Single-Chip Voice Recording & Playback Device
60-Second Duration
Page 1
Features
Single-chip, high-quality voice recording & playback
solution
- No external ICs required
- Minimum external components
Non-volatile Flash memory technology
- No battery backup required
User-Selectable messaging options
- Random access of multiple fixed-duration messages
- Sequential access of multiple variable-duration
messages
User-friendly, easy-to-use operation
- Programming & development systems not required
- Level-activated recording & edge-activated play
back switches
Low power consumption
- Operating current: 25 mA typical
- Standby current: 1 uA typical
- Automatic power-down
Chip Enable pin for simple message expansion
General Description
The
APR9600
devi ce offers true single-chip voice recording,
non-volatile storage, and playback capability for 40 to 60 sec-
onds. The device supports both random and sequential
access of multiple messages. Sample rates are user-select-
able, allowing designers to customize their design for unique
quality and storage time needs. Integrated output amplifier,
microphone amplifier, and AGC circuits greatly
si
mplify sys-
tem design. the device is ideal for use in portable voice
recorders, toys, and many other consumer and industrial
applications.
APLUS integrated
achieves these high levels of storage capa-
bility by using its proprietary analog/multilevel storage tech-
nology implem
ented in an advanced Flash non-volatile
memory process, where each memory cell can store 256 volt-
age levels. This technology enables the
APR9600
device to
reproduce voice signals in their natural form. It eliminates the
need for encoding and compression, which often introduce
distortion.
Pinout Diagram
Figure 1 APR9600
Pinout Diagram
/M 1_M essage
/M 2_Next
/M 3
/M 4
/M 5
/M 6
O sc
/M 7_E D
/M
ption
/Busy
B E
V SSD
VSS A
SP +
VC CD
/RE/RE
ExtClk
M SEL2
M SEL1
/CE
/Strobe
Ana_O ut
Ana_In
AG C
M icR ef
M icIn
VC CA
SP-
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
11
14
APR9600
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INC.
/M2_Next
/M3
/M4
/M5
/M6
OscR
/M8_Option
/M7_END
/Busy
BE
VSSD
VSSA
SP+
/RE
ExtCIK
MSEL2
MSEL1
/CE
/Strobe
Ana_Out
Ana_In
AGC
MicRef
Micln
VCCA
SP-
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Update:2002/11/05
Page 2
Single-Chip Voice Recording & Playback Device for Multiple 40- to 60-Second Messages
Functional Description
The APR9600
block diagram is included in order to give
understanding of the APR9600 i
i nternal architecture. At the
left hand side of the diagram are the analog inputs. A differ-
ential microphone amplifier, including integrated AGC, is
included on-chip for applications requiring its use. The ampli-
fied microphone signal is fed into the device by connecting
the Ana_Out pin to the Ana_In pin through an external DC
blocking capacitor. Recording can be fed directly into the
Ana_In pin through a DC blocking capacitor, however, the
connection between Ana_In and Ana_Out is still required for
playback. The next block encountered by the input signal is
the internal anti-aliasing filter. The filter automatically adjusts
its response according to the sampling frequency selected so
Shannon's Sampling Theorem is satisfied. After anti-aliasing
filtering is accomplished the signal is ready to be clocked into
the memory array. This storage is accomplished through a
combination of the Sample and Hold circuit and the Analog
Write/Read circuit. These circuits are clocked by either the
Internal Oscillator or an external clock source. When play-
back is desired the previously stored recording is retrieved
from memory, low pass filtered, and amplified as shown on
the right hand side of the diagram. The signal can be heard
by connecting a speaker to the SP+ and SP- pins. Chip-wide
management is accomplished through the device control
block shown in the upper right hand corner. Message man-
agement is controlled through the message control block rep-
resented in the lower center of the block diagram. More detail
on actual device application can be found in the Sample
Applications section. More detail on sampling control can be
found in the Sample Rate and Voice Quality section. More
detail on message management and device control can be
found in the Message Management section.
