Is this integrated FM/AM tuner-on-a-chip any good? Should I build one?

**xraycat** · 01-19-2007, 01:34 AM

I was searching for an alternative to the crappy reception USB tuners, overly expensive HQCT and needlessly installed head units for radio reception and found this integrated circuit FM and AM tuner chip.

It's called the TDA7511 and is manufactured by STMicroelectronics. It is purchaseable through digikey.com for $11+shipping. All you get is the chip so you would have to build the entire device indicated on the datasheet.

Looking at the circuit diagram it doesn't look overly complicated so I might take a crack at building the circuit. I want to see what people think of this idea and whether or not it would be worth it. I am definately not a good programmer so interfacing this thing with any kind of software will have to be done or guided by someone else.
Here's the circuit diagram:

**xraycat** · 01-19-2007, 03:23 PM

I guess there are a whole bunch of integrated AM/FM tuner chips available from this company. I will contact them and see if they know where I can find a ready-made device that uses these chips.

**0l33l** · 01-19-2007, 03:52 PM

It says it has a fast pull for RDS systems. Does that mean that it has RDS integrated, or does it need an extra chip?

Also, I don't see the use of building another FM/AM tuner. Much better to spend time building an HD radio.

**xraycat** · 01-20-2007, 01:46 AM

From what I have been reading it has RDS built in. There are also other IC's that have stereo decoding built-in which makes them a more full featured system. With these other chips all you have to connect is an antenna and an amp. Thats it. I'm going to check with their automotive customers to see what kind of products they offer.

The reason I am stuck on FM/AM is that my CarPC is going in my gf's car and she does not want to lose her FM radio reception.

**0l33l** · 01-21-2007, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by xraycat

From what I have been reading it has RDS built in. There are also other IC's that have stereo decoding built-in which makes them a more full featured system. With these other chips all you have to connect is an antenna and an amp. Thats it. I'm going to check with their automotive customers to see what kind of products they offer.

The reason I am stuck on FM/AM is that my CarPC is going in my gf's car and she does not want to lose her FM radio reception.

Build one

Also... why make an amp? There are chips to convert input into USB... so you wouldn't even have to build the amp.