FCC Approves Ibiquity's IBOC Technology

Washington - Oct 10, 2002 - The FCC has approved the in-band on-channel digital broadcasting technology developed by Ibiquity Digital Corporation for use by stations. Following an extensive review, the FCC's decision will allow radio stations to begin immediately broadcasting digitally using the Ibiquity-developed IBOC technology, which has been branded HD Radio.

FM stations will be allowed to transmit IBOC signals any time of the day. AM station will only be allowed to transmit IBOC signals during the day. This is due to the skywave interference that was shown to exist in the National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) tests earlier this year.

Ibiquity previously announced that consumer electronics manufacturers utilizing HD Radio technology will debut products at the upcoming International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January.

This ruling allows for broadcasters to proceed immediately with IBOC broadcasting on an interim basis while the final IBOC standards are established. Digital FM has been approved for both daytime and nighttime broadcast, AM digital for daytime broadcast. Ibiquity is working closely with the NRSC, co-sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), to develop final FM and AM IBOC standards.

During the interim IBOC operations, stations will broadcast the same main channel program material in both analog and digital modes.

Ibiquity and the NAB have touted the improved audio and additional datacasting capabilities of IBOC as being the key to radio station acceptance and implementation of the technology. The broadcast community is split on its feeling. Those opposed to it feel that the audio improvement is marginal at best, and the data services are not enough to propel consumer desire. One example is that RBDS, which has provided a data stream for FM radio for 10 years, never became popular in the United States. Ibiquity is quick to point out that the RBDS data rate is very low compared to IBOC, but the example at least shows that song title and artist information is not enough for a data service.

Other technology elements would allow listeners to replay audio and access additional data services.

Ibiquity held a telephone press conference following the FCC announcement, which was listened to by Radio magazine. The publications that cover the consumer audience posed lots of questions that dealt with very basic details of digital; details that a Radio magazine reader should already know. These questions show that consumers will also require a great deal of education to understand what HD Radio is and what it can do.

The FCC Vote
The commission voted 4-0 for the adoption of IBOC. The commissioners endorsed the technology, saying that it will benefit the industry and consumers. Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy said, "We don't get many items where it's a win-win for everyone. There's no down side."

FCC Chairman Michael Powell said that he is looking forward to such a dramatic leap forward in technology. "I'm thrilled and excited to see the radio wagon train finally get to the other side."

While the ruling will not take effect until 90 days after the ruling is placed in the Public Register. Until that time, stations will still need to apply for an STA through the commission.

The FCC claims that IBOC is spectrum efficient, allowing digital operations for all existing broadcasters with no new spectrum allocation requirements. The FCC noted that although it is no longer considering the proposed approach of requiring new spectrum in TV Channel 6, this ruling does not categorically foreclose new spectrum options. In the event that new spectrum is identified for broadcast use, further consideration of both IBOC and non-IBOC out-of-band digital audio broadcasting approaches may be warranted.

Redesigned FCC ULS Search Debuts Oct 17

FCC To Issue IBOC Decision on Oct 10

On Thursday, Oct. 10, the FCC is expected to pass a ruling allowing broadcasters to begin transmitting the Ibiquity in-band on-channel digital format. Radio broadcasters have very mixed feelings on the chances of success for IBOC, but this step will help IBOC further its progress.

Several public comment periods and NRSC reviews have provided a considerable amount of data to the FCC. Ibiquity has stated that it has answered the FCC's questions to allow the commission to issue a ruling.

The action taken on Oct. 10 should be one permitting broadcasters to begin broadcasting IBOC signals. A subsequent ruling would likely name a standard, which, at this time, only the Ibiquity system has been proposed.

Webcaster Royalty Bill Pulled from House Agenda

Washington - Oct 1, 2002 - On Oct. 1, the U.S. House of Representatives was scheduled to review and vote on H.R.5469, a bill that would help webcasters remain in business while the commercial dispute with record companies and the RIAA is resolved. House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) released the following statement:

"I requested the House leadership pull today's scheduled consideration of H.R. 5469 at the request of the interested parties. The parties involved have assured me they will reach a comprehensive agreement by Friday that will be fair to webcasters, record companies, and recording artists as well as provide the economic certainty and stability necessary for webcasters large and small to succeed. I anticipate legislation codifying this agreement will be considered by the House next week."