Figure 2 APR9600 Block Diagram
Internal
Oscillator
Anti-Aliasing
Filter
Sample & Hold
Circuit
Low Pass
Filter
Analog Write &
Read Circuits
256k Cell
Flash EPROM
Analog Storage
Array
Message Decoders
Message Control
Power Supplies
Automatic Gain
Control (AGC)
Pre-
Amp
Amp
Mux
OscR
ExtClk
Ana_In
Ana_Out
MicIn
MicRef
AGC
VCC VCCA VSSD VSSA
/M1_Message /M2_Next /M3 /M4 /M5 /M6
/M7_END
/M8_Option
MSEL2
MSEL1
SP+
SP-
BE
/Busy
/Strobe
/CE
/RE
Device Control
APR9600
APLUS
Single-Chip Voice Recording & Playback Device for Multiple 40- to 60-Second Messages
Page 3
Message Management
Message Management General Description
Playback and record operations are managed by on chip cir-
cuitry. There are several available messaging modes
depending upon desired operation. These message modes
determine message management style, message length, and
external parts count. Therefore, the designer must select the
appropriate operating mode before beginning the design.
Operating modes do not affect voice quality; for information
on factors affecting quality refer to the Sampling Rate & Voice
Quality section.
The device supports three message management modes
(defined by the MSEL1, MSEL2 and /M8_Option pins shown
in Figures 1 and 2):
Random access mode with 2, 4, or 8 fixed-duration mes-
sages
Tape mode, with multiple variable-duration messages, pro-
vides two options:
- Auto rewind
- Normal
Modes cannot be mixed. Switching of modes after the device
has recorded an initial message is not recommended. If
modes are switched after an initial recording has been made
some unpredictable message fragments from the previous
mode may remain present, and be audible on playback, in
the new mode. These fragments will disappear after a record
operation in the newly selected mode. Table 1 defines the
decoding necessary to choose the desired mode.
An important feature of the APR9600 message management
capabilities is the ability to audibly prompt the user to
changes in the device's status through the use of "beeps"
superimposed on the device's output. This feature is enabled
by asserting a logic high level on the BE pin.
Table 1
Random Access Mode
Random access mode supports 2, 4, or 8 messages seg-
ments of fixed duration. As suggested recording or playback
can be made randomly in any of the selected messages. The
length of each message segment is the total recording length
available (as defined by the selected sampling rate) divided
by the total number of segments enabled (as decoded in
Table1). Random access mode provides easy indexing to
message segments.
Functional Description of Recording in Random Access
Mode
On power up, the device is ready to record or play back, in
any of the enabled message segments. To record, /CE must
be set low to enable the device and /RE must be set low to
enable recording. You initiate recording by applying a low
level on the message trigger pin that represents the message
segment you intend to use. The message trigger pins are
labeled /M1_Message - /M8_Option on pins 1-9 (excluding
pin 7) for message segments 1-8 respectively.
Note: Message trigger pins /M1_Message, /M2_Next,
/M7_END, and /M8_Option, have expanded names to
represent the different functionality that these pins
assume in the other modes. In random access mode
these pins should be considered purely message trig-
ger pins with the same functionality as /M3, /M4, /M5,
and /M6. For a more thorough explanation of the func-
tionality of device pins in different modes please refer
to the pin description table that appears later in this
document.
When actual recording begins the device responds with a sin-
gle beep (if the BE pin is high to enable the beep tone) at the
speaker outputs to indicate that it has started recording.
Recording continues as long as the message pin stays low.
The rising edge of the same message trigger pin during
record stops the recording operation (indicated with a single
beep).
If the message trigger pin is held low beyond the end of the
maximum allocated duration, recording stops automatically
(indicated with two beeps), regardless of the state of the mes-
sage trigger pin. The chip then enters low-power mode until
the message trigger pin returns high. After the message trig-
ger pin returns to high, the chip enters standby mode. Any
subsequent high to low transition on the same message trig-
ger pin will initiate recording from the beginning of the same
Mode
MSEL1
MSEL2
/M8_Option
Random Access 2 fixed duration messages
0
1
Pull this pin to VCC through 100K resistor
Random Access 4 fixed duration messages
1
0
Pull this pin to VCC through 100K resistor
Random Access 8 fixed duration messages
1
1
Becomes the /M8 message trigger input pin
Tape mode, Normal operation
0
0
0
Tape mode, Auto rewind operation
0
0
1
APR9600
APLUS
Page 4
Single-Chip Voice Recording & Playback Device for Multiple 40- to 60-Second Messages
message segment. The entire previous message is then
overwritten by the new message, regardless of the duration
of the new message. Transitions on any other message trig-
ger pin or the /RE pin during the record operation are ignored
until after the device enters standby mode.
