Frontier Silicon upgrades leading DAB module to enable DAB+ receivers for Australian digital radio launch


March 26, 2008

Source: Frontier Silicon

As radio broadcasters in Australia prepare for the imminent launch of digital radio services using the enhanced DAB+ standard, Frontier Silicon has unveiled its latest receiver: Venice 5.1, a DAB+ version of the world's most widely used digital radio module. The introduction of Venice 5.1 coincides with this week's Australian Broadcasting Summit in Sydney, where there will be debates on the future direction of digital radio, specifically on the progress of digital broadcasting trials and the management of its roll-out.

Frontier Silicon CEO Anthony Sethill commented, "With the launch of DAB+ in Australia this year, we have taken the strategic decision to develop the Venice 5.1 module so that our customers are ready to supply digital radios
during the second half of 2008 as the market develops." He added, "The availability of a good range of receivers is a prerequisite for the successful launch of DAB+. Since we already have over 50 customer designs using the Venice 5.0 module for existing DAB regions around the world, we
know that these can be quickly adapted for DAB+ reception using Venice 5.1. This will ensure that retailers can swiftly stock a line up of attractive DAB+ products as broadcasters roll out new services."

Daniel Todd, managing director of Bush Australia, said, "The Bush brand has already enjoyed considerable success in the European DAB market and we intend to build on this in Australia as DAB+ launches. With the aggressive launch plan for DAB+ in Australia that is being implemented this year we are very excited about the prospects for this new category of audio products." In 2007 Frontier Silicon supplied over 80 percent of DAB solutions used worldwide, with the Venice 5.0 module forming the majority of shipments.

Designed to be electro-mechanically compatible with this popular module, Venice 5.1 gives audio manufacturers the ability to quickly release a range of DAB+ capable products based on existing radio designs. Venice 5.1 can be used as either the main controller in a tabletop or clock radio, or as a serially-controlled slave in a micro Hi-Fi or other audio system. The module supports DAB+/DAB and also FM-RDS.

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