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The Industry’s First* Speech Synthesis ICs Dedicated for AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) in xEVs

ML22120TB/ML22120GP

The ROHM group company LAPIS Technology has developed the industry’s first speech synthesis ICs – ML22120xx series (ML22120TBML22120GP) – designed for AVAS 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 warning sound to be emitted to alert pedestrians of their approach. However, when generating 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.

Software Development Cycle
Time from Startup to Playback of Warning Sound
Advantages of the New Products [ML22120xx] Fade and Equalizer Functions

Product Lineup

Part No. Data
Sheet
ROM
Capacity
[Mbit]
Max.
Playback
Time [sec.]
Sampling
Frequency
[kHz]
CPU I/F Number
of Mixing
(Internal) [ch]
Operating
Temperature
[°C]
Package
[mm]
Automotive
Grade
NewML22120TB PDF External
Max. 128
1,048 8 to 48 I2C,
Clock
synchronous
serial
4 -40
to
+105
TQFP32
(9.0×9.0×1.2)
YES
NewML22120GP PDF WQFN24
(4.0×4.0×0.8)
YES

Note: Please contact a sales representative or visit the Contact Us page on ROHM’s website for more information on AEC-Q100.

Application Examples

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS), external vehicle alert sounds (sliding door open/close, charging completion), etc.

Support

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

Evaluation Board, GUI Software Information

An evaluation board along with 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.