DALLAS (October 16, 1995) -- A new digital signal processing solution that will give cellular telephone users the safety of hands-free operation in the car along with the audio quality they are accustomed to in hand-held operation was disclosed today by Texas Instruments. This digital signal processor (DSP) enhances hands-free cellular communication with a combination of integrated circuit hardware and ROM-coded software that performs acoustic echo cancellation, noise suppression and line echo cancellation. In addition, the product brings high-quality full-duplex transmission to hands-free cellular technology.
The TMS320WP010 represents a comprehensive digital processing solution for an essential enhancement to hand-held cellular communications. The device is available either by itself or together with two TCM320AC36 Voice Band Audio Processors (VBAP) in a chip set that is designated TCS320WP010. In addition, TI will license the Cellular Audio Peripheral Enhancements software used in the 'WP010 to developers who want to integrate it with their own DSP code.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of cellular phone cradles or "hands-free kits" are the primary customers for the new DSP. By designing 'WP010 features into their products, these OEMs will be able to offer end users the greater convenience and safety of hands-free operation without a loss in sound quality. The 'WP010 will also serve their markets internationally, since it can be implemented along with numerous analog and digital standards around the world, including AMPS, IS-54, IS-136, GSM, CDMA and PDC.
"Almost everyone who owns a cellular phone can buy a phone cradle for the dashboard that allows hands-free operation," said Mike McMahan, applications manager for TI's Wireless Communications Systems. "But then they find that the sound quality the outside caller hears is often so poor that the caller in the vehicle has to pick up the phone again. With the 'WP010, drivers will be more inclined to leave their phones in the cradle as they talk-and keep their hands on the steering wheel."
In hands-free cellular phone operation, a caller's voice comes out of the phone speaker, bounces off various surfaces inside the car and returns to the microphone, where it is heard by the caller as an echo. In addition, noises from the road, engine and wind also enter the microphone, and line echo or "howling" can also interfere with analog signals. The 'WP010 largely eliminates these sources of signal interference, clarifying the sound that cellular users hear.
"Hands-free operation is still in its infancy," said McMahan. "With products such as the 'WP010, TI is putting the technology together that can make hands-free telephones and other communications commonplace in the future. Wireless designers are discovering that TI offers cost-effective, highly integrated digital processing solutions for their complex systems needs."
The new device also supports simultaneous two-way or full-duplex transmission, allowing both callers to speak at the same time and still hear each other. In cheaper half-duplex systems, one caller's voice is cut off completely while the other caller speaks, causing annoying jumps in conversations. The 'WP010 is a cost-effective solution for hands-free cellular operation using the higher quality of full-duplex transmission while providing acoustic echo cancellation and noise suppression.
By improving sound quality, the 'WP010 also encourages safety. Drivers will have a workable alternative to holding cellular telephones in their hands while they drive. In some states and countries, hands-free cellular phone operation may be forced on drivers by safety-conscious legislators. The British Parliament, for instance, has recently passed such legislation.
"We designed this product with convenience and safety in mind," said McMahan. "And 'WP010 technology will allow us to add more features for even greater convenience, such as voice recognition for hands-free dialing, when the market demands."
ROM-less samples of the TMS320WP010 DSP and the TCS320WP010 chip set are available now directly from Texas Instruments only. Neither version is available through distribution.
The WP010, housed in a 100-pin thin-quad flat pack (TQFP) package, is available at a 100,000-piece price of $14 each. The TCS320WP010 chip set is available at a 100,000-unit price of $19 per chip set. When purchased as part of the TCS320WP010 chip set, the VBAP devices come in 20-pin plastic wide-body small outline (DW) packages.
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