Wolfson enables greater call intelligibility in noisy environments with unique noise cancellation technology

Edinburgh, 7th July 2008 - Wolfson Microelectronics plc (LSE:WLF.L) announced that it has started sampling of its first active noise cancellation chip specifically designed for mobile phone applications.

Voice communication is still the key function of a mobile phone with users now expecting to be able to make reliable, clear and intelligible calls any time and anywhere. Even in the most noisy of environments, such as busy urban areas or social venues. Ideally for an intelligible call you need to be able to reduce noise in both directions, enabling both parties to hear all elements of the conversation. Until now handset manufacturers have been able to reduce noise in the transmit path only, so that background noise is not transmitted to the other party in the call. However they have been unable to do anything about the ambient noise levels near the listener’s ear.

Wolfson solves this problem with a revolutionary new ambient noise cancellation technology. Complementary to existing transmit path noise cancellation technology, Wolfson’s solution focuses on the receive path and uses active anti-noise to cancel background sound at the handset speaker. Wolfson is changing the rules on noise cancellation in mobile phones with their proprietary new technology, which suppresses the background noise around the listener’s ear and enables them to have a clear telephone conversation even in noisy environments.

David Monteith, VP of Business Development at Wolfson comments, “Active noise cancellation is a powerful tool for improving the user experience in mobile phones and also improving the economics and user satisfaction of mobile phone networks. We are working with a number of manufacturers now and believe handsets containing this advanced technology will be on sale internationally during 2009.”

“We acquired Sonaptic less than a year ago as part of our growth strategy to add to the range of Wolfson AudioPlus™ products. As a result of the acquisition we diversified our technology portfolio, expanded our total addressable market (TAM) and are now enabling more enhanced user experiences.” said Dave Shrigley, CEO at Wolfson. Furthermore, “I am thoroughly delighted with the performance of the team who have developed this market changing technology on an aggressive timeline.”

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

Renowned worldwide for its high performance audio and ultra low power consumption, Wolfson devices are at the heart of many of the world’s highest 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