Cirrus Logic Launches First 'Audio System Processor' that Integrates CobraNet Controller with Powerful Audio DSP Engine.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- CS4961XX Family Reduces Audio System Costs, Enhances Audio Processing Features For Networked Digital Audio Products

With the introduction of a new family of audio system processors that integrate Cirrus Logic's CobraNet(TM) technology for the networked digital audio market, Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) has fostered dramatically lower system costs for professional audio device manufacturers.

The new CS4961XX family of ICs integrates Cirrus Logic's award-winning 32-bit audio optimized 49K series of audio digital signal processors (DSP) with Cirrus Logic's award-winning CobraNet technology, a leading standard for delivering real-time, uncompressed digital audio over Ethernet networks. The resulting solution is a family of audio system processors that offer dramatic system cost savings and enhanced audio processing features for manufacturers of professional, commercial and consumer networked audio products.

"With the CS4961XX ICs, Cirrus Logic is carving out a unique position in the professional and commercial audio market," said Will Strauss, president, Forward Concepts. "With so much of the DSP industry competing significantly on price, the development of an audio system processor, by integrating a DSP and CobraNet technology, should allow manufacturers to lower overall board costs while adding the benefits of networked digital audio management via CobraNet."

The CS4961XX audio system processor series, which currently includes the CS496102, the CS496112 and the CS496122, combines the power of a 120-MIPS audio-optimized 32-bit DSP along with a CobraNet communications processor, all on a single chip. The advanced audio system processors are designed to expand the market for digital audio processing coupled with CobraNet-enhanced networked digital audio products for such applications as power amplifiers, mixers, signal processors, intercom systems, ceiling speakers, loudspeakers and paging systems.

"Cirrus Logic is merging its highly differentiated mixed-signal audio and communication technologies with our powerful 32-bit audio DSP architecture to build a new classification of ICs -- audio system processors," said Craig Ensley, senior vice president, Embedded Products Division. "By leveraging the company's strong IP portfolio in this way, Cirrus Logic stands to help grow the overall networked digital audio products market, including the IC component."

While the CobraNet controller executes the protocol for real-time, uncompressed delivery of digital audio over Ethernet, the added DSP power provides additional audio management features. For example, in professional audio products the DSP-based IC architecture enables such features as feedback extermination in networked loudspeakers. In commercial audio products the ICs can be used for such functions as noise masking and/or ambient level sensing in structures such as hotels, airports, convention centers or office buildings. For consumer audio products, the ICs can be used to provide high-end, multichannel surround-sound digital audio processing for home theater applications.

The CS496102 supports two channels of simultaneous audio in/out; the CS496112 supports eight channels of simultaneous audio in/out; and the CS496122 supports 16 channels of simultaneous audio in/out. CobraNet-enabled products can be used in a wide variety of settings including recording studios, live performances, broadcast studios, consumer home automation systems and commercial facilities such as office buildings, hospitals, airports, music halls, sports arenas, restaurants and houses of worship.

Because CobraNet technology allows the audio transport to co-exist with Ethernet data and voice-over-IP traffic, it is considerably more cost effective to implement compared to installing a dedicated digital audio network. To supports its customers in accelerating product development, Cirrus Logic provides a full set of software development tools including an assembler, a linker, a simulation/de-bug tool and a complete firmware library.

Pricing and Availability

The CS496102 is available in a 144 LQFP package and is priced at $18.00 in quantities of 10,000. The CS496112 is available in a 144 LQFP package and is priced at $21.60 in quantities of 10,000, and the CS496122 is available in a 144 LQFP package and is priced at $23.26 in quantities of 10,000.

Cirrus Logic will be displaying its new technology at the National Systems Contractors Association's Systems Integration Expo in Orlando, Fla., at booth number 850.

Cirrus Logic Inc.

Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance analog, mixed-signal and digital processing solutions for consumer entertainment electronics, automotive entertainment and industrial product applications. Building on its global market leadership in audio ICs and its rich mixed-signal patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic targets audio, video and precision mixed-signal applications in these growing markets. The company operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, with offices in California, Colorado, Europe, Japan and Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

Cirrus Logic and CobraNet are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.