Texas Instruments becomes the latest semiconductor licensee of Cambridge Mechatronics' Digital Sound Projector technology

Cambridge, UK, July 7th, 2009, Cambridge Mechatronics Limited (CML), a leading developer of electronic precision actuator products and Intellectual Property targeted at high volume consumer applications, today announced that Texas Instruments (TI) of Dallas, Texas has licensed its Digital Sound Projector technology.

TI is already in the latter stages of implementing support for CML's Digital Sound Projector technology (based on phased actuator arrays) into its audio DSP product lines that target high volume home theatre applications, such as flat-panel TVs (FPTVs) and soundbars. Through CML's Digital Sound Projector technology, TI's customers will be able to build integrated FPTV sound systems that deliver real 5.1 surround sound from digital media formatted by either Dolby Laboratories or DTS.

The inclusion of CML's Digital Sound Projector will further enhance TI's comprehensive silicon support for high-quality, price-competitive audio-visual products. As well as offering the industry leading audio DSPs, TI also provides, audio codecs, SPDIF receivers, multi-channel digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and multi-channel digital amplifiers. The complete TI/CML solution is scheduled to be available in production quantities during Q4 2009.

The essence of CML's Digital Sound Projector technology is that each of the 5.1 channels is allocated its own sound beam, two of which are specifically directed so that the sound bounces off the walls and ceilings such that it comes to the listener from behind, thus providing the rear surround sound. Another component of the Digital Sound Projector technology is that it can be automatically calibrated for any particular location. To date, CML has been awarded 21 international patents for inventions related to its Digital Sound Projector technology with many more pending.

The growing penetration of HDTV broadcasting services, Blu-ray video players and digital media formatted for multi-channel sound has driven increased demand for television related sound systems that deliver a true cinematic audio experience. Initially only those who went to the expense and inconvenience of installing a multi-box speaker system, wired around and into their rooms could experience the additional pleasure of theatrical sound. In 2005 Yamaha ensured that this was no longer necessary when it launched its revolutionary YSP Soundbar product family. This product is based on CML's Digital Sound Projector and was the first affordable sound system that provided real surround sound from a single speaker enclosure placed under the TV. In 2008 Mitsubishi, Grundig and Beko demonstrated that the same technology could be integrated seamlessly into an FPTV chassis. CML and TI are confident that their new partnership will lead to many more FPTV and Audio Equipment manufacturers announcing products that include Digital Sound Projector technology during 2009.

"For too long now, sound has been an afterthought in the development of flat-panel TVs," said Claus Neesgaard, product line manager for Audio DSP products at TI. "With the combination of CML's Sound Projector technology and TI's extensive Audio DSP offerings ODM's can develop cost-effective, easy-to-use TV sound systems giving consumers exactly what they want: cinema-quality sound in the convenience of their own living room."