RadioScape has released details of the latest addition to its family of software-defined modules for digital audio broadcast (DAB). The new RadioScape RS250H, a fully integrated, tri-band micromodule, supporting FM, RDS, Band III DAB and L-Band DAB, that enables handheld radio receivers to be made and used anywhere in the world.

The tiny form factor of the micromodule measures only 52 mm × 39 mm × 7 mm so that a whole new generation of truly global, handheld portable DAB receivers can be created. The battery life has also been extended — its power consumption is less than 500 mW, providing as many as 15 hours of use from three AA cells or 10 hours from two AA cells.

“The module is smaller than a box of matches and will enable a portable DAB receiver to be made that is less than the footprint of a business card,” said Nigel Oakley, vice president of marketing at RadioScape. “The size-determining factors are now the display and the batteries. 2003 was the year that DAB took off with kitchen radio designs being the main driver — 2004 will be the year that handheld designs take off. This small form factor also demonstrates that integrating into mobile phones will soon be possible using RadioScape-based technology, especially as most mobile phones are also based on Texas Instruments DSPs.”

RadioScape has used the same design philosophy behind the RS200 and RS200L. It has designed the RS250H using readily available components to ensure high-volume production runs to meet the growing demand for DAB receivers. And, as with the other modules, the RS250H uses the popular and readily available DRE200 DAB receiver chip from Texas Instruments. This consists of a high-performance DSP that runs RadioScape's DAB software stack and other software as required, giving the ability to quickly and easily add new features and updates via software uploads.

The RS250H includes the ability to support a large, multiline character or full graphical display (128 × 64 pixels) and has a fully featured and highly intuitive graphical user interface as a standard option, making it easy to operate. Its small size and low power consumption also makes it suitable for other applications requiring DAB capability but where space and/or power are at a premium, such as multifunction devices, micro hi-fi, MP3 players, automotive or mobile media devices.

For more information, please visit www.radioscape.com.