OKI Starts Shipping Samples of the World’s Smallest Stereo Audio Codec LSI

Includes new technology to significantly improve sound quality during recording and playback


TOKYO, June 2008 -- Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6703) today announced it has started shipping samples of the world’s smallest 16-bit stereo audio codec LSI, the ML26121. This device is targeted to audio recording and playback for portable devices. OKI has developed the world’s smallest stereo audio codec with dimensions of 2.96 mm x 2.96 mm by combining OKI’s unique technologies of analog circuit design for ultra small-size and wafer-level chip-size packaging (W-CSP).

To maximize the sound quality of stereo microphones used in portable equipment, OKI implemented several advanced technologies in the LSI such as sound effect technologies that enable natural playback of low-pitch sounds, in addition to a wind-noise-reduction and notch filters included in conventional monaural codec LSIs. The LSI also includes several new technologies such as “3D surround” to enable realistic stereo sound even when microphones are closely laid out, and “LoudSound” technology to output loud and high-quality sound even when using a very small speaker.

Shipment in production quantities is scheduled to start in September 2008.

“We are pleased to announce the world’s smallest 16-bit stereo codec LSI, which is a perfect solution for portable equipment manufacturers who are seeking to offer high-sound quality for small size equipment,” said Hiroshi Enomoto, President of Silicon Solutions Company at OKI. “The ML26121 includes OKI’s original sound effect processing technology that was developed to overcome technical challenges we faced with our previous models.”

The following are some challenges OKI faced with its previous model, the ML2612 family for digital cameras and electronic dictionaries, that was released in June 2007.

Playback of low-pitch sound: low-pitch sounds needed to be filtered out to reduce wind noise Enabling stereo sound: recording stereo sound has proven difficult when microphones are placed too close to each other Playback high-quality sound: Due to size constraints in portable devices, very small speakers need to be used and there is no enough room for a good acoustic cavity, thus sound quality is usually affected. The ML26121 is software compatible with the ML2612 family. This enables users to easily upgrade their devices from a conventional monaural record to stereo record devices.

Features for ML26121
Enables rich sound effect functions
The LSI can record in high sound-quality with stereo microphones in portable devices by including the following four sound effect functions. A five-band notch filter for noise reduction, a world’s first sound-quality improving technology for use when recording, a five-band programmable equalizer, and LoudSound technology for improving small speaker performance.

Ultra small packaging:
OKI was successful developing the world’s smallest stereo audio coded by applying OKI’s wafer-level chip-size packaging (W-CSP) technology. This device has dimensions of 2.96 mm x 2.96 mm. The LSI will also be available in a 6mm x 6mm 36pin QFN package.

Digital microphone interface
This LSI includes an interface circuit to connect with a digital microphone. Digital microphones digitize the voice signal on a circuit in the microphone. Therefore, the signal is not affected by external noise even when the microphone and audio codec are located distant from each other.

Achieves world-class low voltage operation
This audio codec achieves one of the lowest operating voltages available. It operates with a voltage as low as 1.65V, offering low power consumption which is important in portable devices.

OKI will continue to increase its product lineup for sound LSI products that playback rich sounds in small and thin personal and mobile devices and other applications. For more detail on OKI’s sound LSIs, please refer to: (http://www.okisemi.com/en/semicon/speech_audio/index.html).
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