XMOS NEWS¶

The World's First! Edge AI and Smart Audio Expert XMOS Partners with Phaten to Lead a New Trend in Smart Audio

In today's wave of technological advancement, the smart audio field has achieved an exciting breakthrough! Edge AI and smart audio expert XMOS has reached a deep cooperation with Phaten, marking the successful establishment of XMOS's first global value-added distributor (VAR) in China. Together, they are embarking on a new chapter in smart audio.

1. Background and Significance of the Cooperation

In this collaboration, XMOS has astutely authorized Phaten as its first global value-added distributor. Phaten will leverage its extensive experience in wireless audio and IoT to deeply integrate with XMOS's powerful xcore chip platform, dedicated to creating a new generation of audio products for global customers. This groundbreaking partnership not only represents a strategic expansion of XMOS's smart audio technology globally but also brings an unparalleled audio experience to manufacturers and consumers worldwide.

2. XMOS: Innovator in the Smart Audio Chip Field

As a leading developer of software-defined system-on-chip (SoC) solutions in the global smart audio chip sector, XMOS remains at the forefront of technology, driving industry development with its exceptional innovation capabilities. Its xcore series processors are considered a brilliant gem in chip technology, boasting astonishing processing power that can easily handle a variety of complex audio tasks.

The hardware interface flexibility of this processor further enhances its appeal, providing disruptive economics and significantly shortened time-to-market for SoCs. Embedded software engineers can focus solely on software development and load it onto XMOS's uniquely designed, flexible, and user-friendly hardware platform, enabling them to create highly customized SoC solutions with unprecedented speed and convenience. With precise timing determinism and extensive application flexibility, the xcore chip demonstrates outstanding performance across numerous audio application scenarios, becoming the core driving force in the smart audio field.

3. Phaten: Practitioner of Wireless Audio and IoT

Founded in 2016 in the innovative city of Shenzhen, Phaten Technology Co., Ltd. has consistently focused on the research, production, sales, and service of RF modules related to wireless audio, wireless internet, and IoT. It is undoubtedly a leader in the industry.

The company boasts robust capabilities, with up to 11 SMT assembly lines and 40 automated testing lines, ensuring high-quality production and rapid delivery of its products. Phaten is committed to developing and providing a range of cutting-edge technology solutions, including advanced XMOS audio solutions, high-performance wireless audio modules, convenient wireless network Wi-Fi access modules, widely applicable IoT modules, and customized module application solutions for commercial and industrial scenarios. Its rich product line and outstanding technical strength have established a good reputation in the wireless audio and IoT fields, earning the trust of numerous customers.

4. Achievements and Applications of the Cooperation

The collaboration has yielded remarkable results, with several innovative technologies developed together, covering cutting-edge areas such as AI dynamic noise reduction, DSP audio effects, Hi-Fi Audio Bridge, and spatial audio.

(1) AI Dynamic Noise Reduction Technology (DNR)

This technology acts like a magical audio wizard, widely applicable to USB microphones, headphones, sound cards, and other devices. It can intelligently identify and effectively eliminate various types of noise in the environment, allowing users to enjoy pure and clear sound whether in a noisy street or a bustling office, as if they were in a tranquil private space.

(2) DSP Audio Effects (Reverb, EQ Equalization, etc.)

For applications such as live streaming sound cards, live microphones, and digital broadcasting, DSP audio effects are undoubtedly powerful assistants in enhancing audio quality. With precise reverb effects and detailed EQ adjustments, users can easily create professional-grade audio effects tailored to their preferences and scene requirements, adding richness to activities like live streaming and music appreciation.

(3) Hi-Fi Audio Bridge Technology (USB Audio Bridging, ASRC, SPDIF to I2S, etc.)

This technology plays a crucial role in high-quality audio decoders, amplifiers, and other devices. It enables lossless transmission and conversion of audio signals, presenting users with a high-fidelity audio feast where every note flows authentically, satisfying audiophiles' ultimate pursuit of sound quality.

(4) Spatial Audio Technology (Virtual 7.1, 7.1.4, Stereo Sound Field Optimization, etc.)

In gaming headsets, gaming decoders, USB dongles, and other devices, spatial audio technology shines. It simulates realistic stereo sound fields, creating an immersive audio environment for gamers, allowing them to capture sound details in the game more keenly, thus gaining an edge in intense gaming competition.

