LAS VEGAS--()--Frontier Silicon, the leading supplier of Digital Radio and Network Audio solutions, today announces the launch of Milan, the industry’s most advanced module for high volume networked wireless speaker and docker applications. Milan allows OEMs and ODMs to build cost effective home audio products which give consumers the capability to play digital music from their smartphones, tablets or personal computers wirelessly via a high fidelity audio system.
In step with trends in networking, the Milan module has taken the important step of including next generation 802.11n WiFi technology operating in the 2.4 and 5GHz bands in an audio module. The 5GHz band is un-crowded and is an ideal choice for consumers looking for a robust and uninterrupted audio streaming experience.
The Milan module comes with the highly customizable Network Sound (NS) software development kit that supports a comprehensive range of features including DLNA Digital Media Renderer for audio streaming using UPnP, audio playback from auxiliary I2S input, iPhone/iPod/iPad docking via USB and audio post-processing for bass, treble and 5-band EQ control.
For simple and quick set up, even in products such as wireless speakers which have a simple user interface, Milan provides several user friendly device setup methods including network profile transfer from docked iPhone, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) using push button and PIN methods and web based configuration.
The NS software also supports popular audio codecs including MP3, WMA, AAC, HE-AAC, FLAC and WAV,
In addition to the on-board software, Frontier offers iPhone and Android applications for remotely controlling Milan based products from iPod/iPhone and Android devices. Music can also be streamed to Milan based products using popular DLNA Apps for Android and iOS devices.
Alongside the built in 802.11n interface, the Milan hardware includes an optional 10/100 Ethernet MAC/PHY, high fidelity audio DAC and a built in PIFA antenna which has been optimized for 2.4GHz and 5GHz to give outstanding range of operation.
Another optional hardware feature is broadcast radio reception, with the Milan module including the capability to receive analogue radio via FM and digital radio via DAB/DAB+.
“Our long experience in producing high volume RF modules for audio products has ensured that Milan offers a compelling set of features for the emerging network audio market,” said Steve Evans, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Frontier Silicon. “Our decision to add dual-band 802.11n connectivity demonstrates that we are able to bring cutting edge technology that has real consumer benefit to the audio market in a cost effective manner.”
“We have been collaborating with Frontier Silicon on network audio products for over four years and in that time they have demonstrated a proven ability to deliver complex Wi-Fi technology for a wide range of audio manufacturers,” said Bart Giordano, director of marketing for wireless at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. “We are excited that Frontier has decided to extend its audio product line-up to include Wi-Fi support in the 5GHz band using Marvell’s latest Avastar™ 88W8782 WLAN SoC.”
The Milan module is supported with the Mars platform, a comprehensive and fully-qualified reference design for wireless speakers, which do not have a user interface, as well as for audio systems with 1-line starburst interface. Mars is fully tested to conform to Wi-Fi Alliance, WPS and UPnP/DLNA 1.5 interoperability certification programmes as well as Made for iPhone/iPod (MFi) and Windows 7 logo compliance programmes, ensuring customers can build products and gain conformance certification in the shortest possible time.
About Frontier Silicon Limited
Frontier Silicon is the world’s leading supplier of integrated circuits and modules for digital audio products. Established in 2001 as a privately funded fabless semiconductor company, Frontier Silicon has over 120 employees. The company is based in London, England, with design centres in Cambridge and Shannon. Frontier Silicon also has branch offices and technical support representation in France, Germany, Hong Kong, China, Japan and USA. Products include complete solutions for digital audio systems including DAB/DAB+, Internet radio and connected audio, from silicon through software to production-ready platform designs.
Customers supplied by Frontier Silicon include Bang & Olufsen, Bose, Bush, Cyrus, Denon, Dual, Gear4, Goodmans, Grundig, harman/kardon, Hitachi, JVC, Magic Box, Ministry of Sound, NAD, Onkyo, Panasonic, Philips, Pinell, Pioneer, PURE, Revo, Roberts, Sanyo, Sharp, SIRIUS XM, Sony, TEAC, Tivoli Audio, Vita Audio and Yamaha.
Frontier Silicon is a trademark or registered trademark of Frontier Silicon Ltd.
Apple, iOS, iPad, iPhone and iPod are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. ”Made for iPhone/iPod” means that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPhone or iPod and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
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