Frontier Silicon launches Venice 6.2 module

The cost-optimised Venice 6.2 hardware module and IR2.0 software development kit offer a complete hardware and software package for consumer electronics manufacturers looking to deliver products enabling multiple content streams, internet radio, DAB/DAB+/DMB-A, FM, network audio, USB and premium music services.

The company said its Venice 6.2/IR2.0 solution provides one-stop shopping for consumer electronics brands and their original device manufacturer partners wanting to offer digital music services on their home audio devices.

The feature-customisable software stack enables easy integration into consumer electronics home devices, and the module provides access to over 10,000 internet radio stations via the Frontier Silicon web portal, together with the listener's own digital music library using UPnP.

Also available is a choice of premium streaming music services, including Pandora, Last.fm, Sirius and Rhapsody.

Typical applications include tabletop AM/FM radios, mini-systems, micro-systems, HTIB, Ipod and MP3 docking products, and audio/video receivers.

IR2.0 is a software stack for internet radio and DAB, enabling network connectivity - either wired via Ethernet or wireless using IEEE 802.11b/g.

The software also provides audio decoding in MP3, WMA, AAC and Real formats, an advanced user interface for control and content browsing, and a system management function that includes network discovery and system configuration.

The user interface can be further customised for the original equipment manufacturer or original device manufacturer, in order to provide a unique appearance and to enhance the user experience.

The Venice 6.2 module provides complete hardware functionality for networked audio solutions, including built-in IEEE 802.11b/g wireless LAN functionality, removing the need for a separate wireless module.

Venice 6.2 features Frontier's Chorus 2 baseband system-on-chip, integrating a multi-tasking, multi-threading META processor, which has been designed to address DAB and networked audio applications.

In addition to providing a silicon and software solution, the Venice 6.2 module is also available as part of Jupiter 6.2, a fully qualified reference platform that provides a complete internet radio reference design, with DAB/DAB+/DMB-A capability and an LCD graphic display supporting Frontier Silicon's enhanced user interface.

The Jupiter 6.2 platform is fully tested to conform to wireless network connectivity and will include wireless certifications as well as interoperability certification programmes.

Comprehensive certification support enables customers wishing using the Venice 6.2 module to certify their products with minimal time-to-market and cost.