NXP has unveiled the SAF9800, a new automotive audio and radio processor designed to make automotvie infotainment architectures simpler and more flexible. The single-chip solution combines analog AM and FM radio with AI- and ML-enabled audio processing, helping automakers reduce system complexity while scaling features across global vehicle platforms.
Built for the next generation of software-defined vehicles, SAF9800 brings radio reception and high-performance audio processing into one integrated device. That approach allows OEMs to replace multiple discrete components with a more compact, scalable solution that can be configured and upgraded through software.
One of the key differentiators is its AI-driven acoustic source separation technology, which can isolate important sounds from cabin noise in real time.
That includes voice commands, mechanical issues, and emergency sirens, where traditional filtering often struggles in complex vehicle environments. NXP says the chip combines a HiFi 5 audio DSP, neural-network processing, and hardware-based biquad accelerators to deliver more than 10x the audio processing performance of previous generations.
The company also highlighted software scalability as a major advantage, noting that automakers can adapt radio and audio features without changing hardware. NXP says this is especially important as the industry navigates shifting radio policy debates, evolving consumer expectations, and interference challenges tied to vehicle electrification.
To further address AM-band interference issues, NXP is also offering its latest EVAM-lite denoising technology for the SAF9800 series. The goal is to give automakers a more flexible platform that can support changing requirements while simplifying integration and reducing footprint.
Leadership Comment
“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 at 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 automakers simplify development and scale their platforms to meet evolving market needs.”
Availability
The SAF9800 automotive radio and audio processor is available as of May 2026, with development support and software enablement tools available to accelerate customer designs.
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