DAC is ‘world leading’ says Wolfson

The WM8912 has been designed to extend playback time, reduce system cost and enhance audio performance in portable applications, including media players, headsets, multimedia phones and navigation devices. The device features Wolfson's SmartDAC technology, a low power DAC capacitor switching architecture, which enables DAC to headphone power consumption of less than 4mW. Also incorporated into the WM8912 is Wolfson's Class W amplifier technology which includes an adaptive dual drive charge pump and DC servo circuit architecture. The Class W ground referenced amplifier technology uses an adaptive dual drive charge pump to optimise power dissipation and eliminate the need for large DC blocking capacitors on both headphone and line outputs. The WM8912 also features a control write sequencer designed to enable and disable the DAC with a single register write. Clocking options are provided by a low power frequency locked loop. A programmable dynamic range controller compresses the output signal, ensuring maximum volume is achieved when desired. Duncan Macadie, Wolfson's low power audio product line manager said: "The WM8912 brings together the key features required by system designers in one complete solution - low component count, ultra low power consumption, increased battery life and world class audio – all in a cost competitive package." The WM8912 is available for sampling now in a 32pin4x4mm QFN package.