Product category:
Design and Development Hardware
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006) | Subject: HFK Development Platform
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 01 December 2005
Platform points the way to hands-free
development
A new development platform delivers high quality audio and enhanced tuning capabilities to manufacturers of hands-free cellular phone kits for automotive applications.
Delivering high quality audio and enhanced tuning capabilities to manufacturers of hands-free cellular phone kits for automobiles, Texas Instruments and Acoustic Technologies have unveiled the Hands-Free Kit (HFK) Development Platform The new audio solution, which offers a complete, out-of-the-box experience for designers, features a DSP-based platform that provides flexible real-time voice and audio-enhancing algorithms - including Acoustic's patented SoundClear audio software and Rapid-HFK tuning and diagnostic tool - that enable developers to get to market quickly with higher quality audio products while reducing cost
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 26 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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To that end, the HFK Development Platform, based on TI's TMS320C5407 DSP, enables improved sound and natural sounding speech with an optimised audio processing environment.
Acoustic's SoundClear software delivers a combination of patented algorithms for acoustic echo cancellation, noise cancellation, sound enhancement and full-duplex control that work together to provide dramatic improvements in sound quality and speech intelligibility.
Additionally, Acoustic's Rapid-HFK tuning tool allows manufacturers to tune their designs quickly and efficiently to achieve the optimal sounding end products.
By enabling software testing right out of the box, the HFK Development Platform can get those products to market quickly and at a lower system cost.
"VDO Dayton is committed to providing consumers with high-quality products".
"We are excited to offer SoundClear full-duplex software running on TI TMS320C5000 DSP in our CIX 3000 Blue terminal to enable very natural sounding voice quality", said Ralf Oberlander, Director of Product Management, Navigation and Multimedia at Siemens VDO.
"SoundClear software enables state-of-the-art algorithms to cancel echo, reduce noise, and enhance speech, which allow us to provide best-in-class Bluetooth hands-free devices with a pleasant user experience".
The inherent programmability of the DSP-based technology in the HFK Development Platform gives customers a scalable solution that fits a wide range of end-product needs.
By using the HFK demo platform, developers can move easily to any of the code-compatible DSPs from the TMS320C5000 DSP platform to suit their specific needs and create the optimal audio processing environment.
The C5000 platform includes a broad portfolio of more than 20 devices that offer leading-edge combinations of power-efficient performance, peripheral options, and small packaging.
In addition to sound quality, the new HFK Development Platform with SoundClear software also offers unmatched quality from a functional perspective.
Using less processing power and memory, the platform gives designers access to an abundance of performance headroom, allowing them to add features like audio streaming (MP3, AAC, WMA), Bluetooth functionality, speech recognition, phone book download and more, thus allowing them to differentiate their products.
These functions can be easily integrated by utilising TI's extensive network of third-party developers.
"Integrating SoundClear into TI's HFK Development Platform allows customers to easily tune audio for the best sounding end product using our Rapid tool", said Greg Eslinger, Vice President of Engineering, Acoustic Technologies.
"SoundClear software raises the quality standard for hands-free operation in today's hands-free devices by providing full-duplex speakerphone capabilities that enhance the overall user experience".
The HFK Development Platform includes: the TMS320C5407 DSP motherboard; SoundClear acoustic echo cancellation and noise reduction software from Acoustic Technologies; Rapid-HFK tuning tool from Acoustic Technologies; Code Composer Studio integrated development environment (IDE) library examples and a 120-day trial version of Code Composer Studio development tools; a line out, onboard microphone; a 0.5mm microphone jack; a JTAG connector; a user programmable interface (three LEDs, three pushbuttons); and an expansion peripheral connector.
Available at the end of the fourth quarter in 2005, through TI authorised distributors and the TI E-store, the HFK Development Platform (TDMSHFK5407) is priced at US $495.
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