e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

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By: D.inkie Sirius Shrinks Satellite Radio Down To Size


By Mark Long -- e-inSITE, 8/12/2002


Sirius Satellite Radio has announced its plans to introduce a second-generation digital satellite radio chipset in 4Q02 that will integrate all digital portions of the receiver circuitry-- excluding memory--into a single chip, with analog and mixed signal ICs rounding out the entire chipset offering. The forthcoming chipset will be implemented using Agere Systems' 0.13 micron, 6-Layer Metal technology.

The anticipated chipset improvements include a dramatic reduction in size that will enable car radio manufacturers to offer a fully integrated receiver in the dashboard, a 50 percent reduction in required power, and better thermal management. In addition, Sirius reports that the new design will allow the company to lower the total system cost by almost 50 percent.

DaimlerChrysler has announced its plans to offer Sirius radios in 17 models of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles beginning this fall and BMW will roll out Sirius radios as an accessory in its BMW 3 Series, 5
Series and X5 vehicles. In addition, Nissan will be offering Sirius radios as an option on six Infiniti and Nissan 2003 models