First Ultra-Wideband Audio Chip for Home Telepresence and Smart TVs [Conexant]

Conexant Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNXT) has introduced the world’s first ultra-wideband (SWB) voice input processor system-on-chip (SoC), the CX20708. Designed for home telepresence systems and voice recognition, this new single chip is an ideal solution for next-generation smart TVs and video game consoles.

This highly integrated chip features the SWB voice processing algorithm that delivers a crisp, clear, fully two-way, low-latency audio experience. In addition, the CX20708 is a "Skype TV Certified" audio component, and the new chip meets Skype's stringent performance and quality specifications, including high speech-to-noise ratio and mean average ratings for natural speech and long-distance voice pickup up to 5 meters.

For smart TVs and other applications that are introducing voice interaction as a viable human-machine interface requirement, quality of experience (QoE) is critical to a product's success. Leveraging its leadership and proprietary voice processing technology, Conexant developed the CX20708 to help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) overcome the acoustic, mechanical and electrical challenges of integrating voice input into modern home electronics.

According to a recent In-Stat report titled "Global Market for Networked 'Smart' CE Devices," the development and use of smart TVs is expected to surge rapidly over the next five years. As a result, shipments of networked smart CE devices are expected to grow sixfold, with more than 230 million devices installed in 2014. The company also expects that shipments of smart TVs (which support online applications) will exceed 50% of all networked smart CE device shipments worldwide in 2015.

“We are closely following the convergence of TV and communications devices and extending our audio expertise to meet the growing needs of smart TVs around the world,” said Dr. Sailesh Chittipeddi, President and CEO of Conexant Systems. “Our proprietary voice processing algorithms in ultra-wideband provide our customers with precise audio solutions that improve the overall user experience, and we are very pleased that our audio solutions have been certified with the Skype TV Certified seal of approval.”

The CX20708 SoC is a highly integrated chip that features a high-fidelity 16-bit ADC, microphone preamplifier, asynchronous sample rate converter, synchronous buffer, etc. It is Conexant's award-winning digital signal processor.

Key features include:
• I2S / USB interface -- perfect for integration into HD camera modules, TVs or set-top boxes
• Integrated SWB voice processing -- ensures highest performance voice quality
• Long-range live pickup microphone and beamforming -- long-range hands-free phone and voice recognition functions are used with the best performance of a 2-microphone array system
• Integrated microphone preamplifier, ADC and DSP -- single-chip voice input
• Sub-band acoustic echo cancellation -- allows full two-way voice recognition