Class-D driver IP meets advanced SoC requirements

Chipidea has released a Class-D audio driver IP specifically designed for SoC devices manufactured in 65nm process.

The IP will help designers integrate the required audio features into portable applications such as MP3 players, smart phones, handheld GPS systems and others while still addressing continued demands for extended battery life.

The analog/mixed-signal IP addresses the increasing market for Class-D amplifiers, which, according to Gartner Group, is expected to show a compound annual growth rate of 15.6 percent from 2006 to 2011, rising from $334 million to $688 million. The growth is expected to come mostly from increased use of Class-D amplifiers in portable and space-constrained applications, where advanced SoC designs are likely to play a bigger role.

The integrated two-channel stereo audio driver delivers 1W into 4? (THD "Depending on their integration challenges, customers can implement the IP as a standalone function or as part of an audio subsystem that can be integrated into a stereo DAC or a complete stereo audio codec," said Joao Risques, audio product line manager of Chipidea's audio and power solutions division. "The IP is particularly well-suited for loudspeaker and headset loads, as well as line-type loads, which may ultimately serve as the basis for the next generation of Chipidea audio codecs."

The Class-D audio driver IP is available at major foundries across multiple process technologies.

- Rich Pell
Audio DesignLine