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The STw5211 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) from ST-Ericsson combines the company’s Playback Time Extender processing technology with a 102-dB signal-to-noise ratio through the whole signal path to provide high audio quality and double the typical 10-hour playback time of today’s music phones. With the STw5211, mobile phones also can play music while the rest of the platform switches into a power-saving state.

ST-Ericsson achieved this level of integration via a 0.13-µm analog CMOS process. By incorporating the power-management circuitry, the STw5211 operates with a minimal bill of materials (BOM) and can be directly connected to the battery with no need for external voltage regulators. Also, the “true ground” headset amplifier doesn’t need coupling capacitors.

Additionally, the STw5211 provides 66-dB total harmonic distortion, 8- to 192-kHz sample rate conversion, 32-kHz RTC clock-only operation, and a system clock generator. The chip comes in a 2.6- by 2.6-mm wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP). Volume production is planned for August 2009, with samples available in April.