Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006) | Subject: Aureus
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 09 January 2006
Audio DSP turns to high-speed encoding
New software and hardware will enable advanced capabilities for applications such as automotive jukeboxes, automotive HDD/navigation systems, home media servers and HDD-based stereo systems.
New high-speed encoding (HSE) application software and hardware based on the Aureus platform of high-performance audio DSPs will enable advanced capabilities for applications such as automotive jukeboxes, automotive HDD/navigation systems, home media servers and hard disk drive (HDD)-based stereo systems "The navigation market is very competitive, and we need to continue to design and implement new compelling features for consumers to be successful", said Takeshi Yazawa, Senior Manager, AVNC PF Engineering Department, Alpine
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 18 Nov 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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"TI not only provides the key support, easy-to-design technology and advanced features, such as high speed encoding, but they also help us find ways to cut costs and save money".
TI has extended the capabilities of its TMS320DA7xx Aureus platform of digital audio processors with the introduction of a high-speed encoding system solution.
High-speed encoding is a key differentiating feature for home and automotive audio equipment.
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Audio DSPs waltz through multichannel decoding
The next generation in the Aureus family of audio digital signal processors is ideal for applications requiring audio decoding and simultaneous high-speed encoding.
The TI solution quickly and efficiently rips and stores content from a CD, while simultaneously playing it back.
This creates new product features including automatic and transparent storage of content on a jukebox anytime a new CD is inserted.
The DA710 offers outstanding HSE rates: 20x for ATRAC-3 and 12x for MP3, Windows Media Audio (WMA), Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) and ATRAC-3plus (rates listed are for stand-alone encode only).
The high speed encode rate transforms the consumer's experience.
A 60 minute audio CD could be ripped to storage in approximately 3min using the ATRAC-3 encoder.
Additionally, the consumer can listen to the audio while it is ripping, providing an interface that is easier to use.
System cost savings are enabled through software support of new interfaces to the DA7xx Aureus DSPs.
The solution will support CD and DVD loaders (ATAPI and serial), hard disk drives (HDD), USB on-the-go (OTG), SD/MMC, NAND Flash and M-Systems' DiskOnChip, as well as interfaces to multichannel audio, Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) and radio components.
This direct interaction of Aureus DSPs with other system components, such as a CD loader or HDD, eliminates the need for an external microcontroller unit (MCU) to manage these interfaces, resulting in an overall smaller box and lower system cost.
The high speed encoding solution is built on existing modular application software previously available for the Aureus digital audio processors for multichannel decoding applications.
TI provides a comprehensive, highly modular system solution by starting with robust software and adding modules for encoding, new interfaces and system software, such as file management.
This allows OEMs to rapidly turn an innovative idea into an actual product, capitalising on the growing, evolving encoding market.
"We continue to look for emerging markets and areas for growth in the automotive and home audio business", said Dave Maples, Performance Audio Manager, TI.
"TI's technology is enabling a whole new range of applications with these advanced audio functions".
"For instance, high speed encoding is allowing manufacturers to change consumer behaviour by eliminating the need for a mechanical CD changer with an automotive jukebox and eliminating the need for a PC with a home media server".
By expanding the functionality of the Aureus platform of audio DSPs, TI enables developers to push the edges of the multimedia market and drive innovation in both home and car audio applications.
The HSE solution is ideal for applications such as a fast and inexpensive CD ripper to USB or NAND Flash.
Automotive jukeboxes or home audio server features are enhanced by supporting high-speed ripping from a CD loader to a HDD, while simultaneously playing back content from USB, a DVD or HDD.
In a car, the system could be simultaneously ripping and playing CDs for the vehicle driver, while passengers in the back watch a DVD with multichannel or virtualised surround sound.
HSE system software solution is available now on the DA7xx Aureus platform of digital audio processors through Mistral.
Mistral provides an evaluation module (EVM) demonstrating the capabilities of HSE, as well as hardware and software customisation and design support.
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