MediaTek has just announced a new chipset for two of Google's favorite recent projects: Google Assistant and Android Things. The descriptively named MT8516 is a 64-bit ARM platform that includes wireless radios and is designed specifically for voice assistants applications. It looks like Google has one more hardware partner behind Intel and Qualcomm for its future IoT plans.
The specifications include 2.4GHz radio support for b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0, and a quad-core A35 design running at 1.3ghz. Since a voice assistant requires voice capture support, it is also able to record a number of channels for mic in, based on the multiplexing method, with plenty to spare for noise canceling. MediaTek says that it expects Google Assistant powered devices using the platform to begin appearing in Q4 of this year.
The full text of MediaTek's press release is available below.
PRESS RELEASE
MediaTek Launches Chipset Supporting the Google Assistant and Android Things
HSINCHU, Taiwan – May 17, 2017 — MediaTek Inc. today introduced its newest full-featured chipset designed to enable Voice Assistant Devices (VADs) and smart speakers, including the Google Assistant. MediaTek also announced support for MT8516 based Android Things pre-certified system on modules (SOMs) at Google I/O.
By supporting the Google Assistant and Android Things, MediaTek is able to deliver an exceptional smart home user experience with seamless interaction between voice command devices and IoT products. MediaTek is one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies, powering more than 1.5 billion consumer devices a year.
“Smart home products are growing in popularity and MediaTek’s expertise is making connected devices smarter, smaller and more power efficient without sacrificing performance,” said Joe Chen, Executive Vice President and Co-COO of MediaTek. “Our dedicated Android support will help expand the market for voice-based intelligent devices.”
The MediaTek MT8516 is a highly power-efficient application processing platform. It has diverse interfaces and connectivity that focuses on audio and microphone processing. It was designed specifically for cloud-supported voice assistant devices.
The MT8516 is equipped with a quad-core, 64-bit ARM® Cortex-A35 MPCore™ operating at up to 1.3 GHz. The chipset also pre-integrates WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. For product manufacturers this chipset brings simplicity of design, reduced time to market and opportunities to be more innovative with products through a smaller design footprint.
For microphone voice input and connected audio products, the MediaTek MT8516 has interfaces for TDM (up to 8 channels) and PDM inputs (2 channels). In addition, the chipset has flexible memory support including LPDDR2, LPDDR3, DDR3, DDR3L and DDR4 to accommodate diverse platform needs.
New Google Assistant devices using MT8516 are expected on the market in Q4 of this year.
About MediaTek MediaTek Incorporated (TWSE: 2454) is a global fabless semiconductor company that enables 1.5 billion connected devices a year. We are a market leader in developing innovative systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile device, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products. Our dedication to innovation has positioned us as a driving market force in several key technology areas, including highly power-efficient mobile technologies and advanced multimedia solutions across a broad range of products such as smartphones, tablets, digital televisions, OTT boxes, wearables and automotive solutions. MediaTek empowers and inspires people to expand their horizons and more easily achieve their goals through smart technology. We call this idea Everyday Genius and it drives everything we do. Visit www.mediatek.com for more information.
