SAN JOSE, Calif. – August 5th, 2008 – Nuvoton Technology Corporation today announced the first device in its new line of emPowerAudio™ solutions. The WAU8812 is a high-performance, cost-effective mono audio CODEC designed specifically for VoIP phones, hands-free kits and general-purpose speakerphones. It delivers exceptional flexibility in performance and optimization of power consumption, while providing designers with development and test tools that can dramatically accelerate time to market.

The WAU8812 features a robust, high-fidelity, 24-bit signal architecture delivering 93dB digital-to-analog converter (DAC) signal to noise ratio (SNR) and 91dB analog-to-digital converter (ADC) SNR at audio sampling rates from 8kHz to 48kHz. The device operates at an industry-leading 6uA standby current, which greatly reduces power consumption and extends battery life in hand-held applications.

The CODEC reduces external component requirements by integrating a speaker driver, headset driver and a configurable low-noise, microphone-biasing circuit. It also includes two microphone inputs, a single auxiliary input and two dedicated analog outputs. The digital filter block includes a soft mute and a notch filter to reduce out-of-band noise. The WAU8812’s speaker and mono outputs have a dedicated supply of 2.5 to 5.5 volts, which enable increased output power as required. Industry-standard digital interfaces include I²S and PCM with programmable time slot assignments. In addition, the CODEC is AEC-Q100-compliant for automotive applications.

The WAU8812’s powerful development platform and simple graphical user interface development tools enable designers to efficiently generate new designs, giving them interactive programmability and predefined configuration paths for test and development.

Rich Pedigree in Voice, Audio

The WAU8812 comes to market with a rich pedigree of voice and audio achievements. Nuvoton was founded earlier this year as a wholly owned subsidiary of Winbond Electronics Corporation, whose mixed-signal technology has been utilized in a wide range of voice and audio applications by manufacturers worldwide. Nuvoton’s new emPowerAudio line extends that legacy and provides voice-based designs with unprecedented performance, power-consumption, and time-to-market advantages.

“As one of the leading supplier of voice and audio solutions for more than 20 years, Nuvoton’s new emPowerAudio family is designed to enable designers worldwide to successfully develop high-fidelity audio applications,” said Ike Saeed, vice president of marketing at Nuvoton. “The WAU8812 inaugurates the emPowerAudio family, which will expand into a broad range of devices for portable audio, in-vehicle infotainment systems, and VoIP telephones. Voice and audio system designers can look forward to a steady stream of emPowerAudio products from Nuvoton for these applications.”

Availability, Pricing

The WAU8812 is available in a 28-SSOP and a 32-QFN (5mmx5mm) package. The 32-QFN package supports read/write capability via SPI, 2-Wire. Samples and evaluation boards are available today. The packaged part is priced below US$1 in quantities of 25,000.

About Nuvoton

Nuvoton Technology Corp. was spun off as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Winbond Electronics Corp. in July 2008. Nuvoton focuses on the development of two main product lines, including Consumer Electronics ICs and Computer ICs. Nuvoton operates one 6 inch wafer fab, and its partial productivity is contributed to the operation by foundry service in addition to manufacturing own-branded IC products.

Nuvoton Technology Corp. has the advantages of core technology and customer relationship as we inherited Winbond’s experience, as well as continues to enhance product innovation and manufacturing technology. Nuvoton provides superior service to our customers based on the existing foundation. Nuvoton will continue to realize the vision -"be the Indispensable Partner to Industry Leaders".

In line with Nuvoton’s valuing of it long-term relationship with its partners and customers, Nuvoton sets up subsidiaries in the USA, China and Israel to strengthen regional customer support service and global management.For more information, please visit: www.nuvoton.com

*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:

Aman Feroz,
Product Marketing Manager
Nuvoton Technology Corporation America
Email: aferoz@nuvoton.com
Tel: +1.408.474.1620

News Contacts:

Asia Pacific
Erin Chou
Sales Operation & Promotion Dept
Nuvoton Technology Corporation (Headquarter)
Email: chchou7@nuvoton.com
Tel:+886-3-5770066#1086

North America
Jerry Steach
CommonGround Communications (for Nuvoton)
Email: steachcommonground@pacbell.net
Tel: 1-415.222.9996