XM Satellite Radio has announced that the semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics N.V. has completed the chipset fabrication process and shipped production design chips to XM's radio manufacturers, including Sony, Pioneer, Alpine, and Delphi-Delco for final validation, testing, and integration into XM-ready radios.The two custom silicon chips allow XM radios to receive and decode digital signals broadcast via satellite and terrestrial repeaters from XM's Broadcast Center studios in Washington, DC. XM released its first pass silicon chips in October 2000, completed the final production design and commenced the fabrication process of the production silicon in February 2001. XM and STMicroelectronics have made the components available to radio manufacturers on schedule for mass production of XM radios for XM's Summer 2001 commercial launch. These radios will also include AM and FM bands
"By completing and shipping our production chips, XM has passed another major milestone on its way to revolutionizing radio," states XM president and CEO Hugh Panero. "We now have a pulsating Broadcast Center, a successful satellite launch, chips in production and even XM-Ready radios on retail shelves."
Dr. Stell Patsiokas, XM's Senior Vice President of Technology, states, "Last October, XM delivered first pass silicon chipsets to our manufacturing partners. This enabled an extensive test campaign which allowed us to perfect the performance in the production design. The delivery of the production chipset will now ensure that we have the highest quality XM radios available this summer for our commercial launch."
Dr. Sergio Garue, General Manager of STMicroelectronics' Audio and Automotive Division, offers, "We pride ourselves at ST on producing reliable, durable, cutting-edge integrated circuits, and we are delighted to deliver final silicon that will enable XM to take radio into the next millennium."
On March 18, XM successfully launched its first satellite "Rock" and is scheduled to launch its second satellite "Roll" in early May. XM will transform radio, an industry that has seen little technological change since FM, almost 40 years ago. XM will offer up to 100 channels of digital-quality sound and provide coast-to-coast coverage of music, news, sports, talk, comedy and children's programming.
XM won several awards at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, including "Best of CES" in the automotive category. XM's strategic investors include America's leading car, radio and satellite TV companies -- General Motors, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Clear Channel Communications, DIRECTV and Motient Corporation (Nasdaq: MTNT), the company's largest shareholder. XM has a long-term distribution agreement with General Motors to integrate XM radios into its vehicles commencing in 2001. XM-ready radios are being manufactured by such household names as Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion, Blaupunkt, Delphi-Delco, Visteon, Panasonic, and Sanyo. Radios are being shipped to retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack, Sears and Crutchfield.
Link for more info: www.xmradio.com
