Music is now distributed via data files over the Internet and on USB mass storage devices, SD cards or MP3 players and smartphones. Atmel's Digital Audio Platform provides a one-stop shop for the microcontroller and firmware that enable you to quickly and easily build equipment that accesses and plays digital music. The platform simplifies development of core audio functions, delivering a plug-and-play capability that allows you to focus on creating unique product features.

 

Key Features

Made For iPod (MFi) protocol stack that allows control and streaming of digital audio from an iPod®, iPhone® or iPad® device MP3 decoder WMA decoder AAC decoder WAV decoder

Music file player from SD card Music file player from USB mass storage device USB speaker and microphone capability (audio class) Stream synchronization

Typical Applications

USB docking stations for iPod, iPhone and iPad devices Memory playback systems for SD cards or USB mass storage Car radios Home audio systems

USB speakers & microphones Keyboards and guitar amplifiers Talking applications

 

Architecture of Atmel Audio Firmware

*PCP: Proprietary Communication Protocol with Apple devices

The core of the firmware is a player that integrates file system management, the USB stack, the user interface and all the synchronization mechanisms required by audio applications. This player takes various files or streams as input and then outputs music after interfacing with Atmel licensed audio firmware intellectual property (IP).

 

Licensing

Atmel licensed audio firmware IP cores are delivered free of charge. Since they are based on commercial license agreements, you can keep your proprietary code confidential while freely using these high-quality firmware IP cores. Since they come with a simple click-through license agreement, they are ready to be used right away without spending time or money negotiating and entering into software license agreements with firmware providers. At Atmel, we would rather see you spend time and efforts on your application design.

 

Atmel Audio Microcontrollers

Atmel licensed audio firmware IP will work on dedicated audio devices, including the following ones:

Atmel AVR UC3 Audio Devices
Device	Flash	SRAM	I2S	SD/MMC	USB	CAN	Automotive	Package
AT32UC3A0128AU	128	32	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	0	No	LQFP144
AT32UC3A0256AU	256	64	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	0	No	LQFP144
AT32UC3A0512AU	512	64	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	0	Yes	LQFP144
AT32UC3A1256AU	256	64	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	0	No	TQFP100
AT32UC3A1512AU	512	64	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	0	No	TQFP100
AT32UC3A3256AU	256	128	Yes	Specialized*	Hi-Speed Host/OTG	0	No	LQFP144
AT32UC3B0128AU	128	32	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	0	No	TQFP64, QFN64
AT32UC3B0512AU	512	96	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	0	No	QFN64
AT32UC3C0512AU	512	68	Yes	SPI	Full Speed Host/OTG	2	Yes	LQFP144

*AVR UC3A3 and AVR UC3A4 series have a dedicated Multimedia Card interface which provides optimum transfer speed.

 

Evaluation Kits and Design Tools

To accelerate development time, we suggest you start prototyping with an Atmel audio evaluation kit right away.

EVK1105AU includes an AT32UC3A0512AU and is delivered with an MP3 demo player. The kit is available for $179 USD at store.atmel.com and your local distributor. Learn more about EVK1105AU.

EVK1104AU includes an AT32UC3A3256AU and is delivered with an MP3 demo player. The kit is available for $169 USD at store.atmel.com and your local distributor. Learn more about EVK1104AU.

EVK1105-MFi is based on the EVK1105AU evaluation kit and enables you to stream digital audio from an Apple device, display a custom logo on the Apple device, remotely control it and display cover art and ID3 information on the kit's LCD screen. The EVK1105-MFi is only available to customers enrolled in the MFi licensing program and can only be obtained via Apple's authorized MFi component distributor. Learn more about EVK1105-MFi.

Learn more about Atmel solutions for audio.