Latest middleware software module enables large-dictionary, speaker independent command recognition using low-cost ColdFire embedded microprocessor device.

TORONTO – June 23, 2010 –Arcturus Networks Inc. today demonstrated live at the Freescale Technology Forum in Orlando Florida the use of a new software module specifically designed to provide a voice control interface for embedded devices. The hands-on lab featured two 32-bit Freescale ColdFire V3 hardware platforms running specialized software that accepts spoken-word commands to control system functions and external devices. The software, targeted at developers, demonstrated how the system could be used in home automation applications, patient monitoring, appliance control, automated order taking or other applications where a touch interface may not be practical or desirable.

The command recognition software is built on top of existing Arcturus Middleware that already supports digital voice and telephony functionality. The system provides an application framework that decodes human voice using a speaker independent speech recognition model. The system post-parses the output of the speech recognition application to look for command matches, signal success or failure and execute associated actions. The application framework is extensible and includes facilities to run internal commands, launch applications, place a telephone call or control external devices.

The speech recognition application uses an industry leading acoustic model based on 78,000 training utterances or the equivalent of approximately 73 hours of speech. The implementation contains a run-time configurable vocabulary to give developers a virtually unlimited command set, without having to recompile or update firmware. A run-time configurable sentence corpus provides increased command match determinism with no significant impact on system resource requirements.

“When compared with a touch screen and LCD, adding a small microphone or speaker represents a fraction of the system cost and size,” said David Steele, product manager at Arcturus. “Many applications can benefit from this, from devices like ticketing equipment and vending machines to home automation systems. A key area of interest is devices that can help overcome the mobility and safety issues faced by our aging population.”

In addition to demonstrating how to place and receive calls, the hands-on lab also showed developers how they could use the middleware as a voice interface to control external devices through the general purpose I/O of the ColdFire processor. The hands-on lab made use of an out-of-the-box demo that assigned a group of digital outputs to a configurable table of voice command matches. Using this demo, developers were able to quickly create a powerful voice control system and interface it with external equipment such as appliances, lights, actuators or controls.

Pricing and Availability

The solution is currently available from Arcturus as part of a suite of licensed Middleware available for the uC53017 embedded voice module. Installation support is provided. In addition, through a partnership with Arcturus, Freescale is providing a version available at no charge with the purchase of a MCF53015-EVB development board.

More Information

About Arcturus Networks Inc.

Arcturus Networks Inc. is a leader in providing embedded solutions for communication and industrial applications. Recognized as a pioneer of uClinux, Arcturus has contributed to the innovation of thousands of products and helped to establish embedded Linux solutions as a defacto global standard. Arcturus simplifies product development by creating enabling technologies including a line of product-ready hardware modules, corresponding open source OS packages and middleware solutions for device management, voice and media. Arcturus middleware is award winning and certified interoperable by leading infrastructure vendors. For more information, visit http://www.arcturusnetworks.com.

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Non-recurring engineering (NRE)-free VoIP-based digital voice software solution was designed in partnership with Encore Software and Arcturus Networks specifically for industrial and consumer applications.

AUSTIN, Texas – Feb. 24, 2010 – Freescale Semiconductor has introduced the ColdFire MCF5301x 32-bit family of microprocessors (MPUs) to help designers get the most performance from their industrial and consumer applications while providing low power consumption.

The highly integrated MCF5301x family, based on the V3 ColdFire core, combines low power and extensive connectivity options with an audio subsystem to create a powerful platform for general industrial control applications, including the optional digital voice solution for intercom and public address systems.

The audio subsystem includes a speech coder-decoder (CODEC), microphone, headset and loudspeaker amplifiers. In addition, an optional non-recurring engineering (NRE)-free VoIP-based digital voice software solution was designed in partnership with Encore Software and Arcturus Networks specifically for industrial and consumer applications.

