Silicon Laboratories Enables Music Sharing

The Si471x FM transmitter products enable a number of compelling features, making it possible for cell phones or other portable devices to play digital audio content through the speakers of any FM radio. In the car, navigation information and directions can be played through the car speakers and users can also listen to calls hands free without the need for Bluetooth connectivity.

The Si471x offers superior audio performance in a very small 3 x 3 x 0.55mm 20-pin QFN package. The Si471x leverages Silicon Laboratories’ patented, proven digital architecture to improve the stability of volume output on the receiving system and, through unique audio dynamic range control, increases delivered audio fidelity of the transmitting system. The result is a higher fidelity music experience for the end user and a simplified design for the manufacturer.

“The recent introduction of handsets leveraging our FM transmitter demonstrates the viability of this feature in mainstream cell phones,” said Tyson Tuttle, vice president of Silicon Laboratories. “We are now supplying all of the major handset and portable media manufacturers with our broadcast products.”

The Si471x FM transmitter family offers customers a fully tested solution that speeds time-to-market and simplifies manufacturing. It requires only two external components and is implemented in 15 mm2 of printed circuit board area. Current consumption is about one-third less than competing solutions, resulting in a significant increase in battery life. In addition, programmable power scaling allows customers to comply with worldwide transmitted power regulations with a single implementation.

The FM transmitter function is proven to coexist with other active RF signals in target systems including all cellular networks as well as GPS, WLAN, Bluetooth and other wireless transmitters due to intelligent design of the integrated on-chip filtering, reducing noise and harmonics.

The FM transmitter is part of a suite of footprint compatible broadcast audio products including FM tuners, FM transceivers (FM tuner + transmitter), AM/FM receivers, AM/FM Short-wave/Long-wave receivers and AM/FM Weather Band receivers.