Quad core smart audio has Google Assistant features
In Las Vegas this week, Frontier Smart Technologies, will unveil its Minuet 2. The smart audio module allows OEMs and ODMs to integrate Google Assistant and Chromecast into high-performance smart audio products.
Minuet 2 is built around a powerful quad core AMLogic A113X SoC with Cortex A53 64-bit processor and a Marvell Wi-Fi/Bluetooth SoC which supports 802.11ac 2×2 and BT/BTL 4.2.
The Minuet 2 is designed to be used at the centre of hi-fidelity smart audio products, such as soundbars, wireless speakers, AVRs, surround sound systems and hi-fi systems. It can also be used to add Google Assistant into non-audio IoT products to provide an intuitive user interface for smart home and B2B devices.
Audio interfaces allow for multiple microphone connections using product data management (PDM), there is also a number of I2S input and output channels and Sony/Philips digital interface (SPDIF). A number of system interfaces is also provided, including an Ethernet interface, USB 2.0, general purpose I/O and I2C and UART serial connections.
Frontier’s SmartSDK is a Linux-based software framework for audio products, and a fully qualified reference design. Alongside the Minuet 2 module and software, Frontier also provides customisation and pre-compliance services that can minimise the time and cost required to get products to market.
There is also Frontier Nuvola, a cloud-based service, managed by Frontier. For use with the Minuet 2. Frontier Nuvola provides secure over the air (OTA) software updates and other device management functions ensuring that critical updates and new features can be pushed out to installed devices.
Minuet 2 is expected to be ready for mass production in the middle of 2019.