Visteon in tune using Philips chip for car radios

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) has won a design-in with Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC) for its integrated one chip power solution for car radio – the TDA8587J. Visteon will use the integrated power amplifier and multi-voltage regulator with power switch (IPAS) in the company’s car radio platform.

Traditionally, the power amplifier and regulator - which stabilizes voltage for various applications in the radio such as a CD drive or tuner - have been separate chips. As the TDA8587J solution incorporates multiple functions onto one chip, it saves valuable space and brings increased functionality to Visteon's automotive radios.

"Philips' one chip power IC offers its customers an advanced car radio solution and demonstrates Philips' position as the leading force in infotainment ICs," said Pascal Langlois, vice-president and general manager of the global market segment Automotive, Philips Semiconductors. "We are particularly delighted by the design-in with Visteon, which consolidates our close partnership with one of the industry’s leading car radio manufacturers."

The TDA8587J Integrated Power Amplifier and Stabilizer (IPAS) features three switchable regulators - 8.5V, 5V and 3.3V - with low drop, low noise and warning output. There is a standby regulator for the supply of the microcontroller. The output is insensitive to short battery drops and features a proper start-up sequence with a delay capacitor and reset function. It also has a diagnostic option to protect the amplifier output stage from short circuits, which could irreparably damage the car radio. The TDA8587J is capable of using a supply voltage of between 8 and 18V.