Wolfson Microelectronics is targeting the ‘pocket multimedia’ market with a stereo DAC with integrated 1W Class D stereo speaker driver and capless headphone output. The WM8956 is aimed at mobile phones, solid state media players, portable DVD, games consoles and other similar battery operated devices. A key feature is the efficiency of its Class D speaker amplifiers, which achieve 87% at full power. This efficiency is delivered with uncompromised audio performance and just 0.03% total harmonic distortion at 1W per channel into an 8 ohm load. DAC and headphone playback power consumption is 10mW whilst offering 98dB SNR.

The device itself replaces four discrete parts: speaker driver, audio DAC, headphone and microphone amplifiers. The WM8956 supports differential microphone and line inputs specifically for baseband processors in mobile phones as well as offering a flexible analogue mixer for stereo and mono inputs and outputs for other applications. It also features built-in 3D audio enhancement. The device is available for sampling in a 5x5 32-pin QFN package, ideal for hand-held and portable systems. It is priced at $2.68 in volumes of 10,000.