Eventide Announces Distribution Agreement

Los Angeles - Oct 5, 2002 - Eventide, a developer of digital audio processing equipment, will distribute audio products from Princeton Digital and Manifold Labs through its worldwide dealer network.

Princeton Digital and Manifold Labs were founded by past and current Eventide employees.

Denon Appoints Sales Representatives

Los Angeles - Oct 5, 2002 - Denon Electronics has appointed the TK Group as its sales representatives for the Rocky Mountain territory. The TK Group will represent Denon in eastern Montana, eastern Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and El Paso, TX. Based in Salt Lake City, the TK Group represents other broadcasting companies, such as Electro-Voice, Furman Sound and Telex Communications.

Crown Turns 55

Elkhart, IN - Oct 10, 2002 - Crown International, a manufacturer of power amplifiers, system control products and microphones, began in 1947 as the International Radio and Electronics Corporation (IREC). The company’s early reputation was built on a family of compact open-reel tape recorders designed for use by by missionaries in remote, often-primitive regions of the world. Moore obtained a patent in 1949 for the first tape recorder with a built-in power amplifier (15W).

In the 70s, Crown focused on professional audio by launching the PSA-2 power amplifier with built-in computer technology to maximize performance of its output transistors. In 1997, the company introduced the K2 amplifier featuring balance current amplifier circuitry, offering thermal and energy efficiencies.

Fairlight Joins AAF

Los Angeles - Oct 5, 2002 - To reinforce its commitment to open file formats and independent file exchange, Fairlight has joined the Advanced Authoring Format Association (AAF). While Fairlight has always worked with open file format standards, General Manager of International Technology Andrew Brent said he believes this will give the company the opportunity to help shape the future of software.

Waves Celebrates its 10th Birthday

Knoxville, TN - Oct 5, 2002 - Waves, a supplier of software-based audio signal processing, was founded 10 years ago by Gilad Keren and Meir Shashua. The company began with the introduction of the Q10 Paragraphic equalizer audio plug-in. Later, Waves found continued success with the creation of the L1 Limiter. Waves current product line includes more than 30 processors and the company has more than 150,000 users worldwide.

Fairlight Expands its NYC Offices

Los Angeles - Oct 5, 2002 - Fairlight has expanded its Manhattan sales and support center at 2 West 45th St. The new center houses multiple product training and demonstration studios, where clients can learn how to best take advantage of the company's products.

Patriot Enhances Design and Test Capability

Albion, MI - Oct 7, 2002 - Patriot Antenna Systems recently purchased a new anechoic chamber, as well as high frequency test gear for satellite feed and antenna development in its factory headquarters located in Albion, MI. The completed test facilities are planned to be open by the first week of December 2002.

The chamber will feature a 10'x10'x20' room with 12" and 18" broadband pyramidal absorber-lined walls. An Agilent 8722 Vector Network Analyzer will drive test capabilities. Measurement capability will range from C-band frequencies up to 40GHz. Patriot has developed a number of Ka-band products and will now be able to use its own chamber.

Combined with recent software purchases, the chamber and test equipment will allow Patriot to supply feed patterns, xpol data, axial ratio data and feed phase center as well as small antenna patterns. The facility will be used to support Patriot internal product development, but will also be open to other companies with design and test needs on a contract basis.

The company has also begun installing a new wind tunnel for antenna and mount "wind survival" testing at the same facility.

Audio-Technica Celebrates 40 Years

Los Angeles and Stowe, OH - Oct 5, 2002 - From its early beginnings as a manufacturer of phonograph cartridges, Audio-Technica has expanded over the years to become a company in the design of microphones, wireless microphones, headphones, mixers and electronic products. Audio-Technica continues to advance the art and technology of electro-acoustic design with the manufacturing of products for the professional recording, broadcast, live sound, and fixed installation audio markets.

