Wolfson Microelectronics launched the WM8994, the second device in a new family of integrated, ultra low power audio hub CODECs for smart phones and other feature-rich portable audio products. The WM8994 takes the highly flexible signal routing and processing of previous Wolfson audio hubs to a whole new level with the addition of an innovative new HexCore digital baseband interface, enabling great audio performance at a lower system bill of material (BOM) cost than even the most integrated single package cellular based architectures.

In most smart phones today the various audio signals, to and from speakers, microphones, and headphones are routed around the device in an analog format. However, manufacturers are increasingly moving toward an alternative highly-flexible digital architecture. The WM8994's innovative HexCore technology gives manufacturers the ability to develop multimedia mobile phones around this alternative highly-flexible digital architecture, which also facilitates the quick and accessible signal processing required to apply audio enhancement algorithms and software applications. The WM8994 enables more of these advanced audio algorithms and applications to operate simultaneously in a power and space efficient way, without compromising audio quality.

The WM8994 hub manages all audio processing and routing, allowing it to support a wide range of audio architectures and usage scenarios. By managing, converting and processing the full array of diverse audio sources, including voice, speaker, microphone, music and headphone signals, the WM8994 is able to transform the capability and performance of portable multimedia devices and enable multiple new audio use cases. These include social music sharing - the ability to listen to and discuss music in a call " and non-stop music. It also allows overlaying navigation commands without interruption, and, for in-car environments, the ability to use voice control in conjunction with noise-reduction algorithms.

The WM8994 supports a direct digital baseband connection and includes a sample rate converter (ASRC). To support Bluetooth connectivity, FM radio or Wi-Fi usage cases, which may require alternative data paths and/or clock sources, the WM8994 provides clock and data multiplexers for a third processor.

To support usage scenarios that require multiple microphones, like noise cancellation and voice recognition, the WM8994 provides four digital microphone channels together with a microphone activity detector to save power in quiet periods between voice commands.

Like other members of this new family of audio hubs, the WM8994 combines Wolfson's highly flexible audio hub architecture with the company's latest ultra low power and audio enhancement technology to deliver industry leading audio performance alongside over 100 hours of playback.

Availability and pricing:
The WM8994 is sampling now in an ultra thin 72-pin 4.51x4.02x0.7 mm W-CSP package and is priced at $2.95 in volumes of 1000.