Rainbow Electronics APR9600 User Manual

INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INC.-APR9600

APR9600 RE-Recording Voive IC

Single-Chip Voice Recording & Playback Device

60-Second Duration

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

2 General Description :

The APR9600 device offers true single-chip voice recording,non-volatile storage, and
playback capability for 40 to 60 seconds.The device supports both random and sequential
access of multiple messages.Sample rates are user-selectable,allowing designers to
customize their design for unique quality and storage time needs.Integrated output
amplifier,microphone amplifier, and AGC circuits greatly simplify system design. the device
is ideal for use in portable voice recorders, toys, and many other consumer and industria
applications.
APLUS integrated achieves these high levels of storage capability by using its proprietary
analog/multilevel storage technology implemented in an advanced Flash non-volatile
memory process, where each memory cell can store 256 voltage 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.

http://www.aplusinc.com.tw

Page / 17 Ver 2 .1

1

INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INC.-APR9600

PS : The APR9600 DIP & SOP is not [ PIN TO PIN ]

3 Functional Description :

APR9600 block diagram is included in
order to describe the device's internal
architecture. At the left hand side of the
diagram are the analog inputs. A
differential microphone amplifier, including
integrated AGC, is included on-chip for
applications requiring use.The amplified
microphone signals 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 adjust 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 playback 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
management is provided through the
message control block represented in the
lower center of the block diagram.
More detail on actual device application
can be found in the

Sample Application

section. More detail on sampling control
can be found in the

Voice Quality

section. More detail on

Sample Rate and

Message management and device
control can be found in the

Management

section.

Message

http://www.aplusinc.com.tw

Page / 17 Ver 2 . 1

2

INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INC.-APR9600

Figure 2 APR9600 Block Diagram :

3.1 Message Management :

3.1.1 Message Management General Description

Playback and record operations are managed by on-chip circuitry. 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
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 messages Tape mode, with multiple

variable-duration messages,provides 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 change 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.

Sampling Rate & Voice Quality

section.The device supports five

http://www.aplusinc.com.tw

Page / 17 Ver 2 . 1

3

INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INC.-APR9600

Table 1

Mode MSEL1 MSEL2 /M8_OPTION

Random Access 2 fixed duration messages 0 1 Pull this pin to VCC through l00K resistor

Random Access 4 fixed duration messages

Random Access 8 fixed duration messages

Tape mode, Auto rewind operation

Tape mode, Normal operation

1 0

1 1

0 0 0

0 0 1

Pull this pin to VCC through l00K resistor

The /M8 message trigger becomes input pin

3.1.2 Random Access Mode

Random access mode supports 2, 4, or 8 Message segments 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.

3.1.2A Functional Description of Recording in Random Access Mode

On power up, the device is ready to record or playback 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 of 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 trigger pins with the same functionality as /M3, /M4, /M5,
and /M6. For a more thorough explanation of the functionality 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 single 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 message trigger pin. The chip then enters low-power mode until the message trigger
pin returns high. After the message trigger pin returns to high, the chip enters standby
mode. Any subsequent high to low transition on the same message trigger pin will initiate
recording from the beginning of the same 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 trigger pin or the /RE pin during the record operation are
ignored until after the device enters standby mode.

http://www.aplusinc.com.tw

Page / 17 Ver 2 . 1

4

INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INC.-APR9600

3.1.2B Functional Description of Playback 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 playback by applying a high to low edge
on the message trigger pin that represents 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 message 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 (indicated by one beep) and playback of the new
message segment begins. A delay equal to 8,400 cycles of he 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
beginning of the message.

3.1.3 Tape Mode :

Tape mode manages messages sequentially much like traditional 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 traditional cassette tape recorder

3.1.3.1A Function Description of Recording in Tape Mode using the Auto Rewind Option

On power up, the device is ready to record or playback,starting 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 subsequent 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 until
the /M1 Message pin is released.
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
convenient because it allows the user to immediately playback and review the message
without the need to rewind. However, 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
message by using the /M2_Next input to advance to 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 just recorded
message simply by initiating a record sequence without first toggling the /M2_NEXT pin.

http://www.aplusinc.com.tw

Page / 17 Ver 2 . 1

5

INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INC.-APR9600

To record over any other message 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 message it becomes the last available message and all previously recorded
messages following this message become inaccessible.If during a record operation all
of 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 double 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.

3.1.3.1B Function Description of Playback in Tape Mode using Auto Rewind Option

On power-up, the device is ready to record or playback,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 message 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 continuously the same message will play continuously in a looping
fashion. A 1,540ms period of silence is inserted during looping 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
subsequent 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
playback 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 high during playback, playback of the current 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 subsequent 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.

http://www.aplusinc.com.tw

Page / 17 Ver 2 . 1

6