STMicroelectronics’ Embedded Microprocessor Powers Innovative IP Phones from snom technology

Combining an advanced ARM processor core with a rich set of audio, communication and connectivity interfaces, ST’s SPEAr 300 microprocessor forms the heart of the newest snom 870 VoIP telephone. The Linux-based phone, which boasts an intuitive user interface with a high-definition touch-screen color display, wideband audio, an integrated XML browser, and plenty of additional features, arrived on the market in September 2009.

The SPEAr microprocessor runs the operating system and Graphical User Interface of the snom 870 phone and handles all the computing-intensive tasks, including Ethernet communication, real-time voice coding/decoding, telephone conferencing, and echo compensation. ST’s microprocessor enhances the phone’s connectivity and extensibility with Ethernet MAC, three USB 2.0 ports, an analog-to-digital converter, and WLAN through USB.

A companion chip to SPEAr 300 is ST’s STM8 8-bit microcontroller, which manages the snom 870’s touch screen display, as well as the keyboard and the receiver.

“When we were looking for a microprocessor that combines high levels of computing power, connectivity and customizability with low investment costs and short time to market, ST’s technology has clearly emerged as the best choice,” said Christian Stredicke, CEO snom technology. “The SPEAr provides us with an open, future-proof hardware and software platform that covers our complete IP phone product range, from entry-level to high-end models.”

“This cooperation is a great opportunity for ST to contribute to the significant momentum IP telephony is gaining in enterprise communications, with the worldwide number of VoIP phones exceeding that of conventional phone sets,” said Loris Valenti, Group VP and General Manager, Computer Systems Division, STMicroelectronics. “snom’s decision to use ST’s embedded microprocessor in their VoIP devices confirms SPEAr as a unique match to the needs of equipment manufacturers to develop complex yet flexible digital applications at a fraction of the time and cost required by a full-custom design approach.”