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New DAB, DAB+, T-DMB and DRM Version Ensures Long-Term Cost-Performance for Car Manufacturers

LAS VEGAS, CES 2010–January 8, 2010– EtherWaves, the industry leader for Digital Radio Intellectual Property (IP) for cars, announced today the availability of a new and exciting multi-standard solution for Digital Radio. Using the new Maxim direct-conversion to low-IF family of tuners and executing on Analog Devices’ BlackFin fixed-point flexible DSPs, the solution can attain a new level of performance and a significantly lower footprint than achievable before. The new ClearSignal solution includes support for dual DAB, DAB+, T-DMB and DRM, audio and data – both in single-tuner and dual-tuner options, as well as high performance FM synchronization.

From the listener’s perspective, the capability of the dual-tuner high-performance software to smoothly switch between the different broadcasting systems when driving in multi-system regions, such as in Europe, or of simultaneous reception of two services, offers the feeling and the user experience that a listener deserves from a high-performance entertainment system.

Using its stable and mature ClearSignal SDR (Software Defined Radio) based software, the new version also improves the long-term cost-performance for car manufacturers by reducing logistics complexity, while at same time simplifying and reducing the cost of the development for the Tier-1 automotive. As new digital radio formats continue to emerge, the flexibility of the SDR architecture proves to be the optimal solution for car manufactures, as it its flexibility to changes, upgrades and updates brings it to be inherently future standard proof. The capability to execute over off-the-shelf general purpose low-cost ICs enables ClearSignal to overcome the car manufacturers’ concern of choosing a dedicated IC arguably fated to obsolesce immediately after their design.

“This focused new solution further advances EtherWaves’ goal of bringing the ultimate in-car experience to digital radio listeners”, said Marius Gafen, Vice President of Product Marketing at EtherWaves. ”With this exciting product line-up, EtherWaves is once again redefining the digital radio automotive industry.”

The new EtherWaves SDR based solution arrives in time for the car manufacturers to respond to the new Digital Radio expected boost in the UK, Germany and France.

About ClearSignal
ClearSignal is a comprehensive software package, fully documented and accompanied by training, support, ATP and test materials. Previous versions of ClearSignal have been used by Tier 1 automotive infotainment makers and deployed in high-end German automotive cars.
The main ClearSignal features are:
– Complete functionality for receiving and decoding Dual DAB / DAB+ / DMB / DMB SLS / DAB DATA / DRM / MP4 broadcasting
– High scalability, offering a choice of:
– Simultaneous Decoding of Audio and Data services
– Dual-tuner, capable of decoding simultaneously two similar or different  systems, for example DAB+ and DRM (or DMB),  or decoding audio from one DAB audio service while decoding TPEG(2) on a DAB data service
– Decoding DRM with background DAB
– Seamless reception
– When travelling between regions with different Digital Radio standards
– When switching between different standards – FM Synchronization
Unlike dedicated ASICs, which are usually a collection of building blocks in need of an application for turning them into a receiver, ClearSignal is a complete functional solution. It can become immediately operational, after an easy optimization to the customers’ platform. Designed to be quickly and efficiently integrated into an existing HU or into a new design, the innovative ClearSignal makes maximum use of the existing hardware resources (DSP and memory), for fast and cost-effective development cycles, and can be used on either a single BlackFin or in a multiple-chip configuration.

About EtherWaves
EtherWaves Ltd. develops and licenses Digital Radio Intellectual Property (IP), targeting mainly the automotive market. EtherWaves uses its core competencies and expertise to develop Digital Broadcast Receiver solutions based on Software Defined Radio. The company’s ClearSignal technology enables high-quality, multi-standard Digital Broadcast reception.  EtherWaves is a privately held company with headquarters in Israel. For more information, please visit our website

Press contact:
Marius Gafen
EtherWaves Ltd.
Tel: +972 (0) 54 595 5427

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ClearSignal is a trademark of EtherWaves Ltd. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.