Wolfson Microelectronics plc: News : New Wolfson Mono DAC Delivers Big Sound From Small Speakers

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New Wolfson Mono DAC Delivers Big Sound From Small Speakers

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Edinburgh, UK, 21st May 2009 – Wolfson Microelectronics (LSE: WLF.L) announces the WM9081, a new single chip mono DAC and speaker amplifier, ideal for delivering optimum sound pressure levels (SPL) and maximum intelligibility from low cost speakers, which are typically used in portable navigation devices, mobile handsets, digital radios and conference speakerphones.

The WM9081 benefits from an integrated high efficiency 2.6W switchable class AB/D speaker amplifier, dynamic range controller and ReTune™ Mobile 5 band Parametric Equalizer. WM9081 achieves audio performance of 92dB SNR in Class D mode and 1% THD+N @ 2.4W output power into 4Ω speaker loads. Compared to typical two chip solutions which use a DAC and separate class D amplifier the WM9081 consumes approximately 30% less PCB area and achieves an average 20% BOM cost reduction.

The WM9081 integrates a ReTune™ Mobile 5 band Parametric Equaliser with fully programmable coefficients allowing speaker frequency response compensation and music profiles to be defined by the end user. Programmable dynamic range control is integrated to help boost low-level signals to maximise volume for improved intelligibility. The WM9081 features a limiter designed to prevent audio signal clipping and distortion, which can overload the battery and potentially damage the speakers.

A digital audio interface gives the system designer several advantages in terms of noise immunity/reduction. Digital input allows the WM9081 to be located close to the speakers in multi-channel systems without the need for long analogue connections. By locating the driver close to the speaker the need for bulky and expensive Class D filters is removed, whilst PCB track lengths, which carry noisy high frequency switching currents, can be minimised.

The WM9081’s integrated register write sequencer helps to minimise software development time. A number of signal paths (such as DAC to speaker mode) can be enabled and disabled by just one register write. To do this, the internal sequencer initiates a sequence of pre programmed multiple writes independently within the WM9081, offloading control interface communication between the processor and WM9081.

David Brown, Audio Amps Product Line Manager, Wolfson Microelectronics comments: “With the WM9081, designers of portable navigation devices and other similar systems do not need to sacrifice audio performance to maximise output power. Drawing on our audio expertise, Wolfson has developed a single-chip integrated device, which not only enables OEMs to make significant savings on PCB space and BOM cost, but also achieves a radically improved user experience by squeezing the absolute best, in terms of performance, intelligibility and noise immunity, from low cost speakers.”

The WM9081 supports four control interface addresses and four-channel TDM to allow multiple devices to be configured and driven independently. Controlling the device is done via a standard 2-wire, 3-wire, or 4-wire control interface or by hardware control pins.

Pricing and Availability:
The WM9081 is available for sampling now in a 28-pin COL QFN package and is priced at $0.80 in volumes of 1,000.

A full WM9081 evaluation system is available including evaluation board, full schematics, Linux driver and Wolfson’s Interactive Set-up Configuration Environment (WISCE) - a downloadable software GUI which allows the developer to make real time modifications to an interactive version of the register map and modify the device configuration whilst developing software settings.

About Wolfson Microelectronics
Wolfson Microelectronics plc is a leading global provider of high performance, mixed signal semiconductors to the consumer electronics market.

Wolfson is renowned for its high performance audio and ultra low power consumption, its devices are at the heart of many high profile consumer electronics products, including mobile phones, mp3 players, flat panel TVs and in-car infotainment systems. Wolfson technology enables exciting new end-user experiences by connecting the digital world to the human senses.

Headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, Wolfson has sales and engineering offices in the USA, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and India.

Wolfson Microelectronics plc is listed on the London stock exchange. (LSE: WLF.L)

For more information about Wolfson Microelectronics, please visit: www.wolfsonmicro.com or sign up for Wolfson eNews at: www.wolfsonmicro.com/enews

Contacts
Chris King
EML
Tel: +44 (0) 208 408 8000
Email: wolfson@eml.com

Anne Connolly
Wolfson Microelectronics plc
Tel: +44 (0) 131 272 7000
Email: anne.connolly@wolfsonmicro.com

Press Image

WM9081_press_image (820k)

CONTACTS FOR PRESS RELEASE SUPPORT MATERIALS

CORPORATE

Allan Hughes
VP Marketing
Wolfson Microelectronics plc
allan.hughes@wolfsonmicro.com
+44 (0) 131 272 7000

US

Al Haun
Precision Communications
al_haun@comcast.net
+1 (508) 876 9400

EUROPE

Laura Moore
PR Manager
Wolfson Microelectronics
laura.moore@wolfsonmicro.com
+44 (0)131 272 7137

JAPAN

David Huerta
Jspin Communications
david@jspin.co.jp
+81 352 691 038

CHINA

Sunray Liu
Beijing New Synergy Consulting
sunray@1and7.com
+86 10 8811 3067

SOUTH KOREA

Terry Kim
Shout Korea Communications
wolfson@shoutkorea.com
+82 255 89890

TAIWAN

Thomas Chou
Access PR
wolfson@accesspr.com.tw
+ 888 2 8773 4277

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