Analog Devices’ 16-channel audio D/A converter provides high-performance audio at lower power

NORWOOD, USA: Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) introduced a 16-channel audio D/A converter today capable of improving audio system performance and reducing power consumption for professional, “prosumer” and automotive audio equipment applications.

The 24-bit ADAU1966 16-channel audio D/A converter provides 118dB SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) performance at 32 kHz to 192 kHz sampling rates. Its 118 dB SNR performance is achieved with a lowest in class power consumption of less than 300 mW for 16-channel operation by running the digital portion of the ADAU1966 at a lower voltage. The digital supply can be generated on chip via a linear regulator allowing the ADAU1966 to operate off a single analog supply. Alternatively, the regulator can be bypassed and a separate 2.5V to 3.3V supply provided to the chip.

Operating the ADAU1966 with full-scale differential output voltage of 3 Vrms reduces the need for downstream gain and preserves a high SNR against electrically-coupled system noise. By using the ADAU1966 A/D converter’s on-board PLL (phase-locked loop) to derive the internal master clock from an external left/right clock, the ADAU1966 eliminates the need for a separate high frequency master clock and can be used with or without a bit clock.

The ADAU1966 is qualified for AEC-100 automotive applications and operates at a -40° C to +105° C temperature range. It also features an SPI/I2C port which allows an external microcontroller to adjust volume and read the chip temperature to within +/-3°C.