Wolfson chip manages audio and power

TO MAINTAIN its lead in the digital audio field, Wolfson Microelectronics has just released its latest WM8400 chip which is aimed directly at the next generation of music handsets and MP3 players.

The 8400 combines two main functions: - power management (which it calls Smart Power) and a highly integrated audio/multimedia codec.

In order to appeal to handset manufacturers, Wolfson has squeezed this into a small package to keep components and board space down.

The WM8400 functions include: - a multimedia codec; on-chip FLL; two DC-DC converters; and four LDO regulators - all squashed into a 6x6mm BGA package.

The company claims this can save mobile handset makers up to 25 per cent on the device bill of materials and up to 40 per cent on the board footprint.

The WM8400 is designed to work simultaneously with an extremely wide range of peripherals including an external voice codec, FM radios, microphones (including silicon mikes), melody ICs (for ringtones), Bluetooth transceivers and digital TV processors.

You still need to use the WM8400 in conjunction with a multimedia processor which is why Wolfson will be showing off the product in conjunction with Korea's Mtekvision at the forthcoming MWC show in Barcelona. Wolfson will also announced a couple of peripheral chips to complement the 8400, too.

One of the 8400's chief advantages is that it incorporates noise cancellation techniques as the result of Wolfson's acquisition of Sonaptic last year, along with integration with silicon mikes after its Oligon acquisition.

Wolfson products are found inside almost 90 per cent of digital music players – including Ipods and Zunes – so targeting music phones is an obvious move for the company.

The WM8400 is already available for sampling. µ