Wolfson takes ultra low power to a new level and claims world-leading DAC

The WM8912 is the latest addition to Wolfson’s successful portfolio of ultra low power audio solutions, delivering Wolfson-quality audio performance and low power consumption in an ultra thin, cost competitive package.

The WM8912 features Wolfson’s innovative SmartDAC™technology, a unique 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, an evolution of class G, 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, resulting in significant savings in PCB space and the audio subsystem bill of materials (BOM).

The WM8912 also features a control write sequencer 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 (FLL). A programmable dynamic range controller compresses the output signal, ensuring maximum volume is achieved when desired. Used in conjunction with ReTuneTM Mobile parametric equaliser, the WM8912 offers powerful features to optimise the performance of an output transducer, such as a headphone or speaker. The total package allows consumer electronics designers to develop highly differentiated end products at a reduced cost.

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.”