The company began in 1962 when Hideo Matsushita founded Audio-Technica Corporation in Tokyo, Japan, and introduced a moving-magnet stereo phonograph cartridge, which was sold to major audio manufacturers in Japan. During the 1960’s, A-T gained a reputation producing high-quality phono cartridges for some of Japan’s leading companies, including the legendary NHK broadcast organization. It was during that period that A-T received an award from the director of the National Industrial Research Institute, part of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in Japan, for the company's AT1001 tone arm. The company continued to grow and became a major producer of phono cartridges, with its moving magnet (MM), proprietary dual magnet (VM), and moving coil (MC) types, becoming the cartridges of choice for leading hi-fi consumer turntable manufacturers. To meet the market demand, Audio-Technica built a new headquarters and factory in Machida, Tokyo - a facility that remains in operation today.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the company continued to develop critically acclaimed phono cartridges, stereo headphones, and microphones that received rave reviews and awards from leading industry organizations, journalists, and audiophiles worldwide. In 1993, Hideo Matsushita assumed the position of chairman and Kazuo Matsushita became president of Audio-Technica Corporation, a title he holds to this day.

In 1992, Audio-Technica launched its groundbreaking AT4033 condenser microphone. The AT4033 received numerous awards and accolades from the industry and is credited as being the first high-quality, studio-grade microphone available at a price within the reach of the growing home and project studio market. The AT4033 was the cornerstone of A-T’s renowned 40 Series line of microphone and headphone products, which was augmented by the recent launch of the AT4040 cardioid condenser studio microphone in 2002. The 40 Series represents the benchmark in studio microphones for leading producers and engineers, as well as high-profile artists in all genres of music.

During the 1990’s, wireless systems became a significant product category for Audio-Technica in the MI, live sound, and fixed installation markets.

Sadie Expands and Moves to new Facilities

Nashville, TN - Oct 5, 2002 – Sadie, the audio workstation manufacturer, has completed its move to larger facilities in Nashville and added several new staff members. The new offices are located just minutes from Nashville’s famed Music Row, home to some of the nation’s most prominent recording studios and record companies. The facility’s layout, designed by the Sadie staff, serves as the company’s headquarters for North and South America. The new Nashville facility, which is double the size of the previous location, is also home to a specially designed, acoustically-treated demonstration room, which will additionally serve as a showcase for Sadie’s complete range of digital audio products.

With the new facilities, Sadie has also expanded its staff with new promotions and added personnel. Gary Rosen has been named vice president of Sadie U.S. Rosen has extensive experience in audio and video production, in addition to his audio and video sales management background. Prior to joining Sadie, Rosen held key management positions with Sony Electronics Corporation for over 15 years.

Michael Porter has been named senior sales manager. An industry veteran with over 25 years experience in the professional audio industry, Porter previously held positions with Sony and Mitsubishi, and worked at leading Nashville recording facilities Sound Stage Studios and Woodland Sound Studios. Brady Sharp has been promoted to the position of technical marketing. Sharp formerly worked in Sadie’s tech support department, where he was a key contact for customer service.


left to right: Geoff Calver, Mike Porter, Brady Sharp, Gary Rosen, Sandra Srygley, and Keith Rogers stand in front of the company’s new headquarters.

Audemat and Aztec Radiomedia Join Forces

Montbonnot, France - Sept 23, 2002 - Audemat, Aztec Radiomedia and Digigram have merged Audemat with Aztec Radiomedia, a subsidiary of Digigram, effective Dec. 31, 2002. This merger will result in the formation of a new company within the Digigram group: Audemat-Aztec Solutions. Audemat shareholders will own 60 percent of the new company with the remaining 40 percent held by Digigram.

Audemat-Aztec Solutions will be directed by the current Audemat management: Daniel Werbrouck, as chairman and product director, and Bruno Rost, as managing director. Even though the merger won't be completed until Dec. 31, 2002, the Audemat management team has assumed control of Audemat and Aztec Radiomedia so that Audemat-Aztec Solutions will be operational from the outset.

Marantz Japan Acquires North American Distribution of Marantz

Tokyo and Aurora, IL - Oct 1, 2002 - Marantz Japan, a subsidiary of D&M Holdings, has acquired the North American distribution business of Marantz Professional audio and video products from Superscope Technologies, a distributor and developer of audio and video products worldwide. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Superscope, a privately held company based in Aurora, IL, was the exclusive distributor for Marantz Professional in North America, which includes markets in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Superscope will continue to develop and market its own line of professional audio and video products, which are manufactured by Marantz Japan.

