Epson Develops Second Series of Natural-Sounding Voice Guidance Chips

- TOKYO, Japan, September 18, 2007 -

Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") has developed the S1V3033x series of voice guidance audio decode chip for embedded applications.

The S1V3033x series supports high-quality voice codec and high-accuracy D/A converter, offering natural-sounding voice guidance solutions by using the dedicated voice data creation tool, which is scheduled for simultaneous release and is specially designed for this series.

Each product in the S1V3033x series is controlled by control commands from the host. Voice data stored in the built-in ROM is decoded and voice is output through the built-in high-definition 16-bit D/A converter. The capacity of the built-in ROM can be selected from among a lineup of three models based on the application. Furthermore, as a message protocol based on a clock synchronous serial interface is employed, it is possible to easily build a system for use in combination with a wide variety of host devices or microcontrollers. In addition, the voice codec function of the S1V3033x series supports Epson's original voice compression format, making it possible to achieve high-quality voice guidance with a minimal amount of data.

Target applications include a wide range of systems requiring product guidance such as those embedded in home appliances, buildings and office equipment. A special tool allows users to edit voice guidance messages on a PC, doing away with the bother of studio recording and making voice guidance systems easy to develop.

Epson will continue to listen to its customers and launch products that match their needs in a timely manner.

Features

• Audio decoder
  • High-compression, high-quality audio decoder (Epson's original audio compression format)
  • Bit rate: 16kbps, 24kbps, 32kbps, and 40kbps
  • Sampling frequency: 16kHz
• Clock synchronous serial host interface
• Built-in ROM for voice data
  Indicated below is the lineup of products having different ROM capacities
  • S1V30331: 128kByte (approx. 1 min. / 16kbps)
  • S1V30332: 256kByte (approx. 2 min. / 16kbps)
  • S1V30333: 384kByte (approx. 3 min. / 16kbps)
• Audio data output: high sound quality / low power consumption D/A converter
• Digital volume control
• Single clock input (12.288MHz)
• Supply voltage: Core: 1.8V (standard value), I/O: 3.3V (standard value)
• Package: QFP 52-pin (10mm x 10mm x 1.7mm 0.65mm pitch)
  TQFP 48-pin (7mm x 7mm x 1.2mm 0.5mm pitch)

Example of application system

Dedicated PC tool

* All names of companies and products appearing in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
* Support services for the products in this series, for all countries except Japan, are scheduled to begin at the end of October 2007.