STMicroelectronics Sharpens Audio Edge for STM32 Developers

GENEVA, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- To help product developers exploit the full potential of its STM32 microcontrollers in portable and home-audio products, STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a world leader in microcontrollers, has teamed up with audio experts Spirit DSP to provide no-charge access to professionally developed audio software that delivers better features and performance than typical open-source alternatives.

The STM32 Spirit Audio Engine delivers advantages such as a high-quality codec, rich audio-system features, low memory usage, long battery life and full technical support. These advantages typically differentiate professionally developed plug-and-play solutions from open-source software. At the same time, however, no-charge access to the engine matches the key attraction of open-source software.

Moreover, the STM32 Spirit Audio Engine is optimized for ST's advanced STM32 microcontroller architecture, and therefore leaves more processing and memory resources available for higher-level functions specific to the developer's application. The Audio Engine will be particularly powerful when used with STM32 Connectivity Line microcontrollers, which provide two audio-class I2S ports enabling synchronized data transfers, and also support USB2.0 OTG, Ethernet and CAN communications with connected equipment.

Other features common to all STM32 microcontrollers, which help boost the performance of audio devices, include up to 1Mbyte of on-chip Flash memory, up to 12 DMA channels, advanced power management enabling longer battery life, and complete compatibility between pins and software across all devices.

"Spirit DSP's audio expertise is well recognized among software specialists, system vendors and IC manufacturers," said Michel Buffa, General Manager of ST's Microcontroller Division. "Our customers can now access the benefits of that expertise without charge, combined with the advanced performance, features and scalability inherent in the STM32, to deliver innovative, highly featured products to market quickly and at competitive prices."

Major features of the STM32 Spirit Audio Engine:

• Audio Decoders
  • MP3 encoder
  • MP3 decoder with built-in equalizer
  • WMA decoder with built-in equalizer

• Audio Utilities
  • Loudness control
  • Three-band parametric equalizer
  • Channel mixing

Licensing Information

The STM32 Spirit Audio Engine is available now with a no-charge license. License charge and royalties related to the use of MP3 and WMA technologies in the final product are not included and are due by the user to the appropriate entities.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the Company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.  

SOURCE STMicroelectronics