NXP claims 'smallest' FM radio chip for mobile apps

NXP Semiconductors has launched what it claims to be the world's smallest highly-integrated FM stereo radio IC with R(B)DS functionality. The company aid the TEA5990 FM-RDS chip sets a new standard in radio performance, with better channel separation, best-in-class sensitivity, very high selectivity and clear sound. The TEA5990 uses a command-based interface to simplify software development, making system integration easy and quick to enable OEMs to drive higher attach rates for FM radio in portable devices.

Packaged in a 2.56mm x 2.56mm, the TEA5990 FM radio IC allows OEMs to implement a complete radio solution without external components requiring less than 15mm² of board space. NXP's FM-radio IC also enables quick integration and flexible design-ins by supporting the I²C-bus and the SPI-bus (3- or 4-wire format), while a digitally controlled algorithm facilitates seamless coexistence with GSM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and WiMAX. The TEA5990 also offers better reception quality over a wide tuning range (70-108MHz, including the 70MHz China band) with stereo noise cancelling (SNC) as well as built-in Auto Search and Store for up to 32 channels with dynamic adjacent channel suppression.

"NXP's TEA5990 helps manufacturers address the burgeoning demand for FM radio in low-cost handsets, by offering a low-cost solution that can be designed-in with complete ease," said Timothy Wang, marketing manager for connectivity and broadcast products, mobile and personal business at NXP. "With consumers becoming more mobile globally, NXP's chip with integrated RDS functionality makes it easier for users receive important announcements such as traffic updates, allowing any necessary journey changes to be made, while they listen to radio."

NXP's FM-RDS stereo radio IC, TEA5990 will begin mass production end of Q1, with a guide price of 70 cents for 100K quantities.