Multiconn and DiBcom partner to offer an enhanced in-car TV receiver

The world’s first in-car digital TV receiver using DiBcom’s diversity-4 MRC technology (4 antennas)

PARIS — DiBcom, the leading provider of Mobile TV solutions, is pleased to announce that the Italian company MTC Multiconn s.r.l. will be the first to implement DiBcom’s “diversity-4” technology in their in-car digital TV receiver.

Receiving digital TV in a car travelling at high speeds requires advanced technology to ensure reliable and constant picture quality. In order to achieve the best results in the most demanding environments, DiBcom has introduced the MRC (Maximum Ratio Combining) diversity technology, which is a smart way to combine the digital TV signals received via 2 (or more) different antennas.

Multiconn is the first company to launch a ready-to-install in-car receiver using DiBcom’s “diversity-4” MRC technology. Individual antennas attached to four opposite car windows are connected to DiBcom’s DIB7070-M chips that integrate a VHF-UHF tuner along with a DVB-T/H demodulator.

The high integration of DiBcom’s chips has allowed Multiconn to create a very compact device, which can be easily dissimulated within the vehicle. In addition, the Multiconn incar receiver features an automatic background scan thanks to 2 additional DIB7070-M chips. The Diversity Auto Scan (DAS) technology, developed by Multiconn, automatically locates and maintains the strongest TV signal found in the area, therefore delivering the best possible reception. The software application on the device also makes the system extremely user friendly: instead of having to manually scan for new programmes when out of the transmitter coverage area, the list of TV programmes available is automatically updated in real time throughout the journey.

“In countries such as Spain, Italy, France and Sweden, the use of DVB-T modulation modes in 64QAM impair reception in the mobile environment. Implementations and field tests have shown that using “diversity-4″ (4 antennas) in these countries drastically increases the reliability of digital TV reception, enabling comfortable in-car use,” said Pascal Prost, Director of Product Marketing at DiBcom. “We are extremely pleased that a leading company like Multiconn is integrating DiBcom’s technology to provide innovative solutions and enhance Mobile TV accessibility throughout Europe.”

“The launch of this new auto-scanning and DAS system will enable us to raise the standard of in-car digital TV and we are very proud to be working alongside an industry pioneer and leader such as DiBcom on this exciting project,” said Luca Bacilieri, Multiconn’s CEO.

A demo of the Multiconn DAS system will be shown in the DiBcom booth A41, Hall3 at IBC from Sept. 12th to Sept. 16th.