STMicroelectronics recently introduced a new digital audio processor with greater than 100-dB SNR and Dynamic Range. The device can process most digital input formats including 6.1/7.1 channel and 192-kHz, 24-bit DVD audio and DSD/SACD. When configured in a 5.1 application, its additional two channels can be used to supply audio line-out or headphone drive.
The STA311B is a single chip solution for digital audio processing and control in multichannel applications, providing FFXTM (Full Flexible Amplification) compatible outputs. Together with a FFXTM power amplifier it can provide high-quality, high-efficiency, all-digital amplification.
The chip accepts digitized audio input information in either I2S (left or right justified), LSB or MSB first, with word lengths of 16, 18, 20 and 24 bits. Its pop-noise removal feature does not discriminate against the music genre but instead prevents any audible transients or pops finding their way through to the power amp where they may damage the speakers. Device control is via an I2C interface. The STA311B embeds eight audio-processing channels with up to 10 independent user-selectable bi-quadratic filters per channel to allow easy implementation of tone and music genre equalization templates. It is capable of input and output mixing with multi-band dynamic range compression. The chip also has input sampling frequency auto-detection, input/output RMS metering and employs pulse-width modulated output channels.
The STA311B is supplied in an 8.0 × 8.0 × 0.9 mm VFQFPN package.