SAN JOSE, Calif. – September 9, 2008 – Nuvoton Technology Corp., a leading worldwide provider of consumer-electronics and computer ICs, today introduced the WAU8822, a flexible, cost-effective stereo-audio CODEC for portable-audio applications. The newest member of Nuvoton’s flagship emPowerAudio™  family, the WAU8822 delivers exceptional audio performance at battery-friendly power levels: 94dBA stereo digital-to-analog converter (DAC) signal-to-noise (SNR), and 93dBA stereo analog-to-digital converter (ADC) SNR. The CODEC also provides simplified microphone management circuitry, 900mW speaker drive capability, and flexible signal path and gain selection, all using only 6μA standby current.

With its very low power consumption in all key areas, unprecedented power-management flexibility and advanced, graphical evaluation system, the WAU8822 simplifies designers’ efforts and gets their products to market quickly.

Nuvoton, a recently formed subsidiary of Winbond Electronics Corp., inherited Winbond’s technical capability in voice and audio chips which have been shipped for more than one-billion voice and audio chips in the last twenty-plus years. The emPowerAudio™  line was developed to help designers worldwide to successfully develop high-fidelity audio applications, at price points that will fuel growth in high-quality audio in an every-broadening range of portable devices.

"The WAU8822 reflects another strategic move by Nuvoton in the high-volume, high-growth audio markets, building both on our two decades of providing silicon to the speech and audio markets, and on our recently announced WAU8812 CODEC for monaural applications," said Ike Saeed, vice president of marketing at Nuvoton. "We’re excited to be taking leadership position to a higher level of consumer-audio performance, leveraging our proven cost-effective design and manufacturing capabilities to support our customers worldwide."

Programmability, Functionality, Flexibility

The WAU8822 provides designers with a range of features that enhance programmability, functionality and flexibility.

By starting with a widely used pin-out and adding functionality, the WAU8822 in many cases allows simple system upgrade without board redesign. For example, the ability to adjust power levels in critical functional sections – such as ADC and DAC - by writing to registers to reduce the current in these sections can be implemented in most cases without board changes. This allows the system designer to optimize performance and battery life under different conditions.

The device allows full read-back of data in its registers, speeding up system design and making the final product more robust. The WAU8822 also incorporates a time-slot audio data transfer capability that enables multiple devices to be attached to a single bus.

The WAU8822 is supported by an evaluation system with a user-friendly graphical interface. The CODEC’s performance meets critical portable-audio requirements, while the evaluation system speeds up time to market both in the development stage and during the release-to-manufacturing phase.

Key technical features in the WAU8822 include:

• Audio performance
  • 48kHz Stereo DAC: 94dBA SNR, -84dB THD
  • 48kHz Stereo ADC: 93dBA SNR, -80dB THD
• Analog outputs
  • 900mW BTL speaker driv
  • 40mW into stereo 16headphones
  • Configurable stereo line outputs
• Analog inputs
  • Stereo differential/single-ended MIC inputs with programmable gain and an ALC loop
  • Low noise bias supply for both microphones
  • Differential inputs with common mode rejection
  • Two AUX inputs for microphone/warning tones mixing
• Industry-standard digital interfaces
  • 3-wire audio interface supporting all standard formats
  • 2-, 3- and 4-wire control interfaces that include register read-back capability

Availability, Pricing

WAU8822 samples and the evaluation system are available now through all Nuvoton sales channels, with production scheduled for Q4 2008. Pricing for the device, which comes in a 32-lead QFN (5mm x 5mm) package is US$1.25 in quantities of 25,000.

About Nuvoton

Nuvoton Technology Corp. (www.nuvoton.com)  is a wholly owned subsidiary of Winbond Electronics Corp., which spun off the unit in July 2008. Nuvoton focuses on the development of two main product lines, including consumer electronics ICs and computer ICs. Nuvoton operates a six-inch wafer fab, and which provides foundry service for the company’s own branded IC products, as well as for selected manufacturing partners. Nuvoton Technology Corp. has the advantages of core technology and customer relationships, thanks to its Winbond heritage, and continues to enhance product innovation and manufacturing efficiencies. Based on this foundation, Nuvoton provides superior service to its customers. Nuvoton will continue to realize its vision: "Be the indispensable partner to industry leaders."

*Note: emPowerAudio™ is a trademark of Nuvoton Technology Corp., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All other product names that appear in this material are for identification purposes only and are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Product Contact:
George Hill
Senior Product Marketing Manager
Nuvoton Technology Corporation America
Email: ghill@nuvoton.com
Tel: +1-408-544-1716

News Contact:
Erin Chou
Sales Operation & Promotion Dept
Email：chchou7@nuvoton.com
Tel: +886-3-5770066-1086

Editorial contact:
Jerry Steach
CommonGround Communications (for Nuvoton)
Email: steachcommonground@pacbell.net
Tel: +1-415-222-9996