plus 3, Microtune Introduces Breakthrough RF MicroDigitizer IC for Automotive ... - Yahoo Finance

Microtune Introduces Breakthrough RF MicroDigitizer IC for Automotive ... - Yahoo Finance
GM to Offload Saab Technology - Zacks.com
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Provides Fourth Quarter Update - Biloxi Sun Herald
vAuto Introduces the Industry’s First and Only Used Car LifeCycle ... - PR Inside

Microtune Introduces Breakthrough RF MicroDigitizer IC for Automotive ... - Yahoo Finance

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 07:19 AM PST

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Microtune^®, Inc. (NASDAQ: TUNE - News) today introduces the MT3511 RF MicroDigitizer™, a groundbreaking RF-to-digital converter, based on advanced radio frequency (RF) and digital silicon technologies, that brings software defined radio to the global automotive industry.

SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO

For automotive manufacturers, software defined radio (SDR) represents a revolutionary approach to in-vehicle car entertainment, connectivity and multimedia. It enables them to flexibly deliver the most popular consumer features—AM/FM, digital radio, CD audio, MP3 playback, navigation, as well as connectivity for iPod®, SD card, USB and Bluetooth™—by using common hardware that is configurable, scalable and upgradable via software. SDR solutions dramatically change 'infotainment' business, design and manufacturing models. This technology offers car makers a global radio platform, increased design flexibility, substantial cost-efficiencies and a future-proof migration path to new standards and enhanced features.

MT3511: KEY ENABLING TECHNOLOGY

The MT3511 is a key front-end component in the SDR architecture. Based on Microtune's next-generation, highly integrated RF MicroDigitizer architecture, the MT3511:

Is a specialized, automotive-grade RF-to-digital converter optimized to work with generic, high-performance digital signal processors (DSPs) and multimedia processors to enable the SDR solution.
Combines the functions of a state-of-the-art RF tuner and an advanced analog-to-digital converter in a single miniature chip—it receives and tunes a broadcast signal from a car antenna, and then converts the signal from analog to digital format for processing in software by a DSP or multimedia processor.
Supports world-standard AM/FM, HD Radio™ technology, digital radio mondiale (DRM), and weather band. It replaces multiple hardware-specific components in today's radio subsystem with a generic hardware platform that reduces design complexity, time-to-market, time-to-qualification and costs.

"For decades, leading automotive manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers have used Microtune radio and TV tuners to migrate compelling consumer-class entertainment to the car," said James A. Fontaine, President and CEO of Microtune. "We are now introducing a single-chip RF-to-digital converter that will help drive software defined radio throughout the auto industry as a practical mainstream technology. The MT3511 will be a key enabler for the future of in-vehicle audio and multimedia, while it fuels growth and opportunity for our Company across the worldwide automotive entertainment markets."

"Software defined radio has been the holy grail of the automotive industry," said Paul O'Donovan, analyst, Gartner Research. "While car makers have been eager to deploy the SDR concept, the baseline hardware technology required to navigate commercial cost sensitivities and the stringent automotive quality and manufacturing requirements has not been available. Modern multimedia or DSP processors are now increasing in computing power, allowing the complete processing of radio signals in software, while providing the necessary connectivity features. SDR applications also demand a new kind of front-end technology, such as the MT3511, that can receive and digitize radio broadcast signals across the fast-changing signal environment of the moving vehicle."

MT3511: KEY FEATURES

The MT3511 is characterized by very high RF-to-bits performance, a high level of integration, low cost and very low profile. With its high sensitivity, high linearity, and configurable, fully autonomous automatic gain control circuit, the MT3511 is engineered to deliver stable, clear digital intermediate frequency (IF) signals. It offers the system designer the flexibility to configure solutions for even the most challenging reception environments, while enabling high-quality radio sound and multimedia within the SDR system.

As a key feature, the MT3511 is optimized to work in the digital domain of the SDR architecture and supports on-board designs with minimal external components. It is engineered to support block-oriented processing, and combined with a patented approach for generating a manageable data rate, it frees the microprocessor to focus on other tasks, including display, connectivity, traffic management and GPS. In effect, the MT3511 enables the microprocessor to manage its resources more effectively and efficiently, a key factor in overall SDR performance.

Other features include:

Very low phase noise
Fully-autonomous tuning-control engine
Integrated high-performance 16-bit ADC with self-calibration and digital error correction
Automatic data synchronization for FM phase-diversity applications

The MT3511 is the first member of the Automotive RF MicroDigitizer family, and future products will support new digital standards with even higher levels of integration. A complete technical description is provided in the MT3511 Product Brief.

As with Microtune's other automotive products, the MT3511 is engineered to operate in the harsh vehicular environment, meeting the unique challenges of temperature and long product lifetimes as compared to consumer products. Developed to meet stringent automotive specifications, it supports temperatures from -40 to +85°C, and is designed to be qualified according to the requirements of the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q100.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The MT3511 is currently sampling to key customers and is priced at $3.50 in volumes of 100,000/year.

Mr. Fontaine added, "The MT3511 RF MicroDigitizer is the latest in our family of next-generation solutions. As with our MicroCeiver™ platform for digital TV, it is a class of product that evolves our market-proven RF capabilities and integrates them with digital signal functions. Our technology innovation enables our market-leading customers to leverage next-stage applications and new business opportunities to achieve their goals."

