Differentiated from standalone smart amplifier solutions, Conexant’s fully-integrated CX20952 enables a smaller motherboard footprint and lower bill of materials (BOM) cost for applications that do not require the high output power of a large, discrete device. The new SoC is designed to meet consumer demand for high quality audio that pushes the limits of sound in tablets and compact PCs.
With two cap-free HP/Line outputs and a universal jack that automatically detects and configures itself to support CTIA (Apple) or OMTP (Nokia) style headsets, Conexant’s high quality CX20952 solution delivers the following key features required for low-power, small form factor devices:
• Support for multiple peripheral types (headphones, headsets, powered speakers, microphones and line-in devices) with a single 3.5mm audio jack.
• Support for an additional direct-drive headphone output on a docking station or second jack panel.
• Loud, clear audio playback from small speakers in space-limited enclosures (typical of today’s compact industrial designs).
“Consumers are beginning to expect the same high level of performance and clarity from audio as they have become accustomed to with HD video,” noted Saleel Awsare, Conexant vice president and general manager. “Our entire AudioSmart product line is designed to address users’ high expectations for a better, clearer, richer audio experience – and the new CX20952 does it all in a single chip.”
Additional features include:
• Stereo AudioSmart Class-D Speaker Amplifier for intelligent delivery of up to 2.8W per channel
• Integrated Hardware EQ/DRC with SpeakerShield Class-D protection
• Mono Output with tunable hardware LPF/BPF for subwoofer applications
• Up to four digital microphones supporting advanced configurations for tablets, convertibles, clamshells and AIOs
• Analog PC BEEP, EAPD and GPIOs
• I2C interface allowing real-time software control of auxiliary devices
• D3 Live supporting pass-through audio playback to Class-D with active EQ/DRC while system is asleep
Conexant’s also developed the AudioSmart Software for PCs and Tablets, with support for any hardware codec, dramatically improving VoIP communication quality and automatic speech recognition performance. Its new Smart Source Pickup (SSP) voice and speech processing software for PCs and tablets. Designed to work with any hardware Codec, Conexant’s stand-alone AudioSmart software provides clear voice quality, eliminates noise from the microphone input signal during VoIP calls and dramatically improves Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system performance.
From conducting a call via Skype at a noisy café to giving verbal commands to your tablet in an airport terminal, Conexant’s AudioSmart software enables a better user experience and makes challenges with background noise and competing sounds, like keystroke noise, a thing of the past.
Conexant’s AudioSmart software is based on its proprietary SSP noise suppression algorithm. SSP is a blind source separation technology that uses spatial representation of target speech and noise sources to reduce interference. Unlike competing technologies, speech and noise can arrive at any angle relative to the microphones; SSP even removes noise when it comes from the same direction as desired speech, and when the speaker is up to five meters away from the target device. SSP is also extremely effective at reducing keystroke noise distractions during conference calls and other computer-based voice communications.
“Our AudioSmart software solutions make it possible to harness the power of human speech for a dramatically improved user experience when making VoIP calls or using Speech Recognition to control a device,” noted Saleel Awsare, Conexant vice president and general manager. “PCs and tablets are obvious targets for our software, but there are many other applications that can benefit from our audio processing, including handsets, automotive, wearable computing, headsets and more.”
Conexant’s lineup of AudioSmart software solutions for Windows and Android includes three distinct versions for working environments, multimedia and gaming as well as a basic Classic application for cost-sensitive markets.
The PRO version, designed for corporate environments, includes keystroke/tap noise elimination along with the advanced VoIP and noise-reduced Speech input. The MAX version, optimized for multimedia and gaming enthusiasts, features improved VoIP for gaming, advanced noise-reduced Speech input, and high performance speaker correction.
Conexant’s AudioSmart software has passed stringent testing, with PRO and MAX packages both proven to dramatically exceed performance requirements for Intel and Google ASR. Additionally, all of Conexant’s AudioSmart software solutions are optimized for only two-microphone elements (not three+), and each package offers flexible microphone placement options for lower system cost and innovative industrial design.
www.conexant.com