The MCF5301x family includes multiple connectivity options, including dual 10/100 Ethernet media access controllers (MACs), two smart card interfaces, two USB controllers and an SDIO host controller for easy connection to flash memory cards or wireless connectivity modules, such as the Redpine‘s n-link™ 802.11n Wi-Fi modules. In addition, the V3 ColdFire CPU with enhanced multiply accumulate unit, 16 KB of cache and 128 KB of integrated SRAM, provides a high level of performance for embedded control with industry-leading low power consumption across all operating modes.

Ease of use

The MCF5301x is supported by a rich ecosystem of Freescale and third-party hardware and software tools. Freescale’s CodeWarrior™ Development studio for Microcontrollers v.7.2 offers a comprehensive tool suite that supports software development for future migration opportunities for 8-bit, 16-bit or 32-bit designs.

The MCF5301x 32-bit MPUs are available now, with suggested resale pricing in 10,000-unit quantities starting at $7.99 (USD). To simplify board design, Freescale offers a cost-effective evaluation board kit and other development tools:

• Evaluation Boards (M53015EVB): MSRP $599
• Digital Voice Solution Kit (M53017KIT): MSRP $799
• Production Ready Digital Voice Module (M53017MOD): MSRP at 1,000-unit quantities $118

For more information about the MCF5301x MPUs, demonstration board kit and development tools, visit www.freescale.com/coldfire.

About Arcturus Networks Inc.

Arcturus Networks Inc. is a leader in providing embedded solutions for communication and industrial applications. Recognized as a pioneer of uClinux, Arcturus has contributed to the innovation of thousands of products and helped to establish embedded Linux solutions as a defacto global standard. Arcturus simplifies product development by creating enabling technologies including a line of product-ready hardware modules, corresponding open source OS packages and middleware solutions for device management, voice and media. Arcturus middleware is award winning and certified interoperable by leading infrastructure vendors. For more information, visit http://www.arcturusnetworks.com.

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A life cycle status change in the Toshiba NOR TC58FVM6B5BTG-65 8 Mbyte flash used in some Arcturus product has resulted in a permanent component substitution on the following parts:

uC68VZ328-8E8L33, uC68VZ328-8E8L33-X, uC5272-8E32U66, uC5272-8E32U66-X, uC5272-8EE32U66, uC5272-8EE32U66-X, uC5282-8E16C64, uC5282-8E16C64-X, uC5282-8E16C80, uC5282-8E16C80-X

Due to the end-of-life status of the Toshiba NOR TC58FVM6B5BTG-65 the affected parts will transition immediately to an alternative pin compatible NOR Flash component.

The alternative component will be RoHS compliant and available in extended temperature.

Lifecycle status will remain the same on all affected products.

For additional information including order and pricing contacts, refer to the:

Detailed Product Bulletin

A performance increase for the 33MHz uC68VZ32 product line is planned for Q4, 2009. The performance increase is the result of a pin-compatible module that makes use of the 240MHz MCF5328 ColdFire^® processor from Freescale^TM Semiconductor. The 240MHz product will be uniquely identified by part numbers beginning with UCCF5328D144. The product will be RoHS compliant and available in extended temperature versions.

The performance increase should only represent minimal software changes for most applications. It is expected that customers using the 33MHz uC68VZ328 may take advantage of the enhanced performance of the 240MHz product with no impact to their existing hardware design. The 33MHz uC68VZ328 will remain in full production.

The product is RoHS compliant and available in extended temperature versions.

Alpha program and migration support is available immediately.

For additional information including order and pricing contacts, refer to the:

Detailed Product Bulletin

Development time and risk reduced for array of SIP- and VoIP-based applications in industrial, healthcare, building security, transportation, and point-of-service

NORWOOD, MA – September 16, 2009 With the growing popularity of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) for enabling multimedia communications over IP (Internet Protocol) networks, Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI) and Arcturus Networks Inc. are introducing the uCBF54x Start Kit and System Module to speed development of embedded media devices that feature multichannel voice, mini PBX, or IP video capabilities. Targeted commercial and industrial applications that can benefit from using the uCBF54x for SIP-enabled two-way voice and/or video communications include: building and industrial safety systems, such as access control and public address; passenger assistance applications in mass transit; healthcare monitoring; and point-of-service, including central order-taking at quick-service restaurants. Based on ADI’s Blackfin? processor with voice, media, and management software and support from Arcturus Networks, the uCBF54x solution is available immediately in two forms: either as part of a development kit (Start Kit) complete with implementation examples, or as a system-on-a-module (System Module) suited for dropping directly into end-products. The uCBF54x Start Kit and System Module are available from Digi-Key, an Analog Devices authorized distributor. A product training video detailing the Arcturus kit and module is also available from Digi-Key.

