TI's audio DSPs lower the cost of multichannel sound

    April 12, 2006
    Texas Instruments (www.ti.com) has added two new 250MHz audio DSPs, the TMS320DA707 and TMS320DA705, to its Aureus line.

    Texas Instruments has added two 250 MHz audio DSPs, the TMS320DA707 and TMS320DA705, to its Aureus line. They complement the 250 MHz DA708 and 300 MHz DA710, extending the low end of the line to address low- and mid-range automotive multimedia systems, among other applications.

    The Aureus line consists of a 32/64-bit floating point programmable DSP and software to enable multichannel decoding applications. Software includes certified, industry-standard decoders and post-processors, with performance headroom for substantial customization through proprietary audio-processing algorithms.

    "People are used to surround sound in home theatre, and now sound is emerging in the automotive market," noted Vineet Ganju, TI's performance audio marketing manager. "There is development in the aftermarket, but the bigger pull is from the OEMs. They see audio as a way to differentiate their cars."

    Ganju said the DA705 allows OEMs to bring high-end features to entry-level systems. He cited as examples DTS 96/24 decoding with 96 kHz post-processing, a 10-band graphic equalizer, 18 preset surround modes, and 7.1 channel output. The DSP is supported by certified decoders (Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES 96/24, and AAC) and post processors (Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS NEO:6, and bass management), as well as by TI room simulators, a graphic EQ, and matrix processor, all from TI.

    "Dolby Pro Logic IIx, which is found on very sophisticated A/V receivers and processors, gives OEMs the flexibility to decode native stereo or 5.1 audio into a 6.1 or 7.1-channel surround listening experience," Ganju said.

    The DA705 runs without external SDRAM, for additional cost reduction, while the DA707 natively supports off-chip SDRAM, thus enabling further customization. OEMs can plug in post-processing modules such as TI virtual sound (surround sound from two speakers), TI bass boost (extended bass response) and TI perfect playback (compressed audio enhancement).

    The DA707 and DA705 are software-compatible with the other DA7xx and previous generation DA6xx devices and pin-compatible with the DA708. The new DSPs are supported by TI's code composer studio IDE and by products from third parties and original design manufacturers. Momentum Data Systems offers an evaluation module (EVM) for the DA708 DSP that can emulate the DA705 or DA707.

    The DA707 and DA705 DSPs devices come in a 144-pin TQFP package. Both are qualified to the Q100 automotive standard.

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