Functional Description of Playback in Random Access
Mode
On power up, the device is ready to record or playback, in
any of the enabled message segments. To playback, /CE
must be set low to enable the device and /RE must be set
high to disable recording & enable playback. You initiate play-
back by applying a high to low edge on the message trigger
pin that representing the message segment you intend to
playback. Playback will continue until the end of the message
is reached. If a high to low edge occurs on the same mes-
sage trigger pin during playback, playback of the current
message stops immediately.
If a different message trigger pin pulses during playback,
playback of the current message stops immediately (indi-
cated by one beep) and playback of the new message seg-
ment begins. A delay equal to 8,400 cycles of the sample
clock will be encountered before the device starts playing the
new message.
If a message trigger pin is held low, the selected message is
played back repeatedly as long as the trigger pin stays low. A
period of silence, of a duration equal to 8,400 cycles of the
sampling clock, will be inserted during looping as an indicator
to the user of the transition between the end and the begin-
ning of the message.
Tape Mode
Tape mode manages messages sequentially much like tradi-
tional cassette tape recorders. Within tape mode two options
exist, auto rewind and normal. Auto rewind mode configures
the device to automatically rewind to the beginning of the
message immediately following recording or playback of the
message. In tape mode, using either option, messages must
be recorded or played back sequentially, much like a tradi-
tional cassette tape recorder.
Function Description Recording in Tape Mode using the
On power up, the device is ready to record or play back, start-
ing at the first address in the memory array. To record, /CE
must be set low to enable the device and /RE must be set low
to enable recording. A falling edge of the /M1_Message pin
initiates voice recording (indicated by one beep). A subse-
quent rising edge of the /M1_Message pin during recording
stops the recording (also indicated by one beep). If the
/M1_Message pin is held low beyond the end of the available
memory, recording will stop automatically (indicated by two
beeps). The device will then assert a logic low on the
/M7_END pin for a duration equal to 1600 cycles of the sam-
ple clock, regardless of the state of the /M1_Message pin.
The device returns to standby mode when the /M1_Message
pin goes high again.
After recording is finished the device will automatically rewind
to the beginning of the most recently recorded message and
wait for the next user input. The auto rewind function is con-
venient because it allows the user to immediately playback
and review the message without the need to rewind. How-
ever, caution must be practiced because a subsequent
record operation will overwrite the last recorded message
unless the user remembers to pulse the /M2_Next pin in
order to increment the device past the current message.
A subsequent falling edge on the /M1_Message pin starts a
new record operation, overwriting the previously existing
message. You can preserve the previously recorded mes-
sage by using the /M2_Next input to initiate recording in the
next available message segment. To perform this function,
the /M2_Next pin must be pulled low for at least 400 cycles of
the sample clock.
The auto rewind mode allows the user to record over the pre-
vious message simply by initiating a record sequence without
first toggling the /M2_Next pin. To record over any other mes-
sage however requires a different sequence. You must pulse
the /CE pin low once to rewind the device to the beginning of
the voice memory.The /M2_Next pin must then be pulsed low
for the specified number of times to move to the start of the
message you wish to overwrite. Upon arriving at the desired
message a record sequence can be initiated to overwrite the
previously recorded material. After you overwrite the mes-
sage it becomes the last available message and all previ-
ously recorded messages following this message become
inaccessible. If during a record operation all the available
memory is used the device will stop recording automatically,
(double beep) and set the /M7_END pin low for a duration
equal to 1600 cycles of the sample clock. Playback can be
initiated on this last message, but pulsing the /M2_Next pin
will put the device into an "overflow state".
Once the device enters an overflow state any subsequent
pulsing of /M1_Message or /M2_Next will only result in a dou-
ble beep and setting of the /M7_END pin low for a duration
equal to 400 cycles of the sample clock. To proceed from this
state the user must rewind the device to the beginning of the
memory array. This can be accomplished by toggling the /CE
pin low or cycling power. All inputs, except the /CE pin, are
ignored during recording.
