Frugal codec leads new generation of audio

The ultra-low-power and highly integrated WM8750L stereo codec is the first in a new generation of high-quality portable audio devices.

Wolfson Microelectronics has launched the second generation of its high-quality portable audio device product line with the introduction of the ultra-low-power and highly integrated WM8750L stereo codec.

The WM8750L provides all of the input interfacing, output drivers and audio signal processing needed to integrate high quality audio playback, recording and mixing into smartphones, PDAs and digital cameras in one package.

Operating from supply voltages between 1.8 and 3.6V, the WM8750L provides a power architecture that is optimised for handheld and portable digital audio players/recorders, smartphones, and PDAs.

The WM8750L also incorporates a power efficient design and allows all major functional blocks of the device to be powered down under software control.

Wolfson's WM8750L can generate up to 400mW directly into a speaker, as well as individually driving stereo headphone and line outputs.

The presence of the headphone can be detected automatically, reducing hardware and software overhead.

The audio outputs are also designed to interface to single ended or differential signal paths, making them ideal for smartphone applications.

For additional flexibility, three separate audio input pairs can be configured as line inputs, single ended or differential microphones that can then be mixed with digital audio playback or routed to allow recording.

Advanced on-chip digital signal processing performs graphic equalisation, including enhanced bass boost, 3D sound enhancement and automatic level control (ALC) for the microphone or line input.

The fully integrated, high-quality DAC delivers a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 98dB with a total harmonic distortion (THD) of -95dB.

The ADC is capable of providing a SNR performance of 95dB; THD of -90dB.

"Wolfson's second-generation audio codecs are designed to achieve the three leading technical requirements of portable audio applications: reduced power consumption, high integration and superior audio performance", said David Milne, Managing Director of Wolfson Microelectronics, "As the first codec in this new product family, the WM8750L distinguishes itself with excellent audio signal processing, very flexible mixing and efficient interfacing.

No other codec available offers the same combination of low power, small size, signal-to-noise ratio and total harmonic distortion".

The WM8750L can operate as a master or a slave, with various master clock frequencies including 12 or 24MHz for USB devices, or standard 256fs (sampling frequency) such as 12.288MHz and 24.576MHz.

Different audio sample rates such as 96, 48 and 44.1kHz are generated from the master clock without the need for an external phase locked loop (PLL) reducing cost and power consumption.

The WM8750L is supplied in a leadless, chip-scale 5 x 5mm QFN package.

It is available now.

Device drivers for selected platforms and operating systems are also available.

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