AK4140 - AKM Launches an Industry First Single-Chip Digital BTSC Decoder New!

Tokyo, Japan, August 23, 2006—Asahi Kasei Microsystems Co., Ltd. (AKM), a leading supplier of audio ICs for professional and consumer markets, today launches the AK4140, a complete single-chip, alignment-free digital BTSC TV-sound decoder for BTSC markets such as USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Taiwan. The new chip, useful in digital STBs, PVRs, DVRs, and DTVs that include analog TV tuners, is a part of AKM’s Audio4home^TM range.

The new AK4140 decodes BTSC using digital dbx-TV^®technology licensed from THAT Corporation. This all-digital implementation eliminates many components needed in existing analog BTSC decoders. Moreover, the AK4140 delivers high performance without alignment, eliminating time-consuming adjustments during pre- shipment testing.

The AK4140 outputs 16-bit digital PCM data for all TV analog signals: Mono, Stereo, and SAP (Second Audio Program). It senses the presence of the BTSC Pilot and, SAP signal, as well as SAP signal quality, allowing the appropriate audio signal (Mono/Stereo/SAP) to switch automatically based on the signals detected. The AK4140’s built-in FM demodulator uses direct demodulation to accept the analog 4.5 MHz aural sub-carrier. This eliminates the need for critical alignment of signal levels before the dbx-TV BTSC decoder.
Other features include soft mute and digital volume functions, which can adjust the signal level between broadcasts. The audio data port supports major formats such as MSB justified and I2S to interface with common DSP’s. A TDM mode is also supported, which permits a cascading connection of up to four devices in daisy chain, thus simplifying the data interface to the DSP in the multi-tuner systems such as TVs with double tuners. The AK4140 can accept an external 256fs/384fs/512fs Master Clock for digital audio equipment. The part supports sample rate of 32kHz, 44.1kHz and 48kHz, allowing it to use the same system connection as the audio ADC. It features 0.13% THD+N and 70dB dynamic range.

The AK4140 is available in a 24-pin VSOP. Evaluation boards and samples are available now. To obtain more information, contact AKM, Audio & Video Business Operation, Nishi-Shinjuku 1-23-7, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan.

About Audio4home^TM
The Audio4home^TM brand identifies AKM consumer audio products designed for applications including A/V receivers, set-top boxes, speaker systems, digital video systems, digital televisions and in-vehicle entertainment. The Audio4home^TM brand product range provides high performance solutions with high quality sound.

About dbx-TV^®
The dbx-TV^® brand identifies a range of technology solutions for digital TV-audio decoding developed and licensed by THAT Corporation. Like Audio4home^TM, dbx-TV provides high performance solutions with high quality sound.

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