SiTel launches high-end CAT-iq baseband for next-generation DECT

Top-of-the-range processing performance easily supports advanced DECT features including MP3 ring tones, color LCD interfaces and wideband audio

's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, 28 January 2008 - SiTel Semiconductor today announced the launch of its new SC14450 CAT-iq baseband processor. The successor to the SC14428, the SC14450 uses the company's proven multi-core architecture to deliver over 240 MIPS. This inherent processing power enables very cost-effective solutions for high-end cordless handsets, Integrated Access Devices (IADs) and wired Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony applications. The new baseband allows manufacturers to offer advanced features such as color LCD Man Machine Interfaces (MMIs), text-to-speech, voice enhancement, animated JPEGs, Hi-Fi audio and MP3 ring tones. It also supports wideband audio for crisp and clear voice reproduction.

"CAT-iq brings a wealth of new features and a new level in audio quality to cordless telephony," said Jos van der Loop, Product Marketing Manager at SiTel Semiconductor. "SiTel is actively supporting this exciting new standard and enabling customers to implement its benefits in handsets and IADs through ICs such as the new SC14450 as well as dedicated reference designs and software support.

"The SC14450 features a CompactRISC™ microcontroller for general processing including power management and MMI functionality. This is supplemented by two user-programmable Gen2DSPs for voice CODECs and audio processing, enabling telephone answering machine voice compression, advanced ring-tones and the superior voice quality of the CAT-iq standard. A dedicated instruction processor (DIP) can be programmed for standard DECT and customer-specific air protocols, and provides support for the new CAT-iq frame format.

Further simplifying the design-in process, the SC14450 supports a variety of external memories and features an integrated 1.5-Watt rms Class D power amplifier for hands-free operation. It offers power and battery management options including 1-, 2- and 3-cell configurations for Li-Ion and NiMH batteries, white LED control and high-speed interfaces to color displays. In addition, a wide range of peripheral interfaces are incorporated, including master / slave PCM, UART, SPI, dual-access bus and USB 2.0 Full speed. This last interface enables direct USB battery charging, and allows the SC14450 to be designed into small plug-and-play dongles to add new features to products that are already in the market.

Available in an exposed-pad, 128-pin eLQFP package with a footprint of 16.0 x 16.0 x 1.6 mm, the SC14450 is in full production. It is fully compatible with SiTel's LMX4x80 family of DECT RF ICs, providing customers with a complete and compact solution for DECT, DECT 6.0 and 2.4GHz.