Audio SOC Coupled With Graphical Programming Software Reduces Cost and
Time- to-Market of Audio Systems
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the 2007 Consumer
Electronics Show, Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) (TI) announced
the newest additions to its line of audio processors. 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. The TAS3208 is designed to be the core device in
flat-panel digital TV audio systems, and the TAS3204 is optimized to
provide high-quality sound processing for MP3 player docking stations. (For
more information, see http://www.ti.com/tasaudio .)
"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, analog
integration, control, and application-specific sound enhancements at a very
low price point."
The TAS3208 and TAS3204 are audio-specific digital signal processors
(DSPs) integrated with high-performance analog data converters intended to
provide a complete system-on-a-chip (SOC) audio solution. The 135-MHz
digital core is capable of five simultaneous operations per cycle. The
TAS3208 and TAS3204 have a 48-bit data path with a 140-dB dynamic range and
a unique single-cycle 76-bit accumulator, ensuring more than sufficient
precision and processing power for the most demanding audio applications.
An on-chip microcontroller optimizes 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 customization. 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 program, 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 equalization
and dynamic signal processing. To further heighten the listening
experience, the TAS3208 and TAS3204 fully support third-party virtual
surround and 3-D 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 customized 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.
Change the Channel to 3208
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 analog audio source processing requirements of flat-panel TV
systems. The analog features of the TAS3208 include 10 stereo input pairs
and three stereo output pairs coupled with high-performance data
converters. This provides the multi-speaker capability and enhanced audio
experience required by HDTVs to match their video quality. The integrated
analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs)
provide better than 93-dB and 97-dB 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.
Dock into the Audiophile Experience
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 analog inputs, two stereo analog outputs and high-performance
ADCs and DACs offering 102-dB and 105-dB of dynamic range, respectively,
provide exceptional analog 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.
Simplified Software Development
TI's comprehensive PurePath(TM) Studio graphical development
environment is a powerful, easy-to-use tool designed specifically to
simplify the software development and decrease 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-optimized
software components and third-party algorithms can be quickly integrated by
simply dragging and dropping the software module into PurePath Studio
environment.
Availability, Packaging and Pricing
Currently in production, the TAS3208 is priced at $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.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog
technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing
requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company includes the
Educational & Productivity Solutions business. TI is headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more
than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at
http://www.ti.com .
Trademarks
PurePath Studio is a trademark of Texas Instruments. All registered
trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective owners.
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
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Related links:
http://www.ti.com
http://www.ti.com/tasaudio
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CONTACT:
Stephanie Groswirt of Texas Instruments
Incorporated, +1-214-480-2512, or s-groswirt@ti.com ; or Lisa
Johnson of GolinHarris, +1-972-341-2539, or
ljohnson@golinharris.com , for Texas Instruments Incorporated.
Please do not publish these numbers or e-mail addresses.
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