The North American distribution business of Marantz Professional will move operations to Itasca, IL, where Marantz America is headquartered. M. Mehdi Alister, vice president of Superscope, has been named vice president of Marantz America, and he will oversee the Marantz Professional division of Marantz America.

XM Exceeds 200,000 Subscribers

Washington - Oct 1, 2002 - XM Satellite Radio ended the third quarter with 201,500 total subscribers, hitting the company's projections despite an unusually soft consumer electronics market in the third quarter. XM also initiated its factory-installed rollout in 25 General Motors 2003 models and unveiled its second-generation radio, the Delphi XM SKYFi. XM's subscriber goal for the end of 2002 is 350,000.

Stanton Acquires Assets of Cerwin-Vega

Hollywood, CA - Oct 3, 2002 - The Stanton Group has purchased the assets and brand name of Cerwin-Vega. The Stanton Group already owns several professional audio lines including Stanton, Pickering and KRK.

During the course of this year Cerwin-Vega’s management had already reduced the company's head count from more than 250 people to about 80 people. Once the acquisition is complete, Gene Czerwinski, who founded the company in 1954, is expected to retire from the business.

Cerwin-Vega will continue operating from its main Simi Valley facility, with Stanton Group introducing new management.

Stanton Magnetics was founded in 1946, with its roots in the cartridge and styli industry.

Goodwin Appointed by HMG

Harman Music Group has expanded its sales team by appointing Buzz Goodwin as vice president of worldwide sales. In this position, Goodwin will be directing global sales of all HMG's brands, which include DBX, Digitech, DOD and Johnson Amplification.

Prior to joining HMG, Goodwin was vice president of professional and consumer sales-Nort America, for Lexicon, which is also a Harman International company.

Maxwell Named a VP for Eventide

Little Ferry, NJ - Sept 25, 2002 - Ray Maxwell has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Eventide. Maxwell will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Eventide's worldwide sales and marketing efforts.

Maxwell is a 19-year veteran of the professional audio industry, with experience in audio engineering, sales, marketing and operational management.

Amlen Named President of SPARS

Memphis, TN - Oct 5, 2002 - Dave Amlen has been named as president of the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS). Amlen, president of Sound On Sound Recording in New York City, previously served three one-year terms as SPARS treasurer. He succeeds Fred Guarino, president of Tiki Recording Studios in Glen Cove, NY.

Bracho Appointed Director of Sales for Fairlight

ERI's Beeler Dies in Auto Accident

Cincinnati - Oct 3, 2002 - Scott Beeler, director of worldwide sales for ERI Inc., died October 3 in a car accident near Morrow, OH, a community about 20 miles northeast of Cincinnati. He was on his way home following a business meeting when he lost control of his SUV, hit a guard rail and some trees, then went airborne over a creek hitting a bridge abuttment. His vehicle then landed in the creek.

Beeler joined ERI in 2001 after many years of working for Harris Broadcast and Allied Broadcast. He was the director of North American sales when he left Harris. He was known by many people in radio through his numerous contacts in broadcast equipment sales.

Beeler died at the scene. October 3 was Beeler's 38th birthday.

The funeral will be held October 7 at 1 p.m. in Richmond, IN. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Junior Golf Richmond Elks Club; 2100 U.S. 27 S.; Richmond, IN 47374.

Digigram Promotes McClellan, Adds Butts

Los Angeles - Oct 5, 2002 - Digigram announced at AES 2002 that Paul McClellan has been promoted to the position of worldwide marketing director. McClellan, currently business development manager for the North America-based Digigram Inc., will direct the marketing department at the company’s headquarters in Montbonnot, France, in charge of strategic marketing and product planning.

McClellan has been with Digigram for four years and has been in the audio technology sector for more than eight years. Previously he was a product manager for digital audio and computer control products for PAVO, Inc. in Seattle, and he ran his own consulting business, CORVUS Consulting. McClellan earned a degree in composition from Marylhurst College. After receiving his Master’s degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston, he spent two years in postgraduate studies and teaching at the University of Washington, with work in computer-based digital audio synthesis and control protocols.

