Texas ROM stores speech

Texas Instruments has announced a 32k ROM as an addition to its growing family of Solid-State Speech devices. The TMS6125, which stores speech data for Tl's voice-synthesis processors, has these onchip features: autoincre- menting, address decoding and look-up and I~ranching capabilities, as well as a gate-programmable oscillator. In addi- tion to storing speech data, the TMS6125 can be used in a wide range of other ROM applications.

Fifty-word vocabulary

Capable of storing a 30-50 word vocabulary, the TMS 6125 meets the needs of speech customers who require ROMs with a smaller storage capacity than provided by Tl's TMS 6100, a 128k device. This makes it cost-effec- tive for such products as fire alarms, telephone-answering devices, elec- tronic devices, electronic games and other devices which can be enhanced by the use of synthesized speech.

The type of data stored by the TMS 6125 includes synthesized-speech data and/or related program data, algorithms and display information. The speech data can consist of words and phrases which have been recorded, analysed and encoded using the linear predictive coding (LPC) technique of speech synthesis. The data is stored in the RMS6125 by maskprogramming the device. The TMS6125 is also avail- able in low-cost versions that are pre- programmed with standard vocabu- laries, such as the VM71001, a prepro- grammed version of the TMS6125 that stores 49 industrial-type words and phrases.

Internally organized as 4k x 8, the TMS6125 can be maskprogrammed to provide either a one-bit serial output or a four-bit parallel output. The device also has an internal chip-select option that can be maskprogrammed to allow the parallel connection of up to four TMS6125 devices for a total access of 16 kbyte of memory. This equals about 200 words or 100 s of speech.

The TMS6125 handles autoincre- menting, address decoding and look-up

and branching functions without any external hardware. These features enable the TMS6125 to transfer large quantities of continuous information to the voice-synthesis processor, while requiring less than 10 per cent of the processor's time. Fabricated using PMOS technology, the TMS6125 uses a supply voltage of 9 V and has a continuous power dissipation of about 200mW. The device is available in a 16-pin, 300 mm plastic package with 100 mm pin spacing. Operating temp- erature range is 0-70°C.

The Tinytalker is claimed as the simplest introduction yet to low-cost speech synthesis. J ust announced by Texas Instruments, it is a selfcontained unit which speaks any of eight phrases

at the touch of a button. Add a 9 V supply and loudspeaker, says TI, and it is fully operational. Priced at £39.50, it can be interfaced with microprocessor control for such applications as warning systems and video games. Tinytalker uses the TMS5100 voice synthesis processor, linked with three TTL parts and the TMS2532 EPROM to make it a stand-alone module.

A single TMS2532 holds eight phrases, each of which - through the high data compression of Tl's linear predictive coding technique - can be more than 4 s long. The module's phrase selection can be simply in- creased by the addition of TMS2532s (or TMS2516s for shorter phrases). (Texas Instruments Ltd, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7PA, UK. Tel: (0234) 67466)

Floppy controller for Multibus Giltspur have announced a floppy disc controller board designed for use with Multibus-compatible systems. The Zendex ZX200A is an intelligent DMA controller, providing both Intel single- and double-density formats. The single board plugs directly into any I ntel-compatible system. The ZX200A emulates both the iSBC 201 and 202 floppy disc controllers and is fully ISIS II and RMX/80/86/88 compatible. CPM/80 and CPM/86 is available to run on the ZX20OA.

The board is designed for use in target SBC systems where it is com- patible with the Shugart SAS00 inter- face or as a controller within a standard development systems. Its Intel com- patibility provides a unique feature

Multibus~compatible floppy disc controller board from Giltspur Engineering

when used in a standard MDS800 or Series II development system. Because of its emulation of both the single and double density controllers, it is possible to use a single ZX200A to

~ rovide both single- and double- ensity capability purely by selection

of different logical device names. (Giltspur Engineering Design Ltd, 74- 76 Northbrook Street, Newbury, Berks, RGI3 IAE, UK. Tel." (0635) 45406. Telex: 848507)

Memory cards Intel has introduced 256 kbyte and 512 kbyte add-on memory cards which plug directly into DEC VAX-11/750 and the PDP-11/70 MOS memory back- planes. The MU 5750-256 and MU 5750-512 are direct substitutes for DEC products, offering full hard- ware and software compatibility, high reliability and an online-offline switch for easy maintenance. The 256 kbyte size is similar to the DEC product. The 512 kbyte gives additional relia- bility with mean-time-between-failures 1.5 to 2.0 times longer than 256 kbyte equivalents. The online-offline switch allows service people to switch independent memory offline without physically removing the boards. (Tel: (322) 660 30 I0, Belgium)

490 microprocessors and microsystems