Science & Technology 
Science and Technology
Science and Technology 
Wed, November 19, 2008
Tue, November 18, 2008
Ditech Networks Launches Bluetooth Solution For Headsets, Car KitsWith Industry Leading Performance
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--[ Ditech Networks ] (NASDAQ:DITC), a leading provider of voice quality solutions to the world's communications industry, today announced the availability of [ VQABlue ], the company's first voice quality solution for Bluetooth headsets and hands-free car kits. VQABlue is shipping with algorithms that already have been deployed and proven in mobile networks worldwide, and now are available to original design manufacturers (ODMs) with one of the industry's lowest MIPs and memory requirements for Bluetooth chipsets, which maximizes voice quality and battery life.
VQABlue's comprehensive suite of DSP-based algorithms includes technologies that improve voice quality for the caller, in addition to the person called. Current solutions make it easier for the person being called to understand speech, but the person making the call doesn't notice any difference in call quality. ODMs now can design products that benefit both.
"Taking Ditech's algorithms out of the network and putting them into headsets and car kits offers a powerful option to the Bluetooth market," said Flint Pulskamp, program manager, wireless semiconductors research at IDC. "Ditech has more than 10 years invested in its DSP algorithms, and making that knowledge and experience available to the Bluetooth market is an important step in the growth of the industry."
VQABlue's low MIPS and memory requirement gives ODMs several advantages when developing headsets and car kits for different markets:
- Ditech's solution can help solve an industry-wide design issue for dual-microphone Bluetooth headsets. VQABlue allows microphones to be positioned in a greater number of locations on the headset, and enables the caller to wear the headset in any way that's comfortable. Most technologies restrict microphone placement and require the caller to position the headset correctly to experience any benefit, which limits its effectiveness.
- VQABlue's full feature set is available with a MIPS and memory footprint that is less than standard industry solutions. This gives product developers the ability to develop and price headsets and car kits for several markets using the same chipset, keeping chips costs stable and predictable.
- Ditech's bi-directional algorithms can improve voice quality on both ends of the call. Current technologies make it easier for the person on the far end of a call to understand speech, but the headset or car kit owner doesn't notice any difference in call quality. ODMs now can design products that impact both the person being called, and the individual who purchased the headset or car kit.
Ditech's VQABlue solution is available on CSR's (LSE:CSR) popular BlueCore5-Multimedia Platform. CSR is the world's leading provider of Bluetooth chipsets for mobile applications. Ditech is a part of CSR's open [ eXtension Partner Program ], and VQABlue is available as an approved plug-in for CSR's BlueCore multimedia platform, which makes it easier for developers to obtain and use Ditech's voice quality solution.
"Ditech's VQABlue solution is an important addition to the BlueCore Multimedia platform," said Helen Barnes, Software Marketing Manager at CSR. "Ditech's voice quality algorithms and the company's experience with this technology are a strong asset to CSR's eXtension program."
In addition to Ditech's Adaptive Noise Cancellation and Acoustic Echo Control algorithms, VQABlue offers Enhanced Voice Intelligibility and Adaptive Listener Enhancement, which are two powerful algorithms that improve speech for the headset or car kit owner. Because VQABlue has minimum memory and power requirements, Ditech can offer all four of these capabilities in the same footprint that is commonly required for just noise reduction and echo control.
VQABlue is available for both single- and dual-microphone implementations. Algorithms are available separately or in multiple packages based on customer needs:
- Adaptive Noise Cancellation: Operates on both incoming and outgoing calls up to 30dB SNR, and delivers superior non-stationary noise reduction for wind noise.
- Acoustic Echo Control: Operates on both incoming and outgoing calls, controlling echo with up to 15dB WAEPL, and on echo delays up to 400ms.
- Enhanced Voice Intelligibility: Improves speech clarity by dynamically modifying the speech spectrum to compensate for the ambient noise characteristics of the listener's environment. This algorithm is also effective in correcting voice quality problems caused by low bit-rate codecs in mobile networks.
- Adaptive Listener Enhancement: Detects background noise in the listener's environment, and automatically adjusts speech volume for the headset owner.
- VQABlue Configuration Manager: A software tool to dynamically tune the algorithms and their performance.
"Because there are many factors beyond noise and echo that can severely impact mobile call quality, VQABlue is the next generation of embedded algorithms for Bluetooth headsets and hands-free car kits," said Karl Brown, Vice President of Marketing at Ditech Networks. "VQABlue delivers a wide range of options for chipset and device designers, making the solution easily adaptable to the changing requirements of the market. Our years of experience and innovation provide a stable path forward for buyers seeking a reliable technology partner."
VQABlue is available directly from Ditech and can be downloaded from CSR's website as a plug-in at [ https://www.csrsupport.com/login.php?returnto=/MonoHeadsetSDK#s5392 ]. Pricing is available by contacting Ditech at [ info@ditechnetworks.com ], or 1-800-234-0884.
About Ditech Networks
Ditech Networks is shaping the future of voice quality through continuous innovation and leadership for the world's communications companies. Ditech's voice quality solutions are deployed in wireless and wireline networks to optimize the call experience. By delivering consistent, dependable voice quality, Ditech's products help global communications companies meet the multiple challenges of service differentiation, network expansion and call capacity. Ditech's customers include Verizon, Sprint/Nextel, Orascom Telecom, AT&T, China Unicom, Global Crossing and West Corporation. Ditech Networks is headquartered in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit [ www.ditechnetworks.com ].
Forward Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Ditech Networks' expectations of the benefits from using Ditech Networks' products and applications in the Bluetooth headset and car kit market. Actual results from using VQABlue and Voice Quality Assurance could differ materially as a result of unanticipated factors and events, including the risk that Ditech Networks' VQABlue solution may exhibit unforeseen technical problems that will preclude those benefits from being utilized, the fact that certain networks may not have the capacity issues that Ditech Networks' solutions address to enable the cost reductions, as well as those detailed in the "Future Growth and Operating Results Subject to Risk" in Part I, Item 2 of Ditech Networks' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2008 (filed Sept. 9, 2008, with the Securities and Exchange Commission).
Ditech Networks, Voice Quality Assurance and VQABlue are trademarks or registered trademarks of Ditech Networks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.