3DsoundSurge Press Release: SigmaTel Introduces Single-Chip Audio Decoder Solution for MP3-Style Players

SigmaTel Introduces Single-Chip Audio Decoder Solution for MP3-Style Players

Smallest Integrated Digital Audio Design is Cost Efficient, Low Power and Highly Flexible

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2001-- SigmaTel, a provider of digital consumer audio and wireless infrared integrated circuit (IC) solutions for the home and small business markets, announces its STMP3400 audio decoder for portable and MP3-style personal audio players. The STMP3400 is the smallest integrated solution for multi-format personal audio players--with superior audio quality, low power consumption, and maximum flexibility, all at an affordable price.

``Successful digital audio devices are very cost-driven in today's market,'' says Alan Hansford, vice president of marketing at SigmaTel. ``Manufacturers are always on the lookout for the new, innovative products that offer maximum quality features at an affordable price.''

``SigmaTel is strengthening its substantial audio portfolio with the STMP3400,'' says industry analyst Will Strauss of Forward Concepts. ``With this compact and inexpensive solution, SigmaTel has the potential to expand its digital audio presence beyond the MP3-player market into new markets like cellphones, PDAs, and digital cameras.''

SigmaTel's system-on-chip STMP3400 provides a complete digital audio solution for portable MP3-style manufacturers, including a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and DC-DC converter. With a low-cost and feature rich platform, the STMP3400 solution gives superior audio performance with the 18-bit (SIGMA)(DELTA) DAC. In addition to standard SPI, I2C, I2S, and GPIO interfaces for communicating with other ICs, the chip has a USB 1.1 interface for downloading songs and uploading voice recordings. The small size and integration allow for multiple form factors and applications including portable handheld players, headphones, cell phones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

The STMP3400 enables maximum flexibility through its programmable digital signal processor (DSP) supporting MP3 decoding and in the future Windows Media Audio (WMA) digital audio decoding. If additional features are required, the upgradeable STMP3400 allows updated drivers to be downloaded, which enables consumers to take advantage of new features without changing the hardware design and incurring additional costs.

The STMP3400 enables players nearly 15 hours of playback time on a single AA battery. The integrated DC-DC converter is controlled by on-chip registers that significantly decrease overall power consumption.

The SigmaTel audio decoder has been designed into the ATLMultimedia ET301ST MP3 portable player. This ODM (Original Device Manufacturer) player is available for OEM customers that would prefer to buy a pre-existing player rather than design their own. The ET301ST can be uniquely branded for these customers.

``SigmaTel has provided us with the exact turnkey solution we need for quicker time to market,'' said Johnson Juang, general manager of ATLMultimedia (ATLM), a division of Eastern Asia Technology Limited. ``The versatility of the STMP3400 audio decoder solution has enabled us to create higher quality, smaller and less expensive portable products for multiple form factors and multiple formats such as MP3, WMA, and other decoding algorithms.''

The STMP3400 is available now for immediate design-in for $14 in quantities of 10,000. With the STMP3400, printed circuit assembly bill of materials costs are 30 to 50 percent lower than typical portable solutions.

For product press photos, please visit the SigmaTel Web site at: http://www.sigmatel.com/audio/3400photos/pr-photos.htm

About SigmaTel:

SigmaTel, a provider of integrated circuit (IC) design, is converting the real world into a digital experience with its innovative mixed-signal solutions for the digital consumer audio and wireless infrared markets. Since its inception, SigmaTel has built a strong reputation as an innovative developer of mixed-signal ICs, by being first to market with several highly integrated designs. The privately held company, based in Austin, Texas, is committed to providing customers with high performance products along with superior customer service. For more information, visit SigmaTel's Web site at www.sigmatel.com.

Contact:

     Shelton Communications Group, Dallas
     Katie Olivier, 972/239-5119
     kolivier@sheltongroup.com
        or
     SigmaTel, Austin
     Alan Hansford, 512/381-3716
     ahansford@sigmatel.com