Integrated power management and audio ICs from Wolfson

Both the WM8351 and WM8352 are highly integrated solutions that deliver power management and audio without compromise. Compared to using separate CODEC and power management chips, which typically require two or more additional components, the WM8351 and WM8352 offer savings of up to 25% off the bill of materials (BOM) cost and 50% on the board footprint.

Designers of portable consumer electronics, including portable audio and navigation devices, can now choose from a range of products to suit their needs. The simplified WM8351 is targeted at lower cost platforms that do not require all of the WM8350’s functionality. The WM8532 has the same capabilities as the WM8350 but offers extra configuration settings to support high-end designs.

“Wolfson is focussed on improving the end user experience and the WM8351 and WM8352 continue to deliver on this goal,” said Mike Hickey, CEO of Wolfson. “With these new devices the end customer is guaranteed uncompromised high performance audio and power management.”

The WM8350, WM8351 and WM8352 are able to support the majority of application processors. The three devices have a mode where complete control is available which is in addition to the combined 9 pre-set start up and configuration settings.

The WM8351 is aimed at lower cost solutions that do not require all of the functionality on the WM8350 or WM8352. The reduced functionality results in 3 step down DC-DC buck converters and 1 step up DC-DC boost converter. In comparison the WM8352 has the same functionality as the WM8350 and includes 4 step down DC-DC buck converters and 2 step up DC-DC boost converters.

Both the WM8351 and WM8352 feature an integrated audio CODEC that provides all the necessary functions for high-quality stereo recording and playback. Programmable on-chip amplifiers allow direct connection of headphones and microphones with a minimum of external components. An on-chip battery charger in the WM8351 and WM8352 supports both trickle charging and fast (constant current, constant voltage) charging of single-cell lithium batteries. The charge current, termination voltage, and charger time out are programmable to suit different types of batteries. The WM8350 features a high performance, high fidelity stereo CODEC with advanced mixing capability, delivering an excellent 98dB SNR performance. It supports six analogue inputs, two stereo analogue outputs and two mono line outputs, and can drive headphones directly.