Silicon Labs Combines Voice and M2M Connectivity in Latest Communications Chipsets
Next-generation Si24xx Data ISOmodem® product family -
Provides sophisticated voice capabilities for security systems, home automation, and POS terminals

August 16, 2011 – Silicon Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB, Country Manager Jong-Chan Lee), a global leader in high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, announced today the launch of the next generation of its widely used Si24xx ISOmodem family. The Si24xx ISOmodem family provides advanced voice capabilities, low power consumption, reduced BOM costs, and flexible interface options for a wide range of data modem applications. The innovative Si24xx data modem ICs meet the demands for voice and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication for security and home automation systems, smart utility meters, set-top boxes, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and numerous electronic systems connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

The voice feature set of the Si24xx ISOmodem family is more comprehensive, providing superior performance and audio fidelity compared to existing data modem solutions. When combined with Silicon Labs' industry-wide Si3000 voice codec, the Si24xx data modem supports handset, speakerphone (full/half-bidirectional), voice menu, and answering machine functions. Developers can easily add phone calling and voice capabilities to any embedded system without the dedicated voice processing ICs or host-based DSP software required by traditional approaches. Voice-enabled Si24xx ICs are ideal for any system requiring phone calling capabilities, ranging from POS terminals and security systems to video phones and medical monitoring equipment.

In addition to full support for ITU-T “V-dot” data communication, compression, and error correction protocols, the ISOmodem family supports specialized protocols used in security and POS applications. The Si24xx family possesses flexibility such as standard DTMF generation/detection and user-programmable tone detection/generation, enabling support for non-standard custom protocols via host software.

As part of Silicon Labs’ “eco-friendly” solutions, the Si24xx ISOmodem family provides the industry’s lowest power consumption in active and standby modes. The ISOmodem chipset operates on a single 3.3V power supply and consumes only 56mW during normal operation (on-hook, idle). Power consumption can be further reduced to 0.3mW and 15mW via Sleep and Wake-On-Ring modes, respectively. This feature allows the system to respond to telephone line events while consuming very little power, ensuring the system remains in an “always-on” state.

The Si24xx ISOmodem IC is available in an ultra-small 5mm x 7mm QFN, enabling embedded modem designs with a minimized total board area. Developers can use a low-cost, small 32kHz “watch” crystal instead of the high-cost, large crystal typically used in embedded modems. In addition, Si24xx devices provide options for using SPI (serial peripheral interface) as well as UART and parallel interfaces, enabling resource sharing with multiple peripherals.

Carlos Garcia, Vice President of Wired Products at Silicon Labs, stated, “As a developer of the leading silicon DAA architecture, Silicon Labs continues to invest in embedded modem technology that supports customers in reducing power, component count, and system costs. Silicon Labs’ next-generation Si24xx ISOmodem family provides developers with the best flexibility, reliability, surge protection, and advanced voice capabilities for phone applications.”

The Si24xx data modem utilizes the world's most widely used patented architecture incorporating a silicon data access arrangement (DAA) solution. Silicon Labs' global silicon DAA provides superior surge immunity without additional BOM costs. A single hardware design can support all speeds and meet global standard compliance requirements.

Product Price and Supply
Samples and mass-produced Si24xx ISOmodem chipsets are currently available for purchase. The price range for ISOmodem/DAA chipsets is $6.44 to $11.43 per 10,000 units, depending on the maximum data rate, system-side package type, and temperature range. Evaluation kits, such as the Si2494-A-FM18-EVB, are available for purchase at $150 per unit.

For detailed information, samples, and purchasing development tools for Silicon Labs' Si24xx ISOmodem product family, please visit www.silabs.com/ISOmodem .