Wireless audio solution enables high-fidelity, pop-free sound

Gina Roos

eeProductCenter (04/16/2007 6:18 PM ET)

Sunnyvale, Calif. — SST Communications, a subsidiary of SST (Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.), has launched its MelodyWing SP advanced wireless audio solution, which offers uncompressed, wire-equivalent sound quality for home theater surround sound and multi-room audio broadcasting found in many home entertainment applications including HDTVs, home theaters, set-top-boxes, headsets, game consoles, home gateways, multimedia PCs and audio streaming.

The MelodyWing SP is said to be the only wireless audio solution capable of supporting up to 24-bits per channel for stereo (also compatible with 16-bit stereo), 90 dB dynamic range and IEC support for MP3, AAC, AC3 and DTS modes. The MelodyWing SP solution requires no firmware drivers or additional hardware for set-up. The embedded SuperFlash memory provides flexibility for system configuration and 48-bit security code for privacy protection.

The MelodyWing SP solution enables each transmitter to wirelessly stream high-quality sound to two full-range speakers and a sub-woofer. The Smart Channel feature automatically selects the un-congested industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, to avoid interference with other wireless equipment and to enable pop-free sound effects.

The MelodyWing SP supports two standard digital audio interfaces, the Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) and I(2)S. Support for factory programmable worldwide ISM 2.4- and 5-GHz radio bands (2.4 GHz and 4.9-5.8 GHz) and output power allows a single product design to meet the certification requirements of multiple markets, said the company.

As part of a wireless digital home entertainment system, the MelodyWing SP chipset can be configured in four solutions. These include:

• The Single Link wireless configuration mode allows a single wireless S/PDIF or 2.1 channel I(2)S connection between the audio source such as a digital TV, and a 2.1 multi-channel speaker system comprised of a sub-woofer and left and right speakers with a wired connection to the sub-woofer.
• The Triple Link wireless configuration mode allows three simultaneous wireless connections between the audio source and a 2.1 multi-channel speaker system comprised of a sub-woofer and left and right channel speakers.
• The Hextuple Link wireless configuration mode allows six simultaneous wireless connections between the audio source and a 5.1 multi-channel speaker system comprised of a center speaker, a sub-woofer, left and right front speakers and left and right rear speakers.
• The Multi Link wireless configuration mode allows multiple simultaneous wireless connections between the audio source and multiple 2.1 multi-channel speaker systems located in multiple rooms.

The physical distance supported is 20 meters for single-room applications. The distance supported for a Multi-Link solution can be further extended according to customer needs.

Pricing: The MelodyWing SP wireless audio boards are comprised of the SST11SC03 transmitter board and the SST11SC04 receiver board. Pricing for the devices is $21.62 for the SST11SC03 and $21.62 for the SST11SC04, each in quantities of 10,000.
Availability: Evaluation kits are currently available.
Product information: MelodyWing SP

SST, 1-408-735-9110, www.sst.com