NXP launches AI/ML-enabled audio and radio processor

Auto makers are navigating a shifting landscape of radio policy considerations, evolving consumer expectations and technical challenges for in-vehicle radio. To address these challenges, NXP Semiconductors has announced a new automotive audio and radio processor that has been designed to simplify infotainment architectures,

The SAF9800 integrates analog radio (AM and FM) and AI/ML-enabled audio processing into a highly flexible single-chip solution that meets the needs of a vast range of next-generation vehicles. The solution enables auto makers to reduce system complexity and scale features across global vehicle platforms.

The processor combines analog radio reception and high-performance audio processing into a single integrated solution. This innovative approach empowers OEMs to consolidate functions that have traditionally required multiple discrete radio and audio components into a single, scalable device.

Furthermore, the SAF9800 leverages AI-driven acoustic source separation technology that transforms in-cabin microphone data by isolating critical sounds like vocal commands, mechanical failures or emergency sirens from overwhelming background noise. Traditional filtering often fails in complex acoustic environments like vehicle cabins, making machine learning the premier solution for dynamic, real-time audio extraction.

“The industry is moving away from fragmented, hardware-driven infotainment systems toward more integrated, software-defined architectures,” said John van den Braak, senior vice president and general manager of the infotainment and audio systems product line, NXP Semiconductors.

“With SAF9800, we are combining the long-lifecycle building blocks of infotainment – such as broadcast radio and digital audio – with new AI/ML-powered audio capabilities that enhance the in-car experience, enable in-cabin audio sensing and support functional audio use-cases.

“By delivering these capabilities in a flexible, single-chip solution that meets stringent global RF and audio requirements, we help auto makers simplify development and scale their platforms to meet evolving market needs.”

The SAF9800 integrates a HiFi 5 audio DSP with integrated neural-network processing capabilities together with NXP’s hardware-based biquad accelerators, delivering more than 10 times the audio processing performance compared to previous generations. This enables advanced audio use cases such as real-time noise reduction, voice and sound classification and more adaptive in-cabin listening experiences – using data-driven algorithms rather than fixed signal processing.

Designed for software-defined architectures, the solution supports feature scalability through software, enabling auto makers to configure, upgrade and differentiate radio and audio capabilities without changing hardware.