For more details, please visit: www.phaten-audio.com These advanced technologies will be transformed into a series of customizable audio system products through Phaten's comprehensive manufacturing and supply system. They will be deeply applied in various consumer and professional application scenarios through the extensive channels of brand manufacturers and service providers. For example, custom low-latency, high-quality headphone products tailored for brand computers, gaming consoles, digital consumer device manufacturers, and internet café operators will provide gamers and music lovers with an immersive audio experience; advanced remote communication and interaction devices carefully crafted for telecom operators, system integrators, and other service providers will greatly enhance the quality and efficiency of remote meetings and communications.

5. Outlook from Both Parties' Leaders

Tao Miao, the market and sales head for the Asia-Pacific region at XMOS, expressed confidence that the value-added channel agreement with Phaten is a significant milestone in XMOS's journey in smart audio. By partnering with a professional entity like Phaten, which focuses on audio technology research and manufacturing, XMOS can rapidly promote the application of high-quality smart audio technology, benefiting downstream manufacturers and end consumers from these innovative achievements. In the Chinese market, Tao looks forward to Phaten, as an excellent partner, fully leveraging XMOS's advanced technology to achieve even greater accomplishments. Meanwhile, XMOS will actively explore more effective and flexible business models to drive the industrialization of audio technology innovation, keenly capture market opportunities, and closely collaborate with customers to jointly carry out joint research and development, collaborative promotion, and comprehensive support activities, working together to create a bright future.

Yongbiao Su, Vice President of R&D at Phaten, also expressed great expectations for the cooperation, emphasizing that XMOS's xcore chip platform has outstanding performance and is well-known in the industry. This collaboration not only signifies XMOS's high recognition of Phaten's technical strength and manufacturing capabilities but also vividly reflects Phaten's continuous pursuit of excellence and willingness to innovate. Yongbiao is confident that through close cooperation, greater value and opportunities will be created for customers and partners. In the face of the burgeoning emerging market, Phaten will leverage its superb innovative technology team and agile VAR services, working hand in hand with XMOS to provide more comprehensive and higher-quality audio solutions and customized services for the global market, jointly writing a brilliant chapter in the smart audio field.

In the future, XMOS and Phaten will continue to deepen their cooperation, constantly exploring the infinite possibilities of smart audio technology, expanding broader application scenarios, and bringing users a smarter and higher-quality audio experience, leading the smart audio industry to new heights.

USB Audio Analysis: In-Depth Insights into Core Technology and Diverse Applications

The Foundation of USB: The Cornerstone of Connection and Transmission

In the vast river of technological advancement, USB, the Universal Serial Bus, shines like a brilliant star, having hung in the expansive sky of personal computers for over a decade. Its extensive connectivity resembles an invisible web, effortlessly linking various peripheral devices such as microphones, speakers, external drives, and webcams.

This article will focus on USB audio—this digital audio standard that shines brightly in the realms of personal computers, smartphones, and tablets. It acts as a bridge, cleverly connecting audio peripherals like speakers, microphones, and mixers, opening a new chapter in audio transmission.

Let’s first explore the fundamentals of USB. USB operates under specific protocols, akin to a precisely orchestrated symphony, where the host computer plays the role of the conductor, initiating transmission commands to devices such as USB speakers. Each transmission is precisely directed at a specific device and its designated endpoint, much like an arrow hitting its target. There are four types of transmission: bulk transfer, isochronous transfer, interrupt transfer, and control transfer.

Bulk transfer acts like a steady and reliable messenger, focused on securely transmitting data between the host and the device. All USB transmissions are accompanied by a CRC (cyclic redundancy check), serving as a loyal guardian, constantly checking for errors. In bulk transfer, the data receiver must verify the CRC; if it is correct, the transmission is confirmed, and the data is considered error-free. Conversely, if the CRC is incorrect, the transmission is not confirmed and will be retried. If the device is not ready to accept data, it can send a negative acknowledgment (NAK), prompting the host to attempt the transmission again. Bulk transfer is not a time-sensitive method; it gracefully navigates around more stringent timing requirements of other transmission types.

Isochronous transfer, on the other hand, is like a time-conscious vanguard, used for real-time data transmission between the host and the device. When the host sets up an isochronous endpoint, it allocates specific bandwidth for that endpoint and periodically performs input or output transmissions at that endpoint. For instance, the host may output 1K bytes of data to the device every 125 milliseconds. However, due to fixed and limited bandwidth, if a transmission issue arises, there is no time for retransmission. Although the data has a normal CRC, if the receiver detects an error, there is no mechanism for resending.

Interrupt transfer, despite its name being potentially misleading, functions like a diligent patrol officer, used by the host to periodically poll devices to check for significant events. For example, the host may poll an audio device to confirm whether the MUTE button has been pressed. Although it contains the word "interrupt," its function is akin to regular polling rather than an actual interrupt in the host.

