STMicroelectronics and Arkamys to Bring Professional Quality 3D Audio Capabilities to Portable Audio and Video Products
Combination of ST's Nomadik application processor and Arkamys' 'Immerse U' audio embedded software enables portable terminals to envelop users in sound
Geneva, February 13, 2007 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) - whose award-winning* Nomadik(TM) multimedia application processors are used in 2.5G/3G mobile phones, and in other portable and automotive products with multimedia capabilities - today announced a license agreement with audio technology company Arkamys to implement its 'Immerse U' audio algorithms on the Nomadik(TM) application processor platform. This technology makes it possible for users to enjoy natural and realistic surround sound from just two stereo headphones or speakers, bringing professional quality audio to consumer electronics applications.
Supported initially on the Nomadik STn8815 multimedia processor, 'Immerse U' is a highly sophisticated audio spatialization process that transforms games, TV, movies and music into thrilling surround-sound experiences, making it ideal for personal and portable audio/video devices such as mobile phones, music and DVD players, and wireless headsets. In addition, the technology includes a complete set of audio algorithms, including 3D Positioning, Reverberation and Doppler Effects for gaming systems. In addition to providing a more pleasurable and realistic sound experience, 'Immerse U,' running on a Nomadik STn8815, generates a spacious and natural acoustic environment that decreases the 'listener fatigue' phenomenon familiar to headphone users.
Arkamys developed their mobile device audio technologies using ST's Nomadik integration and development environment - a set of development tools designed to enable third parties to port audio effects to the Nomadik platform - in advance of the formal collaboration between the two companies. This development environment will be extended in the future to also allow porting of audio codecs.
With its background in music and cinema postproduction, and in broadcast quality audio, Arkamys has developed 'Immerse U' through several years of research and development by a multidisciplinary team which includes audio DSP software engineers, acousticians and professional sound mixers. Technology from the pro-audio world is fed through into the supporting Sound Adjustment Tool (SAT) - the company's productivity software for handset customization, which allows fine tuning of audio effects for individual products in real time, avoiding the need for tedious scripts, and minimizing development time. For example, Arkamys' SAT is a key tool when tuning the Multiband Dynamic Range Control (MDRC) process to enhance the dynamic and spectral rendering of a device.
"'Immerse U' is an exciting addition to the Nomadik platform's multimedia capabilities, enabling ST to offer a best-of-breed audio solution to high-end handset manufacturers," said Patrice Meilland, Marketing Director, Application Processor Division, STMicroelectronics. "Optimizing the Arkamys audio algorithms on Nomadik delivers the best balance between sound quality and available mobile computing power."
"With this collaboration, ST and Arkamys will be in a very strong position to respond to the demanding industry requirements within the Mobile TV and Gaming markets by providing highly optimized audio software solutions through Nomadik," said Philippe Tour, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arkamys.
Nomadik application processors are designed specifically for mobile devices, using an on-chip multi-processor distributed architecture to deliver unsurpassed audio, video and imaging quality, with ultra-low power consumption for longer battery life. Simplified software development leads to shorter time-to-market for products such as smart phones, multimedia feature phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), Internet appliances and car entertainment systems, with scalability to cater to multiple market segments and future multimedia applications.
'Immerse U' builds on a fundamental understanding of the effects on the brain of the subtle differences in time, level and frequency response in the sound arriving at each ear, and of how these differences can be used to create three dimensional and 'out-of-the-head' listening experiences. For music and mobile TV, 'Immerse U' Stereo Enhancer and Surround Sound create new listening emotions, for any stereo or multi-channel source.
About Arkamys
Arkamys develops and provides digital audio solutions for professional entertainment companies, digital content development companies and for the consumer electronics industry. Innovative software solutions are available for postproduction, broadcast and public address. The two major offerings from Arkamys, "Immerse U" for mobile terminals and "Sound Staging" for automotive, provide a high quality and cost-effective audio solution for Consumer Electronics manufacturers. More information at http://www.arkamys.com/immerse.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2006, the Company's net revenues were $9.85 billion and net earnings were $782 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
* The STn8800 Nomadik multimedia platform received Microprocessor Report's 2004 Best Application Processor of the Year Award.
STMicroelectronics, Inc.
Lexington Corporate Center
10 Maguire Road
Bldg. 1, 3rd Floor
Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 861 2650
www.st.com
Carol Brown
STMicroelectronics
US Media Relations
603 465 9213
