Audio codec (stereo audio ADC/DAC IC)

01

Set audio quality, bit depth and sample rates

TI's TLV320AIC3104 datasheet describes a low-power stereo audio codec whose DAC offers 102 dBA signal-to-noise ratio with 16-, 20-, 24- or 32-bit data at 8–96 kHz and 3D, bass, treble, EQ and de-emphasis effects, and whose ADC offers 92 dBA SNR at 8–96 kHz with digital filtering during record. At 25 °C, 3.3 V and 48 kHz it lists ADC total harmonic distortion of −89 dB (−75 dB maximum) and headphone-output SNR of 94 dB. [1]

The record path includes microphone bias, a digitally controlled stereo microphone preamplifier, automatic gain control and mixing among the analogue inputs; a programmable PLL generates clocks from the available reference. [1]

TI's TLV320AIC3204 ultra-low-power stereo codec lists a stereo DAC with 100 dB SNR using 4.1 mW for 48 ksps playback and a stereo ADC with 93 dB SNR using 6.1 mW for 48 ksps record. TI's PCM3060, a 24-bit codec for audio-visual equipment, lists typical ADC SNR and dynamic range of 99 dB with −93 dB THD+N at 16–96 kHz, and DAC SNR of 105 dB, dynamic range of 104 dB and −94 dB THD+N (differential, 48 kHz) at 16–192 kHz, with ADC and DAC able to run asynchronously. [2] [3]

Editorial calculation: the AIC3204's record path at 6.1 mW uses about 1.5 times the power of its 4.1 mW playback path (6.1 ÷ 4.1), so duplex designs should budget both. [2]

Asahi Kasei Microdevices' AK4954A data sheet describes a 32-bit stereo codec with microphone, headphone and speaker amplifiers in a 32-pin 4 × 4 mm QFN. Its ADC lists S/(N+D) of 88 dB and DR and S/N of 97 dB with the microphone amplifier at +20 dB, rising to 100 dB at 0 dB gain; the capacitor-less headphone amplifier lists 20 mW into 16 Ω with S/N of 100 dB, and the mono BTL speaker amplifier lists 400 mW into 8 Ω at SVDD = 3.3 V and 100 mW at 1.5 V. Sampling runs from 8 to 96 kHz, data words are 16, 24 or 32 bits over I²S or MSB-justified formats, and the speaker supply accepts 0.9 to 5.5 V for direct battery drive. [4]

Editorial note: compare codecs on SNR and THD+N under the same weighting, sample rate and load, as datasheets quote them at specific test conditions. [1]

Give the supplier the number of ADC and DAC channels, required SNR and THD+N, bit depth and sample rates, inputs (microphone, line, differential), outputs and load (headphone, line, speaker), power budget, supply rails, control and audio interfaces, ESD needs, temperature range, package and quantity.

02

Fit inputs, outputs, power and interfaces

The TLV320AIC3104 has six audio inputs (a single-ended stereo pair and a fully differential stereo pair) and six output drivers — stereo headphone drivers, fully differential or single-ended, and fully differential stereo line outputs — with maximum output power of 15 mW into 32 Ω and 30 mW into 16 Ω and a 0.707 Vrms full-scale output. Stereo 48 kHz playback draws 14 mW from a 3.3 V analogue supply, with an ultra-low-power passive analogue bypass mode. [1]

Supplies are 2.7–3.6 V analogue, 1.525–1.95 V digital core and 1.1–3.6 V digital I/O; control uses I²C and the audio serial bus supports I²S, left- and right-justified, DSP and TDM modes. It is rated −40 to 85 °C with ±2,000 V HBM and ±1,500 V CDM ESD, in a 5 × 5 mm 32-pin VQFN, for headsets, IP network cameras, IP phones and wireless speakers. [1]

The AIC3204 offers six single-ended or three fully differential analogue inputs, stereo analogue and digital microphone inputs, stereo headphone and line outputs, a low-noise PGA, programmable microphone bias, a PLL and integrated LDOs, in a 5 × 5 mm 32-pin VQFN. The PCM3060 takes single-ended inputs of 3 Vp-p full scale and drives differential outputs of 8 Vp-p (4 Vp-p single-ended), runs from 5 V analogue and 3.3 V digital supplies, supports I²S, left- and right-justified formats with independent master or slave modes, and comes in TSSOP-28. [2] [3]

Editorial calculation: 0.707 Vrms into 32 Ω gives 0.707² ÷ 32 ≈ 15.6 mW, consistent with the 15 mW maximum listed for that load. [1]

03

Compare what suppliers offer

The companies in the manufacturer list below show this product on their own websites. Confirm the legal seller, factory and scope for your order.

The reviewed data sheets cover low-power portable codecs with headphone drivers, microphone inputs and on-chip processing (TLV320AIC3104, TLV320AIC3204), and a line-level 24-bit codec with higher DAC dynamic range and asynchronous ADC/DAC clocks for set-top and audio-visual equipment (PCM3060). [1] [2] [3]

Ask each supplier for SNR, THD+N and dynamic range with test conditions, sample-rate support, input and output types and levels, power per mode, supplies, control and audio interfaces, and package options. [1]

04

Trace what each block controls

This is a functional reference built from the source cited; it is not a full specification.

05

Fill the specification fields with values for your design

An audio codec quotation needs values for your design. The table explains each field, gives published values where the reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.

06

Send the audio, I/O and board data together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Channels: [ADC; DAC]
Quality: [SNR; THD+N]
Format: [bits; kHz]
Inputs: [mic; line; differential]
Outputs/load: [headphone Ω; line]
Power/rails: [mW; V]
Interfaces: [I²S/TDM; I²C]
Package/ESD/quantity: [type; kV; units]

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