NEC Preps Dolby DSP For Consumer Sector

NEC Corp. has started sampling a digital signal processor audio encoder that will be offered for digital recording equipment for the consumer market. The audio encoder will be offered with the company's MPEG-2 video encoder and RISC microcontroller devices. The 26-bit DSP is designed to encode to the Dolby Digital Consumer Encoder standard, a subset of AC-3, as well as MPEG audio layer II. DDCE is tailored for cost-sensitive consumer applications and uses simpler algorithms compared with full-function AC-3. In Japan, the Matsushita Group and Pioneer Electronics Corp. have each developed AC-3 audio encoders that comply with the DDCE standard. According to Dolby, other companies implementing the DDCE algorithm include Japan's Kobelco LSI Design, Motorola, Analog Devices, ICompression and Intel. The NEC encoder is a 0.25-micron device that operates from a 3.3- or 2.5-volt power supply. The device runs at a typical frequency of 27 MHz and includes approximately 1 Mbit of on-chip memory to store the encoder processor. Hence, it needs no additional external memory, according to the company. Aiming at consumer-oriented audio/video products, NEC is positioning the mPD61003 as the third leg in a three-chip solution that includes its mPD61050 MPEG-2 video encoder and 32-bit RISC V853 microcontroller. The company is targeting DVD video recorders and digital VHS decks, among other digital video recording equipment. Along with digital broadcasting, those applications are expected to come to market next year and allow consumers to start recording, editing and storing high-quality video, the company said. Japanese pricing for the audio encoder is about $38. NEC will produce 20,000 units per month starting in December, and will increase volume production to 100,000 units per month by next spring, a spokesman said. The device comes in a 100-pin plastic TQFP package (14 x 14 mm). Source: Electronic Engineering Times