Automotive Mobile Audio Video

New ICs Enable Multi-Channel Audio Inputs into Affordable Entry- and Mid-Level Products

A new family of surround-sound codecs introduced by audio chip leader Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) is helping manufacturers of audio/video (A/V) receivers and automotive audio systems incorporate advanced multi-channel surround-sound features into their entry- and mid-level products.

The products, the CS42436, CS42438 and the CS42448, allow audio system designers to add in up to eight single-ended or six differential input sources, and up to eight single-ended or differential output sources, making these new products the most highly integrated surround-sound codecs on the market. For system designers, this high level of integration means that external analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are no longer needed to pass multiple audio channels to DSP chips for audio processing.

"By eliminating the need for external ADCs, these new audio codecs greatly simplify design cycles and help reduce overall system costs for manufacturers," said Sanjay Voleti, Mixed-Signal Products marketing manager, Cirrus Logic. "Plus, it's helping to make multi-channel surround-sound audio sources like DVD-Audio much more affordable for consumers, as now DVD-Audio can be incorporated more cost-effectively into entry-level consumer A/V receiver and automotive audio systems."

In addition, with more audio inputs, the consumer can bring audio into the A/V receiver from multiple sources, including set-top boxes, VCRs and the 5.1 input channels necessary for DVD-Audio playback. In the automotive environment, audio input can come from such devices as an in-car navigation system, the mobile phone, the CD/DVD player and the radio tuner.

The CS42448 features eight digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with a complete serial port that supports all standard audio data formats as well as time division multiplexing (TDM) mode. The CS42438, which features eight DACs, and the CS42436, which features six DACs, include a TDM-only serial port. All DACs are 24-bit, with support for sample rates up to 192 kHz, and provide impressive dynamic range of up to 108 dB. In addition, all three devices feature six 24-bit ADCs, which also support sample rates up to 192 kHz and provide dynamic range of up to 105 dB.