Stereo codec integrates touch screen control and mic, headphone amp

AKM Semiconductor has introduced the AK4673 low-power audio codec with a built-in microphone amplifier, touch-screen controller (TSC) and stereo headphone amplifier. Aimed at portable applications, the device allows easy interfacing in mobile phone and portable A/V player designs.

Key features include automatic level control, a stereo sound separation emphasis circuit, and support for continuous data read from the touch-screen panel. A recording input selector supports four stereo inputs while the output section includes analog playback mixing along with the 70-mW pop-noise free stereo headphone amplifier.

The PLL for audio codec clock generation supports various cellular phone standards as well as the USB system clock frequency, and a power management function is able to control power for each circuit block. Host controller interface is I²C.

Specifications include a sampling rate that varies from 7.35 kHz to 48 kHz and respective operating ranges of 2.6 to 3.6 V (codec), 2.6 to 5.2 V (headphone amplifier), 2.5 to 2.6 V (TSC and MCU interface) and 1.6 to 3.6 V (audio interface).

The AK4673 is housed in a 57-pin BGA package (5x5 mm) and its codec block is compatible with the existing AK4645 stereo codec. Evaluation boards and samples are available now.

AKM Semiconductor, 408-436-8580, http://www.akm.com/

Product literature:
AK4673 data page
AK4673 datasheet (PDF)
AK4673 evaluation board manual (PDF)
AK4645 data page