Audio processor is next-generation DVD companion

Single-chip audio processor is designed for demanding processing tasks associated with emerging standards, such as next-generation HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

As consumer electronics manufacturers ramp products supporting the next-generation HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc DVD high-definition DVD formats, Cirrus Logic has introduced a single-chip audio processor, the CS49700, designed to meet the demanding processing tasks associated with these emerging new standards.

Available today in volume production, the CS49700 enables mass-market home theatre products, such as audio/video receivers, combination high-definition DVD players and receivers and Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD players, at all price points.

Today's DVD standard calls for chips that support two primary audio decode surround-sound standards, Dolby Digital and DTS standards.

For next-generation Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats, audio processor ICs must support up to six surround-sound audio algorithms, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS Master and DTS High Resolution, any of which may be featured within high-definition DVD disc media.

The CS49700 supports each of these audio formats and is designed for home theatre products such as mid- and low-tier.

With its 32bit, dual-core structure, the CS49700 generates true parallel processing power of 1.8GOPS (300MIPS).

The CS49700's hardware design and software features, including firmware, are optimised for audio processing, which provides a more efficient chip solution that requires less memory and reduced overall processing power compared with many general purpose DSPs.

"While early generations of high-definition DVD equipment often rely on two or more DSP processors, Cirrus Logic has delivered a single-chip solution that is available today and meets all of the complex audio requirements of Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats", said Keith Cheney, Vice President and General Manager, Embedded Products Division, Cirrus Logic.

"Through Cirrus Logic's audio focus, we have delivered to manufacturers a full-featured but cost-effective IC solution that will speed the introduction of new products and give consumers an amazing audio experience that matches the high-resolution video".

Compared with today's standard DVD format, supporting all of the necessary audio algorithms and system clocking challenges for both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats is substantially more complex.

In addition to the numerous current standard and additional new algorithms that must be supported, many of these new algorithms require bit-rate processing far greater than the typical 384Kbit/s of today's DVD systems.

For example, lossless surround sound algorithms, such as Dolby's TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, require bit-rate processing as high as 18 to 24Mbit/s, respectively.

Multiple audio formats also present myriad clock frequency challenges, to which the CS49700 adeptly manages via an advanced phase-lock-loop (PLL) that generates a system clock source.

The CS49700 also offers such post-processing algorithms as Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS 96/24, Neo:6, MPEG, AAC, SRS Circle Surround II, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker, SRS Tru-Surround XT and THX Ultra2, which are built into the IC's on-chip ROM.

The CS49700 also provides support for the HDMI 1.3 interface, the emerging digital audio and video interconnect standard that is used to send digital audio and video signals among home theatre equipment, such as A/V receivers, DVD players and flat-panel televisions.

The CS49700 is currently in volume production and is available in a 144-pin LQFP priced at US $7.50 in 100,000-unit quantities.

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