DAB chips and modules for prettier user interfaces from Frontier

Frontier is aiming at better-looking DAB+ radio products with a ‘Pro’ range of chips, modules and software.

Its Kino 4-Pro chip has a larger memory than its earlier silicon, allowing features to be added without compromising performance.

Siena-Pro (see image) is a module built around Kino 4-Pro.

To ease migration, Kino 4-Pro and Siena-Pro are pin compatible with the company’s existing Kino 4 chip and Siena module.

Software for the Pro range (DAB 7 SDK), supports:

2.4 – 3.5inch colour TFT displays, OLED displays and LCDs
Slideshow format to display broadcast .png and .jpg images.
Retail demonstration mode with custom slideshow – “easily enabled/disabled”, according to Frontier
Up to six user-selectable visual themes
Up to four user-configurable clock faces.
Alarms and timers.
Night mode with dimmable backlight and soft colour scheme.
Automatic background scan to update available stations list (scheduled to be added to original non-Pro Siena too)

Frontier Smart Technologies (part of Science Group) has its R&D centre in Cambridge (UK) and manufacturing and sales offices in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

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Steve Bush

Steve Bush is the long-standing technology editor for Electronics Weekly, covering electronics developments for more than 25 years. He has a particular interest in the Power and Embedded areas of the industry. He also writes for the Engineer In Wonderland blog, covering 3D printing, CNC machines and miscellaneous other engineering matters.