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Wolfson’s HexCore™ digital interface opens up new architecture opportunities for multimedia smart phones
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Taking Wolfson’s audio hub technology to a whole new level of performance and usage flexibility.
Edinburgh, UK – 9th July 2009 - Wolfson Microelectronics (LSE: WLF.L) today announces the WM8994, the second device in a new family of highly integrated, ultra low power audio hub CODECs for smart phones and other feature-rich portable audio applications. The WM8994 takes all the highly flexible signal routing and processing of previous Wolfson audio hubs to a whole new level with the addition of an innovative new HexCore™ digital baseband interface giving great audio performance at a lower system bill of material (bom) cost than even the most integrated single package cellular based architectures.
“The WM8994 audio hub enables improved performance, lower bom cost, board area reduction and multiple use cases through the integration of audio processing, speaker, headphone and line drivers on a single die,” comments Darren Hobbs, Audio Hub Product Line Manager at Wolfson, “the device offers market leading audio performance, dramatically extended playback time and many more end user scenarios for multimedia smart phones and other feature rich portable devices. For example, you can continue to listen to music in the background while receiving a call or navigation commands and use voice recognition software in conjunction with noise cancellation technology. The possible permutations are endless.”
In most smart phones today the various audio signals, to and from speakers, microphones, music files and headphones, are routed around the device in an analogue format. Manufacturers are increasingly moving toward an alternative highly flexible digital architecture, where signals are routed in a digital format. The WM8994’s innovative HexCore™ technology gives manufacturers the ability to develop multimedia mobile phones around this alternative highly flexible digital architecture, which also facilitates the quick and accessible signal processing required to apply audio enhancement algorithms and software applications. The WM8994 enables more of these advanced audio algorithms and applications to operate simultaneously in a power and space efficient way, without compromising on audio quality.
The WM8994 hub manages all audio processing and routing, enabling it to support a wide range of audio architectures and usage scenarios. By managing, converting and processing the full array of diverse audio sources, including voice, speaker, microphone, music and headphone signals, the WM8994 is able to transform the capability and performance of portable multimedia devices and enable multiple new audio use cases. These include social music sharing - the ability to listen to and discuss music in a call – and non-stop music, overlaying navigation commands without interruption, and for in-car environments, the ability to use voice control in conjunction with noise reduction algorithms.
The WM8994 supports a direct digital baseband connection and includes two asynchronous sample rate converters (ASRCs). To support Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio or Wi-Fi usage cases, which may require alternative data paths and/or clock sources, the WM8994 provides clock and data multiplexers for a third processor.
To support usage scenarios, like noise cancellation and voice recognition, that require multiple microphones, the WM8994 provides four digital microphone channels together with a microphone activity detector to save power in quiet periods between voice commands.
Like other members of this new family of audio hubs, the WM8994 combines Wolfson’s highly flexible audio hub architecture with the company’s latest ultra low power and audio enhancement technology to deliver industry leading audio performance alongside over 100 hours of playback.
Availability and pricing:
The WM8994 is available for sampling now in an ultra thin 72-pin 4.51x4.02x0.7mm W-CSP package and is priced at $2.95 in volumes of 1000.
- Ends –
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
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CORPORATE
Allan Hughes
VP Marketing
Wolfson Microelectronics plc
allan.hughes@wolfsonmicro.com
+44 (0) 131 272 7000
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Al Haun
Precision Communications
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+1 (508) 876 9400
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Laura Moore
PR Manager
Wolfson Microelectronics
laura.moore@wolfsonmicro.com
+44 (0)131 272 7137
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Jspin Communications
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+81 352 691 038
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Beijing New Synergy Consulting
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Shout Korea Communications
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+82 255 89890
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Access PR
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PR Manager
Wolfson Microelectronics
laura.moore@wolfsonmicro.com
+44 (0)131 272 7137
