Wolfson satser stort på HD Audio

Wolfson løfter sløret for en vision og flere nye produkter, der skal bane vejen for high definition audio i alle typer af bærbare applikationer (in english).

Wolfson Microelectronics plc has unveiled its vision for pure High Definition (HD) Audio which aims to set the benchmark for audio in the next generation of multimedia applications.

According to Wolfson, audio becomes the new battleground for device differentiation, and it is Wolfson's strategy to deliver the worlds purest sound to multimedia devices including smartphones, mobile phones, tablet computers, converged televisions and portable media players.

Wolfsons Audio Hubs, combined with its innovative range of AudioPlus products, enables Wolfson to provide exceptional HD Audio solutions, resulting in an audio experience that is better than CD quality, the company claims. With audio enhancements such as noise cancellation, surround sound, multiband compression and speaker expansion, crystal-clear audio quality is delivered regardless of the use cases involved, enabling users to communicate, listen to or record the highest clarity, HD Audio in any environment.

- The consumer electronics market has undergone significant changes in recent years, including major growth in the smartphone and mobile personal computer markets, says Andy Brannan, Chief Commercial Officer at Wolfson Microelectronics.

- The demand for increasingly complex use cases, better graphics and convergence in product functionality has resulted in the need for more powerful application processors. This requirement has driven processors to lower and lower nodes. These smaller geometries are not optimum for mixedsignal audio and the de-integration of the audio function from chipsets onto an audio hub is the solution.

- Our heritage, technology and expertise in creating the perfect audio solution is ensuring that that we are staying one step ahead of our competitors, and Wolfsons HD Audio is setting the gold standard for audio quality, stresses Andy Brannan.

Audio Hub solution enables HD Audio

As part of the strategy Wolfson has jus announced the introduction of the WM8958 audio hub solution, designed to enable high definition (HD) audio in portable multimedia applications, such as smartphones, tablet computers, eBooks and navigation devices.

When combined with AudioPlus) products, such as its digital silicon micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphones, power management ICs and noise cancellation solutions, the architecture-defining WM8958 helps set the benchmark for HD quality audio.

This multi-channel ultra-low power audio hub solution provides 100dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) during digital-to-analogue (DAC) playback, while its integrated stereo Class D/AB speaker driver, and Class W headphone driver minimise power consumption during audio playback.

The WM8958 features an audio enhancement DSP which runs a multiband compressor (MBC). This enables significantly louder and clearer sound from small speakers, without causing overload or damage. Used in conjunction with an on-board parametric equaliser and dynamic range controller, the MBC provides the ability to boost and optimise speaker outputs to deliver superior audio playback for multimedia applications and ringtones.

Its stereo sample rate conversion and multi-channel digital mixing, combined with powerful analogue mixing, allows the WM8958 to support a huge range of different architectures and use cases.

A smart digital microphone interface provides power regulation, a low jitter clock and decimation filters for up to four digital microphones, while active ground loop noise rejection and DC offset correction help prevent pop noise and suppress ground noise on the headphone outputs.

- The WM8958 audio hub not only delivers excellent SNR and ultra low power consumption, but significantly enhances the multimedia listening experience of portable applications with its multiband compressor. When combined with Wolfsons range of industry-leading AudioPlus(tm) products, WM8958 helps bring HD Audio to the next generation of multimedia devices, says Andy Brannan, Chief Commercial Officer at Wolfson Microelectronics.

Digital MEMS microphones

Wolfson Microelectronics has also officially launched its next-generation digital silicon micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) microphones, the WM7210 and the WM7220.

Already in demand by many of the worlds leading consumer electronics manufacturers, Wolfsons digital MEMS microphones combine low power consumption, excellent audio capture, superior signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of 58dB, low total harmonic distortion (THD) and a miniature low profile package, making them ideal for applications including mobile phones, PCs, portable media players, digital still cameras, and navigation devices.

The WM7210 and the WM7220 complement Wolfsons high volume family of analogue MEMS microphones which were announced in 2008. Based on Wolfsons proprietary CMOS/MEMS membrane technology, the new digital devices deliver high reliability and performance, and can withstand the high temperatures needed for automated flow solder assembly, which can damage conventional microphones.

Wolfsons digital microphones supports the lowest THD performance, even at very high sound pressure levels.  Low THD is essential in delivering crystal-clear sound, as often loud sounds are distorted by the microphone.

The WM7210 and WM7220 also help save battery life with ultra low sleep mode power consumption.  When the clock delivered to the microphone drops below a specified frequency, the microphones automatically power down into a sleep mode consuming just a few micro amps.

Each microphone incorporates a high performance ADC which outputs a single bit Pulse Density Modulated (PDM) format audio data stream, while the microphone output can be defined for left or right configuration allowing for applications requiring stereo operation.