IA8508, an open DSP platform, has four heterogeneous cores
and 5.7MB of shared memory for a variety of new use
cases.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.,
Oct. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Knowles
Corporation (NYSE: KN), market leader and global supplier of
advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing and precision device
solutions, announces a new audio processor platform. The
IA8508 advanced audio processor is optimized for performance and
power in both near and far-field voice applications – making it the
perfect solution for mobile phones, ear-worn products, and IoT
devices such as digital assistants, smart speakers and TVs.
The IA8508 platform addresses the performance limitations of
today's most popular voice-enabled devices by improving recognition
especially in far-field and high noise environments, enabling
context awareness, and increasing local processing capability.
Customers are now able to move audio processing to the edge of the
network – embedding intelligence into the device where it is closer
to the user and the environment. The IA8508 consists of high
performance, power efficient heterogeneous audio cores that are
optimized for the most challenging voice interaction use-cases.
Furthermore, the IA8508 is designed for Machine Learning (ML)
through Deep Neural Network (DNN) hardware acceleration, optimized
architecture and proprietary instruction set. As a result, the new
Knowles' audio processor can perform specific machine learning
tasks 10 times more efficiently than the competition. In addition,
the IA8508 leverages light weight floating point operations,
enabling ease of programmability, high dynamic range and low power
comparable to fixed point operations.
"The market opportunity for voice-powered devices is massive.
From mobile phones to ear-worn devices, and smart speakers to TVs
and appliances, voice-powered interactions have emerged as a
critical and necessary feature," said Mike
Polacek, President of Intelligent Audio at Knowles. "People
are looking to engage with technology through natural, spoken
commands, across mobile, ear-worn and IoT products, and are racing
to develop and deploy the technology to enable it. With core
capabilities in acoustics, digital signal processing and
algorithms, Knowles' intelligent audio expertise is unparalleled
and places the company in a perfect position to solve the issues
hampering voice technology."
Knowles' unique combination of four heterogeneous processors
sets the IA8508 apart in 4 major ways:
First, performance: to solve issues related to
noise and distance, device makers need the ability to combine a
multi-microphone array with large memory, powerful computing, and
sophisticated algorithm features including acoustic echo
cancellation (AEC), dynamic beam forming, steering, sound
classification, and noise suppression. The IA8508 supports an array
of up to eight microphones and is equipped with four heterogeneous
cores capable of simultaneously running high performance algorithms
leveraging the 5.7MB of memory. The Delta-Max core (DMAX) with
specialized instruction set serves as the high-performance
core.
Second, latency: many audio applications require
low-latency real-time processing, such as active noise cancellation
and asynchronous sample rate conversion for mixing of various
different audio signal sources. The IA8508 has an optimized single
sample processor (SSP) core, guaranteeing low latency.
Third, power consumption: voice user-interfaces
require always-listening devices. The IA8508 features a low power
core to listen to a variety of key phrases concurrently. In
addition, complex audio processing and ML run more efficiently due
to the optimized instruction set. The Hemi-Delta core
(HMD) is tailored to guarantee low power dynamic processing; in
addition, proprietary memory architecture and dynamic voltage
scaling guarantee low stand-by power consumption.
And fourth, integration: while the above DSP cores
are optimized for performance, latency, and power efficiency, the
IA8508 also includes an industry standard ARM Cortex M4 core for
general purpose controller capability, allowing for immediate
porting of existing legacy solutions.
Also announced today is the Knowles open DSP partner program,
which brings together leading contributors to the intelligent voice
ecosystem for improving audio performance in a variety of
use-cases. Earlier this year, Knowles announced the world's first
smart mic with an embedded open DSP, the IA-610. Since then, the
company has continued to add world-class partners to leverage its
open DSP platforms. The company plans to continue expanding this
program, collaborating with algorithm and cloud partners to develop
and run code on its processors for solving complex audio
problems.
"Knowles continues to innovate, most recently through its open
DSP platform architecture providing both power efficiency and
versatility," said Todd Mozer, CEO
of Sensory. "The Knowles open DSP platform environment enables
quick and smooth integration of 3rd-party IP and this is evidenced
by the recent successful enablement of Sensory's TrulyHandsfree
technology."
The combined strength of the IA8508 and the open DSP partner
program demonstrates Knowles' leadership across the full spectrum
of the voice interaction experience, from smart mics to audio
processors. Coupled with its ecosystem of algorithm and cloud
partners, Knowles is poised to enable mobile, earn-worn and IoT
customers to capitalize on growing consumer demand for voice
applications.
"Knowles' market leadership in microphones combined with our
technology advancement in digital signal processing and algorithms
uniquely positions us to understand and solve complex audio
problems," said Jeffrey Niew, President and CEO of Knowles.
"With our growing line-up of open audio DSPs, Knowles is
enabling our customers and partners to push the boundaries of audio
processing and create powerful new user experiences."
For more information on IA8508, visit
www.knowles.com/IA8508
About Knowles
Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN) is a
market leader and global supplier of advanced micro-acoustic, audio
processing, and precision device solutions, serving the mobile
consumer electronics, communications, medical, military, aerospace,
and industrial markets. Knowles uses its leading position in MEMS
(micro-electro-mechanical systems) microphones and strong
capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio
systems and improve the user experience in smartphones, tablets,
and wearables. Knowles is also the leader in acoustics components
used in hearing aids and has a strong position in high-end
oscillators (timing devices) and capacitors. Knowles' focus on the
customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary
manufacturing techniques, rigorous testing and global scale,
enables it to deliver innovative solutions that optimize the user
experience. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles is a global
organization with employees in 12 countries. knowles.com.
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SOURCE Knowles Corporation