Cirrus Logic Introduces Industry’s Smallest, Low-Power Boosted Smart Audio Amplifier to Support Global Shift to Mobile Stereo

Listening to music, streaming video and gaming on smartphones just got
better with a boost from Cirrus Logic’s (NASDAQ: CRUS) latest boosted
smart audio amplifier. The Cirrus
Logic CS35L41 smart power amplifier is designed to support the
growing trend toward stereo audio in smartphones and portable devices.
It delivers enriched audio clarity and loudness with advanced power
management, all in a small package – nearly half the size of other
leading DSP smart amps. By tackling the complex engineering challenges
inherent in mobile stereo audio design, Cirrus Logic enables OEMs of
smartphone and battery-powered portable devices to introduce a markedly
improved audio listening experience for both mono and stereo
applications, while conserving battery life.

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Thanks to mobile stereo and smart power amplifier technology from Cirrus Logic, consumers can put their smartphones on speaker mode and use it as their primary device for enjoying music from anywhere. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Cirrus Logic CS35L41 11-volt boosted Class D audio amplifier with
DSP, complemented with Cirrus Logic’s SoundClear^® Playback
software, improves audio quality and increases the loudness of
smartphone speaker output while protecting the speaker using both
hardware and software techniques. Its advanced battery management system
and predictive algorithms adapt to changing audio, speaker and battery
conditions to minimize power consumption and battery current, without
sacrificing audio performance. This new smart power amplifier also uses
55 nm process technology, the most advanced for this class of
amplifiers, resulting in a tiny, 5.64 mm² space-saving WLCS
package. This is important to OEMs who want to include a two-speaker
design, as well as pack in as many new features and functions as
possible.

According to a SAR Audio Signal Chain IC forecast database from Q4 2018,
market shipments for audio amplifiers have grown 3x from 2010 to 2018
due to the increasing shipments of audio playing devices, and also the
increasing number of channels per device. “Amplifier shipment growth in
the smart phone market is due not only to an increase in stereo sound in
high-end phones but also the mid-tier market, defined as phones priced
between $200 and $500,” said SAR Insight principal analyst, Peter
Cooney. “We anticipate this growth to continue with an estimated
increase from the 500 million amplifiers shipped into mid-tier phones in
2017, to almost 700 million by 2022.”

“More and more consumers are turning to their smartphone as a primary
device for video streaming, gaming and listening to music – including
using speakerphone or loudspeaker mode,” said Carl Alberty, vice
president of Marketing, Cirrus Logic. “The sound quality from a phone
using the CS35L41 is so impressive that you can leave your portable
speaker behind and simply carry one device to enjoy media anywhere you
go without compromise.”

The Cirrus Logic CS35L41 boosted amplifier delivers on the ‘big three’
requirements for mobile applications: enriched audio sound, efficient
low-power management and a space-saving package. By incorporating
features such as advanced battery management and predictive algorithms,
the Cirrus Logic smart power amp increases the audio volume when in
speakerphone mode, while reducing noise and power consumption, resulting
in better battery life and improved talk times.

Audio Performance, Low Power, Small Package

The Cirrus Logic CS35L41 11-volt smart boosted Class D audio amplifier
with DSP delivers high-performance audio in a small, low-power package.
Design features include:

• Amplifier Performance—The core of the Cirrus Logic CS35L41
  features a 5.3-watt digital input, mono Class D amplifier with the
  lowest noise and idle power consumption in its class. An integrated
  11-volt Class H DC-DC converter boosts the supply voltage and
  maintains higher efficiency than other audio power amplifiers relying
  on Class G boost regulators. By adaptively tracking the audio level,
  the Class H boost converter helps improve system efficiency, minimizes
  power dissipation and preserves battery life.
• Audio Enhancement—Cirrus Logic’s SoundClear Playback software
  provides the ability to fine tune audio to the specific micro speaker
  being used in the mobile system. Equalization, compression and
  psychoacoustic enhancement algorithms improve sound clarity and
  increase loudness. Playback filtering compensates for the unique
  frequency response of the speaker, while eliminating pre-ringing found
  in conventional linear phase filters. This enables audio engineers to
  get the most out of small speakers and improve the gaming and video
  streaming audio experience for mobile device users.
• Battery Management—The Cirrus Logic CS35L41 preserves battery
  life using an advanced battery management system, in addition to its
  Class H boost and super low 6.7-milliwatt (mW) quiescent current. By
  predictively managing the demand on the battery, the amplifier is able
  to maintain maximum loudness and audio quality, while protecting the
  battery by minimizing battery current draw and eliminating unexpected
  “brown out” conditions that shut down the phone.

Availability

The Cirrus Logic CS35L41 smart power amplifier is currently shipping in
production volumes. The company also offers tuning tools that help
enable not only top-tier smartphone and portable device OEMs to
introduce higher quality mono and stereo audio, but mid- and lower cost
designs as well. More information on the Cirrus Logic CS35L41 11-volt
boosted Class D audio amplifier is available at https://www.cirrus.com/products/cs35l41.

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

Cirrus Logic is a leader in high-performance, low-power ICs for audio
and voice signal processing applications. Cirrus Logic’s products span
the entire audio signal chain, from capture to playback, providing
innovative products for the world’s top smartphones, tablets, digital
headsets, wearables and emerging smart home applications. With
headquarters in Austin, Texas, Cirrus Logic is recognized globally for
its award-winning corporate culture. Check us out at www.cirrus.com.

Cirrus Logic, Cirrus, the Cirrus Logic logo design and SoundClear are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Cirrus Logic, Inc. © 2019 Cirrus
Logic, Inc. Other company names and/or brands may be trademarks or
service marks of their respective owners. © 2019 Cirrus Logic, Inc. All
rights reserved.

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