GB2515471A

GB2515471A - DAB interface

Info

Publication number: GB2515471A
Application number: GB1310194.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jan Ahmet
Original assignee: DIGIBUYS Ltd
Current assignee: DIGIBUYS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-06-07
Filing date: 2013-06-07
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: GB201310194D0

Abstract

A DAB (digital audio broadcast) interface module (10) for retrofitting a DAB radio functionality to a vehicle audio system head unit (14) which has a CD changer port (16), whereby the DAB interface module may be directly connected to and controlled from the head unit. The DAB interface module (10) includes a translator module (18) and an amplifier module (20). The translator module (18) is configured to receive command information from the head unit (14), translate the information into command information for a DAB radio module (12), and transmit the translated command information to the DAB radio module (12). The amplifier module (20) is configured to: receive an audio signal from the DAB radio module (12), amplify the audio signal into an audio signal for the head unit (14), and transmit the amplified audio signal to the head unit (14). In use, the DAB interface module (10) is connected to the DAB radio module (12) and to the CD changer port (16), which means that a user can control the DAB radio module (12) via the head unit (14). DAB radio module (12) can be integrated into DAB interface module (10) for an all in one solution.

Description

DAB interface The present invention is related to a DAB interface module for retrofitting a DAB radio functionality to a vehicle head unit, and in particular for retrofitting to a CD changer port of a vehicle head unit.

GB2490145A provides a digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver module which can be used in conjunction with additional apparatus to retrofit a DAB radio to a vehicle. The module includes an antenna interface unit! port suitable for coupling to an antenna such as a legacy FM antenna, a receiver unit for down-converting RF signals received by the antenna to baseband or an IF, and a tuneable impedance matching circuit between the antenna interface unit and the input of the receiver unit. An output from the receiver unit is adapted for connection to an external unit including a DAB baseband decoder and optionally a display. The impedance matching unit can be tuned by adjusting capacitance or inductance, manually or automatically.

According to a first embodiment the present invention provides a DAB interface module for retrofitting a DAB radio functionality to a vehicle head unit which has a CD changer port. The DAB interface module includes a translator module and an amplifier module. The translator module is configured to receive command information from the head unit; translate the information into command information for a DAB radio module; and transmit the translated command information to the DAB radio module. The amplifier module is configured to: receive an audio signal from the DAB radio module; amplify the audio signal into an audio signal for the head unit; and transmit the amplified audio signal to the head unit. In use, the DAB interface module is connected to the DAB radio module and to the CD changer port, which means that a user can control the DAB radio module via the head unit.

Preferably, the command information includes a command to cause the DAB radio module to scan, store or select radio stations.

The translator module may additionally be configured to: translate the information into command information for the audio module; and transmit the translated command information to the audio module. Preferably, the command information includes a command to control a gain of the amplifier module.

The translator module may additionally be configured to: receive information from the DAB radio module; translate the information into information for the head unit; and transmit the translated information to the head unit. Preferably, the information includes status information about the DAB radio module, channel information, status control commands, and voice prompts, or radio data information.

The DAB radio module can be integrated into the DAB interface module.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic of an embodiment of a DAB interface module of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, DAB radio module 12 includes a DAB receiver 36 which receives a radio signal via antenna 38. DAB radio module 12 also includes a display 34 for status and other information and a multipoint control unit (MCU) 32.

DAB interface module 10 comprises a multipoint control unit (MCU) 18 and an audio receiver/amplifier 20. DAB interface module 10 receives and sends control signals to and from DAB radio module 12 via serial port 22. Signals are also sent to and received from head unit 14 via the CD changer control port 16, which can be, for example a CAN-BUS or I/O (depending on vehicle/head unit). Audio left and right signals 24 are received by amplifier 20 within DAB interface module 10 and sent to head unit 14 via CDC 16. An external audio device can be connected via AUX port 42 and selected via the head unit through an audio switcher within the DAB interface.

DAB interface module 10 is designed for retrofitting DAB radio functionality to a vehicle head unit 14 having a CD changer control pod 16. DAB interface module 10 includes a translator module 18 and an amplifier module 20. Translator module 18 translates or otherwise alter commands it receives such that the commands that it transmits are in a format that is suitable for the recipient of the command. Thus translator module 18 is configured to: receive command information from head unit 14; translate the information into command information for DAB radio module 12; and transmit the translated command information to DAB radio module 12 via serial port 22.

Amplifier module 20 is configured to: receive an audio signal from DAB radio module 12 via audio connection 24; amplify the audio signal into an audio signal for head unit 14; and transmit the amplified audio signal to head unit 14 DAB interface module 10 allows the transfer of a Digital Radio (DAB) audio signal to a factory fitted car radio! head unit 14 via CD changer port 16. The adapter includes a vehicle/head unit connector plug (not shown) which connects to CD changer port 16 located at the rear of the factory Head Unit. Direct connection to the CD changer port in this way means that the interface retains the quality of the DAB signal. In use, DAB interface module 10 is connected to DAB radio module 12 and to CD changer port 16, and a user can control DAB radio module 12 via head unit 14.

In an alternative embodiment, DAB radio module 12 is integrated into DAB interface module 10 for an all in one solution.

Claims

Claims 1. A DAB interface module for retrofitting a DAB radio functionality to a vehicle head unit having a CD changer port, the DAB interface module comprising: a translator module configured to: receive command information from the head unit; translate the information into command information for a DAB radio module; and transmit the translated command information to the DAB radio module; an amplifier module configured to: receive an audio signal from the DAB radio module; amplify the audio signal into an audio signal for the head unit; and transmit the amplified audio signal to the head unit; wherein, in use, the DAB interface module is connected to the DAB radio module and to the CD changer port, and a user can control the DAB radio module via the head unit.
2. A DAB interface module according to claim 1, in which the command information includes a command to cause the DAB radio module to scan, store or select radio stations.
3. A DAB interface module according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the translator module is additionally configured to: translate the information into command information for the audio module; and transmit the translated command information to the audio module.
4. A DAB interface module according to claim 3, in which the command information includes a command to control a gain of the amplifier module.
5. A DAB interface module according to any preceding claim, in which the translator module is additionally configured to: receive information from the DAB radio module; translate the information into information for the head unit; and transmit the translated information to the head unit.
6. A DAB interface module according to claim 5, in which the information includes status information about the DAB radio module, channel information, or radio data info rmatio n.
7. A DAB interface module according to any preceding claims, in which the DAB interface module includes the DAB radio module.
8. A DAB interface module substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
9. A head unit including the DAB interface module of any preceding claim.
10. A vehicle including the DAB interface module of any preceding claim.