STMicroelectronics and Infra-Com Develop Wireless Digital Audio Reference Design for High-Quality Home Entertainment Systems

STMicroelectronics and Infra-Com Develop Wireless Digital Audio Reference Design for High-Quality Home Entertainment Systems

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a world leader in digital audio ICs, Infra-Com Ltd and short range diffused infrared (DIRTM) wireless communication IC, today announced a complete reference design for a high-bit-rate wireless audio solution intended for consumer electronic products such as home theater systems, surround-sound and gaming speakers, DTV speakers, as well as portable music and aftermarket accessories. The “Drum” and “Violin” designs combine Infra-Com’s receiver side IrGateTM IC with the all-digital class D power amplifier and signal processor from ST’s Sound Terminal family, creating a complete high-quality remote audio amplification system.

Audio signals using Infra-Com’s IrGate wireless infrared protocol are processed by an IrGT801ADR Modem and Interface IC, which receives data from the infrared sensors in the optical/analog front-end via an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) interface and drives the ST’s full digital amplifier through an I2S (Inter-IC Sound) serial digital audio interface.

The Drum solution embeds ST’s STA326, a fully-digital IC amplifier that is able to deliver 2x60W of audio power into 8 ohm loudspeakers. It provides true hi-fi audio quality, with an uncompressed 24-bit 48kHz PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) wireless link, and almost zero latency for perfect lip-sync.

The Violin solution embeds ST’s STA333ML, a fully-digital micro-less IC amplifier that is able to deliver 2x20W without the need of external heatsink. The STA333ML retains the highest digital audio quality without adding software development efforts.