Wolfson Delivers Multimedia CODEC With Switchable Speaker Driver

The WM8991 mobile audio CODEC debuts as the first such device to include a dual-mode, 1W speaker driver with the ability to switch between Class AB and Class D operation. Using the company’s Audio Hub concept, the CODEC can mix and select from multiple audio sources including voice, radio, music, mobile TV, and Wi-Fi. The device, in a 5 mm x 5 mm BGA package, specifies a SNR of 98 dB and supports the signal-switching, audio-conversion, and voice-mixing requirements for next-generation mobile phones. Its digital core consumes as little as 5 mW during a voice call. Eight analog inputs and nine analog outputs eliminate the need for external input or output switches and a differential headphone output eliminates the need for external capacitors. Other features include a phantom-ground design, an ac-coupled mode, and voice features that include digital side tone, which allows digital filtering of low frequency noise from the attenuated voice-feedback signal. The WM8991 is sampling now. WOLFSON MICROELECTRONICS PLC, San Diego, CA. (858) 676-5090.