RF-to-digital converter harnesses RF technologies

Software-defined radio enables automotive manufacturers to flexibly deliver the most popular consumer features, including AM/FM, digital radio, CD audio, MP3 playback, navigation, as well as connectivity for Ipod, SD card, USB and Bluetooth by using common hardware that is configurable, scalable and upgradable via software.

SDR solutions dramatically change infotainment business, design and manufacturing models.

This technology offers car makers a global radio platform, increased design flexibility, substantial cost efficiencies and a future-proof migration path to new standards and enhanced features.

Based on Microtune's RF Microdigitizer architecture, the MT3511 is an automotive-grade RF-to-digital converter optimised to work with generic, high-performance digital-signal processors (DSPs) and multimedia processors to enable the SDR solution.

It combines the functions of an RF tuner and an advanced analogue-to-digital converter in a single miniature chip.

It receives and tunes a broadcast signal from a car antenna and converts the signal from analogue to digital format for processing in software by a DSP or multimedia processor.

It supports world-standard AM/FM, HD Radio technology, digital-radio mondiale (DRM) and weather band.

The MT3511 is characterised by very high RF-to-bits performance, a high level of integration and low profile.

With its high-sensitivity, high-linearity and configurable, fully autonomous automatic-gain-control circuit, the MT3511 is engineered to deliver stable, clear, digital intermediate-frequency (IF) signals.

It offers the system designer the flexibility to configure solutions for the most challenging reception environments while enabling high-quality radio sound and multimedia within the SDR system.

As a key feature, the MT3511 is optimised to work in the digital domain of the SDR architecture and supports onboard designs with minimal external components.

It is engineered to support block-oriented processing and, combined with an approach for generating a manageable data rate, it frees the microprocessor to focus on other tasks, including display, connectivity, traffic management and GPS.

The MT3511 enables the microprocessor to manage its resources more effectively and efficiently.

Other features include very low phase noise; fully autonomous tuning-control engine; integrated high-performance 16-bit ADC with self-calibration and digital error correction; and automatic data synchronisation for FM phase-diversity applications.

The MT3511 is engineered to operate in the harsh vehicular environment, meeting the challenges of temperature and long product lifetimes.

It supports temperatures from -40 to 85C and is designed to be qualified according to the requirements of the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q100.