Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2006-) | Subject: TAS3208 and TAS3204
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 11 January 2007
Audio processors combine DSP with data
convertors
Audio processors target digital television and MP3 player docking station markets with cost-effective integrated audio solutions and easy-to-use development tools.
Texas Instruments has announced the newest additions to its line of audio processors at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show The TAS3208 and TAS3204 are targeting the digital television and MP3 player docking station markets with cost-effective integrated audio solutions and easy-to-use development tools
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 4 Apr 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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The TAS3208 is designed to be the core device in flat-panel digital TV audio systems, and the TAS3204 is optimised to provide high-quality sound processing for MP3 player docking stations.
"With these emerging markets, our single-chip audio processors have to fit into a sliver of space and yet generate sound that will fill the room", said Cecelia Smith, General Manager of the Mixed Signal Audio/Video group at TI.
"These new audio processors offer tremendous performance, analogue integration, control, and application-specific sound enhancements at a very low price point".
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The TAS3208 and TAS3204 are audio-specific digital signal processors (DSPs) integrated with high-performance analogue data convertors intended to provide a complete system-on-a-chip (SoC) audio solution.
The 135MHz digital core is capable of five simultaneous operations per cycle.
The TAS3208 and TAS3204 have a 48bit datapath with a 140dB dynamic range and a unique single-cycle 76bit accumulator, ensuring more than sufficient precision and processing power for the most demanding audio applications.
An on-chip microcontroller optimises the system performance by handling the control and communication interface and other basic processing requirements.
To help reduce overall system cost, these devices are capable of acting as adjustable frequency master clock sources.
The TAS3208 and TAS3204 support an extensive portfolio of pre-programmed basic audio functions and advanced audio algorithms for the fastest possible time to market, plus they offer the flexibility of complete customisation.
The TAS3208 and TAS3204 are able to provide product differentiation with high quality audio processing at a low system cost.
"Balancing price, size and features is not an easy thing to do, but TI continues to lead the way in solving customer requirements, helping manufacturers develop differentiated applications", said Joanna Skrdlant, Senior Director, Platform Partner Programme at SRS.
"With the high performance and precision available with the TAS320x, we are able to focus on implementing algorithms such as SRS TruSurround XT to provide the highest quality audio possible for our customers".
The powerful embedded signal processing capability of the TAS3208 and TAS3204 enables these devices to enhance the audio response of low-cost speakers and acoustical enclosures by enabling custom digital equalisation and dynamic signal processing.
To further heighten the listening experience, the TAS3208 and TAS3204 fully support third-party virtual surround and 3D expansion algorithms, such as Dolby and SRS, as well as a number of license-free TI algorithms.
These devices are fully programmable, enabling the implementation of customised algorithms.
Multiple digital I/O channels, delay memory and a host of other features ensure these devices are flexible enough to meet the needs of a variety of audio applications.
Building on the success of the TAS3108 stand-alone audio DSP launched in 2006, the next-generation TAS3208 is a highly integrated solution that includes all of the audio functionality necessary for digital TV applications.
The TAS3208 is designed specifically to address the multiple digital and analogue audio source processing requirements of flat-panel TV systems.
The analogue features of the TAS3208 include 10 stereo input pairs and three stereo output pairs coupled with high-performance data convertors.
This provides the multiple-speaker capability and enhanced audio experience required by HDTVs to match their video quality.
The integrated analogue-to-digital convertors (ADCs) and digital-to-analogue convertors (DACs) provide better than 93 and 97dB of dynamic range, respectively.
The TAS3208 also supports multiple digital I/O channels in I2S and SPDIF format.
The TAS3208 can support speaker configurations of up to 5.1 channels.
The TAS3204 is designed specifically to meet the needs of the digital music player docking station market.
The high quality and low costs demanded in this competitive market space require a unique audio solution.
Three stereo analogue inputs, two stereo analogue outputs and high-performance ADCs and DACs offering 102 and 105dB of dynamic range, respectively, provide exceptional analogue performance.
Combined with the high-precision digital core, this ensures a low-cost system can offer an immersive listening experience.
Two stereo digital I2S input and output channels are also included.
The TAS3204 is ideal for bi-amped or 2.1 speaker configurations.
TI's comprehensive PurePath Studio graphical development environment is a powerful, easy-to-use tool designed specifically to simplify the software development and reduce the time to market of products using the TAS3208 and TAS3204.
PurePath Studio software features a code editor with contextual help facilities, a simulator for debugging code and other tools.
Pre-optimised software components and third-party algorithms can be quickly integrated by simply dragging and dropping the software module into PurePath Studio environment.
Currently in production, the TAS3208 is priced at US $5.53 each and the TAS3204 is priced at $5.28 each, both in quantities of 10,000 or more.
Evaluation modules and code development tools also are available.
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