RTX can now offer wireless product designs with high end audio quality on the basis of the standard low cost chipset from SiTel Semiconductor and advanced lossless audio compression algorithms from APTX. This strong combination of companies now is able to deliver wireless CD quality audio using DECT or 2.4 GHz wireless technologies. 
 
The DECT technology has for many years been closely associated with telephony products ranging from simple cordless home telephones to very advanced IP telephones and enterprise systems. RTX has for the past 15 years been domain experts within the DECT technology and our platforms are used in many telephony products worldwide. As cordless phones over the years have become increasingly complex and advanced, the DECT technology, and in particular chipsets, have continued to evolve into a very flexible, powerful and cost optimized technology platform.
 
The recent introduction of Digital TV and White Spaces has affected a large number of wireless products. Some products are forced to shift frequencies and/or technology while others have reduced functionality. On the basis of RTX’s considerable domain expertise within DECT combined with the advanced RTX DECT platforms, initiatives to apply DECT technology for high end audio products were launched.
 
With the introduction of the CAT-iq technology the normal telephony audio bandwidth of about 3.6 kHz has been extended to about 7.2 kHz. This extended bandwidth meets requirements for Internet and VoIP telephony and is at the same time a dramatic improvement from the old PSTN audio quality. For music, however, this is not sufficient, and therefore RTX has pushed the limit even further. By using the near Lossless apt-X® audio compression algorithm from APTX RTX can now offer a very flexible technology platform that can double the audio bandwidth of standard CAT-iq and for that matter go even higher. Technically, the platform can be used in many applications relying on high audio quality, for example:
 
·         PA systems for use in house of worship or schools
·         Karaoke systems
·         Conference microphones
·         Multimedia and gaming headsets
·         Wireless speakers
 
In order to demonstrate the technology concept and enable customers to gain hands-on experience, a Wireless Audio Module kit (WAM) has been developed. The WAM module was shown to selected customers at the Prolight + Sound 2010 exhibition in Frankfurt, March 24th to 27th. The WAM kit consists of a base station (Fixed Part) and 1 or 2 wireless microphones (Portable Parts), and the main features provided by the technology platform are:
 
·         Robust and “RF Friendly” solution with support for DECT and DECT 6.0
·         A 2.4 GHz version can also be made available later this year
·         Audio output/input from/to the fixed part through USB or analogue I/O
·         Flexible audio quality ranging from 8 kHz to 48 kHz sample rate
·         Bi-directional voice and data options
·         Support for an external DSP
 
The hardware platform for the WAM is based on well-proven and robust standard cordless chipsets from SiTel Semiconductor, and hence, the solution takes advantage of the maturity and high volume from the wireless telephone industry. On top of this the solution is technically very easy to make available for both the DECT and 2.4 GHz frequency bands, enabling true worldwide application for the end product. 
 
For further information please contact Dennis Elgaard, Business Development Manager, de@rtx.dk