Siemens chip set combines phone, answering machine and speakerphone; IC can be readily configured for analog or digital

Business Wire, June 10, 1997

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 1997--Siemens Components, Inc. today unveiled a new line of chips that combine a full-featured phone and a digital answering system in one.

The Siemens Answering Machine (SAM) contains practically everything needed for designing a phone, answering machine and speakerphone and can be configured to work with analog or digital systems.

SAM includes: analog front-end functions so the handset can be connected directly to the chip; dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) detection and generation; Caller ID Type II; varying levels of answering machine functions; and two types of speakerphone, fast switching half duplex or full duplex. The chip can work with DRAM (or ARAM), or with Flash memory.

A reference design and engineering sample chips are available. The design reference consists of a full-featured phone with digital answering machine, as well as modular controlling software in C (source code) designed for ordinary micro-controllers and a complete telephone board.

The SAM consists of a dual codec device with analog connections, amplifiers and a digital signal processor (DSP) that handles the answering machine function and user features. Standard elements such as memory controllers handle all other functions.

The double codec (PSB 4851) contains dual D/A converters which serve two independent channels in digital operation. Three source signals from independently programmable amplifiers can be connected for analog use. The unit has a specially designed interface for the signal processor in addition to a standard serial interface allowing programming via a remote micro-controller.

The digital signal processors are available in three versions:

-- Basic digital answering machine (PSB 2168)

-- Answering machine with entry-level speakerphone (PSB

4851/4850)

-- And a full-featured model including answering machine with

full duplex speakerphone (PSB 4851/4860)

The answering machine integrated circuits can be run on "High Quality (HQ)" mode which allows music playback for calls on hold and up to seven minutes of message capacity, or "Long Play (LP)" mode, which allows up to 19 minutes of messages. Existing messages can be re-compressed from HQ to LP to allow for additional message capacity when needed. The manufacturer can adapt both the hardware and memory to specific features like tone-driven remote control, fast play, slow play, message skip, rewind and a telephone and address directory.

The double codec core PSB 4851 is delivered in a P-DSO-28-1 package, while the PSB 2168, PSB 4850 and PSB 4860 are delivered in the P-MQFP-80 package. The unit operates at 3.3V and consumes 350mW.

The full-featured SAM is available in quantities of 100k for $12 each while the basic SAM is under $6 in 100K quantities. For more information, call 1-800/77-SIEMENS, extension No. 753 and ask for package M12P051.

Siemens Components, Inc., with its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., is a leading supplier of electronic components for automotive, communications, consumer electronics, data processing, smart cards, and memory applications. SCI offers a broad portfolio of electronic components ranging from communications integrated circuits to lithium niobate crystals. The company is a leader in communications products, smart power products, embedded DRAM technology, and custom optoelectronics. SCI represents the Siemens Semiconductor Group based in Munich, Germany, which had sales of approximately $3.8 billion worldwide in fiscal year 1995/96 as well as the Siemens Passive Components Group which had sales of $1.3 billion during the same period. Additional information on the company is available at Siemens web site at http://www.sci.siemens.com

CONTACT: Siemens Components, Inc.

Jeff Davis, 408/777-4909

jeff.davis@sci.siemens.com