The new MP3 decoder dissipates only 0.46 mW when decoding a typical MP3 stream at 128 kbps/44.1kHz, over 20 percent better than the next nearest competitor. At 0.83mm2 in TSMC 90nm G process, including RAMs, the ARC Sound Subsystem is already one of the industry’s smallest audio IP solutions. With the lowest power consumption and a very small area requirement the ARC Sound Subsystem is a better choice for energy starved and cost-sensitive MP3 applications. Both the hardware and software for MP3 decode is developed and supported by ARC.
Derek Meyer, COO of ARC International, said: ARC’s ongoing investment in software technologies has allowed us to move aggressively to offer highly optimized media codecs including this latest MP3 decoder. This advanced level of software optimization and resulting power reduction is a result of our acquisition of Alarity Corporation: the multimedia company with a reputation for leading edge codec software, firmware, and advanced multimedia technologies. This new MP3 decoder for the ARC Sound Subsystem is an example of their world class expertise.