The uCBF54x Start Kit and System Module are based on a small form-factor embedded processor module that uses the high-performance 533 MHz Blackfin BF548 processor to support up to six channels of audio. This system-level solution integrates all subsystem components, including memory, codecs (Analog Devices’ SSM2603 low-power audio codec), transceivers, and network controller, to develop most applications with only limited external circuitry. Software includes an open source uClinux? BSP (board support package) and Arcturus Voice and Management Middleware, including a complete SIP and RTP stack. A host board is provided as part of the Start Kit and can be used as a reference for hardware and software development.

The combination of vendor-proven hardware, open source software, and middleware, offers engineers the best of both worlds: flexibility to customize, integrate, and control the software, while having Arcturus available to provide system integration. Complete details about the uCBF54x are available here.

“Collaborating with ADI to create the uCBF54x has enabled us to deliver a highly cost-effective solution for multichannel embedded voice applications,” said David Steele, product manager at Arcturus. “The performance we’re able to achieve, courtesy of Blackfin, makes this a very capable platform with application in all parts of an embedded media system, including mini-PBX servers and video devices. It’s this soup-to-nuts capability we believe will help drive the next level of convergence for commercial and industrial applications.”

“To succeed in replacing aging analog systems and provide better communication, digital voice products have to be able to support multiple channels of audio, and when the application requires, be extensible to video,” said Stephen Daly, channel marketing director, General Purpose DSP Division, Analog Devices. “Embedded media applications like these are a stronghold for Blackfin. Digital signal processing and microcontroller functions are handled on a single processor, and Blackfin allows for flexible partitioning among control, network, multimedia, and signal processing tasks.”

Pricing, Options, and Resources

The Start Kit (ADSP-3PARCBF548E02) is available for $615. The System Module (ADSP-3PARCBF548M01) is $130 in quantities of 1,000. An expansion pack featuring daughter cards for video-to-VGA conversion and 4-port gigabit Ethernet (GigE) is planned for late 2009. In addition, a version of the uCBF54x Start Kit and System Module based on the Blackfin BF542 processor is planned for early 2010.

Links to additional information:

ADI uCBF54x Start Kit and System Module product page

Arcturus uCBF54x Start Kit and System Module product page

uCBF54x Start Kit and System Module video demo

About Arcturus

Arcturus Networks Inc. is a leader in providing embedded solutions for communication and industrial applications. Recognized as a pioneer of uClinux, Arcturus has contributed to the innovation of thousands of products globally and helped to establish embedded Linux solutions as a defacto global standard. Since 2002, Arcturus has focused on creating enabling technologies for product developers including a line of product-ready hardware modules, corresponding open source OS packages, and middleware solutions. Arcturus middleware simplifies product development by providing complete sub-systems for device management and media. Arcturus middleware is award winning and certified interoperable by leading infrastructure vendors. For more information, visit http://www.arcturusnetworks.com.

About Analog Devices

Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the longest standing, highest growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers, representing virtually all types of electronic equipment. Celebrating 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, with design and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Analog Devices’ common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ADI” and is included in the S&P 500 Index.

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Blackfin is a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners.

A new part is being introduced in the uC53281 product family. The new part reflects an audio sample rate increase from 8kHz to 16kHz to support wide-band audio vocoders. The sample rate increase is a result of a hardware design change that integrates the National Semiconductor® LM4931 audio codec. The use of the LM4931 audio codec expands the application of uC53281 product line to support wide-band vocoders including G.722 suitable for hi-definition voice or background music applications.

