STMicroelectronics has announced that an embedded microprocessor from its product portfolio has been selected by snom technology for its next-generation IP telephones. snom produces VoIP equipment and for enterprise communications.

STMicroelectronics (News - Alert) a System-on-a-Chip technology provider added that the SPEAr 300 microprocessor with an advanced ARM processor core, along with a rich set of audio, communication and connectivity interfaces is incorporated in the snom 870 model IP phone.

Additionally, the Linux-based phone features an intuitive user interface with high-definition touch-screen color display, wideband audio, an integrated XML browser and other features.

The SPEAr microprocessor runs the operating system and Graphical User Interface of the snom 870 phone. It also controls all the computing-intensive tasks, including Ethernet communication, real-time voice coding/decoding, telephone conferencing and echo compensation.

Company sources said the ST microprocessor improves the phone’s connectivity further and also the extensibility with Ethernet MAC, three USB 2.0 ports, an analog-to-digital converter, and WLAN through USB. There is also a companion chip to SPEAr 300 which is ST’s STM8 8-bit microcontroller. This helps manage the snom 870’s touch screen display, as well as the keyboard and the receiver.

“When we were looking for a microprocessor that combines high levels of computing power, connectivity and customizability with low investment costs and short time to market, ST’s technology has clearly emerged as the best choice, said In a release Christian Stredicke (News - Alert), CEO snom technology. “The SPEAr provides us with an open, future-proof hardware and software platform that covers our complete IP phone product range, from entry-level to high-end models.”

Loris Valenti, group VP and general manager, Computer Systems Division, STMicroelectronics emphasized that this cooperation between the two companies helps ST to contribute to the significant momentum in the IP telephony market. IP telephony is gaining in enterprise communications, with the worldwide number of VoIP phones exceeding that of conventional phone sets, he noted.

He also added that snom’s decision to use ST’s embedded microprocessor in their VoIP devices proves the capabilities of SPEAr and its suitability to the needs of equipment manufacturers to develop complex yet flexible digital applications. Also the solution is cost effective and brings the product faster to market even when fully customized.