Audio technology: Disintegration and MEMS microphones are the trend

　　Not long ago, Wolfson Microelectronics launched the WM5110, a quad-core high-definition audio processor system-level chip, which has high integration and low power consumption, and has earpiece and stereo headset ambient noise cancellation (ANC) and acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) functions, which can achieve clear voice calls even in the noisiest environment; high-definition audio playback can bring longer and higher-quality music enjoyment to portable devices, as well as multimedia experience like IMAX. The chip is mainly used in smart phones, tablets and portable multimedia devices, which can bring them HD audio performance.

　　Eddie Sinnott, Wolfson Microelectronics Product Portfolio Director, told reporters: "Three years ago, Wolfson had anticipated that consumers would have higher requirements for audio quality in mobile devices. To achieve this, it is necessary to separate audio from the application processor. Wolfson has created a new series of products, the Audio Hub, which can handle all audio input, audio mixing, audio conversion, and audio signals to the correct output (speakers or headphones). This audio hub improves the audio performance of the device and reduces material costs and shortens design time by integrating multiple discrete components that support audio signals."

　　Once the audio signal is transferred from the analog domain to the digital domain, the sound can be enhanced by software algorithms running on the audio signal processor (DSP). Eddie Sinnott mentioned that these can reduce or eliminate unwanted noise and echo, amplify low-frequency sounds, maximize volume without overloading the speakers, and even provide a stereo expansion sound field, so the playback audio appears to be surround sound.

　　Regarding the development trend of future audio technology, Qualcomm Marketing Director Bao Shanquan said: "Whether audio uses multiple microphones is very helpful in achieving differentiation.

　　Eddie Sinnott believes that "the development of audio technology will show two major trends: First, more and more application processor manufacturers will de-integrate audio. I believe that the market formed by this trend will develop rapidly, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 60%. Second, there will be a transition from electret microphones (ECM) to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones, and more microphones will be used to eliminate excess noise and improve audio quality."

　　Considering the size constraints in portable products, it is wise to choose small MEMS microphones with improved audio performance and high sensitivity when applying multi-microphone solutions. Wolfson's MEMS microphones are suitable for smartphones, tablets and game consoles.

　　In addition, in terms of audio IP, the reporter also saw that IP supplier Synopsys launched the first integrated hardware and software audio IP subsystem for system-on-chip (SoC) design. The pre-selected and verified hardware and software subsystems are fully configurable, and the complete and integrated software environment ensures that the "drop-in" audio function supports the latest audio standards. It is suitable for tablets, portable audio devices, digital TVs and other products.

　　Henk Hamoen, senior product marketing manager at Synopsys, told reporters that in audio applications, the increasing multi-channel audio content and higher sampling rates have increased the complexity of many current consumer-oriented SoCs. In addition, new audio standards require more signal processing and bandwidth to provide high-quality sound reproduction in a wider range of audio formats. Using a dedicated audio subsystem can offload audio processing tasks from the main processor, thereby reducing design complexity and improving the performance and efficiency of the SoC.

　　At present, no other IP suppliers have launched similar products. Whether audio IP subsystems will integrate hardware and software in the future remains to be tested by the market.