Audio codecs simplify multimedia SoC design

The new MIPS Consumer Audio Platform provides easy access to a range of audio codecs developed by Fraunhofer IIS for implementation in multimedia system-on-chip applications.

The new MIPS Consumer Audio Platform provides easy access to a range of audio codecs developed by Fraunhofer IIS for implementation in multimedia system-on-chip applications.

Fraunhofer IIS and MIPS Technologies have been working closely as joint development partners and have optimised many MPEG and Fraunhofer audio codecs to the MIPS32 architecture.

Customers already have licensed MIPS-optimised algorithms from Fraunhofer and are implementing the technology on MIPS-based cores in a wide range of consumer applications.

Currently, the following optimised algorithms are available to customers: MP3 (MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 Layer-3) decoder; MP3 (MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 Layer-3) encoder; AAC (MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 low complexity AAC) decoder - multichannel available on request; AAC (MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 low complexity AAC) encoder - multichannel available on request; MPEG-4 AAC low delay for bidirectional communication, decoder; and MPEG-4 AAC low delay for bidirectional communication, encoder.

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS is the leading international research lab in the field of high-quality low-bitrate audio coding and has 15 years of experience in innovative solutions for audio and video applications for multimedia devices and hardware implementations.

Fraunhofer IIS developed the popular MP3 format, played a crucial role in standardising MPEG-2/4 AAC and contributes innovative developments to the MPEG-4 audio standard.

By offering MPEG and Fraunhofer codecs for the MIPS32 architecture, Fraunhofer IIS is fully supporting the new MIPS Consumer Audio Platform to offer a wide range of high-quality audio codecs to system-on-chip (SoC) designers and to strengthen the open MPEG standards.

MIPS Technologies is a world-recognised developer of microprocessor intellectual property (IP) and licenses the industry-standard MIPS architecture to system OEMs and semiconductor companies.

The latest Fraunhofer audio codecs are the first of many to be offered through the MIPS Consumer Audio Platform.

The companies are optimising next generation audio algorithms and will make them available to MIPS Technologies licensees within the calendar year.

"By offering Fraunhofer codecs in our Consumer Audio Platform, MIPS Technologies is giving SoC vendors access to a broad set of highly optimised audio algorithms, enabling differentiated end consumer applications at a lower overall cost", said Jeff Sasagawa, Director of Market Development and System Solutions at MIPS Technologies.

"Our ongoing development work with industry leaders such as Fraunhofer IIS will ensure the Consumer Audio Platform offers the most comprehensive MPEG audio codecs for embedded consumer design".

"Due to strong customer demand for MPEG audio codecs on the MIPS32 processor architecture Fraunhofer IIS has implemented MP3 and AAC codecs for the MIPS Consumer Audio Platform", said Marc Gayer, responsible for RISC fixed-point audio codecs at Fraunhofer IIS.

"With these optimised codecs and the robust development, environment cost and time to market can be significantly reduced".

"SoC designs for today's complex requirements are simplified by adding audio coding functionality to MIPS processors".

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