Atlantik Elektronik presents the ChipCorder ISD9160 system-on-a-chip from Nuvoton, featuring a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller. The ISD9160 is designed to optimize low-power audio recording and playback in a range of demanding industrial applications, such as portable medical devices, security systems, and public transport vehicles, as well as consumer designs, including wireless audio, capacitive button sensing for touch panels, home appliances, toys, and novelty items. With a Cortex-M0 core running at up to 50MHz, sophisticated power-management features, embedded Flash and SRAM memory, real-time clock control, and multiple general-purpose IOs, the ISD9160 enables designers to develop systems and individual products capable of delivering clear, reliable, easily managed audio recording and playback. Nuvotons ChipCorder line also simplifies products design time and reduces costs by eliminating the need for various peripheral chips.
The ISD9160 incorporates several audio interfaces – microphone, speaker driver and I2S – and eight analog GPIOs for capacitive sensing and analog functions. It also features five power-saving modes that enable the device to operate under differing voltage conditions, making it ideal for portable/battery-powered products. Taking advantage of the Cortex-M0’s processing engine, the ISD9160 also enables applications with CPU intensive features, such as voice recognition, audio/voice prompting, and extended recording/playback. The ARM Cortex-M0 in the ISD9160 delivers 32-bit performance and low power consumption, but at a price point closer to that of an 8-bit microcontroller. Its 32-bit architecture enables designers to develop complicated algorithms such as voice recognition, text-to-speech and capacitive sensing - applications that previously required DSPs and/or other high-end, ARM-based devices.
