A better boom

has introduced the

stereo audio subsystem, the industry's first subsystem to incorporate digital and analogue input paths for multimedia, smart and voice-over-Internet procotol (VoIP) phones. National says the Boomer audio power amplifiers provide high quality output power with a minimal number of external components.

"Cell phone manufacturers use a combination of digital and analogue sources in their designs," said Mike Polacek, vice president of National Semiconductor's Audio group. "For example, the output of an MP3 decoder may be digital, while an FM radio module's output may be analogue. This flexibility, combined with the on-chip features, helps engineers save components, board space, cost and design time."

National said in a statement that the LM4934 audio subsystem integrates audio amplifiers, volume control, a mixer, power management control and National's 3D stereo sound-enhancement technology into a new, 3.3 mm by 3.9 mm, 42-bump micro SMDxt package. The 3D capability makes it easier for listeners to hear music more clearly through the phone by broadening the sound field of the closely placed speakers.