NXP Achieves Breakthrough in Audio Processing with Industry’s First Single-Chip Multi-Tuner Car Radio IC

A few years ago, NXP introduced FM dual-tuner phase diversity in car radio applications, using two tuners for better reception. However, up until now, both tuners were separate devices, external to the DSP chip. This separation was required to avoid interference and because different process technologies were used for analog RF tuners and digital signal processing technologies. With the introduction of the SAF775x, NXP once again managed to set a new milestone in radio processing, by integrating two independent tuners onto a single die and creating a much more compact solution to significantly lower system cost. This integrated dual-tuner device offers more than twice the processing power of previous generations, enabling superior radio performance and better all-round reception quality.

Another aspect of the SAF775x is its open programmability. The IC includes an ‘open’ Tensilica HiFi 2 Audio DSP for customers to program their own features, or to run those of third-party software vendors. This gives car radio manufacturers the choice and flexibility to differentiate their car infotainment solutions without resorting to expensive external ICs.Visteon, a leading Tier1 automotive infotainment supplier, works closely with NXP throughout silicon development to ensure early adoption of NXP tuner and DSP technology.“Visteon is committed to innovative technologies that enhance the in-vehicle entertainment experience,” explains Christian Feltgen, Global Director, Innovation & Technology at Visteon. “Superior sound quality and radio reception are fundamental customer expectations. The addition of an ‘open’ DSP core enables Visteon to develop exciting, differentiating and customer-focused firmware.”Advanced audio processing is another benefit that the new SAF775x brings to the market. Customers may wish to use the HiFi 2 Audio DSP for audio processing from third party vendors such as Arkamys or AM3D. Another innovative application that can run on this HiFi 2 Audio DSP is active noise cancellation of engine sound: uncomfortable harmonics interfering with music playback and the general driving experience are removed by means of audio software processing. In combination with 3rd party software, the SAF775x offers an inexpensive way of damping the unwanted noise and replicating the desirable engine sound.Torsten Lehmann, senior vice president & general manager of car entertainment, NXP, commented, “The SAF775x is a true breakthrough – no other automotive device has achieved this level of RFCMOS integration, with two tuners working independently on the same chip alongside multiple digital processor cores. This integration lowers the total cost of ownership and dramatically shrinks the application’s footprint, while achieving excellent reception and sound performance. We are very pleased that Visteon, a leading Tier1 automotive infotainment supplier, has decided to work with our new SAF775x device.”

Features
Dual-Tuner RFCMOS integrated car radio solution
Multi-standard (incl. DAB bands) frontend
DSP-based AM/FM radio processing
Advanced multi-core audio sub-system
On-chip microcontroller
Wide range of digital and analog interfaces and I/Os
Integrated Tensilica HiFi 2 Audio DSP for bespoke customization

Availability

Samples are available now.