SoC Mates Graphics And Audio Functions

Combining graphics and audio functions, the ST40GX1 system-on-chip (SoC) contains a 32-bit ST40 RISC processor, Gamma 2D graphics and audio processor, Gamma compositor and video encoder that supports six display panes, and a variety of interfaces for external peripherals. The device can used stand-alone in web-enabled TV applications or in conjunction with the company's STB decoder as a complete back-end for interactive set-top boxes. The audio block provides two PCM digital-audio inputs and a PCM digital-audio output with internal sample-rate conversion and digital mixing. Standard on-chip peripherals include two serial ports, a general-purpose I/O port, timers, and a real-time clock. Additional I/O to the chip is via PCI and USB interfaces, a modem analog front end, smart card interface, teletext, and IR interfaces. Housed in a 35 mm2 BGA, price is $25 each/100,000. STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., Lexington, MA. (781) 861-2650.