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Additional information about the MT3511 and the complete suite of Microtune's automotive products is available on the Microtune's website. For a better understanding of software defined radio, please see Microtune's White Paper, "SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO – THE NEXT-GENERATION AUTOMOTIVE RADIO PLATFORM." Additionally, to read about the issues and complexities of designing car radio for automotive systems, see Microtune's White Paper, "CHALLENGES IN DESIGNING CAR RADIO SYSTEMS."

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: MICROTUNE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE MARKET

Microtune has developed specialized RF products for automotive customers for more than a decade. The Company currently offers advanced RF technologies that deliver in-vehicle AM/FM, DAB, and HD Radio™ technology and car TV systems. Currently, Microtune's OEM and aftermarket RF solutions are enabling in-car entertainment systems for end customers that include major worldwide automotive manufacturers.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on Microtune's current expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of described factors that could impact Microtune's financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, please refer to Microtune's filings with the SEC. Microtune disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ABOUT MICROTUNE

Microtune, Inc. is a receiver solutions company that designs and markets advanced radio frequency (RF) and demodulator electronics for worldwide customers. Its products, targeted to the cable, digital television and automotive entertainment markets, are engineered to deliver high-performance and reliable video, voice and data signals across a diverse range of end products, from HDTVs, set-top boxes and cable modems to car radios. Microtune is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with key design and sales centers located around the world. The website is www.microtune.com.

TRANSLATIONS

Microtune has only reviewed the English-language version of this press release for accuracy and is not responsible for the accuracy of statements in subsequently translated versions of this document. Readers are strongly advised to review the English-language version of this press release.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Microtune is a registered trademark and MicroDigitizer and MicroCeiver are trademarks of Microtune, Inc. Copyright © 2009 Microtune, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

HD Radio™ Technology Manufactured Under License from iBiquity Digital Corp. U.S. and Foreign Patents. The HD and HD Radio logos are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6116642&lang=en

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6116642

MEDIA
Microtune, Inc.
Kathleen Padula, 972-673-1811
kathleen.padula@microtune.com
or
MEDIA – EUROPE
Microtune GmbH & Co., KG
Peter Kipfelsberger, 49-841-9378-081
peter.kipfelsberger@microtune.com
or
JAPAN
Microtune, Inc.
Steve Sakurai, +81.3.5766.5695
Fax: +81.3.5766.5696
or
KOREA
Microtune, Inc.
Shone Kim, +82.31.712.8400
Fax: +82.31.712.8433
or
CHINA
Microtune, Inc.
Bobbi Lin, +86.755.3333.9558
Fax: +86.755.3333.9568
or
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Microtune, Inc.
Justin Chapman, 972-673-1850
ir@microtune.com

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GM to Offload Saab Technology - Zacks.com

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 12:34 PM PST

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Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Provides Fourth Quarter Update - Biloxi Sun Herald

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 04:06 AM PST

About Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Driven by the mission "Value Every Time," the Company's brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, serve value-conscious travelers in over 70 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have over 600 corporate and franchised locations in the United States and Canada, operating in virtually all of the top U.S. and Canadian airport markets. The Company's approximately 6,400 employees are located mainly in North America, but global service capabilities exist through an expanding international franchise network. For additional information, visit www.dtag.com or the brand sites at www.dollar.com and www.thrifty.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" about our expectations, plans and performance. These statements use such words as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "intend," "should," "could," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan" and similar expressions. These statements do not guarantee future performance and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. assumes no obligation to update them. Risks and uncertainties that could materially affect future results include:

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vAuto Introduces the Industry’s First and Only Used Car LifeCycle ... - PR Inside

Posted: 07 Dec 2009 08:40 AM PST

2009-12-07 17:42:43 -

Automotive dealers now have the ability to better manage their used vehicle end-to-end processes with the release of vAuto's LifeCycle Manager.

vAuto's LifeCycle Manager provides dealers with the ability to tightly track all processes from the moment of acquisition to time of sale.

Working from a central dashboard, dealers can drill down car by car to proactively correct any delays or

process gaps. Dealers are able to examine time through reconditioning, time through service, time through generating descriptions and uploading photos as well as a multitude of additional dealership specific milestones.

"With increased pressure on margins, the need to manage used vehicle time-to-market is greater than ever," said Keith Jezek, vAuto's president and CEO. "Our LifeCycle Manager provides a detailed view into a used car's progress through many varied processes, all of which are critical to turn and ultimately the bottom line."

"We've been tracking our processes manually for years," says Andrew Wright, Lehigh Valley Honda in Pennsylvania. "This new functionality from vAuto saves us hours of time and provides us with data that we were unable to effectively measure before. This translates into improved turn and increased profits."

In addition to LifeCycle Manager, vAuto has introduced a scrolling feed to provide current dealership news as well as recent inventory updates to all vAuto users. Having a quick snapshot of what is taking place and what needs immediate attention is another effort to assist dealers in managing in real time.

Headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Ill., vAuto also maintains a research and development center in Austin, Texas. The company's "Live Market View" technology currently allows more than 2,000 dealers to manage their used-car inventories based on comprehensive supply-and-demand information mined by vAuto for their specific market area. Details on millions of pre-owned vehicles are maintained and updated on a daily basis within vAuto's database.

The nation's five highest-volume franchised dealerships by brand currently use vAuto pricing, appraisal, stocking, and merchandising systems. vAuto was recently ranked number 22 in Inc. Magazine's 2009 annual ranking of the fastest-growing, privately held companies in America. The company's chairman and founder, Dale Pollak maintains a blog for the discussion of used-car trends at www.dalepollak.com : .
More information on vAuto is available at www.vAuto.com : .