Date: 02/09/2010

New antenna IC from Atmel for cars

Atmel has released the ATR4253 IC, a new active antenna IC designed for FM car antennas, car radios and navigation applications. This IC is based on BICMOS technology and addresses operating frequency range of up to 790MHz, these antennas also cover regional broadcast systems including DMB in Korea, DVB-T in Europe and U.S. and ISDB-T in Japan. The ATR4253 IC feature automatic gain control, supply voltage regulator with overvoltage protection and an antenna sensor in a 3 x 3mm footprint. Actel claim that this is the smallest active antenna IC that enables designers to develop smaller, high-performance antenna solutions located in the car mirror, bumper, rear or side windows. The antenna detection functionality is also ideal for modern window or glass antennas, and the robust IC addresses other antenna types including pole or shark fin antennas.

Atmel says ATR4253 enables clear reception without distortion even under extreme difficult and rapidly fluctuating field strength conditions typically found in moving antenna systems.

The device exhibit features such as voltage regulation, ESD protection, good system performance, and a robust ambient temperature capability of up to 115°C.

"Most modern car radios use phase diversity technology for improved reception quality, requiring two or more antennas. While the predecessor device Atmel ATR4252 handles both AM and FM frequencies, the Atmel ATR4253 is a perfect fit to support the application of a second FM antenna," explained Carsten Friedrich, Marketing Manager of Car Radio ICs at Atmel Corporation.

Package: small-outline QFN16

Price: Starts at each US$0.69 for quantities of 100K.

Availability: Now

For more information visit: http://www.atmel.com/