Taking low power to a new level

Wolfson Microelectronics has launched a low power DAC designed to extend playback time, reduce system cost and enhance audio performance in portable applications such as media players, headsets, multimedia phones and navigation devices.

The WM8912 features Wolfson's SmartDAC technology, a low power DAC capacitor switching architecture designed to enable DAC to headphone power consumption of under 4mW. Also incorporated 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 ensure ease of system design by enabling and disabling the DAC with a single register write. Flexible clocking options are provided by a low power frequency locked loop. A programmable dynamic range controller compresses the output signal, enabling maximum volume to be achieved when desired. The WM8912 is available for sampling now in a 32-pin4x4mm QFN package.