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DigiCeiver®: How it Works

Blaupunkt DigiCeiver® AM/FM tuner technology converts radio frequency signals into digital data.

BROADVIEW, IL -- Blaupunkt has developed a revolutionary digital radio signal processing technology that will make most of the circuitry in conventional AM/FM radios obsolete. By converting radio signals into digital data, Blaupunkt DigiCeiver® technology offers major improvements in reception capability, sound quality, and convenience compared to conventional radios. DigiCeiver technology will first be used in a new line of Blaupunkt car stereos being introduced later this year.

Although so called "digital radios" have been sold for years, these merely have digital station displays and use digital ICs to generate analog reference signals. They do not process the signal in the digital domain, and the signal path is pure analog from antenna to speaker.

DigiCeiver technology operates in a manner analogous to digital audio, but at much higher frequencies. Just as analog sound waves are converted into the bits and bytes of digital audio data, DigiCeiver converts analog radio frequency signals into digital data. Once this is done, digital software is used to produce high quality stereo sound, reduce interference and distortion, extract RDS (Radio Data System) and other data subcarriers, and to provide a high level of digital control over the functioning of the analog front end circuitry. In addition to improving radio reception, DigiCeiver technology will provide a digital pathway with direct digital inputs for better audio integration with CD players, RDS, computers, navigation and other automotive systems.

DigiCeiver technology is made possible by the development of high speed A/D (analog to digital) converters operating at 14.25 MHz, roughly 325 times faster than the A/D converters used for digital audio. This A/D converter digitizes the modulated 10.7 MHz IF (intermediate frequency) carrier from the RF front end circuitry. Once this is done, all further filtering, demodulation, and multiplex processing are performed as mathematical calculations in the digital domain. The only analog circuits are the antenna input RF amplifier, mixer and the first IF filter.

With two integrated circuit chips and digital signal processing software, DigiCeiver eliminates a whole range of conventional radio circuits -- IF filters, IF amplifiers, stereo detectors, demodulators, multiplex filters, RDS detectors, SCA detectors, FM deemphasis, etc. -- all replaced by software code. Furthermore, this code can be reprogrammed as needed to change operating parameters, to fine tune performance or to accommodate new features.

Offering vastly superior station separation, the digital IF filter has automatic, dynamic bandwidth control that adapts instantly and continuously to changes in the signal. In addition, the shape of the IF bandpass has a steep, almost vertical roll-off, compared to the broad, bell-shaped curve of a less selective conventional filter.

To further take advantage of the digital environment, DigiCeiver has digital loudness and tone controls, and some models will have digital parametric equalization. In specific OEM and aftermarket applications, these equalizer settings could be factory- or dealer-optimized to match the acoustic personality of the car.

DigiCeiver offers superior performance without the high costs associated with premium conventional tuners. While functional tuners can be made quite cheaply (and usually are), high performance analog tuners require very careful design and expensive low-tolerance parts. Each individual circuit in each individual radio must be electrically aligned and calibrated in order to even approach the performance of DigiCeiver.

Blaupunkt's first DigiCeiver-based car stereo systems will go on sale at aftermarket retailers in the Fall, and the company is investigating OEM opportunities.

Blaupunkt, the mobile electronics division of The Robert Bosch Corporation, designs and manufactures high quality and high performance products for sale worldwide. For Blaupunkt dealer locations and product information, call 1(800) 950-BLAU [2528] or visit the company's web site at <www.blaupunktusa.com>

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[PLEASE NOTE: Although the following illustrations look somewhat jagged here, when you export them or "save as" to another application, they print at a much higher resolution, one that is more than adequate for publication.]

Blaupunkt DigiCeiver™ Technical Information

Figure 1. DigiCeiver System Block Diagram

As a result of advanced high-integration strategies, the complete functionality of a top-level car radio has been reduced to a two-chip set. The digital IC performs the following functions: A/D conversion at the IF-level, IF filtering, AM/FM demodulation, stereo and RDS decoding, RDS error correction, tone control, D/A conversion at audio frequencies, and volume control. It contains additional inputs for both analog and digital sources plus a communications interface for digital signal processing.

Figure 2. Automatic, Dynamic Bandwidth Control

Based on highly advanced chip design, digital technology produces optimum reception quality. Digital IF filters provide superior performance compared to conventional technology. Among their dominant characteristics are: nearly perfect rectangular shape, complete symmetry, no group velocities, and total independence from component tolerances and temperature variations. Automatic, dynamic bandwidth setting improves reception in the event of interference from neighboring stations.

Figure 3. Reception Characteristics

Good signal-to-noise ratios over large variations in input field strength together with extremely low third-harmonic distortion lead to exceptional reception and superior sound.

Figure 4. Parametric Sound Shaping

The integrated 2-band parametric equalizer enables amplification/attenuation of +/- 20 dB in two wide frequency bands with user-defined Q-factors. In a typical application, a specific set of user-selectable settings is programmed as illustrated above.