Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Freescale Semiconductor | Subject: ColdFire for CD audio
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 05 October 2001
ColdFire turns to CD audio applications
A new direction for audio solutions was introduced today with Motorola's family of digital audio solutions based on the ColdFire 32bit microprocessor architecture for CD audio systems.
A new direction for audio solutions was introduced today with Motorola's family of digital audio solutions based on the ColdFire 32bit microprocessor architecture for compact disc (CD) audio systems Complementary to Motorola's high-performance 24bit Symphony audio DSP solutions, the advanced products based on the ColdFire architecture target applications that require significant control processing for file management, data buffering, user interface as well as signal processing, such as MP3 players and CD systems
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 20 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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These products are expected to allow manufacturers to eliminate up to 40% of the components in a typical MP3 CD player and more than double battery life.
The ColdFire architecture is engineered to run both types of code efficiently, enabling two separate processors to be replaced by a single CPU.
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Motorola has already completed a class-leading MP3 decoder implementation based on the ColdFire architecture with enhanced multiply accumulate (EMAC) unit, custom audio peripherals, and system software.
The advanced MP3 decoder requires only 37Kbyte of memory and 19MHz on ColdFireV2 with EMAC and 15MHz on ColdFireV4 with EMAC.
The decoder can run from on-chip memory and requires fewer CPU cycles than typical decoders, which in turn helps to provide longer battery life of products for consumers.
In addition to the decoder, Motorola has also implemented a real-time MP3 encoder on the ColdFire architecture.
A high quality MP3 encoder has been developed initially, rivaling the best MP3 encoders available in terms of audio quality.
Optimisation of this encoder is ongoing and versions, which are capable of running at multiples of real-time speed are expected to be completed later this year.
The advanced ColdFire audio peripherals that have been developed include IIS-compatible serial ports and an IEC958/SPDIF transceiver.
A unique on-chip TDM (time-division multiplexed) bus is engineered to allow signals to be routed easily between peripherals and CPU.
These integrated audio peripherals help to lower overall system costs as external audio interface devices are not required.
The first ColdFire audio derivative products are expected to be announced in the fourth quarter of 2001.
Comprehensive reference platforms including software for CD-based audio systems are anticipated for selected customers.
General sampling of parts together with low-end evaluation modules are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2002.
The ColdFire audio family is designed to be compatible with existing ColdFire family development tools available from Motorola and a wide range of third-party providers.
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