WorldSpace and Fraunhofer IIS are working together to develop a satellite digital radio receiver reference design for the European market.
Proponents say the deal brings WorldSpace European subscribers closer to mobile satellite radio service, beginning with Italy.
The WorldSpace European receiver will comply with the ETSI SES-SDR digital radio standard, which supports the decoding of signals from a combination of terrestrial repeater networks and satellites.
Fraunhofer IIS Program Manager for Satellite Radio Michael Schlicht and WorldSpace CTO Hussein Sallam said the companies have worked together in the past on a number of satellite radio initiatives, including the development of a “proof-of-concept” for the WorldSpace satellite radio system.
WorldSpace European automotive and other receivers will be based on the Fraunhofer IIS reference design. The broadcaster hopes to begin broadcasting to Italy by late 2007/early 2008.
