Dirac and Analog Devices collaborate to deliver scalable, high-quality audio across the automotive industry

Today we are proud to announce our collaboration with US-based semiconductor leader Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) to combine Dirac’s new digital solution for entry-level audio systems with ADI’s automotive processors to create a more complete, bundled offer for ADI’s global automotive customer base.

With Dirac’s digital solution, ADI’s automotive customers will be able to achieve an optimized acoustic performance and immersive sound experience more easily, quickly, cost-efficiently and consistently across their entry-level sound systems – which are typically the basic systems supplied in cars, utilizing up to 9 speakers.

We have worked indirectly together for years – separately supplying component solutions to leading automotive manufacturers and suppliers. Through this direct collaboration – which unites two prominent players in the audio and semiconductor industries – the companies will be able to more effectively scale their bundled solutions to reach more customers worldwide.

Launched in March 2021, Dirac’s all-new solution for entry-level systems is built upon the company’s 15-year legacy working in the high-end space yet also features new innovations that address the specific needs of the entry-level sound systems. 

“For over 15 years, Dirac has been a pioneer in the automotive audio space, working with numerous luxury and premium brands, including a deep partnership with Volvo, to design and integrate Dirac’s digital solutions in their vehicle sound systems to create tailored, perfected sound experiences,” stated Lars Carlsson, Head of Business Development, Automotive, at Dirac. “Now, thanks to new innovations and product developments, we’re actively expanding to cover the entire automotive industry – a process that will be greatly accelerated through our collaboration with ADI.”

Continued Carlsson, “ADI is one of the industry’s most respected and in-demand manufacturers of premium semiconductor solutions for the automotive market, and through this collaboration, we will together be able to deliver the entire automotive space a complete solution that levels up the performance of sound systems.”

Dirac’s digital solution, which can now be bundled with ADI processors, is built upon an all-in-one intelligent audio platform comprised of a measurement system, tuning tools, sound optimization algorithms, and hardware interface platform.

The intelligent audio platform features the industry’s first semi-automatic tuning system based on scientific measurements that optimizes performance and delivers signature sound in a way that is highly efficient, consistent, and predictable.

The Dirac platform also includes patented digital sound optimization and spatialization technologies that vary depending on the level of speaker system. For entry systems, the available technologies are measurement-based magnitude response correction, patented virtual bass, and virtual center – to tackle common acoustic challenges like negative car cabin impact, unbalanced soundstage, and lack of immersion.  For higher range systems, Dirac offers solutions like sound stage widening and active comfort zone.

“Analog Devices is a global leader in automotive audio processing. Our SHARC® processor line offers ultra-low latency and determinism to meet the needs of a fast-growing assortment of exciting audio applications, including active noise cancelation, in-car communications and personal audio zones. The SHARC portfolio seamlessly scales from entry-level to premium sound systems and, when combined with Dirac’s solution, elevates automotive audio to new heights. Dirac’s ability to overcome the physical limitations of audio systems, coupled with their scalable software solutions, make Dirac a perfect match for Analog Devices’ SHARC processor portfolio,” stated Andrew Lanfear, Automotive Audio Processor Product Line Director, ADI.

The recently released ADSP-2156x family of automotive SHARC processors is available in a range of clock speeds from 400 MHz to 1 GHz, offering performance scalability across a broad range of audio applications, including sound synthesis and noise cancellation. Featuring up to 1.6 MB of on-chip SRAM, enhanced FIR/IIR hardware accelerators, and an innovative digital audio interface, the ADSP-2156x processors are specifically designed for real-time audio processing applications.

The Dirac entry-level solution will be made available for ADI hardware integration and will leverage Analog Devices’ global network of automotive customers that are increasingly prioritizing audio performance as a key differentiator in the vehicle.

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About Dirac:
Dirac is here to change the world of sound. We’re inventing the future of audio with superior experiences for any content, device, and space. For the many, not the few. Based in Sweden, Dirac optimizes digital audio, perfecting sound for better listening in any environment. The patented sound solution technology spans across mobile, gaming, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, headphones, streaming, automotive, residential and commercial AV, boosting whatever sound you’re listening to, wherever you’re listening. For professionals, Dirac produces the industry’s most powerful suite of audio tools for signal processing. Some of the world’s most respected brands, including Rolls Royce, Volvo, Polestar, BMW, BYD, Harman, Datasat, NAD, ASUS, and OPPO bring the Dirac sound experience to their customers.

Headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, Dirac has offices in Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai, China; a Research & Development facility in Copenhagen, Denmark; and representation in Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the USA.

About Analog Devices:
Analog Devices is a leading global high-performance semiconductor company dedicated to solving the toughest engineering challenges. We enable our customers to interpret the world around us by intelligently bridging the physical and digital with unmatched technologies that sense, measure, power, connect and interpret. Visit https://www.analog.com

SHARC is a registered trademark of Analog Devices.