Redefining luxury driving through a broad array of signal processing technologies, Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) announced that its Blackfin(R) and SHARC(R) processors will provide the highest quality in-cabin entertainment systems to drivers of the new Audi A5 Coupé. With the new vehicle, Audi has moved to distinguish its driver experience through advanced electronic features. Leveraging the power of ADI's advanced digital signal processing (DSP) technologies; the new A5 includes the Audi Symphony and Concert advanced digital radios, a Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) option, a 6-CD changer and a MultiMedia Device Interface for connecting to personal media players. ADI processors provide all audio decoding and processing functions, communications protocol processing, and all control processing for the Audi's highly intuitive driver interface.
"The Audi brand represents a commitment to constantly enhance the total experience of Audi drivers and passengers through the application of high-performance technologies and attention to detail," said Peter Kohlschmidt, Director Wireless, Acoustics, Connectivity, Audi AG, "Blackfin in conjunction with additional ADI technologies gave us competitive and distinguishing features that differentiate our new vehicle, enhance our brand positioning, and reflect our relentless pursuit of the perfect driving experience."
The Blackfin ADSP-BF539 and ADSP-BF532 processors power the Audi A5's DAB radio and MP3-compatible 6-way CD changer, which is aptly named the Audi Symphony/Concert Radio for the extensive assortment of CD-quality music it generates for drivers/passengers. Another Blackfin ADSP-BF532 processor drives the A5's Audi Music Interface, which integrates portable media players, such as the Apple iPod, for convenient dashboard display and easy steering-wheel control. An optional Bang & Olufsen (B&O) surround sound amplifier that delivers the utmost in high fidelity is based on an ADI SHARC ADSP-21362 processor.
Additionally, various analog signal processing components round out the portfolio of Analog Devices' products in the new Audi vehicle. These products include Analog Devices' ADM6319, a supervisory circuit that monitors power supply voltage levels and code execution integrity in microprocessor-based systems; the AD7478 8-bit, low-power, (SAR) successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC); the AD9280 single-supply, 8-bit, 32 MSPS ADC; and the ADuC7032 precision battery monitor sensor, a complete system solution for battery monitoring in 12V automotive applications.
"By focusing on the entire driving experience, Audi is establishing a new kind of competitive advantage that can only be achieved through visionary adoption of advanced electronics devices," said Mark Gill, Director Automotive Infotainment Products, Analog Devices, Inc. "ADI's Blackfin and SHARC processors are ideal enablers of this kind of visionary thinking, helping car makers leverage the added value of advanced audio, video, navigation and display functionality."
The Blackfin processor is unmatched in signal and control processing, multimedia support and connectivity options. In addition, Blackfin processor based designs provide software flexibility which is particularly critical for automotive applications because media formats and communications standards inevitably change in the time it takes applications to go from concept to the highway.
A Convergent Future Demands Blackfin-Class Processing
Analog Devices' Blackfin embodies a new breed of 16/32-bit embedded processor with the industry's highest performance and power efficiency for applications where a convergence of capabilities — multi-format audio, video, voice and image processing; multi-mode baseband and packet processing; and real-time security and control processing — are critical. It is this powerful combination of software flexibility and scalability that has gained Blackfin widespread adoption in convergent applications such as digital home entertainment, networked and streaming media, automotive telematics and infotainment, and digital radio and mobile TV.
About Analog Devices
Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating over 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ADI" and is included in the S&P 500 Index.
Source: http://edageek.com/2007/09/03/audi-a5-coup-analog/
