Product category: Embedded Software and Operating Systems
News Release from: Sonic Solutions | Subject: Sonic Dolby Digital AC-3 encoder
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 21 June 2004

Dolby Digital encoder
optimised for MIPS cores

Sonic Solutions has developed the Sonic Dolby Digital AC-3 encoder for the new MIPS Technologies Consumer Audio Platform

The first software component designed specifically for microprocessors based on the industry-standard MIPS32 architecture, Sonic's AC-3 encoder dramatically cuts chip design cycles by providing MIPS licensees with a high-quality Dolby Digital stereo encoder that can be quickly and easily integrated into microprocessors for consumer electronics products.

"We chose to work with Sonic because of their solid reputation for providing key audio and video technology components to a wide variety of consumer applications", said Russ Bell, Vice President of Marketing at MIPS Technologies.

"The Sonic Dolby Digital AC-3 encoder for our MIPS Consumer Audio Platform is a powerful audio encoding implementation, and by collaborating with Sonic, our licensees are able to quickly obtain DVD-ready audio encoding with the performance our customers expect".

The Sonic Dolby Digital AC-3 encoder is an ideal solution for ASIC and SoC developers looking for a plug-in consumer audio encoder solution.

Optimised for the MIPS32 4Kc processor core, Sonic's proven encoder implementation has a small footprint and minimal bandwidth requirements for use in cost-effective microprocessor designs for consumer electronics products.

The encoder directly supports the Linux operating system, can be ported to other operating systems, and can work in highly embedded systems with no operating system at all, thereby enabling it to be integrated into a wide range of consumer devices.

By porting the AC-3 encoder to the MIPS architecture, Sonic can save chip makers up to 12 weeks or more of design and testing time.

"Sonic sees significant potential for MIPS Technologies' single architecture approach to audio design", said Jim Taylor, General Manager of Sonic's Advanced Technology Group.

"And as the leader in DVD/CD creation, we have the engineering expertise to provide an AC-3 encoder optimised for the MIPS Consumer Audio Platform, ready to be integrated into almost any system to provide high-quality, DVD-ready audio".

The Sonic Dolby AC-3 encoder for the MIPS Consumer Audio Platform converts raw audio PCM streams to an AC-3 elementary stream.

Stereo, mono, and dual-mono outputs are supported with bitrates from 64 to 448Kbit/s.

The encoder, targeted to work on consumer devices, uses a small memory footprint and low processing resources.

Key features of the Sonic Dolby Digital AC-3 Encoder include: a simple API for easy integration; bitrates from 16 to 488Kbit/s; support for sample rates of 48, 44.1 and 32kHz; no need for floating-point hardware; no need for floating point emulation; and a typical CPU use of less than 100MHz.

The MIPS Consumer Audio Platform offering optimised Sonic Solutions technology is available today for licensing by semiconductor companies worldwide.

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