APR9600
APLUS
Normal Option
Single-Chip Voice Recording & Playback Device for Multiple 40- to 60-Second Messages
Page 5
Function Description of Playback in Tape Mode using
Auto Rewind Option
On power-up, the device is ready to record or play back,
starting at the first address in the memory array. Before you
can begin playback, the /CE input must be set to low to
enable the device and /RE must be set to high to disable
recording and enable playback. The first high to low going
pulse of the /M1_Message pin initiates playback from the
beginning of the current message; on power up the first mes-
sage is the current message. When the /M1_Message pin
pulses low the second time, playback of the current message
stops immediately. When the /M1_Message pin pulses low a
third time, playback of the current message starts again from
its beginning. If you hold the /M1_Message pin low continu-
ously the same message will play continuously in a looping
fashion. A 1,530 ms period of silence is inserted during loop-
ing as an indicator to the user of the transition between the
beginning and end of the message.
Note that in auto rewind mode the device always rewinds to
the beginning of the current message. To listen to a subse-
quent message the device must be fast forwarded past the
current message to the next message. This function is
accomplished by toggling the /M2_Next pin from high to low.
The pulse must be low for least 400 cycles of the sampling
clock. After the device is incremented to the desired message
the user can initiate playback of the message with the play-
back sequence described above. A special case exists when
the /M2_Next pin goes low during playback. Playback of the
current message will stop, the device will beep, advance to
the next message and initiate playback of the next message.
(Note that if /M2_Next goes low when not in playback mode,
the device will prepare to play the next message, but will not
actually initiate playback).
If the /CE pin goes low during playback, playback of the cur-
rent message will stop, the device will beep, reset to the
beginning of the first message, and wait for a subsequent
playback command.
When you reach the end of the memory array, any subse-
quent pulsing of /M1_Message or /M2_Next will only result in
a double beep. To proceed from this state the user must
rewind the device to the beginning of the memory array. This
can be accomplished by toggling the /CE pin low or cycling
power.
Functional Description of Recording in Tape Mode using
On power-up, the device is ready to record or play back,
starting at the first address in the memory array. Before you
can begin recording, the /CE input must be set to low to
enable the device and /RE must be set to low to enable
recording. On a falling edge of the /M1_Message pin the
device will beep once and initiate recording. A subsequent
rising edge on the /M1_Message pin will stop recording and
insert a single beep. If the /M1_Message pin is held low
beyond the end of the available memory, recording stops
automatically, and two beeps are inserted; regardless of the
state of the /M1_Message pin. The device returns to the
standby mode when the /M1_Message pin is returned high.
A subsequent falling edge on the /M1_Message pin starts a
new record operation in the memory array immediately fol-
lowing the last recorded message, thus preserving the last
recorded message.
To record over all previous messages you must pulse the /CE
pin low once to reset the device to the beginning of the first
message. You can then initiate a record sequence, as
described above, to record a new message. The most
recently recorded message will become the last recorded
message and all previously recorded messages following this
message will become inaccessible.
If you wish to preserve any current messages it is recom-
mend that Auto Rewind option be used instead of Normal
option. If Normal option is necessary the following sequence
can be used. To preserve current messages you must fast
forward past the messages you want to keep before you can
record a new message. To fast forward when using the Nor-
mal option you must switch to play mode and listen to mes-
sages sequentially until you arrive at the beginning of the
message you wish to overwrite. At this stage you should
switch back to record mode and overwrite the desired mes-
sage. The most recently recorded message will become the
last recorded message and all previously recorded messages
following this message will become inaccessible. All inputs,
except /CE are ignored during recording.
Functional Description of Playback in Tape Mode using
On power-up, or after a low to high transition on /RE the
device is ready to record or play back starting at the first
address in the memory array. Before you can begin playback
of messages, the /CE input must be set to low to enable the
device and /RE must be set to high to enable playback. The
first high to low going pulse of the /M1_Message pin initiates
playback from the beginning of the current message. When
the /M1_Message pin pulses from high to low a second time,
playback of the current message stops immediately. When
the /M1_Message pin pulses from high to low a third time,
playback of the next message starts again from the begin-
ning. If you hold the /M1_Message pin low continuously, the
current message and subsequent messages play until the
one of the following conditions is met: the end of the memory
array is reached, the last message is reached, the
/M1_message pin is released. If the last recorded message
has already played, any further transitions on the
/M1_Message pin will initiate a double beep for warning and
the /M7_END pin will go low. To exit this state you must pulse
the /CE pin low once during standby to reset the pointer to
the beginning of the first message.
APR9600
APLUS
the Normal Option
Auto Rewind Option
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