Stereo & Blues in one chip from CSR
26 Mar 2008 | 10:17 GMT
Bluetooth King gets into music processing
HELPING HANDSET makers to reduce component space and save money at the same time, CSR has squeezed stereo music processing and Bluetooth into a single chip.
Called the Musicore 1, its maker claims the new chip enables 100 hours of music playback; saves 75 per cent of the cost of an audio processor and over 36 mm2 of space.
Samples of the 3.8 x 4.8mm CSP or BGA packages are available immediately and volume production should start in September 2008.
The company claims that a typical handset CPUs is not suitable for music decoding and playback - particularly MP3 files - and consequently consumes too much power trying.
The alternative is a dedicated audio processing chip which costs over $4 and pushes up the bill of materials. The Musicore1 saves the extra cost by combining music playback with a Bluetooth capability.
Usefully, Musicore1 will support all main music file formats including MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA and SBC.
The chip also offers all of CSR's fancy Bluetooth technology since it is based around its established Kalimba 64 MIPS DSP.
The company claims rival Bluetooth solutions have a latency of up to 200 milliseconds which restricts their application for gaming, video or mobile TV.
CSR is hoping that by reducing the power drain on the handset's battery – for example, by enabling the main CPU to go into sleep mode - manufacturers will be able to produce musicphones that consumers will actually tolerate.
It's pointless loading your favourite albums onto your mobile phone if the battery dies as soon as you receive an important call. µ
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