With an EPSON S1V3G340 text-to-speech IC at its core, Rutronik’s Text To Speech Adapter Board is the perfect platform for developing a Human Machine Interface (HMI) where voice guidance is desired. In conjunction with an Arduino-interface-type host board that houses a microcontroller pre-programmed for one’s desired speech content, the audio output from the text-to-speech board is available from a convenient 3.5 mm jack socket for headphone or speaker connection. The speech output language options include British English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, and more, and they are easily programmable to your host MCU using an included software. Since there is no requirement for expensive studio voice recordings across multiple languages, this means a faster time to a global market for your end product.
The EPSON S1V3G340 that enables this functionality is an LSI that incorporates high-compression, high-quality audio decoding functions, an external SPI flash memory interface, and a DA converter, making it ideal for use in voice-guidance products. The voice-data creation tool for the EPSON voice guidance LSI allows easy creation of high-quality voice data without the need for studio recording, and use of external SPI flash memory allows easy interchanging of voice data, where additional voice data can be transferred from a host when required. General-purpose output ports are provided to allow flexible system design, and all functions are controlled by commands via a serial interface for easy addition to any existing system incorporating a host.
The audio playback for the device uses a proprietary EPSON data format with an adjustable bit rate of 40 kbps to 16 kbps and a sampling rate of 16 kHz. A sequencer function allows for up to 64 phrases with unlimited combinations and variable phrase interval delay settings from 0 ms to 2047 ms. The S1V3G340 comes in a QFP-52 pin package (10 mm × 10 mm) and runs off a single supply voltage of 2.2 V to 5.5 V. Along with the Arduino-compatible headers and stereo output jack, Rutronik’s development platform also has GPIO for the S1VG340, a micro-USB port, an additional audio output header, and a configuration switch to select USB or Arduino communication.
Jake and I were treated to a very nice explanation of this and a few other boards from Rutronik when we visited their booth at EDS. Rutronik make a variety of boards aimed at the advanced design level, such as this one, as well as at research level, and as a distributor, they are free to make evaluation platforms that contain chips from many different manufacturers and serve as a second source for evaluating technology or comparing several on a single device. But more on that later…
Keep designing!
(Image sourced from Rutronik)
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