DesignWare ARC Audio Solutions

Available separately or as part of the DesignWare SoundWave Audio Subsystem, which provides designers with a complete, pre-verified audio subsystem integrating hardware, software and prototyping for incorporation into system-on-chip (SoC) designs, the ARC audio solution includes the following hardware and software components:

  • High-performance DesignWare® ARC configurable cores deliver industry’s smallest area and lowest power
  • Highly optimized, thoroughly tested, production proven and certified audio and voice codecs
  • Post-processing audio enrichment software restores clarity, warmth, detail and realism from digitally compressed audio
  • Media streaming framework for easy creation of complex audio graphs, including a Blu-ray Disc™ reference design

Designed by Audio Professionals

Synopsys’ DesignWare ARC audio processors are the only ones in the market whose design was directly driven by both processor architects and audio engineering professionals. The DesignWare ARC audio solution is easily integrated into SoCs and fulfills today’s demanding processing requirements, and delivers an undeniably high-quality listening experience. 

Scalable Architecture

The DesignWare ARC audio processors range from the single-core AS211SFX processor to the high-performance AS221BD dual-core processor. Software that is written for a single core runs out-of-the-box on the dual-core processor. A multi-core media streaming framework that simplifies the partitioning and distribution of a complex use case with multiple audio codecs over such a dual-core system is also available.

Enable Capture and Playback of Studio Quality Audio

As consumers demand a better experience from their multimedia-capable devices that capture, share and playback audio, designers have to build SoCs that enable high-quality audio and allow extended operation. The DesignWare ARC audio solution is capable of delivering studio quality audio using post-processing technology and at the same time supporting long hours of playback time using active power management. 

Benefits

Create SoCs that Deliver Unsurpassed Consumer Experiences

  • Supports HD Audio codecs
  • Playback virtually any content – 100% standards compliant and certified
  • Enable 100 hours of playback time on portable players

Maximize Success and Minimize Design Risk

  • Full programmability permits “future-proof” design
  • Complete development tool and design flow support
  • Target multiple markets using the same solution
  • Fully supported by codec and studio audio experts to exceed customers quality expectations technology

Differentiate To Keep the Competitive Edge

  • Programmability allows for user-defined value-add creation
  • Fine-tune to create efficient, custom solution using configurability
  • Target multiple markets using the same solution

Development Tools

Advanced Hardware and Software Development Environment for Quick Time-to-Market

ARC provides tools for integrating hardware IP and software licensed from ARC into customer SoCs. ARC tools support configuring customized versions of ARC subsystems, as well as developing, modeling, and debugging software and hardware. ARC’s advanced tools work with a broad offering of third party industry standard tools needed for taking products from concept to production. Learn more

Block Diagrams

Applications

  • Blu-Ray Players
  • Advanced Car Infotainment Systems
  • High-Fidelity, Multi-Channel Digital Camcorders
  • STB/PVR/Media Server/Digital Media Adapter
  • Home Theater Receivers
  • Portable Media Players
  • Cell Phones
  • Digital Photo Frames
  • Digital Still Cameras
  • Ultra Mobile PCs

Highlights

  • Studio-Quality HD Audio
  • Most Energy Efficient - >100 Hours of Playback
  • Future-Proof
  • Multi-Standard, Programmable

Audio Encoders

  • High speed, multi-stream AAC-LC
  • AAC-LC
  • MP3
  • Dolby® Digital
  • LC SBC, etc.

Development Tools

  • C Compiler
  • (Multi-core) Debugger
  • Profiler
  • Functional Simulator
  • Cycle Accurate Simulator