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This paper shows various techniques used for improving customer satisfaction. The results are judged by independent surveys of customer responses obtained, at least one month after vehicle purchase. The Quality Tracking Survey (QTS) results are based on questions similar to nationally recognized car surveys, and are widely used to determine performance ranking. The vehicle under study was considered the worst performing in this category on initiation of this improvement effort. In less than two years, according to an independent survey, this vehicle finished the best of the group surveyed.

BiCMOS integrated circuit technology is advancing. Incorporating high density CMOS logic, switching functions, and switched capacitor filters on the same IC as low noise analog amplifiers allows serial data bus control for all analog functions. Incorporating audio processor, FM stereo decoder, noise blanker and cassette music search detector on one IC provides advanced integration of functions naturally grouped together.

The pursuit of high performance sound systems demands increased power. Traditional approaches include bridge mode amplifiers and dc to dc step-up converters to achieve higher power outputs. Bridge mode amplifiers are now widely used. Cost, efficiency, and reliability are factors limiting the application of step-up converters. An integrated monolithic approach can overcome these limitations. Theoretically, this topology could yield an output in excess of one hundred and fifty Watts into a four ohm load.

In March, 1987, the Rotary Head Digital Audio Tape (R-DAT) format was introduced in Japan. This introduction signified the possibility that the compact cassette and compact disc (CD) formats will be displaced in automotive sound systems. Automotive CD players are gaining popularity as the first generation digital audio sound source in the vehicle. The R-DAT format, having smaller size, longer playing time and home recording capability, has significant advantages over the CD. General applications of DAT to automotive audio systems will follow its movement into consumer home and portable markets. This report is an update on the issues of technology, market development and legislation that affects the acceptance of DAT.