Unlike digital radio systems that require a new frequency allocation, DRM just uses more efficiently the existing Amplitude Modulation (AM) broadcast frequency bands (below 30MHz). The DRM signal fits into the AM broadcast-band plan and can be easily carried by many existing AM transmitters, resulting in a simple, inexpensive upgrade to the previous transmission infrastructure.

“Working closely with Kenwood and Fraunhofer IIS, and collaborating with them from the early stages of the project, allows us to provide a complete, fully functional infotainment solution for Digital Radio Mondiale that will excite the radio market in the coming years,” said Riccardo Ferrari, General Manager, Digital Broadcasting Radio Division, Automotive Product Group, STMicroelectronics. “The prototype uses an existing ST chipset and a field programmable gate array (FPGA), so conversion of the prototype into a marketable solution would be straightforward, as the same hardware and software IPs can be easily integrated into a dedicated DRM ASIC.”

Further information on Digital Radio Mondiale is available at www.drm.org.

About Kenwood
In 1946, Kenwood Corporation started its business with the production of components for radio equipment. The high-frequency technology became the base to develop FM tuners and amateur wireless radios that were evaluated as the world’s best. Since then, it has expanded its business domains steadily to include the car electronics and home electronics as well as communications equipment.

At present, Kenwood with 11 domestic and 22 overseas subsidiaries around the world is aiming to become a global excellent company in the field of “Mobile & Home Multimedia Systems” with its core competencies in audio and wireless radio communication technologies under the new corporate vision - “Reaching out to discover, inspire and enhance the enjoyment of life.”

In the car electronics field, Kenwood, which has emphasized a consumer business, launched many innovative and sophisticated products such as the world first tuners for satellite digital sound broadcast and terrestrial digital broadcast for consumer use. In this way, Kenwood has built a high brand presence across the world and is rapidly expanding global operations in the OEM business by taking advantage of its advanced technologies, its product planning and development capabilities, its reliability, and its brand presence which are recognized in the consumer market.

About Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Fraunhofer IIS
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the largest organization for applied research in Europe. With 58 Institutes throughout Germany as well as numerous international research centers and liaison offices in Europe, USA and Asia, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has an established reputation for excellence at the front rank of applied research and development. A staff of some 12.500, predominantly qualified scientists and engineers, works with an annual research budget of over one billion euros.

Founded in 1985, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen, today with 470 staff members, ranks first among the Fraunhofer Institutes concerning headcount and revenues. It provides research services on contract basis and technology licensing. In the field of digital radio, Fraunhofer IIS is the leader among the international research labs. It has been the main developer of the most advanced audio coding schemes, like MP3, MPEG-2 AAC and MPEG-4 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) and made significant contributions to the definition, design and implementation of Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB), WorldSpace Satellite Radio, XM Satellite Radio and Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM).

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