Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

ROHM Group Company LAPIS Technology Introduces the Industry's First Speech Synthesis ICs Dedicated to AVAS in Electric Vehicles

Santa Clara, CA and Kyoto, Japan, Jan. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ROHM Group company LAPIS Technology today introduced the industry's first[1] speech synthesis ICs – ML22120xx series (ML22120TB, ML22120GP) – designed for AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) in xEVs (electric vehicles).

In order to achieve a carbon neutral (decarbonized) society, the number of hybrid and electric vehicles that silently operate on motor power continues to increase, prompting AVAS regulations to be enacted requiring a warning sound to be emitted to alert pedestrians of their approach. However, when generating a warning sound using an MCU, the pitch and volume must be smoothly controlled, and characteristics adjusted to match the vehicle geometry. This increases MCU software development load, requiring verification with other software processes inside the MCU. In response, LAPIS Technology released new products that contribute to reducing the burden of AVAS development by leveraging experience and technology with speech synthesis ICs. The aim: achieving a high-fidelity sound using a novel hardware-based configuration.

The ML22120TB and the ML22120GP integrate hardware functions that include a warning sound generator, fader, and equalizer. Unlike MCU-based designs, the hardware configuration eliminates the need for software validation, significantly reducing development time. At the same time, dedicated GUI software makes it easy to comply with regulations for volume and frequency characteristics required for AVAS.

The system of new ICs can be controlled by simple commands, allowing warning sound to be started in less than one-tenth the time of conventional MCU-generated systems. An included fault detection function detects both erroneous communication with the main controller and erroneous oscillation caused by external components, contributing to vehicle reliability. 

Product Lineup
View the product lineup here: ML22120xx

Application Examples

  • Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS)
  • External vehicle alert sounds (sliding door open/close, charging completion)

Evaluation Board, GUI Software Information
An evaluation board and a Sound Device Control Kit [SDCK3] that includes dedicated GUI software are available, enabling easy evaluation of everything from sound generation to correction and trial listening of alert sounds.

Online Sales Information

  • Online Distributors: DigiKey, Mouser and Farnell
  • Availability: Now (OEM quantities)
  • The products and evaluation board will be offered at other online distributors as they become available.

Product Information

Support
Click on the link below for more information on the new speech synthesis ICs:
https://www.rohm.com/lapis-tech/product/speech/ml22120


[1] LAPIS Technology study, January 2024

Attachments


Keng Ly
ROHM Semiconductor
(248) 348-9920
kly@rohmsemiconductor.com

Heather Savage
BWW Communications
(408) 507-4398
heather.savage@bwwcomms.com
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.