RadioScape

RadioScape emerged in the mid-1990s, initially focusing on developing a software-based version of the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) baseband function that could operate on a personal computer. The company later transitioned this software to run on Texas Instruments' digital signal processing (DSP) chips. In June 2014, Broadcast UK, trading as Radioscape, announced a merger with Factum Electronics, a Swedish company also specializing in digital radio broadcast platforms. This strategic union aimed to combine the companies' technological synergies and customer bases to foster growth in the expanding global digital radio market. Today, the company operates as Factum Radioscape and is a key holding of Nation Broadcasting, a UK media company founded by Jason Bryant in 2002.

Factum Radioscape provides end-to-end software-defined radio solutions for digital broadcasting, serving broadcasters, regulators, and network operators. The business model centers on the sale and licensing of digital radio technology, including hardware modules and software. A significant development in their business model was the introduction of a radio module for licensing to consumer electronics original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), intended to accelerate the market deployment of DAB technology. This allows manufacturers to integrate digital radio capabilities into their products with a shortened development time. The company also offers a hosted multiplexing service, MultiMuxa, which provides an efficient and scalable solution for broadcasters to manage their digital radio services.

The company's core offering consists of a range of receiver modules and software that support multiple digital and analog radio standards, including DAB, Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM), FM-RDS, and AM. These modules, such as the RS200 and RS500 series, are designed to be integrated into various consumer products, providing the core components for a hybrid analog and digital radio. A key feature is the software-defined approach, which allows for customization and the addition of features like MP3 playback and electronic program guides. A notable product is a single-chip RF front-end capable of handling six frequency bands, which, when combined with a DSP running RadioScape's software, creates a power-efficient, two-chip solution for multi-standard digital radios. This technology simplifies the manufacturing process for global DAB/FM receivers, enabling economies of scale.

Keywords: digital radio, DAB, software defined radio, broadcast technology, DAB modules, Factum Radioscape, receiver design, digital signal processing, broadcast platforms, multiplexing, Digital Audio Broadcasting, DRM, broadcast solutions, radio hardware, RF front-end, consumer electronics components, radio technology licensing, MultiMuxa, network operators, OEM