Austin, Tex., September 21, 2000 -- A new level of affordable audio performance will be within the reach of consumer companies in the audio marketplace thanks to the new Symphony audio digital signal processor (DSP) chip from Motorola. The chip, named the DSP56367, greatly increases performance while reducing power consumption for the consumer industry's digital audio products.

With performance of 150 MIPS, the DSP56367 provides the capability to process all the major multichannel audio decoding standards (Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG2 Multichannel and AAC, and DVD-audio) along with Dolby Headphone in a single device. It also allows up to 100 MIPs to handle other audio processing requirements such as subwoofer management, soundfield effects, 3D virtual surrounds, equalization, THX+Surround EX, DTS-ES, Prologic II, and Pacific Microsonics HDCD.

The DSP56367 is an enhanced version of Motorola's popular DSP56362/6 products. It offers increased performance in a pin-for-pin compatible device with a core that operates at both 1.8V and 1.5V for reduced power consumption. With the same memory map and peripherals as the DSP56366 that is currently in production, it allows customers an easy migration path to higher performance at lower power.

Reducing power was a key consideration when Motorola designed the DSP56367. Motorola will offer the part with 150 MIPS at 1.8V and 100 MIPS at 1.5V core voltages. The typical power is 0.6 mW/MIPS @ 1.8V and 0.4 mW/MIPS @ 1.5V. For portable application such as MP3 decoding, the Motorola Symphony Onyx DSP family needs ~22 MIPS for MP3 decoding. Motorola was able to accomplish this low MIPS usage because the Motorola Symphony DSPs were designed as 24-bit processors that are ideally suited for processing audio. This means that the MP3 decoder would use ~13.2 mW and ~8.8 mW at 1.8V and 1.5V respectively. At the same time, systems could be designed that then clock the DSP at higher rates to provide for features such as MP3 encoding on the same portable platform.

"The ability to meet the needs of high performance with reduced power was key in designing the 56367," said Ken Obuszewski, operations manager of Motorola's Audio Solutions Operation. "The 56367 audio DSP is the latest example of how DigitalDNAÔ solutions from Motorola bring greater functionality and flexibility to consumer audio systems. Several leading consumer companies have already chosen the DSP56367 for AV Receiver and DVD applications. Creative will also be using the DSP56367 for a multimedia loudspeaker system, and we are very excited to work with Creative. Motorola has roadmaps for future parts to be offered at even lower voltages such as 1.2V and 1.0V to continue to offer increased performance at lower power."

The suggested resale price for the DSP56367 is under $15 in quantities of 50,000. Contact a Motorola sales office or an authorized distributor for exact pricing information. Samples, development tools, and documentation are expected to be available in early fourth quarter, 2000. Volume production is expected by first quarter, 2001. For additional information, please check out www.dspaudio.motorola.com

About Motorola
As the world's #1 producer of embedded processors, Motorola's Semiconductor Products Sector offers multiple DigitalDNA solutions which enable its customers to create new business opportunities in the consumer, networking and computing, transportation, and wireless communications markets. Motorola's worldwide semiconductor sales were $7.4 billion (USD) in l999. http://sps.motorola.com

Motorola is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $33.1 billion (USD). http://www.motorola.com


Source: Motorola
Web: www.motorola.com