New Cirrus Logic Embedded Processor Allows Portable MP3 Recording Without a Computer; Cirrus' EP7312-90 ARM-7 Enables New Categories of Portable Digital Entertainment Devices.Business Editors & High-Tech Writers AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2002 Cirrus Logic (Nasdaq:CRUS) launched one of the world's fastest ARM-7 embedded microprocessors today, enabling manufacturers to cost effectively deliver portable music players that can record MP3 content while playing -- paving the way for entirely new categories of digital entertainment devices. "Cirrus' EP7312-90 highlights how advances in embedded processor performance are helping manufacturers meet the increasingly discriminating demands of today's digital entertainment consumers," said Mike Paxton, senior analyst at Cahners In-Stat/MDR. "Extending encoding capabilities to portable audio devices is a step that will help manufacturers reach new customers." The new low-power EP7312-90 runs at clock speeds up to 90 MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. , allowing for real-time MP3 encoding, as well as decoding for all major digital music standards. The processor delivers high performance with low power, enabling advanced user interfaces and operating systems in battery-powered entertainment devices. The EP7312-90 is ideal for a host of end products, including portable and set-top digital audio devices, car audio jukebox systems, as well as general purpose controller applications. "The EP7312-90's superior performance gives manufacturers the headroom to develop a new generation of digital entertainment products that eliminate the need for a personal computer for creating digital audio content," said Lew Paceley, vice president, Crystal Products Division, Cirrus Logic. "With faster than real-time MP3 encoding capability, manufacturers can build portable rotating media and flash-based audio players that record and store CD/MP3 data during playback, allowing more than 10 hours of music content to be stored on a single CD-RW (CD-ReWritable) The only rewritable CD technology. CD-RW disks look like other CD media, but with close inspection, they have a more polished surface with a very dark blue-gray cast. disc." In addition to encoding MP3, the EP7312-90 also supports WMA (Windows Media Audio) An audio compression method from Microsoft. Known originally as MSAudio, this proprietary format competes with the MP3 and AAC methods. WMA encodes rapidly and is known to be especially effective at low bit rates. , MP3 and AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) An audio compression technology that is part of the MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 standards. AAC, especially MPEG-4 AAC, provides greater compression and better sound quality than MP3, which also came out of the MPEG standard. playback. Additionally, a digital audio interface (DAI) provides a glueless connection to today's most popular DACs and ADCs, enabling scalable audio performance and price points. The EP7312-90 includes Cirrus Logic's patent-pending MaverickKey(tm) technology, which provides consumer Internet product manufacturers with on-chip security utilizing specific hardware IDs, such as those assigned for DRM (1) (Digital Radio Mondiale) A digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system for AM radio in Europe. See HD Radio. (2) (Digital Rights M or other authentication mechanisms. Pricing and Availability Available immediately, the EP7312-90 is priced at $12.25 in 50K unit quantities and is offered in three different packages: 208 LQFP See QFP. , 256 PBGA PBGA Plastic Ball Grid Array and 204 TFBGA TFBGA Thin & Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array TFBGA Thin Fine Pitch Ball Grid Array . All packages are available in commercial and industrial temperature ranges. Cirrus Logic Inc. Cirrus Logic Inc. is the premier supplier of high-performance analog and DSP (1) (Digital Signal Processor) A special-purpose CPU used for digital signal processing applications (see definition #2 below). It provides ultra-fast instruction sequences, such as shift and add, and multiply and add, which are commonly used in math-intensive chip solutions for consumer entertainment electronics that allow people to see, hear, connect and enjoy digital entertainment. Building on its global market share leadership in audio integrated circuits and its rich mixed-signal patent portfolio, the company targets mainstream audio, video and Internet entertainment applications in the consumer entertainment market. Cirrus operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, and major sites located in Fremont and El Dorado Hills, Calif., and Broomfield and Boulder, Colo., as well as offices in Europe, Japan and Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com. Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Provision Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements that are dependent on certain risks and uncertainties including such factors, among others, as the ability of the Cirrus Logic EP7312-90 to perform as expected, the risk factors listed in the company's Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended March 31, 2001, and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing information concerning Cirrus Logic's business outlook represents our outlook as of the date of this news release, and Cirrus Logic undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise. Cirrus Logic(R)and Crystal(tm) are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders. |
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