Broadcast System delivers N-channel spatial environment.
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Press Release Summary:
Based on TI TMS320C67x(TM) floating-point DSP, Spatial Environment Engine picks up radio broadcast signals and delivers them to surround sound systems in automobile and other consumer applications. It eases migration of broadcast from analog to digital while offering listener unlimited playback options. Audio equipment manufacturers can seamlessly integrate 5.1 surround and legacy stereo formats into consumer environments with 2-256 loudspeaker channels.
Original Press Release:
Neural Audio Announces Flexible Consumer Surround Sound Rendering Using TI's Floating Point DSP Technology
Neural 2-D Downmixing/N-Channel Rendering technology eases the migration of broadcast from analog to digital while offering the listener unlimited playback options.
LAS VEGAS (January 7, 2004) - Neural Audio today announced the availability of its "Spatial Environment Engine" (SEE(TM)), an advanced broadcast technology platform designed to pick up radio broadcast signals and deliver them to surround sound systems in automobiles and other consumer applications. Based on the Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) TMS320C67x(TM) floating-point DSP, SEE gives consumer audio equipment manufacturers the ability to seamlessly integrate 5.1 surround and legacy stereo formats into consumer environments with two to as many as 256 (loudspeaker) channels.
Neural's SEE delivers an "N-Channel" spatial environment by using specialized spatial distribution processes that employ psychoacoustic modeling similar to technologies found in advanced "lossy compression" algorithms.
"By leveraging TI's floating point DSP technology, Neural has been able to take our product development to the next level," said Geir Skaaden, CEO, Neural Audio. "The development environment and efficient 'C' compiler for the C67x(TM) floating point DSP allowed us to quickly implement the SEE spatial rendering functions."
Lyrtech, a DSP audio solutions company, had a high quality multichannel audio development board that was perfect for Neural's application. Because of the existing audio hardware from Lyrtech and advanced development tools from TI, Neural cut its development time tremendously.
With Neural's SEE technology, content at the receiver end is selectively rendered to the available number and type of loudspeaker elements (from 2 to 256 channels) in the consumer's listening environment. Companies like Harris Broadcasting and XM Satellite radio have selected Neural's technology to provide their listeners with the ultimate digital audio experience.
Neural selected TI's TMS320C6713 floating-point DSP as the basis for its broadcast technology platform because of its enhanced performance capabilities. With the increased capabilities of the TI DSP-based platform, Neural was able to replace multiple processors with a single TMS320C6713 DSP in its broadcast infrastructure products, which helped to simplify product development and reduce the overall system cost. The McASP, a multichannel audio serial port, featured on the TMS320C6713 DSP made handling many channels of audio content seamless.
The C67x floating point DSP generation has been broadly accepted by the digital audio industry and appears in consumer electronics equipment. It is the core technology for the family of AureusTM audio DSPs that do the multi-channel audio processing in A/V receivers from Harman/Kardon, JVC, Yamaha and Denon. The C67x DSP continues to gain momentum in other markets, such as musical instruments, biometrics, machine vision and instrumentation.
"As TI continues to engage with leading audio companies like Neural, we have been able to tune our DSP's and customer support for the audio market," said Gerard Andrews, DSP audio solutions marketing manager, TI. "Not only are we able to offer the core DSP technology that ensures optimal audio performance, but with the C67x architecture, TI is able to develop the peripherals, software, and development boards to enable the enhanced digital audio experience."
Those interested can see a live demonstration of Neural's SEE technology at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show. The design is based on the 200 MHz TMS320C6713PYP, which has a suggested retail price of $18.65 each in volumes of 10,000. For more information about the C6713 DSP see www.ti.com/c6713pr.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real-world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductors, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at www.ti.com.
About Neural Audio Corp.
Neural Audio, a privately owned company headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, develops digital signal processing technology. Neural's offerings provide solutions for a simple and economical transition to the digital era. Neural appliances allow seamless capture, editing and management of analog, digital, linear, compressed, stereo and 5.1 content within the broadcaster's existing 2.0 infrastructure. Interoperability is the challenge. Neural is the answer. For more information, visit our website at www.neuralaudio.com.
Trademarks
C67x, TMS320C67x and Aureus are trademarks of Texas Instruments. SEE is a registered trademark of Neural Audio.
