Micronas launches DSP functionality for audio system-on-chip platform enabling new level of innovation for TV-audio design (0604)

Best-in-class differentiation for TV manufacturers through Customizable Modular Processing and DSP code download capability

Freiburg, Germany, January 31, 2006—Micronas (SWX Swiss Exchange: MASN), a leading supplier of IC system solutions for consumer electronics, makes customization and DSP code download capability available for the first time in a highly integrated audio system-on-chip platform. Also integrated are all the other building blocks needed to design a modern TV’s audio subsystem.

Customization is essential for TV manufacturers to provide an advanced feature set to end customers. By offering Customizable Modular Processing (CMP), Micronas enables TV manufacturers to place audio DSP functions into signal paths individually and virtually wire them by software. With this method, the designer can use exactly the DSP blocks needed, and place them precisely where he wants. The major innovations of CMP are to give more design freedom to the TV manufacturer and to better tailor the available DSP power to individual requirements. DSP resources are optimized by CMP to reduce system cost. With field proven blocks integrated in the memory (ROM) of the Micronas DSP, TV manufacturers can significantly reduce their time-to-market and R&D efforts.

DSP code download capability in an audio system-on-chip opens the door for unlimited differentiation and flexibility while avoiding the cost for an extra DSP. TV manufacturers can use their own, proprietary and branded audio algorithms (for example company-specific bass enhancement or voice processing) within the Micronas audio DSP software. Alternatively, they can port licensed third-party audio technologies into the Micronas DSP to further extend the functionality.

Maximum cost advantage for TV manufacturers can be achieved through the integration of both CMP and DSP code download capability on the DSP of an audio system-on-chip together with many digital interfaces such as S/PDIF and I2S, analog I/O with analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) converters and corresponding audio switching matrices.

Stefan Hepp, director marketing consumer audio at Micronas explains: “Following our intensive discussions with leading TV manufacturers worldwide, we have adapted our product portfolio to match their expectations. We are very happy to offer our customers this innovative technology to enable groundbreaking mid-range and high-end TVs.”

The first Micronas system-on-chip hardware platform available with CMP and DSP code download capability is the audio processor IC family MSP-M and MAP-M. MSP-M is a Multistandard Sound Processor targeted at mid-range to high-end TVs receiving analog or analog/digital broadcast. The MAP-M Multistandard Audio Processor is optimized for TVs which receive digital broadcast only, and for consumer audio applications such as surround sound A/V amplifiers, home theater in a box (HTiB), multimedia audio and in-car entertainment. In a single-chip solution, all TV audio signal routing is controlled seamlessly from the TV’s basic signal processing up to TV-specific add-on audio technologies.

Samples of MSP-M and MAP-M are available now.