Wolfson Announces Ultra Low Power Audio Hub

Wolfson Microelectronics plc today announced the introduction of its industry-leading ultra low power stereo audio hub.  The WM8962 is designed to deliver crystal clear audio to portable digital applications, such as e-Book readers, tablets, multimedia mobile phones, games consoles and digital still cameras and camcorders.

Highly flexible analog mixing options, multiple onboard clock generators, high performance ADCs and DACs, and support for multiple analog and digital microphones enable the WM8962 to support a vast range of use cases in multiple consumer electronics applications.

Its flexible audio enhancement digital signal processor (DSP) features multiple preset algorithms. Virtual Surround Sound widens the stereo speaker audio image, providing a richer, immersive listening experience; HD Bass intelligently enhances low frequencies, boosting the frequencies that small speakers can reproduce, without increasing the lowest frequency signals that small speakers cannot reproduce; while ReTune™ flattens the frequency response of the speaker or microphone path to maximize the performance of the transducer. A configurable DSP also includes functions such as 3D widening for recording, a 5-band parametric equalizer and a dynamic range controller.

Utilizing an integrated charge pump and ground referenced output, the innovative WM8962 features a Wolfson Class-W ultra low power headphone driver, designed to optimize efficiency and power consumption while reducing DC ground offsets and minimizing pops and clicks.

The WM8962 incorporates a stereo Class-D speaker driver, which provides 1 W per channel into 8 Ω loads, or 2 W mono into a 4 Ω load, with a 5 V supply. Low leakage, excellent power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) and pop/click suppression mechanisms also allow direct battery connection to the speaker supply.

Barry Paterson, Wolfson’s Product Line Director for Micro Hubs, said, “The WM8962 is the latest addition to Wolfson’s innovative Micro Hubs portfolio and provides the optimal balance of audio performance, flexibility, package size and cost-competitiveness for high volume and high growth consumer electronics applications worldwide.”

The WM8962 is available for sampling now in a W-CSP, 3.6 x 3.9 mm 49-pin package, and is priced at $2.75 in 1K volumes.  WM8962 customer evaluation boards are available to aid device evaluation and development.

About Wolfson Microelectronics
Wolfson Microelectronics is a global leader in the supply of high performance, mixed-signal semiconductor solutions to the consumer electronics market. In the home, in the office and on the move, Wolfson’s innovative technology can be found at the heart of many of the world’s leading digital consumer goods, including premier hi-fi equipment, mobile phones, MP3 players, flat panel TVs, digital still cameras and portable navigation devices. The company’s headquarters is located in Edinburgh, UK. Wolfson’s customers are located worldwide, and so is Wolfson, with design centers, sales offices, applications teams and engineering expertise across Europe, the US and Asia.  Wolfson Microelectronics plc is listed on the London stock exchange (LSE: WLF.L). For more information about Wolfson Microelectronics, please visit: http://www.wolfsonmicro.com