Cirrus Logic CobraNet Technology to Showcase 'CobraCom' Reference Platform at AES
OEM Reference Platform Speeds Production of CobraNet-Enabled Network-Powered Digital Audio Products
121st AES Convention
Booth #226
SAN FRANCISCO--Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) has announced CobraCom(TM), a new product development platform addition to its industry-leading CobraNet® networked digital audio technology. At booth #226 in the Moscone Convention Center, Cirrus Logic will demonstrate CobraCom(TM), a reference platform for developing CobraNet-enabled digital audio network devices.
Leveraging standard Ethernet technology and the new IEEE 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) standard, the CobraCom hardware includes the Fast Ethernet-based CobraNet interface, a loudspeaker power amplifier, an on-board microphone, an external mic input, a general purpose I/O, RS-232 serial port and a Power-over-Ethernet power supply. The CobraCom reference design features the CobraNet CS496102 audio systems processor, which integrates a 32-bit pro audio DSP engine along with CobraNet transport, enabling local processing of incoming and outgoing audio signals for such functions as auto-ducking, speaker zone equalization and ambient sound monitoring. Power-over-Ethernet enables delivery of power to the networked audio devices over the same CAT-5 cable used to carry digital audio channels, system control messages and network data, simplifying network installation, deployment and management. The rapid adoption of VoIP technology has driven the commercial availability of PoE-enabled switches and mid-span power injectors for implementing a network-powered CobraCom system.
"The CobraCom platform is flexible enough to form the basis of many different kinds of networked audio products with little or no modification," said Rus Sundholm, president of Attero Tech, a leading third-party developer of networked audio and digital media products. "An OEM could literally launch a network-powered CobraNet audio product in a matter of a few months, leveraging the thousands of CobraNet networks operating in the field today."
CobraCom technology is appropriate for both commercial and residential product developments. Typical devices that could be implemented with CobraCom technology include intercom and paging stations, network-powered loudspeakers and conferencing stations, all leveraging the limitless zone capacity of a CobraNet network.
"With CobraCom technology, Cirrus Logic continues to innovate and lead the market for unique, CobraNet-enabled networked digital audio products," said Keith Cheney, vice president and general manager, Embedded Products Division, Cirrus Logic. "We produced the CobraCom platform to demonstrate the added value of network-powered audio products. CobraCom technology is a foundation for the many different kinds of innovative networked audio products that serve the users at the edge of the network."
As a manufacturing-ready reference platform, the CobraCom reference design can accelerate an OEM's product development cycle while reducing the design and engineering investment. Cirrus Logic's DSP Conductor(TM) graphical development tool further simplifies the task of embedding sophisticated audio signal processing within a product based on the CobraCom reference platform. Customization of CobraCom technology is simple, enabling more- or less-complex devices to be implemented rapidly while retaining compatibility with standard CobraNet networks.
With more than 750,000 channels of installed audio, CobraNet is the leading technology for distributing uncompressed digital audio over Ethernet networks.
Cirrus Logic Inc.
Cirrus Logic develops high-precision analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for a broad range of consumer and industrial markets. Building on its diverse analog mixed-signal patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic delivers highly optimized products for consumer and commercial audio, automotive entertainment and industrial applications. The company operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, with offices in Colorado, Europe, Japan and Asia.
Contacts
Cirrus Logic Inc., Austin
Bill Schnell, 512-851-4084
bill.schnell@cirrus.com
