Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Cirrus Logic Surround-Sound Codecs Drive Innovation for Audio/Video Receiver, Automotive Audio Systems
A new family of surround-sound codecs introduced by audio chip leader Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) is helping manufacturers of audio/video (A/V) receivers and automotive audio systems incorporate advanced multi-channel surround-sound features into their entry- and mid-level products.
The products, the CS42436, CS42438 and the CS42448, allow audio system designers to add in up to eight single-ended or six differential input sources, and up to eight single-ended or differential output sources, making these new products the most highly integrated surround-sound codecs on the market. For system designers, this high level of integration means that external analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are no longer needed to pass multiple audio channels to DSP chips for audio processing.
"By eliminating the need for external ADCs, these new audio codecs greatly simplify design cycles and help reduce overall system costs for manufacturers," said Sanjay Voleti, Mixed-Signal Products marketing manager, Cirrus Logic. "Plus, it's helping to make multi-channel surround-sound audio sources like DVD-Audio much more affordable for consumers, as now DVD-Audio can be incorporated more cost-effectively into entry-level consumer A/V receiver and automotive audio systems."
In addition, with more audio inputs, the consumer can bring audio into the A/V receiver from multiple sources, including set-top boxes, VCRs and the 5.1 input channels necessary for DVD-Audio playback. In the automotive environment, audio input can come from such devices as an in-car navigation system, the mobile phone, the CD/DVD player and the radio tuner.
The CS42448 features eight digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with a complete serial port that supports all standard audio data formats as well as time division multiplexing (TDM) mode. The CS42438, which features eight DACs, and the CS42436, which features six DACs, include a TDM-only serial port. All DACs are 24-bit, with support for sample rates up to 192 kHz, and provide impressive dynamic range of up to 108 dB. In addition, all three devices feature six 24-bit ADCs, which also support sample rates up to 192 kHz and provide dynamic range of up to 105 dB.
Mobile Audio, Video and Navigation Evolves into Next Generation Multi-Format Integrated Entertainment Products
second-generation AVN products that integrate advanced navigation and multi-entertainment at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (booth LVCC North 1413). Maintaining sleek, compact double-DIN configurations to grace center consoles, the top-of-the-line AVN5495 and AVN5435 significantly enhance the total driving experience by incorporating refinements and advances both in navigation as well as entertainment, demonstrating ECLIPSE's leading position in automobile electronics. ECLIPSE was first in introducing the AVN concept of integrating audio, video and navigation capabilities into a single unit and continues to lead development in this sector, which addresses all the requirements of a vehicle's driver and passengers.
Navigation features
The AVN5495 incorporates a 30GB hard disk to store a comprehensive navigation database to efficiently access the navigation tasks. Together with the powerful CPU and dedicated graphics processing in the AVN5495, all navigation responses and mapping are accelerated. The HDD-navigation database is 10GB, with coverage extended to Hawaii and most of Canada.
AVN5435 navigation is DVD-based and incorporates a 64-bit bus RISC CPU to manage the unit's responsive navigation and mapping tasks, delivering impressive performance as well as accelerated graphics-processing power. The AVN5435 incorporates two optical disc mechanisms so that navigation can be accessed during entertainment without any interruptions. The DVD-navigation database is 8.5GB with coverage similar to the AVN5495.
Both the AVN5495 and AVN5435's fulltime visual map referencing continues the AVN legacy of exemplary performance, with the vehicle's position smoothly moving on the display, providing a highly accurate visual positional fix that aids in navigation.
Searching has been refined with numerous search modes offered for users to select from, including address with street name and number, points of interest, map searching, emergency, memory search including assignable sound tags and directivity to locations, previous location, intersection search by inputting two cross streets, freeway search with name and entrance/exit, searching by telephone number (AVN5495 only) and map coordinates.
Fiber Meets Frugality - copper wires to carry audio, video, navigation and communication data throughout the vehicle
Two cars shriek to a stop at a red light: a luxury Mercedes-Benz S600 and a Ford Taurus. As an onlooker, can you guess which car will boast a better sound and navigation system in the near future? You might be surprised at the answer, because luxury car technology will soon be available to more frugal consumers.
D2B SmartWire, developed and introduced in 2000 by Communication and Control Electronics Ltd. (C&CE) in Guildford, U.K., uses an unshielded twisted pair of copper wires to carry audio, video, navigation and communication data throughout the vehicle. The wire, which is similar to the Ethernet cable that connects a computer to a network, replaces more expensive fiber optic cables in upscale car audio systems.
The wire, which is both less expensive and easier to repair, was designed to offer the same functionality and quality found in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class to midrange priced vehicles. Now a luxury audio and video system does not have to come at a luxury price, says C&CE.
SmartWire was developed as part of the Digital Data Bus (D2B), the networking protocol for automotive multimedia communication systems. C&CE worked with Philips Electronics NV, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Becker GmbH in designing the protocol. The SmartWire chip, manufactured by C&CE, is what allows automakers and suppliers to design D2B systems that use copper wire rather than fiber optics. To date, all D2B systems are optical but by 2003-'04, SmartWire is expected to be standard equipment in some midrange vehicles, says Paul Nickson, chief technology officer for C&CE.
There are drawbacks to using fiber optic cable: It is difficult to package, requires specialized installers, is too expensive for high-volume cars and, significantly, has "minimum bending requirements," meaning the transmitting capabilities can be ruined if bent too much. This is especially where D2B SmartWire becomes a more practical choice. In the crowded vehicle interior it can be bent over, under and around other components that would be obstacles to fiber optics.
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