Cardpod Chipset Overview

Introduction

This section links to purely technical information. If anyone can help digest and improve on that information, please get in touch urgently. Some specific questions are highlighted below. The essential point is that chipsets comprising a single "System on Chip" are available for what we need so cheap mass produced models with desired features are or will become available. Separate very cheap single chips are also available for FM, AM and AM/FM receivers that can be combined as options. All SoCs are also assumed to include voice record capability so that van inoive recording (and/or radio recording) with internal microphone, microphone input and/or line input can also be provided as options.

USB2OTG "On The Go" is a relatively new standard not included in most current models. A microAB USB connector should be used in any future model to enable synchronization with cell phones, for which USB2OTG is now a standard (also for battery recharge). This may also enable use of external USB headsets or microphones without needing to include line input or microphone input jacks (though an internal microphone would still be desirable for convenience at low cost).

Avid

Avid Electronics is a major producer of "System on Chip" (SoC) parts for Flash based Media Players. Also produces similar SoCs for CD audio, boombox and HDD based media players.

The A1558L not listed below (presumably obsolete) is used in the only Cardpod model we have inspected closely so far (no brand labelled as Olin OM106). Despite FM receiver and LCD display included, that model had no record capability and could only skip to previous or next track and display position within track but not Fast Forward or Rewind to a position within a track. Also failed to store preset FM stations despite claims of support in manual. Quantity supplies of that chip are being advertised at CNY 5 each (less than USD $1). Similar models to the one inspected are advertised (quantity 1) USD 11.25 (with LCD screen but no FM receiver).

Current models (end of 2008):

Product Number Function Release A1566 Flash Media Player with Card reader now A1568-05 Flash Media Player with Card reader, SLC Flash Support now A1568-07 Flash Media Player with Card reader, S/MLC Flash Support now A1569 Flash Media Player with Card reader, FM transmitter 2006Q3 A1570 Flash Media Player with Card reader, FM Transmitter, DRM 10 support 2006Q4 A1572 Flash Media Player with Card reader, FM Transmitter, DRM 10 support, Video 2007Q2 A1571 Flash Media Player with Card reader, JPEG/Motion JPEG, DRM10 support 2006Q4 A1701 Dual Head Card Reader, SD & USB interface 2006Q4 A1573 Game 32bit TV toy controller, 32bit RISC CPU, Image and Video Process Subsystem, Support Various Video and Audio Codec 2007Q1

A1568-07

The A1568-07 SoC seems to have everything essential PLUS the ability to compres voice recordings to MP3 format and support for playing the FOSS endorsed OGG format. Can anyone help obtain datasheets, available models based on this chip, pricing etc?

 

 

A1566

The A1566 SoC also seems to have everything essential and may be cheaper due to not needing the extra processing power that supports MP3 compression while still supporting (uncompressed) voice recording. However it does not support USB-OTG. Usable but a reasonable amount extra for USB-OTG would be well worthwhile. Lack of RTC would prevent scheduled recording off air?

 

 

Others

Not even summary tables like the above two are linked from the other Avid SoCs listed. A preview datasheet has been found for the A1569

. It confirms the impression that (uncompressed) voice recording (in ADPCM format) is routinely included in chipsets described as "Flash Media Player". Omission of internal microphone, microphone input, line input and recording functionality from some actual models despite negligible bill of materials cost is presumably a marketing decision unrelated to technical constraints. Similar preview datasheets and more detailed full datasheets and reference manuals MUST be available for all models.

Q1. How do we get hold of detailed technical data?

Q2. Quantity prices for 50,000, 150,000, 7 million?

Q3. Firmware platform and source code licensing costs?

Q4. Second source? How do we find out about other options with both SD card and USB-OTG (and voice record)? Q5. Existing manufacturers and models (and quantity and sample prices)?

 

Rockridge

Lots of relevant expertize - but focussed on higher end with video capabilities.

S1MP3

See www.s1mp3.org developer wiki for lots of detail especially for low end (though also often including video capabilities).

Sigmatel

Dominant  chipset.