The existing uC53281 rev 1.2, (part number uC53281-16E32UVC240-XR) utilizing the LM4930 voice codec will remain available, in full production with no lifecycle status change. The new part using the LM4931 audio codec is pin compatible with previous versions and will be identified by the following unique part number: uCCF53281S50-16E32UACDL240-XR.

The performance increase represents minimal changes to hardware and software. It is expected that customers using existing uC53281 r1.2 hardware version may transparently take advantage of the enhanced audio capabilities with the little or no impact to their existing design or application software.

The product is RoHS compliant and available in extended temperature versions.

For additional information including order and pricing contacts, refer to the:

Detailed Product Bulletin

Effectively immediately, the uC54714E8D50-C superset part and derivative products are no longer being recommended for new designs. The part will remain available to existing customers for a period of 1 year from the date of this announcement, before moving to a Last Time Buy on May 5th 2010.

During this one (1) year transition period extending from May 5th 2009 to May 5th 2010 a program is being offered to existing customers to support migration efforts to the uC53281 platform.

All existing customers should have received notification prior to May 1st 2009 regarding this change and qualification for the migration support program.

For additional information including order and pricing contacts, refer to the:

Detailed Product Bulletin

Freescale^™ Semiconductor, Arcturus and Encore Software have released a solution white paper for the uC53281 Embedded Voice Module and software solution.

Solution White Paper

TORONTO, and BANGALORE, July 29, 2008 – Arcturus Networks Inc. and Encore Software Ltd today announced a strategic partnership that will help propel the adoption of embedded VoIP (Voice over IP) solutions in three key market segments; health care, building automation and industrial control. The effort has been focused around an existing Freescale ColdFire® microcontroller platform and has produced an expanded portfolio of software including Encore voice processing subsystem and Arcturus Middleware.

Arcturus and Encore have worked together since 2006 to deliver bundled solutions for VoIP. The two companies have leveraged this relationship, along with mutual partner Freescale Semiconductor to identify and execute on a joint technology road-map to deliver VoIP solutions for industrial and commercial applications. In 2007, the collaboration resulted in a flexible hardware and software package that gives manufacturers the ability to roll-out feature rich VoIP products without the prohibitive NRE costs or multi-vendor licensing agreements that make other solutions difficult to work with.

The collaboration has further expanded to integrate additional key middleware and voice processing subsystem components that meet the specific needs of applications in health care, building systems and industrial control. Products in these segments include; in-home health care monitoring; patient monitoring/call systems, integrated alarm panels, fire control, access systems, mass notification and over-head paging devices, as well as embedded voice applications for industrial control.

The solution will be made available on the extensible uC53281 (M53281-MOD) VoIP module hardware platform (M53281KIT), co-developed by Arcturus and Freescale and using the powerful MCF53281 VoIP processor. The hardware module, combined with the flexible business model allows developers to take advantage of the time-to-market savings a proven off-the-shelf component can provide, while still retaining the freedom to leverage the design. The module is easily integrated into end-products with minimal external circuitry and is suitable for operation in harsh environments.

Learn more about the product

“This system solution makes it easy to add voice functionality to industrial applications, without having to be a telephony expert, and without complex licensing and NRE requirements.,” said Jeff Bock, global product marketing manager for Freescale’s Microcontroller Solutions Group. “In many applications, the ColdFire® processor will be able to both control the application and handle the voice functionality.”.

“We hope that Encore’s commitment toward developing quality voice processing subsystems would go a long way in delivering robust VoIP solutions for the verticals such as healthcare monitoring, building systems and industrial control. We are pleased to partner with Arcturus and Freescale in this endeavour” said Vasuki. M .P.,Vice President, Encore Software.

“We recognize three key opportunities for two-way voice communications; healthcare applications, especially the independent living requirements of our aging population; the needs of next generation alarm and building systems, as well as industrial equipment, where the addition of voice can benefit service or increase process efficiency. Together we have spent eight months talking with manufacturers to identify their needs and build a solution that will help them deliver these realities.” said Michael Durrant, Vice President Engineering, Arcturus.

