Wolfson Microelectronics announced the WM8993, the first device in a new family of ultra low power audio hub CODECs for multimedia mobile phones and other feature-rich portable audio applications. Combining Wolfson's flexible audio hub architecture with the company's latest ultra low power and audio enhancement technology, the WM8993 delivers audio performance and over 100 hours of playback time in one compact, cost effective package that challenges even the most integrated, single-package-based cellular architectures.

The WM8993 hub manages all audio processing and routing in a multimedia mobile handset, enabling it to support a wide range of audio architectures and usage scenarios. By managing, converting and processing the full array of diverse audio streams, including voice, speaker, microphone, music and headphone signals, the WM8993 is able to provide the flexible audio mixing capability and performance increasingly expected of today's portable multimedia applications.

The WM8993 integrates Wolfson's flexible ReTune Mobile Parametric Equalizer for the optimization of speaker characteristics and improved speaker frequency response. Programmable dynamic range control is also integrated to help boost low-level signals and optimize dynamic range for the challenging mobile environment. This helps maximize volume for the improved audibility of ringtones and enhanced music playback on handsets' small, low cost speakers. Dynamic range control also helps prevent audio signal clipping and distortion, which can overload the battery, cause premature shutdown due to battery droop and potentially damage the speakers.

Ground referenced Class W headphone drivers enable the WM8993 to deliver improved bass response and achieve total CODEC power consumption typically below 5 mW, which equates to 100 hours of playback on a single charge (when used with the latest processors). The WM8993's integrated charge pump removes the need for costly DC-blocking capacitors and enables significant savings in PCB space and the audio subsystem BOM. Active ground loop noise rejection and DC offset correction help prevent pops & clicks and ground noise from degrading headphone output quality.

For added flexibility the WM8993's high power speaker drivers operate in Class D or AB mode. In 1 W stereo mode the device drives an 8 BTL speaker load at <1 percent THD while in 2 W mono mode, the speaker drivers can be connected together to drive a 4 ohm load for extra power output. Low leakage and a high power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) across the audio band also enable direct battery connection for the speaker supply.

The WM8993's fully differential internal architecture and on-chip RF noise filters ensure a very high degree of noise immunity while Wolfson's next generation FLL helps to reduce system power and increase flexibility. A highly flexible input configuration also supports multiple microphone or line inputs (mono or stereo, single-ended or differential).

Availability and pricing:
The WM8993 is sampling now in an ultra thin 48-pin 3.64x3.54x0.7 mm W-CSP package and is priced at $2.49 in volumes of 1000.