Typically, a sound chip is a small microchip, AKA integrated circuit(IC), which is designed to execute voice-related functions, such as voice playback, sound recording, speech control, etc.
However, some chips can be integrated with even more functions to make easier the process of engineering development of electronic devices, for example, BlueTooth data transfer, DSP(Digital Signal Processors) control.
Voice ICs can be classified according to whether the sound data is rewritable into two categories: OTP voice chip and programmable sound chip.
OTP is the abbreviation of One-Time Programmable. The sound data burned in OTP voice chips are not changeable. Manufacturers commonly will help you burn the sound into chips before delivery.
Since the sound data is written into the built-in ROM memory, this kind of sound chip does not need an external flash for restoring the sound, however, its capacity is relatively small, WayTronic WTN6040 can only play 40-second voice(sample rate: 6K), its maximum version WTN6170 in the same WTN6 series has 170-second space for sound.
Projects with a limited budget or restricted room for electronic components are advised to adopt OTP voice chips since they are cheaper and do not need more space for external flash IC.
Programmable sound chips are the ones with rewritable memory, where music files (mp3, wav, bin, etc.) are commonly stored in. Depending on voice time span or file sizes, the memory can be built-in RAM, external SPI flash ICs, or TF cards.
In practical applications, programmable voice ICs benefits industries that may have to frequently change the voice in sound chips, for instance, bike share products need to renew greeting sound on every public festival
During the prototype period, products-developing companies do not need to order samples from IC suppliers repetitively. With a sound chip programmer which is provided by manufacturers, engineers can burn new music files into chips conveniently. Some professional manufacturers in China can even share host computers for compiling bin files
Tips: a sound chip programmer is a helpful tool for engineering, sometimes, it can also be used for production in small batches.
Voice ICs are electronic chips that are designed to execute voice playback or recording primarily.
However, according to data transferring methods and types of music files they support to play, they can also be classified as OTP voice IC, mp3 player chip, Bluetooth audio ic, some advanced types (known as speech control IC) can even implement special commands according to the voice received from human
While OTP types can only read bin files, the mp3 player chip can directly play mp3 files that are stored in TF cards or SPI flash. Projects that have requirements on sound quality are always recommended to adopt mp3 player chips.
Bluetooth audio IC can connect to external devices to receive voice data that is received by the external devices.
Typically, they can be used in all of the devices that relate to sound or hearing.
Waytronic has successfully developed many voice solutions for our clients, we are authorized to share some information on our blog posts, please refer to links in the following list.
The requirements of voice vary in different projects, which results in how we choose to store sound.
Generally, there are 3 options for product-developing engineers
Refer to more information in the comparison table below
| Time Span | Part Number | Time | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| short | WTN6 Series | 40 – 170 seconds | Built-in chips |
| short | WT588F02B | 170 seconds | Built-in chips or Flash |
| moderate | WT2003HX | A Few hours | SPI Flash |
| moderate | WT588F08A | 680 seconds | Built-in chips |
| long | WT2003H | A Few hours | TF cards |
| long | WT2605 | A Few hours | TF cards |
| long | WT200H | A Few hours | TF cards |
Generally speaking, voice IC works according to commands from MCU (microcontroller unit), which could control voice chips by UART, One-line serial ports, Two-line serial ports, IIC, SPI.
But, sometimes, we can customize its control method, such as buttons or other custom communication protocols, to make the IC execute order correctly.
Theoretically, It can support more than 60 000 periods, but in practical situation, common projects will only use around one to several thousands of periods.
Music files are commonly stored in internal memory units of ICs, external SPI flash, or TF cards, but how to transfer those files to the right place can be very different in each project.
Here we can review some of them:
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