Acoustic Technologies Licenses StarCore SP1203 Processor Subsystem; Versatile DSP Technologies to Power Next-Generation Products

Business Wire, Feb 14, 2005

MESA, Ariz. and AUSTIN, Texas -- To help meet the increasing performance demands of next-generation telephony applications, Acoustic Technologies, Inc. has licensed digital signal processor (DSP) subsystem technology from StarCore(TM) LLC. Acoustic Technologies plans to use StarCore's processors as an integral part of future full-duplex speakerphone products with echo cancellation and noise reduction. The processor will be used in several new products for applications that include VoIP desktop speakerphones and conferencing products, Wi-Fi phones, cordless speakerphones, and Bluetooth hands-free accessories.

"The StarCore subsystem will provide the processing power required to accelerate feature integration and enhance speakerphone sound quality for full-featured telephony and multimedia products," said Sam Thomasson, Acoustic Technologies' Chief Executive Officer. "There is growing demand for the high-quality speakerphone performance and sound quality that Acoustic's SoundClear technology delivers. The SoundClear speakerphone technology enables natural bidirectional conversation with crisp, clear speakerphone operation."

StarCore's licensable processor cores and platforms are optimized to help original equipment manufacturers and system-on-chip (SoC) designers meet the ever-increasing performance demands of communications and consumer products. StarCore subsystems are scalable, synthesizable, and available with performance levels from 200 MHz to 500 MHz and with power consumption as low as 0.17 mW/MHz. Scalability gives system designers the option of using the same processor core in multiple applications, which in turn reduces the amount of code that needs to be developed, accelerates time-to-market, and minimizes overall complexity. Synthesizability lends itself to manufacturing flexibility and provides system designers with a variety of product development options.

"I am very pleased that the StarCore technology will be used in Acoustic Technologies' products," said Alex Bedarida, General Manager of StarCore LLC. "Consumer and telephony device manufacturers will benefit from Acoustic Technologies' outstanding sound-processing software running on StarCore's processors, the broadest line of compatible DSP cores on the market today."

The licensing agreement further validates StarCore's business model. Buying well-supported DSP intellectual property reduces development costs without compromising performance. StarCore's soft-macro processor core families, tools, support, and services offer a seamless technology adoption process at configuration levels that are appropriate for virtually any application.

"We have several exciting projects in the works that require efficient processor technologies," said Thomasson. "The ease of integration of StarCore's scalable processor subsystem is helping us in shortening the development cycle while providing us the performance and flexibility our customers require."

Financial details of the licensing agreement were not disclosed.

About Acoustic Technologies

Acoustic Technologies is a privately held company headquartered in Mesa, Ariz. Acoustic Technologies creates high quality-semiconductor and software solutions for leading telecom manufacturers worldwide. The SoundClear(R) brand of patented full-duplex communication and echo cancellation solutions is enabling significant advancements in telecommunications voice quality. SoundClear provides natural bidirectional communication in business speakerphones, mobile phones, VoIP telephones, hands-free car kits, Bluetooth accessories, and other speakerphone-enabled products. For additional information, the company can be reached directly at 1-480-507-4376 or on the Internet at www.acoustictech.com.

SoundClear is a registered trademark of Acoustic Technologies, Inc. All other service marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About StarCore LLC

StarCore LLC is a leader in the development of high-performance DSP architectures, processor cores, and intellectual property building blocks for the communications and consumer electronics industries. For more information on StarCore LLC and its intellectual property and services, visit the company's website at http://www.starcore-dsp.com.