Dolphin Integration reveal high quality and common-mode noise-resilient audio CODEC targeting automotive infotainment application

Grenoble, France – August 11, 2014 -- Dolphin Integration offer an audio CODEC targeting automotive infotainment applications, sCODS100-N.11-Xenon, providing optimal voice command and in-cabin phone conversation performances for best-in-class listening sound system.

A world leading automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) has partnered with Dolphin Integration by approving the performances and configuration of this audio CODEC per automotive application requirements and by purchasing the infotainment module with this audio IP embedded inside.

Beside the automotive AEC-Q100 standard requiring high operating temperature range, the major automotive application concern is the noisy ground. In order to overcome this issue, sCODS100-N.11-Xenon embeds common-mode noise-resilient preamplifier in the ADC path and provides a unique “Common Mode Noise Tolerance Template (CMNT2)” specifying the tolerated noise beyond audio bandwidth. For further information on the common-mode management technique, please look at this technical article published by Dolphin Integration.

As a second noticeable innovation: an inter voltage-domain isolation-system enabling independent start-up and power-down of analog and logic power supplies of the CODEC, with control signal connected to SoC’s Activity Control Unit (ACU) for ensuring safe behaviour of the IP during power-on and power-off sequences.

Feature highlight:

• 2 stereo ADCs with 4 stereo single-ended or differential inputs for line-in or mic-in application, and 2 stereo digital microphone inputs
• 3 stereo DACs with 3 stereo singled-ended line outputs for 5.1 in-car sound system
• Automatic Gain control (AGC) on recording path preventing from saturation of audio signals
• Automatic Fs synchronization system with Audio Data Adaptive Synchronizer (ADAS) for both ADC and DAC
• Jerk-less solution ensuring the best resilience to Fs frequency shift on audio data path
• PLL-less solution for eliminating jittered PLL with direct fixed main clock support
• Low noise regulator for highest resilience against power supply noise
• Pop-up Noise (PuN) reduction circuitry for line-out

Performance highlight:

• For line/mic in to ADC path:
• CMRR (@ a frequency from 20 to 20 kHz): 85 dB (minimum)
• SNR (A-weighted): 90 dB (typical) / 85 dB (minimum)
• THD+N (@ FS-1 dB): -80 dB (typical) / -75 dB (maximum)
• PSRR (@ 1 kHz): 90 dB (typical)
• For DAC to line-out (with 3 kOhm load minimum) path:
• SNR (A-weighted): 100 dB (typical) / 96 dB (minimum)
• THD+N (@ FS-1 dB): -90 dB (typical) / - 85 dB (maximum)
• PuN: - 60 dBVp (typical)
• PSRR (@ 1 kHz): 90 dB (typical)

Availability:

At TSMC 40 nm, but easily retargetable from 90 nm to 28 nm at both TSMC and SMIC

For further information on product sCODS100-N.11-Xenon, please click on the link or contact us at converters@dolphin-ip.com.

About Dolphin Integration

Dolphin Integration contribute to "enabling mixed signal Systems-on-Chip". Their focus is to supply worldwide customers with fault-free, high-yield and reliable kits of CMOS Virtual Components of Silicon IP, based on innovative libraries of standard cells, flexible registers and low-power memories. They provide high-resolution converters for audio and measurement, regulators for efficient power supply networks, application optimized micro-controllers.
They put emphasis on resilience to noise and drastic reductions of power-consumption at system level, thanks to their own EDA solutions missing on the market for Application Hardware Modeling as well as early Power and Noise assessment In addition strong experiences in ASIC/SoC design and fabrication, plus privileged foundry portal even for small or medium volumes, makes them a genuine one-stop shop covering all customers’ needs for specific requests.