Audio Codecs from Texas Instruments include Digital Microphone support

The four-channel TLV320AIC34, and TLV320AIC33 and TLV320AIC3106 stereo codecs can accept either a digital bit stream from a digital microphone or differential or single-ended inputs from a traditional analog microphone. The new codecs, in conjunction with digital microphones such as those offered by Akustica, provide designers with a premium quality audio solution.

Electromagnetic and radio frequency interference can compromise audio quality on portable devices and cellular phones, resulting in 'static-noise' and 'drop-outs' in voice conversations, said Davin Yuknis, vice president marketing and product management, Akustica. The combination of TI's advanced, high-performance codecs and Akustica's robust, digital microphones ensures that the audio quality is crystal clear throughout the acoustic signal chain.

Digital microphones are becoming more prevalent in various audio applications due to their ability to generate a digital audio signal that is less susceptible to electrical noise than an analog signal. With digital microphones, designers have greater freedom in the placement of the codec relative to the microphone. This flexibility is essential in portable applications where the circuit board is densely populated with chips and codec proximity to the microphone can be a mechanical challenge.

These devices are part of a complete family of versatile, software compatible, low-power codecs for portable applications from TI that also includes the TLV320AIC3101, TLV320AIC3104 and TLV320AIC3105.