Decoder supports multiple DTS audio formats

The DTS-HD decoder, certified by DTS for the ARC AS2xx family of single- and dual-core audio processors, is optimized to minimize memory and bandwidth requirements on ARC audio processors and supports the DesignWare SoundWave Audio Subsystem. It enables SoC designers to more efficiently implement high-quality audio playback in a wide variety of consumer electronics including digital TVs, set-top boxes and personal media players.

"ARC audio processors deliver high-quality sound with minimal power consumption, making them ideally suited to showcase the DTS-HD technology," said Joanna Skrdlant, vice president, solutions licensing at DTS. "With the DTS-HD decoder optimized and certified for ARC audio processors, our partners can integrate enhanced audio performance into their products with less development and certification effort, accelerating their time-to-market. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Synopsys for the benefit of our mutual licensees."

The ARC AS211SFX and AS221BD audio processors are key components of Synopsys' DesignWare ARC audio solution. This powerful combination of scalable hardware and software IP includes codecs, audio processors, media streaming frameworks and post-processing software. The ARC-optimized DTS-HD decoder can be used on either the single-core AS211SFX or dual-core AS221BD Audio Processor, giving designers the flexibility to configure designs for specific applications and performance requirements. ARC audio processors incorporate dual MAC (Multiply-Accumulate) execution units for efficient audio processing. The DTS-HD decoder for ARC processors can process all discrete 5.1 channel DTS audio formats including DTS Digital Surround™, DTS Express™, DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio™.

With sampling frequencies of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and 96 kHz and the ability to decode multiple audio streams, the new decoder is optimized to minimize bandwidth requirements of ARC audio processors, enabling the processor to perform more functions at the same frequency, or run at a lower frequency to reduce power. The DTS-HD decoder is tolerant of high memory latency, with a processor load of only 52 MHz with 100 cycles latency. This allows easier system configuration for multimedia applications and enables designers to implement their system with slower, lower-cost memory.

"Synopsys is strengthening its support of the latest audio technologies with its licensing of the industry's most popular audio codecs into the ARC audio IP portfolio," said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for IP and prototyping at Synopsys. "Designed to process high-quality audio streams and deliver superior HD sound, the ARC-optimized DTS-HD decoder provides designers of consumer entertainment products a pre-certified codec that can reduce the integration time and testing required to deliver high-fidelity audio."

The DTS-HD decoder, optimized for the ARC AS211SFX and AS221BD Audio Processors, is available now.