Radio Antennas Now Available
Amplifier Chip, Targeted for In-Glass, Roof or Bumper Antennas, Enables No-Compromise, Multi-Standard Car Radio Reception
INGOLSTADT, Germany & PLANO, Texas -- Reinforcing its strategy to bring its market-leading silicon radio frequency (RF) technology to the automotive industry, Microtune ® , Inc. (NASDAQ: TUNE) today announced that its new antenna amplifier, the MT1119, is now automotive-qualified and released to production. The amplifier chip, targeted for new-car model in-glass, roof and bumper antennas, enables superior multi-standard (AM, FM, HD-Radio(TM), DRM) car radio reception. Together with its miniature form factor and high-level of integration, the MT1119 results in a compact, low-cost RF solution requiring a minimum number of external components.
"The increasing prevalence of integrated antenna systems in automobiles presents a number of design and technical challenges," said Barry Koch, Managing Director of Microtune GmbH & Co., KG. "Our automotive customers are consistently demanding higher levels of integration combined with reduced costs and performance improvements. The MT1119 leverages our RF-IC and automotive market expertise to deliver a dedicated silicon product for highly compact multi-standard antenna systems. With its broad functionality and high performance, our new amplifier enables our customers to gain a competitive advantage in the market."
Designed for single-antenna configurations or multiple-antenna diversity systems, the MT1119 amplifies the car radio signal, compensating for the reduced performance of integrated antenna systems.
The MT1119, at 4 x4 millimeters, is part of Microtune's family of automotive products developed specifically to meet the strict performance, qualification and manufacturing requirements of car makers and Tier-1 suppliers. The MT1120 antenna amplifier, another in the integrated-circuit component line, offers a solution for applications with higher AM performance requirements. Both provide the flexibility to support the varying automotive radio configurations, systems and specifications of worldwide car makers.
PERFORMANCE AND FLEXIBILITY
The MT1119 helps enable high-end radio system performance, particularly under adverse reception conditions, by implementing a number of important features:
An extended frequency range to cover all AM bands, FM, HD-Radio(TM), DRM, and weather-band reception, supporting automotive radio systems across global markets;
Improved sensitivity and performance under difficult signal conditions, such as those resulting from weak signals or overload, for achieving high-end AM/FM system performance;
Sophisticated temperature compensation to support extended ambient temperature range from -40° to 115°C.
Fully integrated RF level detector and PIN-diode driver for easy implementation of the AGC function for FM.
The MT1119 and MT1120 are qualified according to the requirements of the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q100, which are the automotive industry's quality standards for integrated-circuit electronics. For more complete product descriptions of the MT1119 or MT1120 antenna amplifiers, please visit Microtune's website.
MICROTUNE'S AUTOMOTIVE ENTERTAINMENT RF PORTFOLIO
In addition to its line of antenna amplifiers, Microtune also offers RF products for AM/FM, DAB and HD car radio and car TV systems. To read more about Microtune's automotive products or to read its automotive White Papers, please visit the automotive section of the Company's website. Mr. Koch offers a perspective on automotive market and technology trends in an interview that is also available online.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The MT1119 is available now and is priced at $1.80 in quantities of 10,000. To simplify evaluation and design, Microtune also offers an MT1119 Evaluation Board.
ABOUT MICROTUNE
Microtune, Inc. is a silicon and subsystems company that designs and markets radio frequency (RF) solutions for the worldwide broadband communications and transportation electronics markets. Inventor of the MicroTuner(TM) single-chip broadband tuner, Microtune offers a portfolio of advanced tuner, amplifier, and upconverter products that enable the delivery of information and entertainment across new classes of consumer and automotive entertainment electronics. The Company currently holds 81 U.S. patents for its technology. Founded in 1996, Microtune is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with key design and sales centers located around the world. The website is www.microtune.com.
NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS
It is not unusual for Microtune to announce new products of this kind, and the announcement of this product, or any other product, should not be viewed as an indicator of Microtune revenues for any current or future reporting period. The market for car antenna IC amplifiers may develop more slowly than currently anticipated. Even in the event that the market does develop as expected, there can be no assurance that Microtune's MT1119, MT1120 or other automotive radio frequency products will be selected by suppliers or manufacturers, or that if selected, such suppliers and manufacturers will continue to select Microtune's products in the future to support their automotive equipment systems. All statements regarding the performance of the MT1119 and the MT1120 and their performance relative to other products reflect management's belief as of the date of this release only.
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