Also announced at AES, George Butts, Jr. will serve as OEM sales manager. Butts comes to Digigram with a strong background in OEM and direct sales. A former field engineer, Butts has a wide technical knowledge backed by 20 years of experience helping customers design and build network solutions. For the past four years, he was national account manager for Network Access Solutions.

Butts previously worked as an account manager for NetLOCK and AMP Incorporated. On the engineering side he had stints with C-COR Electronics, AM Communications, and Interactive Networks. Among other responsibilities, Butts will serve the clients of Paul McClellan. The North American region continues to be served by Business Development Manager James Lamb, who focuses on the professional audio, systems integration, sound reinforcement, and related industries.

Digigram Adds Three to Distribution Network

Los Angeles - Oct 5, 2002 - Digigram has added three new representatives to its distribution program for Digigram products for the systems contractor, installation and pro audio market in the U.S.

The new reps and the areas they will cover are:

• Sonic Sales, El Segundo, CA: Southern California, southern Nevada and Arizona.

• Lienau Associates, Inc., Columbia, MD: Virginia, Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

• Techrep Marketing, Nashville, TN: Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and West Virginia.
  
  Earlier this year Digigram established manufacturer’s representation with Dobbs-Stanford Corporation, Dallas, Texas and Mainline Marketing, Melbourne, Florida. Sennheiser Canada will continue to distribute Digigram products to these same markets in Canada. Digigram continues to directly serve its OEM customers.
  
  
  
  Shown here, Lienau Associates' Tom Marci and Eric Schwartz with Techrep Marketing's Ted Bahas take a break during hands-on training for Digigram's NCX Suite. Camera shy Digigram Product Support Manager Cyndi Hall lead the sessions.

Ibiquity Names Walsh as CFO

Columbia, MD and Warren, NJ - Oct 3, 2002 - Ibiquity Digital has appointed Patrick M. Walsh as chief financial officer. Walsh had been a vice president at Ibiquity, responsible for business and financial planning and business development activities. Additionally, Walsh was an integral part of the company’s fundraising activities, interfacing with investors and financial analysts. Prior to his new role as CFO, Walsh was instrumental in the development of the wireless data business, including the management of the recent Command Audio acquisition. Ibiquity’s future wireless data efforts will be led by Thomas Linden, Command Audio’s former CTO who was recently named Ibiquity’s vice president of data development and architecture and Joseph D’Angelo, director of wireless data business development.

Before joining Ibiquity, Walsh was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. He was a leader in the McKinsey’s automotive and financial services practices. Prior to joining McKinsey, Walsh, a certified public accountant, served in a variety of financial management roles at General Motors and Deloitte & Touche. Walsh earned a bachelor of business administration degree in finance and accounting from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a General Motors Fellow.

Joe D’Angelo, director of wireless data and PAC business development, will assume the business responsibilities vacated by Walsh for developing Ibiquity’s role in the data services market. He is also responsible for strategic planning and licensing of Ibiquity's PAC audio compression technology to satellite radio providers, audio equipment manufacturers and music content distributors. D'Angelo is also involved with commercializing the wireless data capabilities associated with Ibiquity's technology working specifically with information and content providers, broadcasters and device manufacturers.

Prior to joining Ibiquity, D’Angelo was a principal at Pricewaterhousecoopers in its information, communication and entertainment consulting practice. During his tenure, he worked closely with telecommunications and entertainment companies assisting with strategic planning, corporate restructurings, global expansion and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Pricewaterhousecoopers, D’Angelo gained experience in marketing, business development and technology as a manager with Andersen Consulting and a consultant to A&E Networks.

Walsh’s management of the Command Audio acquisition resulted in the hiring of Thomas Linden as the vice president of data development and architecture. Linden will lead the development of the Ibiquity's data architecture and implementation of all data products and services. He will also manage the company’s Redwood City, CA, office.

Linden brings more than 25 years of experience in product development and technology deployment to Ibiquity. Prior to joining the company, Linden was the vice president of engineering at Command Audio, where he developed advanced data applications for the XM satellite and Eureka-147 digital audio broadcast systems. He has also served as chief architect and senior director at Oracle, and as director of advanced systems, networks and telecommunications at Advanta Financial in Philadelphia. He also held a number of senior management positions with IBM and directed several product groups worldwide. Linden has been a corporate technical authority to several standardization bodies including WorldDAB, TV-Anytime, ISO and ANSI working groups. Linden holds a M.S. in computer science from Stanford University.

