Tuner module

Can I find anywhere any technical paper on the tuner module that attaches on Rio (I mean specifications, chips etc)

No, it's a proprietary design.

If you're thinking of building one of your own, forget it. This was already discussed. You can't put it together with Radio Shack parts. Even if you could, it wouldn't work because it has a lot of internal firmware logic that you can't duplicate without the source code.

But if you can find/build a tuner module that accepts serial control commands and outputs analog audio, then we can interface it and tie it into the existing interface..

-ml

It seems to me that finding a portable radio (arm strap size) and modifying it to work would be a possibility. I have been considering this but am going to wait another month and see if a new batch of tuner modules is anounced.

Eric Fesler (BSEE Analog IC design)

If we could have found a serial controlled tuner with the right characteristics, we would have used it!

The mk1 tuner is an example of problems with using non-automotive modules in a moving car - bad multipath problems, etc. Car tuners have a lot more circuitry to deal with this sort of thing than the average portable FM tuner.

More tuners will be made, I'm pretty sure - it's just a matter of when. However, when these are all gone, it's very unlikely that any more will get made as it'd be hard to sell an entire sensible-sized batch. That is then the point where it'd start to be sensible to look at rolling your own design.

Hugo

Since fewer than 2000 members are on this board, many with tuners and some that don't want tuners, is there a way that SonicBlue could email the buyers of RioCars along with people that bought straight from empeg ltd. to notify them of the option to buy a tuner (when the time comes)? I'd hate for someone to miss the 2nd batch or for the 2nd batch not happen because not enough buyers were found.

A cursory search revealed a nice looking module, designed right here in Plano, TX:

http://www.microtune.com/products/1384_Series.html

The Microtune module has an I2C interface (2-pin serial) and comes in a module to boot. If this batch of tuners falls through, this might be an option.

Without detailed datasheets it's hard to tell, but we may only need a DB-9 to I2C converter (a couple of options here), supporting software, some kind of enclosure, and perhaps a DC converter (the product sheet is not clear on this). At least it sounds plausible...

Cory

Yes, that is the exact module *in* the tuner module!

You need a PSU (clean supplies for the tuner), analogue switch to switch both AM AF and FM MPX down the same line, mosfet with current sense for protection of the antenna power line, PIC or similar to talk serial and deal with I2C, tuning commands, quick tuning (for RDS polling), buffer op-amps for the signal level and the AF/MPX lines, etc.

You really need PCBs too, to get it into a decent size & with proper matched antenna impedances.

It's actually a german designed unit, I believe, but I may be wrong...

hugo

Well the unit has a Temic sticker on it, and they are a German company, so yeah, I'd say chances are it's a German designed unit

Temic used to belong to Daimler-Benz (as it then was), but has recently been bought out by Continental. Chances are Microtune is a bit they didn't want ... Kinda looks like it's been split off from the original anyway.

Well, it looks as though we won't need to re-engineer this afterall. When the this tuner survey is hosted I'm signing up for two. If the wife ever sells the Passat, she might want to ditch the stock head unit if possible... Anyway, never hurts to have a spare.

Cory

The survey notes will reinforce that this will definitely be the last batch of Rio Car tuners that are produced. Customers would be well advised to accommodate their future as well as current needs.

Rob

I should believe you...

Though I opened the Rio and did some search in the Internet. I found some datasheets on the way the tuner module connects to the player. For DSP the player has the Phillips SAA7705H processor, which is also responsible for controlling the tuner. The tuner module consists of two more Philips components; the TEA6824T and TEA6810T, which form the receiver part of the electronically tuned radio. I also have the plans and the diagram on how to construct it. Though I can't find many of the inductors here in Greece. Moreover I can't order them through Inet because they won't send small quantities. I could construct them, and use an oscilloscope to adjust them, but it's too much work for my free time. So the only solution remaining is to find a ready-for-uset tuner module using the above two components, and extract the circuit I need from there. If anyone finds additional information about that, please let me know.

We don't connect in exactly the same way as the philips docs suggest, however.

The temic module I believe might use different (just slightly newer) versions of the philips chips you mention, which together make an automotive radio. I strongly advise you not to bother trying to build a tuner module (as in, an equivalent of the temic part), as PCB layout is a pain, the components can be hugely hard to get (inductors are only the start of it), the chips are surface mount and each one needs tuning - the Temic module also has an I2C eeprom internally which contains the calibration values needed to get best performance.

You *could* make a tuner module using the temic box and some componentry. It would cost you more than the next batch of tuners will cost you, though, so it's not really a sensible effort - it would also probably have other shortcomings if the PCB wasn't exactly right.

Hugo

Hugo, Rob, others,

Is there any estimate on when the new batch of tuners will ship? I purchased two Empegs, but really can't keep them without a tuner...and I can't afford to pay the prices on eBay.

Any time information will be appreciated.

-oktane

It will be *at least* 10 weeks from now due to manufacturing lead time. Maybe 12 weeks (ie, 3 months). This is generally how long electronics take to make

I hope we can get it sorted quick enough that it will not be as long as 4 months.

Hugo

Our patience wil PAY.

We can wait for 3 months or more to have tuners for ou player(s) because you promised us that the batch will come, the only thing we can do is to wait and see and dont ask anymore about this new batch.

Stay tuned !!!!!

No, he didn't promise anything!

Currently I am waiting to get a mailshot set up for all of our Mk.2/2A customers (all customer mailshots must go through Customer Communications to ensure we don't bother people too often) which will point to a survey to assess demand. When that is done, we should have some good stats.

If demand is below current factory expectation (1000 pieces) we will go back to the factory and ask for a requote. Armed with a firm cost, we will choose a sales strategy which may or may not involve a third party reseller. There's a possibility that a reseller may require advance orders.

With a deal signed, we can press the GO button at the factory. This is when the "approx 3 months" counter starts, and at that time you will get your promise.

There are things that could go wrong between now and then - #1 on the list would be insufficient demand.

Rob

Lets ask the silly question now and get it out of the way......

How do I make sure that you have me on your list of people to email.

Cheers
PeterK

I will also post here.

Rob

Altman is right. This isn't like some radio kit you got when you were 8 as a birthday present. This is a very sophisiticated unit (it would be very difficult to just hack together an RF circuit with bailing wire and expect it to operate with similar quality). If you respect the functionality and quality of the HU, you must assume the same care went into the design and manufacture of the tuner module. The wise option is just to raise your hand when the survey is posted. I am sure they will accept international orders of low quantities

Cory

Hugo, you shouldn't have put in time estimates. You just jinxed everything!!! :-D We all know tuners and time estimates don't mix. Every time you mention tuners and time estimates in the same sentence it adds 2 weeks to the production release time. That said, I've just extended the release date by a month. Sorry.

Calvin

Oops, no promise, sorry.

Anyway, we can only wait see and stop to ask every second when when when.

We have to wait even if it's more than 3 months.

My original post mind is :

We know you do your best !!!!!!!