Wolfson takes ultra low power to a new level with world-leading DAC

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Wolfson Microelectronics (LSE:WLF.L), today announces the launch of the WM8912, the world-leading ultra low power DAC designed to significantly extend playback time, reduce system cost and dramatically enhance audio performance in portable applications, including media players, headsets, multimedia phones and navigation devices.

The WM8912 is the latest addition to Wolfson’s successful portfolio of ultra low power audio solutions, delivering Wolfson-quality audio performance and low power consumption in an ultra thin, cost competitive package.

The WM8912 features Wolfson’s innovative SmartDAC™ technology, a unique low power DAC capacitor switching architecture, which enables DAC to headphone power consumption of less than 4mW. Also incorporated into the WM8912 is Wolfson’s Class W amplifier technology, an evolution of class G, which includes an adaptive dual drive charge pump and DC servo circuit architecture.

The Class W ground referenced amplifier technology uses an adaptive dual drive charge pump to optimise power dissipation and eliminate the need for large DC blocking capacitors on both headphone and line outputs, resulting in significant savings in PCB space and the audio subsystem bill of materials (BOM).

The WM8912 also features a control write sequencer to ensure ease of system design by enabling and disabling the DAC with a single register write. Flexible clocking options are provided by a low power Frequency Locked Loop (FLL). A programmable dynamic range controller compresses the output signal, ensuring maximum volume is achieved when desired. Used in conjunction with ReTune™ Mobile parametric equaliser, the WM8912 offers powerful features to optimise the performance of an output transducer, such as a headphone or speaker. The total package allows consumer electronics designers to develop highly differentiated end products at a reduced cost.

Duncan Macadie, Wolfson’s Low Power Audio Product Line Manager said: “The WM8912 brings together the key features required by system designers in one complete solution - low component count, ultra low power consumption, increased battery life and world-class audio – all in a cost competitive package.”

Availability

The WM8912 is available for sampling now in a 32-pin 4x4mm QFN package.

WM8912 customer evaluation boards with the Wolfson Interactive Setup and Configuration Environment (WISCE™) are available to aid device evaluation and development. WISCE™ connects to the evaluation board over USB and offers a unique interactive register map interface. This interface provides unprecedented control and overview of the device settings.
 

Related Products

• WM8912

Press Image

• WM8912 Press Image (1.0M)

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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

ROW

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