ST-Ericsson Launches Next-Generation STw5211 Mobile Audio Chip
IT News Online Staff
2009-03-30
ST-Ericsson, a provider of mobile platforms and wireless semiconductor solutions, has announced the STw5211, its latest high-quality audio digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for the mobile music market.
The STw5211 combines ST-Ericsson's Playback Time Extender (PTE) processing technology with 102dB signal-to-noise ratio through the whole audio path, allowing OEMs to build music phones with the highest levels of audio quality and double today's typical 10-hour playback time.
Available as a single-chip solution in an ultra-small, wafer-level chip scale package (WLCSP), ST-Ericsson said the STw5211 is the market's most integrated and cost-effective audio solution to boost playback time.
"The STw5211 was developed to address increasing demand for mobile music handsets with both higher audio quality and longer playback time," said Monica de Virgiliis, Vice President, Wireless Multimedia Group, ST-Ericsson. "Typically, power consumption increases as features are enhanced and quality improved; however, the STw5211 with PTE technology allows music to be played autonomously while the rest of the platform is switched into a power-saving state. This results in a substantial increase in battery life without any compromise in audio quality for the consumer."
The STw5211's high level of integration is achieved by using 0.13-micron analog CMOS process. The STw5211 operates with a minimal bill of materials (BOM) in a tiny 2.6 x 2.6 mm WLCSP package. By incorporating the power management circuitry, the device can be directly connected to the battery with no need for external voltage regulators. Additionally, the headset amplifier is of "true ground" type and does not need coupling capacitors.
Key features of the STw5211 include:
- 102dB SNR audio quality
- Integrated PTE technology for extended playback
- 66dB THD
- 8 to 192kHz sample rate conversion
- 32kHz RTC clock-only operation
- System clock generator
- Ultra-small 2.6 x 2.6 mm footprint, requiring few external components
ST-Ericsson said volume production of the STw5211 is planned for August 2009, with samples available in April.
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