Dallas, 13th September 2016 — Frontier Silicon, a leading software provider for consumer audio devices, and Marvell, a global leader in providing complete silicon solutions, are extending their collaboration to develop a new generation of smart audio technologies.
Frontier is including Marvell’s Dynamic Multi-Hop Relay (DMHR) technology in its new Google Cast™-enabled smart audio module, Minuet. DMHR is a new technology which allows Wi-Fi® multi-room speakers to form a chain where each device can receive streaming audio from the previous link in the chain – rather than individual speakers only receiving content from a single router or access point (AP). With its Minuet solution, Frontier is the first smart audio company to introduce DMHR in a commercially available solution.
For owners of smart speakers, DMHR offers three key benefits:
- the range of a multi-room network can be extended
- the number of speakers in a network is no longer constrained by the capacity of the router (particularly useful for high quality audio)
- the reduction in network congestion frees up Wi-Fi bandwidth for other domestic uses such as video streaming
DMHR is available on Marvell’s 88W8887 Avastar® Wi-Fi chipset, which is used in Frontier’s Minuet module. The module is part of Frontier’s speaker toolkit, a design platform which enables audio manufacturers to develop wireless speakers incorporating Google Cast, quickly and cost-effectively.
Frontier Silicon will be demonstrating Minuet and DMHR at CEDIA 2016, Booth #1924 – between 15th and 17thSeptember.
Prem Rajalingham, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, Frontier Silicon, said:
“Minuet is a market leading solution for Google Cast speakers. Our relationship with Marvell enables us to offer customers a full range of innovative solutions. The introduction of DMHR is a great example of how this partnership can deliver for our customers and their end users.”
Kevin Tang, Associate Vice President of Marketing, Wireless Connectivity Business Unit at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc, said:
“DMHR is an important new element of our Wi-Fi solutions for the smart home. As we continue to drive innovation, collaborating with Frontier provides direct access to the smart audio market, where we believe our technology will bring significant consumer benefits.”
About Frontier Silicon Limited
Frontier Silicon is the world’s leading supplier of technology solutions for digital radio and smart audio products. Frontier Silicon’s audio products offer solutions for DAB/DAB+, Internet Radio and Wi-Fi enabled wireless speakers and soundbars – from silicon through software to production-ready platform designs. Customers supplied by Frontier Silicon include Bose, Denon, Grundig, harman/kardon, Onkyo, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Pure, Roberts, Sony, TechniSat, Yamaha, and many more.
Frontier Silicon is a trademark or registered trademark of Frontier Silicon Ltd. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
About Marvell
Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL) is a global leader in providing complete silicon solutions. From storage to cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity and multimedia, Marvell’s diverse product portfolio aligns complete platform designs with industry-leading performance, security, reliability and efficiency. At the core of the world’s most powerful consumer, network and enterprise systems, Marvell empowers partners and their customers to always stand at the forefront of innovation, performance and mass appeal. By providing people around the world with mobility and ease of access to services adding value to their social, personal and work lives, Marvell is committed to enhancing the human experience.
