Chips: Cirrus Logic Introduces Most Powerful DSP-Based PCI Audio Devices. New Devices Provide Complete PCI Audio Feature Set and Dolby Digital For High-End Desktop and Portable Systems - AC-3

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, July 13, 1998

Cirrus Logic Inc. Monday announced the industry's most powerful DSP-based multimedia audio solutions with two new chips (CS4622 and CS4624), each of which delivers a complete PCI audio feature set, including legacy games support.

Additionally, the CS4622 provides Dolby Digital (AC-3) and a digital audio interface for top-of-the-line consumer entertainment systems.

Based on the company's innovative DSP SoundFusion technology, the two new processors provide an unmatched PC audio experience via desktop and portable PCs as well as add-in cards. As an example, this advanced DSP technology is currently implemented on Intel's popular SE 440BX motherboard system, which is designed into NEC Direction SPB 400, Micron Millennia XI and Dell Dimension XPS R systems.

Moreover, because the devices use the same pinout and software stack as the recently announced CS4280 low-cost PCI audio controller, PC manufacturers can simplify their system designs by using Cirrus Logic's scalable audio family to meet the full range of customer requirements.

The new CS4622/24 solutions provide maximum audio processing capabilities (with 300 and 255 MIPS performance respectively) while off-loading the CPU from the demands of real-time audio signal processing.

The powerful DSP engine in each device delivers the advanced features that will be the hallmark of tomorrow's PCs, including industry leading application programming interfaces (APIs) for 3D-positional sound technologies; Dolby Digital (AC-3) for home theater class sound quality, acoustic echo cancellation for the ultimate in speakerphone and conferencing quality, wavetable synthesis for delivery of interactive audio soundtracks, and the Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) for linking PCs to consumer entertainment systems.

The CS4622/24 also cost-effectively implements a full-featured PCI solution when teamed with the CS4297 AC' 97 audio codec.

"With each new addition to our Crystal multimedia audio family, we expand our offering across application areas and price/performance points that meet the requirements of an ever changing PC industry," said Art Swift, vice president and general manager for the PC Products Division of Cirrus Logic.

Swift continued, "By leveraging our mixed-signal expertise, state of the art production capability and relationships with key industry players, Cirrus Logic provides audio that truly enhances a multimedia experience on the PC."

Dolby Digital and DVD Acceleration A defining feature of Crystal multimedia PCI audio accelerators is the ability to implement Dolby Digital (AC-3) acceleration. Dolby Digital 5.1 channel surround sound is the digital audio standard for movies, broadcast, digital cable, digital satellite, DVD video and now for computers. It produces six independent channels of audio for six speaker playback: front-left, front-right, center, rear-left, rear-right and subwoofer.

Since most PC systems come with only two speakers, and possibly a subwoofer, OEMs can elect to use 3D virtualization of the six channels to give the effect of a multi-speaker playback system over two speakers. As a result of this integrated Dolby Digital decoding and the ability to convert the six channels for two-speaker operation, the CS4622 provides PC users with the best possible playback quality and 3D sound.

Moreover, Dolby Digital is a requirement for audio on DVD. With a DVD-ROM equipped computer, desktop and mobile PC users can enjoy a growing list of DVD movies, as well as first-rate interactive software that exploits the full potential of the DVD format with ultimate Dolby Digital surround sound.

"Dolby Laboratories closely monitors the level of quality and the overall experience provided by products that offer Dolby Digital audio, especially in the emerging PC DVD industry," said Ed Schummer, vice president, Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp.

"Cirrus Logic has worked closely with Dolby throughout the development of its audio accelerators and has consistently shown the ability to deliver an exciting, involving and immersive audio experience."

Complete Mobile Computing Support In addition to providing advanced desktop PCI audio capabilities, the CS4622/24 solutions are also ideally suited to support the portable PC market. Both devices are fully compliant with the portable PC98 and AC '97 2.0 standards.

The new devices also incorporate PCI Power Management and Advanced Power Management capabilities as well as a zoomed video port (ZVPort) interface. These portable-specific features reduce power consumption and increase flexibility, two key elements of the portable PC market.

Product Highlights * AC '97 2.0 Support - The CS4622/24 audio accelerators support the multi-vendor dual AC '97 audio codec specification. AC '97 is designed to significantly raise the quality of digital-to-analog signal conversion in PCs by separating the codec from the digital controller IC. AC '97 2.0 support also enables the use of the next generation of high-performance mixed-signal codecs from Cirrus Logic.