About the Solution

The solution includes Arcturus Management and Voice middleware as well as integrated voice processing subsystem components from Encore. Included are the following enhancements; iLBC, user tunable AEC (acoustic echo cancellation), wide-band audio (G.722), voice support for compatibility with two-way radios and other non-symmetric applications as well as enhanced robust signaling support. Zeroconf Networking using Multicast DNS with support for the announcement and discovery of network services. In addition, the ability to store and trigger predefined audio messages, broadcast audio support using multicast RTP with definable groups, alert tones, priority queuing; intercom functions with privacy and announced modes as well as hot-line functions. The package includes a complete uClinux distribution including NANOx GUI tool kit for the creation of LCD based interfaces. Complete run-time configurable demonstrations are included.

Arcturus Management Middleware

Arcturus Management Middleware is a centralized device management system for embedded products. It provides a simple SNMP compatible set/get API that uses industry standard MIBs (management objects) along with a configuration engine to monitor and control system interfaces, processes and services. The middleware views the system as whole and has the ability to manage configuration changes in a controlled way, maintaining the quality of experience for the user and robustness of the product. The middleware includes a complete set of tools that can be modified or used as is. The tools include; HTTPs based web user interface, interactive voice response, a command line client, an SSL enabled remote provisioning system, as well as firmware management with failover and recovery framework.

Voice and Media Middleware

The voice and media middleware includes a complete telephony application with SIP signaling and RTP media transport. The VoIP system utilizes a signaling abstraction layer to ensure call flow compatibility with a broad variety of infrastructure equipment, service providers and open source PBX implementations. The abstraction layer is configurable at runtime, enabling manufacturers to deploy systems on various networks with different equipment, without the burden of managing multiple firmware loads. The solution supports most standard telephony features and includes a configurable digitmap, and a simple API with reference examples for integration into applications.

About Encore Voice Processing Subsystems

Encore has been developing optimized voice processing solutions for eight years. The solution set comprises of all the ITU-T speech codecs, 3GPP codecs, echo cancellers, telephony algorithms. In addition to the individual components, Encore has also developed integrated subsystems for VoIP and FoIP products. The voice processing software modules have been ported to a large number of standard DSP and RISC CPU’s. Some of the features of Encore’s modules that help a system integrator include multi-channel capability, C callability, relocatable data, built-in scratch memory management, interruptability and reentrancy.

About the Freescale MCF53281

Featuring an integrated Enhanced Multiply Accumulate (eMAC) control unit, the MCF53281 MPU provides a cost-effective solution for processing packet-based audio, controlling embedded applications and managing network connections. This high level of on-chip integration helps reduce system cost and complexity, resulting in a simplified bill of materials. The MCF53281 includes an integrated SVGA LCD controller for a graphics based user interface. It also supports a wide range of connectivity including 10/100 Ethernet, CAN, USBs, UARTs, SPI and I2C. In addition, the MCF53281 includes the middleware from Arcturus Networks and the voice processing software from Encore to develop a feature-rich product that does not require an NRE. This easy to use, cost-effective solution helps to simplify development and allows designers to enable more applications with VoIP capability.

Learn more about the Freescale ColdFire MCF53281 processor

Availability

The development kit is currently available from Arcturus, Freescale or Freescale distributors for $795. Demonstrations and training using the enhanced solution were available at the Freescale Technology forum June 16 – 19, 2008, in Orlando, Florida.

A performance increase for the uC5272 product line is planned for Q3 2008.

The performance increase is a result of the availability of a MCF5275 ColdFire^®processor from Freescale^™ Semiconductor. Existing products using the standard 66MHz or 48MHz MCF5272 ColdFire processor will remain available with no lifecycle status change. The new 150MHz product will be uniquely identified by part numbers beginning with uC5275. The product will be RoHS compliant and available in extended temperature versions.

The performance increase represents a new hardware design that conforms to the 144pin uCdimm edge connector bus standard. This standard enables customers with existing uC5272 applications to take advantage of the performance increase of the uC5275 module with minimal changes to existing hardware and application software.

For additional information including order and pricing contacts, refer to the:

Detailed Product Bulletin