Information Storage Devices Inc., San Jose, Calif., introduced a single-chip, fully integrated voice storage solution designed for digital cellular handsets.
The ISD5008 eliminates external analog circuitry, such as automatic gain control, power amplifier and volume-control functions and switches by integrating those functions onto one chip. That translates into quicker time to market for handset manufacturers by simplifying integration and expediting the design of those functions in digital cellular phones, the company said.
The chip offers miniature packaging, including MicroBGA and TSOP packages. It operates at 3 volts, which means less power drain on wireless handset batteries, said the company.
The chip would allow wireless users to record one-way and two-way calls, play messages during a call after privately scrolling through other stored messages, screen calls, provide different outgoing messages for certain incoming calls and other answering-machine functions, said the company.
The chip’s flexible architecture allows record durations of between four and eight minutes depending on the desired sound quality. For example, an outgoing message could use the highest sample rate to maximize sound quality, while incoming calls could be recorded using the slowest sample rate to maximize duration.
“Our new ISD5008 architecture completely redefines how our ChipCorder devices interface to and handle the voice path signals,” said Carl Palmer, vice president of engineering at ISD. “It enables all imaginable uses of a voice-recording function independent of the digital technology being used.”
Samples of the ISD5008 are expected to be available in January with production in the first quarter. ISD said it expects to price the product between $5.90 and $9.50 for quantities of 50,000 units depending on packaging type and temperature range.
Founded in 1987, ISD said wireless is a key area of focus for its products. Other areas of focus include the consumer, automotive and industrial markets with products such as recordable greeting cards, toys, cellular car kits and security systems.
