Cadence launches IP cores for 60GHz wireless and consumer audio
Cadence Design Systems has launched a number of IP cores that include audio codecs designed by the Tensilica group as well as high-bandwidth dual analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for TSMC’s 28nm process that are intended to support 60GHz radio and similar applications.
The dual ADCs run at up to 3Gsample/s with a resolution of 7bit, with a matching digital-to-analog (DAC) converter. Other cores trade resolution for speed, with a dual ADC offering 1.5Gsample/s at 11bit and a 12bit dual DAC running at 2Gsample/s.
The cores use a successive approximation (SAR) architecture implemented using current switching techniques and offer automated background calibration. To save power when not in use, the cores provide multiple power-down modes.
Christian Malter, director of technology solutions and business development for Cadence EMEA, said: “Designed at the Columbia Design Center, which is now working as an IP development team, the ADCs are an enabling technology for wireless interfaces such as WiGig.”
For audio applications, Cadence has launched decoders that support the DTS Neural Surround and the Dolby DS1 for Dolby Digital Plus specifications built around the Tensilica HiFi audio DSP architecture.
“We’ve seen a growing demand from our customers and OEMs to support DTS decoders and audio solutions including the latest DTS Neural Surround for an enhanced surround sound experience in home and automotive entertainment,” said Jack Guedj, corporate vice president of Cadence’s IP group. “Many recent sports and music broadcasts, including Rolling Stones concerts and the 2013 Super Bowl, were broadcast in DTS Neural Surround to ensure that fans received the highest level quality audio.”
DTS Neural Surround technology uses encodes up to 7.1 channels of audio to stereo while maintaining the surround queues from the discrete digital multi-channel track. The two-channel audio can then be broadcast in stereo or converted back up to 7.1 channels on the consumer end product enabled with Neural Surround, providing an experience close to the original discrete multi-channel audio.
Dolby DS1 for Digital Plus is optimized to provide mobile users with better sound quality by enabling a distortion-free audio/voice boost and also by compensating for unintelligible dialogue, extreme volume variation, and deficiencies inherent in the small speakers and low-power amplifiers on most mobile devices.
“Device makers worldwide are looking for ways to differentiate and meet consumer demands for mobile entertainment,” said John Couling, senior vice president for e-media at Dolby. “The Tensilica HiFi Audio/Voice DSP is a proven platform that enables the most premium audio experiences today with Dolby technologies.”
