Audio Codec incorporates Class G headphone amp.
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Press Release Summary:
Extending battery life in portable audio applications, WM8900 AudioPlus(TM) Smart Power IC features quiescent headphone playback power consumption under 6 mW in voice mode and under 11 mW in Hi-Fi mode. When using 300 mAH battery, WM8900-based design can extend battery life by up to 11 hr during headphone music playback at typical 2 mW/ch listening level. Housed in 0.55 mm high, 40-pin QFN package, IC implements ground-referenced headphone outputs that remove need for dc blocking capacitors.
Original Press Release:
Wolfson WM8900 Delivers Best Power Consumption for Feature-Rich Multimedia Codecs
Ultra low power codec incorporates Class G headphone amp
MWC, Barcelona, Spain, February 11th, 2008 - Wolfson Microelectronics (LSE: WLF.L) today announced the WM8900 AudioPlus(TM) Smart Power IC, a high-performance, ultra low power audio codec with Class G, ground-referenced headphone driver. The WM8900 provides longer battery life in portable media players and multimedia handsets with reduced external component requirements.
The WM8900's quiescent headphone playback power consumption is under 6 mW in voice mode and under 11 mW in Hi-Fi mode. This extends battery life in portable audio applications and betters the quiescent power consumption of many feature-rich multimedia codecs with ground-referenced headphone outputs by up to 25%. When using a typical 300 mAH battery, a WM8900-based design can extend battery life by up to 11 hours during headphone music playback at a typical 2 mW/ch listening level.
Wolfson has designed the WM8900 to address cost and board space issues by implementing ground-referenced headphone outputs that remove the need for bulky DC blocking capacitors. The device is offered in a low profile 0.55 mm high 40-pin QFN package, which makes the WM8900 well suited for slim, portable electronic applications.
The WM8900 Class G architecture is implemented by powering the headphone amplifier with a dual input, level shifting, intelligent charge pump. The charge pump generates both the positive and negative power supply rails, ground referencing the headphone outputs. Automatic control of the charge pump maintains the most power efficient operating state during headphone playback. This is done with no intervention required from the operator or host software.
The ground-referenced Class G headphone amplifier also eliminates many sources of pops and clicks during power up, power down, mute and un-mute to deliver the high quality audio performance expected by today's consumer.
Nat Edington, VP of marketing at Wolfson comments, "The WM8900 introduces Class G amplifier technology as a means to deliver ultra-low power, ground-referenced headphone drive on a hi-fi audio codec. The device is Wolfson's latest low-power, high-performance audio codec and helps designers of portable media players and multimedia handsets to meet the challenge of delivering longer battery life with reduced system cost."
Availability and pricing:
The WM8900 sampling now in a 40-pin, 5x5x0.55 mm QFN package, priced at $1.70 in volumes of 10,000 units.
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
Anne Connolly
Wolfson Microelectronics plc
Tel: +44 (0) 131 272 7000
Email: anne.connolly@wolfsonmicro.com
