ST-Ericsson Launches Next-Generation Mobile Audio Chip to Deliver Supreme Music Quality With Substantial Improvements in Handset Battery Life

ST-Ericsson Launches Next-Generation Mobile Audio Chip to Deliver Supreme Music Quality With Substantial Improvements in Handset Battery Life

STw5211 DAC Includes ST-Ericsson's Unique Playback Time Extender (PTE) Technology in a Highly-Integrated, Single-Chip Solution and Ultra-Small, Wafer-Level Package

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 30/PRNewswire/ -- Building on its strengths in analog and mixed-signal process technology, ST-Ericsson today announced its latest high-quality audio digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for the mobile music market. STw5211 combines ST-Ericsson's innovative Playback Time Extender (PTE(TM)) processing technology with 102dB signal-to-noise ratio through the whole audio path, allowing OEMs to build music phones with the highest levels of audio quality and double today's typical 10-hour playback time. Available as a single-chip solution in an ultra-small, wafer-level chip scale package (WLCSP), STw5211 is the market's most integrated and cost-effective audio solution to boost playback time.

"STw5211 was developed to address increasing demand for mobile music handsets with both higher audio quality and longer playback time," said Monica de Virgiliis, Vice President, Wireless Multimedia Group, ST-Ericsson. "Typically, power consumption increases as features are enhanced and quality improved; however, STw5211 with PTE technology allows music to be played autonomously while the rest of the platform is switched into a power-saving state. This results in a substantial increase in battery life without any compromise in audio quality for the consumer."

STw5211 further extends ST-Ericsson's wide portfolio of audio solutions with enhanced performance.

Volume production of STw5211 is planned for August 2009, with samples available in April.

Notes to Editors

STw5211's high level of integration is achieved by using leading-edge 0.13-micron analog CMOS process. The only single-chip solution of its kind, STw5211 operates with a minimal bill of materials (BOM) in a tiny 2.6 x 2.6mm WLCSP package. By incorporating the power management circuitry, the device can be directly connected to the battery with no need for external voltage regulators. Additionally, the headset amplifier is of "true ground" type and does not need coupling capacitors.

Key features of STw5211 include:

          - 102dB SNR audio quality      - Integrated PTE technology for extended playback      - 66dB THD      - 8 to 192kHz sample rate conversion      - 32kHz RTC clock-only operation      - System clock generator      - Ultra-small 2.6 x 2.6mm footprint, requiring few external components  

About ST-Ericsson

ST-Ericsson is a world leader in developing and delivering a complete portfolio of innovative mobile platforms and cutting-edge wireless semiconductor solutions across the broad spectrum of mobile technologies. The company is a leading supplier to the top handset manufacturers and ST-Ericsson's products and technologies enable more than half of all phones in use today. The global company of 8,000 people generated pro-forma sales of about USD 3.6 billion in 2008. ST-Ericsson was established as a 50/50 joint venture by STMicroelectronics and Ericsson in February 2009, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. More information about ST-Ericsson is available at http://www.stericsson.com.

Source: ST-Ericsson

For further information, please contact: Sukul Bagai, Tel: +44-(0)20-8846-0801, Email: Sukul.Bagai@text100.co.uk. Vicky Hayden, Tel: Tel: +44-(0)20-8846-0859, Email: Vicky.Hayden@text100.co.uk. Kristina Embring Klang, Tel: +46-10-713-50-58, Email: kristina.embring.klang@stericsson.com

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Profile: International Entertainment