📡 Night Ride - Si468x Module

Open-source DAB/FM receiver module based on the Silicon Labs / Skyworks Si468x series.

This project provides hardware, software, and documentation to integrate a modern digital radio receiver into automotive and embedded Linux systems.

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Overview

The Si468x is a highly integrated broadcast receiver supporting:

• DAB / DAB+
• FM (RDS)
• Digital audio output via I2S
• Control via I2C

This repository focuses on building an open and reusable platform around the chip.

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Features

• Custom M.2 E-Key module design
• Automotive-oriented integration (infotainment systems)
• Linux driver / userspace control (WIP)
• Modular and reusable hardware design

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Repository Structure

/pcb        -> KiCad schematics & PCB layouts
/driver     -> Linux driver / interface code (WIP)
/tools      -> debugging and testing utilities
/firmware   -> placeholder (not included, see below)

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⚠️ Firmware Notice

The Si468x requires proprietary firmware provided by the vendor.

❌ Firmware is NOT included in this repository
❌ Redistribution is not permitted

See /firmware/README.md for details on how to obtain and use firmware.

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Hardware

Caution

The PCBs till at least Commit 9c4ef1d have I2S interferance issues, as is to hear here
This may have been fix in the later commits, but i don't have an later revision to this point so assume I2S will sound like that!
If someone knows how to fix that, feel free to contact me.

current design goals:

• Si4689-based RF frontend
• M.2 E-Key form factor
• External antenna support
• I2S digital audio output
• I2C host interface

View Schematic & PCB
View Schematic & PCB for the RPi adapter Hat

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Software

Planned features:

• Linux integration (userspace or kernel driver)
• Station tuning and service selection
• DAB / FM metadata parsing
• Integration into infotainment systems

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Documentation

Due to licensing restrictions, some vendor documentation is not included.

You may need to obtain:

• Programming guides
• Firmware files
• Additional application notes

These are typically available via:

• Community forums
• Existing development kits

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Status

🚧 Work in progress

• PCB: finished
• Driver: pending
• Testing: pending

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Licensing

This repository contains multiple components under different licenses:

• Software (/driver, /tools)
  Licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0)

• Hardware (/pcb)
  Licensed under the CERN Open Hardware License v2 - Strongly Reciprocal (CERN-OHL-S-2.0)

• Firmware
  Not included. Proprietary and subject to vendor licensing.

See the individual folders for more details.

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🌙 Night Lane

Part of the Night Lane open-source automotive platform.