Wolfson Develops WM2002 Ambient Noise Canceling IC for Headsets

Wolfson Microelectronics plc has announced the introduction of the innovative WM2002 stereo headphone driver, the world’s first commercially available digital ambient noise canceling (ANC) application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).  Featuring Wolfson’s revolutionary myZone digital ambient noise cancellation (ANC) technology, the WM2002 will enable global electronics manufacturers to provide consumers with cost effective, mass-market, noise canceling headphones and headsets.

Using unique feed-forward noise cancellation, the WM2002 delivers best-in-class digital ANC performance, enabling up to 30 dB peak active ambient noise cancellation. Depending on the acoustics implementation, the WM2002 actively cancels noise up to 3.5 KHz, while maintaining exceptional audio quality that allows users to listen to music or take calls in noisy environments. It delivers significant savings for manufacturers in development costs, time to market and on the production line, as well as enabling a smaller PCB footprint, which allows designers more flexibility in creating compelling designs.

Designed for embedded applications or to be incorporated within a stand-alone pad-on-ear or ear-bud headset or headphone, the WM2002 supports analog playback and analog or digital microphone inputs for noise monitoring microphones, and is the perfect complement to Wolfson’s family of analog and digital silicon micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphones.

The WM2002 provides integrated power management, comprising of a DC-DC converter, charge pump and LDO regulators, and the entire device can be powered from a single cell AAA battery, two AAA cells, or from an external regulated supply, providing manufacturers and brand customers with unrivalled flexibility. The device is configured using programmable memory settings stored in an integrated non-volatile memory, and the configuration stored in the one-time programmable (OTP) memory is enabled automatically at start-up.

Kevin Carey, Wolfson’s ANC Business Development Manager, said, “Wolfson continues to lead the way in delivering world-class ANC solutions to the consumer electronics market. The WM2002 takes Wolfson’s innovative myZone™ technology to the next level by providing best-in-class digital ANC to headphones and headsets, while maintaining the integrity of the playback audio quality. It’s a true HD audio solution for the next generation of noise canceling products and will allow our global customers to make mass-market, noise canceling headphones and headsets a reality.”

Availability

The WM2002 is sampling now in a 48-pin QFN package. Pricing is available on request.  WM2002 customer evaluation boards are available to aid device evaluation and development.  Reference wired headset units are available for evaluation.

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 www.wolfsonmicro.com.