Control transfer, similar to bulk transfer, can be acknowledged or rejected and is delivered in a non-real-time manner, acting as a behind-the-scenes coordinator for operations outside the normal data stream, such as querying device capabilities or endpoint statuses. Regarding how to describe device capabilities, this is beyond the scope of this article, but it is worth noting that there are predefined classes such as "USB Audio Class" or "USB Mass Storage Class," which are effective aids for achieving cross-platform interoperability. All transmissions occur in USB frames as the smallest unit, with high-speed USB frame intervals of 125μs (full-speed USB is 1ms), marked by the host sending a start of frame (SOF) message. Isochronous and interrupt transfers can transmit once per frame at most.

USB Audio: The Artful Arrangement of Data Transmission

Now, let’s examine the intricacies of USB audio. USB audio utilizes isochronous transfer, interrupt transfer, and control transfer to convey audio data. Isochronous transfer serves as a high-speed channel for transmitting audio data; interrupt transfer acts as the guardian of the audio clock, monitoring its availability; and control transfer functions as the master of audio settings, adjusting parameters such as volume and sample rate.

The data requirements vary based on the number of channels, sample bit depth, and sample rate. Common channel counts include 2 (stereo), 6 (5.1), or even more for studio and DJ applications. In terms of sample size, typical values are 24 bits, while 16 bits are commonly used for traditional audio, and 32 bits serve high-quality audio. Common sample rates include 44.1, 48, 96, and 192 kHz, with the latter often used for high-quality audio production.

Suppose we design a stereo speaker with a sample rate of 96 kHz and a sample size of 24 bits. To simplify data transmission between the host and the device, the 24 bits are often padded with zero bytes, resulting in a total data throughput of 96,000 x 2 channels x 4 bytes = 768,000 bytes/second. The isochronous endpoint operates at a speed of transmitting once every 125μs—equating to 8,000 transmissions per second. Dividing the required byte rate per second by the number of transmissions per second gives us the byte count per isochronous transfer: 768,000/8,000 = 96 bytes per transfer.

Clock Synchronization: The Key to Temporal Coordination

USB clock synchronization is also a crucial element. In the realm of digital audio, it is akin to navigating a maze of time, requiring a shared understanding of a common time concept. As mentioned earlier, USB frames are transmitted 8,000 times per second, while the speaker plays 96,000 samples per second. Only when the speaker and the host reach a consensus on the length of one second can they operate harmoniously.

USB audio provides three modes to ensure that the host and speaker progress together in time. In synchronous mode, the length of one second is defined by the host device, which sends data at a specific rate that the device must match. Asynchronous mode operates in the opposite manner, where the device defines the length of one second, and the host adjusts accordingly. In adaptive mode, the data flow dictates the clock direction.

However, neither adaptive nor synchronous modes are flawless, as personal computers often struggle to maintain stable clocks and may have other audio sources intervening, such as external digital tape decks. Asynchronous mode utilizes an external clock source or a low-jitter clock within the device as the master clock, typically relying on a crystal-based PLL. Therefore, there are at least two independent clocks in the system: one drives the USB transmission frequency of 8,000 times per second, and the other drives the sample rate (e.g., 96,000 Hz).

These clock frequencies may differ slightly and change subtly over time. For example, in the case of a 96,000 Hz sample rate, the average sample count may be 12.001. To ensure that the host sends the correct amount of data, it requests the current sample rate through the interrupt endpoint. Every few milliseconds, the average sample rate from the previous stage is reported in a 16.16 fixed-point format. If the final period's average is 12.001 frames, the reported value would be 0x000C0041 (65536*12.001).

With this average rate, the host can calculate when to send additional samples during transmission; in this case, every 8 transmissions per second will carry one extra sample. Additionally, the host can use this value to synchronize with audio devices, ensuring that host applications like DVD players keep video and audio in sync. Otherwise, the audio will gradually get ahead of the video, resulting in a one-second audio lead over the video after two hours.

To maintain a short feedback loop, it is crucial to avoid unnecessarily buffering audio data packets and feedback packets. Any additional buffering will introduce delays in the reports, making it more challenging to maintain smooth traffic. This means that the underlying USB protocol stack and the USB audio protocol stack should be tightly integrated without buffering in between. While implementing this on application processors is quite challenging, it is straightforward on embedded processors with predictable execution times.

In summary, maintaining a consistent time concept is vital in the digital audio world. The three modes provided by USB audio—synchronous, asynchronous, and adaptive—each play their part in ensuring synchronization between the host and peripheral devices, with asynchronous mode being more reliable due to the external clock source.

