MediaTek Launches MT8516 2-Mic Development Kit to Accelerate Integration of Alexa Voice Service in Connected Devices

New reference solution enables manufacturers to quickly design and bring to market smart devices with far-field speech recognition technology and multi-room music

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MediaTek Inc.

Sep 05, 2019, 18:20 ET

HSINCHU, Sept. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MediaTek today announced the MT8516 2-mic development kit for Alexa Voice Service (AVS). The reference solution aims to help developers build high-quality voice-assistant products, reducing development costs and accelerating the integration process for creating far-field products with Alexa built-in, including multi-room music (MRM) capabilities.

The MT8516 kit is an integrated hardware and software solution ideal for a wide range of voice assistant devices and audio applications. The solution features a quad-core ARM Cortex-A35 application processor, operating up to 1.3 GHz to process user inputs faster. The development kit provides a highly integrated and cost-competitive solution with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities built in, and also integrates audio front-end and post-processing technologies without any additional cost. With MT8516, audio manufacturers can reduce the development time, effort and costs associated with designing and customizing smart speaker products.

"As the No. 1 chipmaker for voice assistant devices, MediaTek is at the forefront of the connected device revolution, powering some of the most innovative voice recognition products in homes today," said Jerry Yu, MediaTek Corporate Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Intelligent Devices Business Group. "The MT8516 development kit accelerates the development of devices with voice technology, making it easier for developers to bring consumers smart speakers, soundbars and other home appliances with the latest features."

Manufacturers can integrate the MT8516 into a range of smart devices including speakers, sound bars, smart home hubs, industrial applications and smart home appliances. The MT8516 platform is capable of the following technology components, which are included with the kit (license for each technology required):

AVS Device SDK: With C++-based libraries, manufacturers can easily design devices that process audio inputs and triggers, establish persistent connections with AVS and handle all Alexa interactions.
Amazon multi-room music (MRM): Enables developers to design smart products with MRM so customers can enjoy simultaneously streaming music over multiple Alexa built-in devices.
MediaTek far-field algorithms: Integrating the algorithms on the application processor saves costs by eliminating the need for an additional digital signal processor (DSP). Qualified by Amazon with a two-microphone linear array, MediaTek also offers a four-microphone circular arrangement for added design flexibility.
Amazon wake-word engine (WWE): Provides robust wake-word recognition in Alexa supported locales.
MediaTek PowerAQ: MediaTek's powerful acoustic tuning tool PowerAQ provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) for signal flow design and audio parameter turning.

Amazon has featured the MT8516 reference solution on its developer portal, which can be found here.

For more details on the MT8516 development kit with Far-Field algorithm, please visit: https://www.mediatek.com/products/voiceAssistantDevices/mt8516-ffa.

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About MediaTek Inc.

MediaTek Incorporated (TWSE: 2454) is a global fabless semiconductor company that enables 1.5 billion connected devices a year. They are a market leader in developing innovative systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile device, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products. Their dedication to innovation has positioned us as a driving market force in several key technology areas, including highly power-efficient mobile technologies and advanced multimedia solutions across a broad range of products such as smartphones, tablets, digital televisions, OTT boxes, wearables and automotive solutions. MediaTek empowers and inspires people to expand their horizons and more easily achieve their goals through smart technology. They call this idea Everyday Genius and it drives everything they do. Visit www.mediatek.com for more information.

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SOURCE MediaTek Inc.