Digital audio bridge IC simplifies iOS development

The CP2614 IC also provides built-in support for communication between iOS applications and accessory hardware, enabling a broad array of IoT accessories that operate with a companion iOS app.

Silicon Labs’ CP2614 bridge chip and MFI-SL-CP2614-EK evaluation kit provide a cost-effective, comprehensive development platform for iOS accessory developers, enabling fast time to market through fixed-function MFi support. The CP2614 solution requires no firmware development, which helps developers get up and running quickly with their MFi accessory designs. Developers simply select their customisation options with an easy-to-use GUI-based configuration tool.

The CP2614 bridge chip carefully manages and minimises power consumption, achieving low power in both active and idle modes. The CP2614 IC’s energy efficiency makes it an optimal choice for device-powered accessories. The CP2614 also includes an integrated 5V LDO regulator, which reduces BOM cost and footprint for self-powered accessories. The integrated CP2614 device operates without an external crystal or EEPROM, storing all configuration options on chip. The crystal-less architecture and integrated EEPROM further reduce BOM cost as well as PCB space, enabling developers to design smaller, more streamlined and cost-effective accessories.

The CP2614 audio bridge chip supports 24-bit unidirectional and 16-bit bidirectional digital audio streaming, enabling developers to create high-quality, high-performance “prosumer”-class audio accessories. The CP2614 can establish a communications channel with an iOS application, enabling the app to interact directly with the accessory hardware through general-purpose I/O read/writes and access to the UART for custom data flow. The GPIO can be configured for button input and LED output and accessed remotely from an iOS app or used to control audio playback.

“In designing our pocket-sized iTrack Pocket stereo recording product, we needed a bridge chip solution that could fit the extreme form-factor, low-power and high-quality audio requirements of our device-powered iOS accessory,” said Rob Jenkins, Director of Product Engineering, Focusrite. “The CP2614 device fit our design needs by offering an ideal combination of small footprint and low current. Our hardware and software audio products make music easy to make, and the CP2614 made the iTrack Pocket easy to make.”

“To succeed in today’s competitive iOS accessory market, developers need turnkey solutions – silicon, firmware and evaluation kits – that help them to simplify their designs, reduce power and cost, and speed time to market,” said Daniel Cooley, Vice President and General Manager, MCU and Wireless Products, Silicon Labs. “Our new CP2614 audio bridge chip and evaluation kit enable customers like Focusrite to focus on creating differentiated iOS audio accessory products with innovative features that add value for the end user.”

The CP2614 audio bridge IC and MFI-SL-CP2614-EK evaluation kit are in full production and available to MFi licensees today. Available in a 5x5mm QFN32 package, the CP2614 IC is priced at $2.51 in 10,000-unit quantities. The MFI-SL-CP2614-EK is priced at $59 (MSRP). MFi licensees can order the evaluation kit through the Apple MFi Procurement Portal.