Complex Devices: Precise Choices for Multiple Clocks

In complex devices like mixers, multiple devices may provide sample rates through different interfaces. USB audio allows designers to deploy clock selectors to choose the input clock source from multiple inputs (such as the input clock from S/PDIF connections, local oscillators, and input clocks from ADAT connections). Users can select the input clock source, such as the one from S/PDIF connections, through control transfer.

Compliance Support: A Smooth Bridge for System Integration

In terms of compliance and native support, adhering to the USB Audio Class 2.0 standard ensures seamless integration between devices and operating systems, allowing easy control of parameters such as volume and sample rate through standard operating system dialog boxes.

The Outstanding Contributions of USB Audio

In conclusion, leveraging the robust advantages of high-speed USB 2.0, USB Audio Class 2.0 successfully establishes a low-latency transmission bridge between PCs and audio devices, ensuring high throughput and excellent sound quality. Its applicability spans a wide range, serving various devices from complex mixers to surround sound systems, PC speakers, and microphones, injecting continuous vitality and potential into the development of the audio field.

USB Sound Card Analysis: A Powerful Assistant to Enhance Audio Experience

In today’s digital age, the pursuit of audio quality has become increasingly diverse. Whether you are an enthusiast who loves listening to high-quality music, a professional who meticulously works in audio production, or a gamer seeking an immersive sound experience, everyone is on the lookout for ways to elevate their audio experience. The USB sound card, a multifunctional external sound card connected via USB, serves as a key to unlock exceptional audio quality, aimed at optimizing the audio performance of computers while cleverly expanding the limited audio interfaces originally available. Whether you are dissatisfied with the mediocre built-in sound system, aiming for professional-grade audio effects, or in need of more audio interfaces to meet complex requirements, the USB sound card is undoubtedly an outstanding solution.

Phaten Technology Shines with XMOS at the 2024 International Audio Industry Summit, Creating Unforgettable Moments

At the recently concluded 2024 International Audio Industry Summit and the 19^th Anniversary of the Acoustics Building, the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian) witnessed a dazzling display of audio technology. Phaten Technology, in partnership with XMOS, took center stage at Booth B12 in the Orchid Hall, presenting a suite of leading audio technologies that ignited the audience's passion for the future of audio. The event delivered a captivating showcase of cutting-edge technology and interactive experiences.

Phaten Technology Officially Becomes an XMOS Solution Partner

Phaten Technology recently announced that it has officially become an authorized solution partner of XMOS further enhancing its technical capabilities in the smart audio field. XMOS, a global leader in voice processing chips and solutions, is renowned for its advanced microphone arrays, voice signal processing, and AI noise reduction technologies, widely used in smart speakers, conferencing systems, and more. This collaboration signifies that Phaten Technology will now receive strong support from XMOS, enabling them to provide more efficient and intelligent audio solutions to their customers.

Phaten in collaboration with XMOS, invites you to the 2024 International Audio Industry Summit and the 19^th Anniversary Conference of the Acoustics Building

Sharing Innovative Technologies and Infinite Business Opportunities Brought by the New Audio Market

To promote rapid advancements in acoustic technology, drive innovation in the audio industry, and enhance international exchanges and business cooperation, the 2024 International Audio Industry Summit and the 19^th Anniversary Conference of the Acoustics Building will be held on October 18-19 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian). This conference will focus on showcasing the latest achievements in emerging markets, audio technologies, and industry developments from both domestic and international sources over the past year, leading the Chinese audio industry to continue progressing.

The XMOS xcore-voice solution is a complete product built on the xcore platform's hardware, software, and tools.

This solution offers a sample design of a voice pipeline using XMOS's industry-proven audio front end, including far-field voice processing and support for third-party ISV voice algorithms such as automatic speech recognition (ASR) engines for keyword detection or local command dictionaries.

This enables various applications and end products, such as smart TVs, set-top boxes, and smart home appliances. Specifically, the xcore-voice solution allows product designers to quickly and cost-effectively implement "across-the-room" voice interfaces while achieving optimal audio quality.

XMOS Partners with DSP Concepts to Accelerate Audio and Voice DSP Applications Development

Artificial intelligence and chip supplier XMOS announced a partnership with embedded audio software experts, DSP Concepts.This collaboration will enable audio developers to marry XMOS's highly deterministic, low latency xcore.ai platform with DSP Concepts' Audio Weaver software. This software allows users to graphically design and debug audio and voice solutions leveraging multi-cores. xcore.ai, integrating edge AI, DSP, control, and IO into a single device, is a high-performance, versatile processor specifically designed for smart IoT. It is entirely configurable in software and according to XMOS, it offers a cost-effective multi-functional platform for IoT products to reach the market swiftly.