Oki Semiconductor Introduces the DataPath Family of High-Performance CODECs; Oki's New CODEC Products Provide Cost-effective Solutions for Communications Applications, Setting New Industry Pricing Standards.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 1997--Oki Semiconductor, a leading developer and manufacturer of CODEC (coder/decoder) devices for digital systems, today announced its DataPath family of CODECs priced significantly below current industry standards, emphasizing lower system and channel costs, while adding unprecedented breadth and differentiation to the company's communication application products.

Oki's new DataPath family consists of ADPCM, PCM, and linear devices serving a wide range of communications applications from wired integrated services digital network (ISDN) terminals to wireless next-generation CDMA handsets. The new devices include the MSM7586-01 and MSM7708-02 ADPCM CODECs, MSM7507, MSM7704, MSM7705 and MSM7717 PCM CODECs, and the MSM7716 linear CODEC.

By investing in more advanced process and packaging technology, utilizing small form-factor and reduced pin-count SSOP, Oki has established pricing that is up to 30 percent below competitors' offerings.

ADPCM CODECs

An industry first -- voice acquisition for record and playback on a CODEC -- is furnished via Oki's serial interface, a feature that also allows direct connection to off-chip memory. Voice acquisition CODECs can be used in wireless local loop (WLL) phones to add messaging functionality -- a major differentiator in today's market. Voice acquisition is incorporated on the MSM7708 3-volt ADPCM CODEC, making it ideal for portable handset phones. Record times vary from 32 to 256 seconds depending on memory selection. Other unique features include on-board DSP-generating DTMF tones, a VOX function, side tones, and mute.

Oki's leadership position is further enhanced with the industry's first integrated ADPCM CODEC and P/4 QPSK modem product for wireless telephone basestation and handset applications. The MSM7586 is a unique device, developed originally for PHS, where a complete wireless baseband solution now only requires an external BML and microprocessor. When designing a device to convert I and Q signals to baseband and analog, Oki focused on minimizing crosstalk and noise inherent in wireless applications. A digital-centric modem architecture with root Nyquist filtering and built-in DAC permits 384 Kbps transmission speeds. The device is packaged in a space-saving 100-pin TQFP.

PCM CODECs

As line and switching card configurations become smaller with new enhanced features, designers seeking increased integration can now turn to the industry's first dual-channel and quad-channel PCM CODECs from Oki. The quad-channel 5-volt MSM7705 PCM CODEC offers substantial board space savings and applicability to worldwide applications via u-law, A-law, or selectable compression standards. The analog output can directly drive a 600 ohm line transformer.

The MSM7704 dual-channel, 3-volt PCM CODEC is well suited for "hands-free" applications. The MSM7704 is perfect as an analog front-end on either side of an Oki echo canceller (either MSM7602 or MSM7603), used to eliminate acoustic echoes. The approach reduces power dissipation while decreasing the chip count from three to two ICs.

The MSM7717 3-volt CODEC was developed for handset applications using a PCM interface to the digital signal processing function. A built-in master clock and adjustable transmit and receive gain controls simplify the design process. With board space at a premium, a petite 20-pin SSOP or industry standard 24-pin SOP package is available.

Linear CODECs

Linear CODECs are emerging as the de facto standard for digital cellular and PCS applications. The MSM7716 3-volt linear CODEC utilizes a 14-bit, twos complement input/output coding format, saving up to 2 MIPS normally used in PCM processing by a DSP. Power consumption is minimal, registering only 50 uW in power down mode. IC costs are reduced by emphasizing functional integration, furnishing internal and external microphone inputs, gain adjustable (8-step, 4-dB/step) op amps, and a built-in reference voltage. The 30-pin SSOP or 32-pin TSOP package options are manufacturing-friendly.

Low-Power Consumption

New, digital handsets for worldwide cellular/PCS (CDMA, GSM, and TDMA) deployments use CODECs to translate analog speech signals into digital output and vice versa. End users continually rate battery life an important criterion in making a handset selection. Oki's new 3-volt CODECs help meet these customer needs through a power down feature that can reduce power consumption, increasing battery life considerably in both operational and standby modes.

A Brief Industry Background

The component requirements and costs of wired and wireless systems are impacted by the migration from analog to digital architectures. In a wired environment, a CODEC is used to condition the data signal, convert it to the applicable waveform, and output a digital (PCM) or analog signal. Wireless applications use CODECs to transform analog voice signals to digital, usually linear or ADPCM. Digital signals are more easily manipulated, allowing improved error rates and higher throughputs via compression techniques. Depending on the application, a CODEC can replace three discrete components, reducing system cost and power consumption by 30 percent.

Pricing and Availability

The following table summarizes pricing for the CODECs introduced. Pricing for these products was designed with an emphasis on reducing system costs in multiple-channel infrastructure and single-channel handset applications. All devices are volume-priced and available now. -0-

     Part Number     Device Description     Volume Price (100K Units)

     MSM7507         PCM CODEC, 5V                $1.55
     MSM7717         PCM CODEC, 3V                $1.55
     MSM7704         Dual PCM CODEC, 3V           $2.70
     MSM7705         Quad PCM CODEC, 5V           $4.25
     MSM7708         ADPCM CODEC +
                      Voice Acquisition           $7.60
     MSM7586         ADPCM CODEC + Modem          $10.00
     MSM7716         3V Linear CODEC              $2.05

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About Oki

Oki Semiconductor, founded in 1977, manufactures a broad line of advanced integrated circuits for use in computers, EDP, automotive, telecommunications and consumer products. A leader in CMOS memories, gate arrays and ASICs, Oki's product lines also include speech synthesis, microcontrollers and advanced communications devices for wired, wireless and fiber optic applications. Oki is also a leader in packaging technology, offering sophisticated options to its customers. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Oki has manufacturing facilities in Japan, Thailand and Portland, Ore. All Oki manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001-certified. Oki Semiconductor is a division of OKI America Inc., a subsidiary of Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. FAXBACK: 1 (800) OKI-6994 for the United States, and [phone] for both Canada and Mexico. Oki's Web URL is: http://www.okisemi.com.

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