Known under the trade name ChipCorder ICs are complete, highly integrated single chip solutions for voice and audio recording and playback. They use internal or external non-volatile memory and are ideal for adding voice/audio functions to consumer, industrial, automotive, medical and security products.
Depending on the type of memory they are divided into two following groups:
MLS ChipCorders using Nuvoton’s patented Multilevel Storage (MLS) technology for recordings storage in on-chip non-volatile memory (equivalent to 8-bit digital storage). Voice and audio signals are recorded directly into memory cells in their natural form, providing high-quality voice/audio reproduction. They are designed for single/multiple messages recording and provide 6 seconds to 16 minutes record/playback durations and 4 kHz to 12 kHz sampling frequency (industry-leading sound quality). They can operate in either standalone mode with the parallel push-button interface or a microcontroller mode with the SPI or I2C serial interface. Some devices incorporate an intelligent message management system that allows to self-manage address locations for multiple messages. This feature is used in simple push-button solutions.
The devices include an internal oscillator, analog input and/or microphone preamplifier with AGC and also a class AB/D speaker driver and current/voltage output.
Digital ChipCorders using an internal or external digital Flash memory for voice/audio storage, designed for multi-message recording/playback or playback-only applications. In the latter case the messages prepared in the form of digital data by means of an external device and pre-recorded in the memory via digital audio interface are played. The message management system allows users to make address-free recording for multiple messages.
Digital ChipCorders provide an I2S digital audio interface and SPI interface for commands and digital audio data. They feature 2/3/4/5-bit ADPCM and 8/10/12-bit PCM digital compressions, 6/7/8-bit µ-Law/differential µ-Law companding, comprehensive memory management to storage a pre-recorded audio data, and integrated analog/digital audio signal paths with analog inputs/outputs, microphone preamplifier with AGC and class AB or D speaker driver. They provide 15 seconds to 64 minutes record/playback durations (based on 8 kHz / 4-bit ADPCM) and an audio quality sound with up to 48 kHz sampling frequency and SNR of 60 dB (equivalent to 12-bit resolution).
Compared to the MLS ChipCorder series, Digital ChipCorders provide higher sampling frequencies, better sound quality, lower power consumption and fast programming time.