Orban/CRL Appoints New COO

San Leandro, CA - Oct 1, 2002 - Circuit Research Laboratories has appointed Phillip T. Zeni Sr. as chief operating officer. Zeni has been a member of the company's Board of Directors for the past two years.

CRL has made two major acquisitions in the past two years: Orban of San Leandro, CA, and Dialog4 System Engineering GmbH of Ludwigsburg, Germany. Part of Zeni's immediate duties will be to consolidate and streamline the integration of these divisions into the parent company.

Zeni is the founder of Transcontinental Publishing based in Scottsdale, AZ. The firm publishes periodicals, hard cover books and collateral material in the building and construction fields. It is now in its 17th year. Zeni's experience in broadcasting station and network management includes executive positions with the NBC Radio and Westinghouse, Group W Broadcasting; both posts were in Chicago. He was also a vice president with Multimedia Radio. He has served as a consultant to several stations, has presented seminars for the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau and has been published internationally on the future of communications.

Zeni holds a multi-disciplinary Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois.

Sonic Foundry Offers Acid Pro 4.0

Madison, WI - Oct 7, 2002 - The 5.1 Surround Plug-In Pack for Acid Pro 4.0 allows users to encode Acid mixes to 5.1 multichannel surround or stereo Dolby Digital AC-3 files, and burn them to DVD. The plug-in ships with two components AC-3 Encoder plug-in and the AC-3 DVD burner. Accessed through Acid Pro 4.0, the Dolby Digital encoder provides optimized templates for creating DVD-compliant AC-3 files (5.1 surround or stereo). The DVD burning utility for allows users to burn 5.1 or stereo AC-3 files to DVD (DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW and DVD+RW).

Ibiquity Digital Announces .PAC Digital Audio File Format

Los Angeles, CA - Oct 5, 2002 - Ibiquity Digital announced the availability of a new digital audio file format based on its proprietary Perceptual Audio Coder (PAC) audio compression technology. Ibiquity's .PAC file format has been designed to support emerging trends in digital music distribution and comply with industry supported copyright protection technology.

Ibiquity has been working closely with copyright owners, broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers to ensure that the needs of each interest group have been considered during the development of its .PAC format. As a standards-based encoding technology, Ibiquity's PAC will provide a first line of protection for copyrighted content as it has been designed to integrate sophisticated encryption, watermarking and permissions management as required by various distribution systems.

Ibiquity's PAC compression software is currently implemented in the Sirius Satellite Radio service and is being deployed in HD Radio technology for AM and FM broadcasters.

Motorola Debuts DSP Radio Design

Austin, TX - Oct 1, 2002 - In an effort to provide improved terrestrial radio reception, Motorola Semiconductor Products Sector has developed digital radio technology that provides enhanced sound quality and improved signal reception for existing analog broadcasts. Designed for home and automotive stereo systems, Motorola's Symphony Digital Radio chipset reduces static, fading, pops and hisses, and provide automatic tuning to eliminate adjacent-channel interference. The technology acts on the receiving end of the transmission chain, so radio stations will not have to install any new equipment.

Designed from the 24-bit DSP Symphony Digital Audio architecture, Symphony Digital Radio uses software algorithms to tune, filter and improve the signal in place of methods that are impossible to implement via analog circuits. Software can be downloaded to incorporate new radio features and improvements. The Symphony Digital Radio chipset can be used in any number of radio models, from the feature-rich, high-end systems to entry-level, lower-feature versions.

The FM demodulator algorithm used in Symphony Digital Radio, which separates the FM signal from the carrier, provides range extension and improved signal-to-noise ratio under weak signal conditions over traditional digital demodulation techniques. The variable intermediate frequency filter algorithm used in the Symphony chipset automatically adjusts itself to 100kHz and 200kHz band channel spacing. The Symphony's channel effects equalizer minimizes the effect of multipath, which is further reduced by a diversity antenna system.

The Symphony Digital Radio is expected to provide more than 40dB of stereo separation. Symphony-enabled radios are scheduled to be delivered to the consumer market at the end of 2003.