Loquendo this week released Version 7.2 of its Media Resource Control Protocol (MRCP) Server.

The new version of Loquendo MRCP Server (LMS 7.2), available for Windows and Linux, is based on a renewed internal architecture that incorporates optimizations aimed at increased scalability. This new fully scalable architecture greatly improves the supported port density compared to previous versions (LSS 7.0 and LMS 7.1).

The new multi-process architecture features an internal controller that ensures the appropriate distribution of the internal workload, maximizing port density.

This new release reduces memory requirements and, thanks to its multi-process architecture, makes possible the consumption of physical memory above the 4GB limit imposed by 32-bit architectures, enhancing scalability when exploiting next-generation multicore processors.

To better support customers in getting the most out of the new architecture, a new wizard tool is provided, which helps in the configuration of LMS 7.2: it also automatically configures the appropriate number of MRCP server Core process instances.

This new version of Loquendo MRCP Server supports the latest versions of Loquendo ASR (7.10) just released, and Loquendo TTS (7.20), enabling users to exploit all the new features and benefits offered by those two key new releases.

Along with 8 kHz a-law and micro;-law audio formats, LMS 7.2 now also supports the 16 kHz linear encoding.

Additionally, a new recognition object (RO) caching feature (made available by ASR 7.10) enables ROs that have been compiled on-the-fly to be shared between different MRCP sessions, so every grammar provided in source form will be compiled only once.

Furthermore, ROs can now be pre-compiled and loaded permanently; this feature is particularly useful for very large and/or very complex grammars, which aren't suitable for on-the-fly compilation.

Loquendo MRCP Server 7.2 supports Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) Version 1.1, enabling the creation of TTS prompts in a standardized, cross-platform, and XML-based mark-up language, and Pronunciation Lexicon Specification (PLS) Version 1.0, enabling word pronunciation to be defined according to a standards-based approach. Loquendo MRCP Server supports both MRCP v1 and MRCP v2.

Loquendo MRCP Server can be configured as TTS-only, ASR-only, or both TTS and ASR. It is integrated via MRCP and is interoperable with any MRCPv1 or v2 clients, and, thanks to its complete support for all major IETF and W3C standards, enables speech technologies to be integrated into any VoiceXML 2.0 or 2.1 applications.

Loquendo MRCP Server has been certified as interoperable with the leading speech platforms. For the full list of supported operating systems, see our MRCP Server Brochure (p.4).

About Loquendo

Awarded Speech Technology magazine's Market Leader award for the past five consecutive years, Loquendo provides a complete range of speech technologies for telephony, mobile, automotive, embedded and desktop solutions – in 32 languages with 76 voices, and constantly growing. Loquendo TTS and Loquendo ASR empower people to interact with technology in the most natural way possible – using their voice – creating a next-generation client experience while saving businesses millions each year. Also integrable via the Loquendo MRCP Server and VoxNauta VoiceXML, CCXML and SCXML platform, Loquendo speech technologies power millions of calls every day in the telecommunications and enterprise markets across the globe. Loquendo TTS and ASR are also deployed in more than 20 million devices worldwide in embedded, automotive, and mobile environments.

Loquendo is a Telecom Italia company headquartered in Turin, Italy, with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and France, and a global network of partners. For more info, and to hear Loquendo TTS for yourself, go to www.loquendo.com