Text to Speech chip for SpeakJet - TTS256

The TTS256 is an 8-bit microprocessor programmed with letter-to-sound rules. This built-in algorithm allows for the automatic real-time translation of English ASCII characters into allophone addresses compatible with the Magnevation SpeakJet Speech Synthesizer IC.

Not currently available

Our Code: SKU-000504

Supplier Link: [SparkFun MPN:9811]


Description

The TTS256 is an 8-bit microprocessor programmed with letter-to-sound rules. This built-in algorithm allows for the automatic real-time translation of English ASCII characters into allophone addresses compatible with the Magnevation SpeakJet Speech Synthesizer IC. Combine this with the SpeakJet to build a complete text-to-speech solution.

The TTS256 is offered in a through-hole, 28-pin package. Supplied power should be +5V. Very few connections are required for operation:

Pin# TTS256 Pin# SpeakJet
5 TX (sends serial data to host)
14 Vss (ground)
18 RX (received serial data from host) 15 Buffer Half Full
20 Ready 10 RX
24 SJ_TX
28 Vdd (+5V)

The TTS256 contains over 600 rules for pronouncing English text. While it does a pretty good job of the task, with a less than 5% error rate in most sentences, it will mispronounce some words. Often times, some creative spelling will help.


Specifications

  • Narrow 28-pin DIP
  • Companion chip to Magnevation SpeakJet and Savage Innovations SpeakGin
  • Built in 600 Rule database
  • 9600bps (8-N-1) serial interface (non-inverted TTL level)
  • Generates speech codes from ASCII text
  • Compatible with Arduino, Basic Stamp, OOPic, Pic, and any processor with serial output

Resources

  • Datasheet (note: The correct character to append to the end of text is 0x0D and not 0x0A as listed)
  • Tutorial (Adding the TTS256 to the SparkFun VoiceBox Shield)