Asahi Kasei Microsystems Semiconductor (AKM), a supplier of audio ICs for professional and consumer products introduced its line of Direct Stream Digital (DSD) Digital-to-Analog converters. These products are capable of supporting both Super Audio CD (SACD) direct stream digital (DSD) and 24-bit 192 kHz DVD-Audio formats.

The product family consists of the AK4383, a two-channel DAC targeted towards high-end audiophile and professional applications and the AK4357, the world's first 6-channel DSD integrated circuit, targeted at multi-channel audio, including home theater and surround recording applications. Both products utilize AKM's advanced 32-level multi-bit delta-sigma modulator and feature the jitter tolerant performance of AKM's switched-capacitor (SC) technology.

The development of SACD is expanding the market for a new generation of audio players. The new players require that audio DACs respond to the 1-bit direct stream digital (DSD) data format as well as to the 24-bit 192 kHz PCM format used in DVD Audio.

According to Richard Kulavik, Marketing Manager of AKM Semiconductor, "AKM has long been the leader in single-chip, multi-channel digital-to-analog converters. Our DACs and analog ICs are found in many professional and consumer products currently available. The AK4357 and AK4383 will power the next-generation of products by providing both the quality and cost-performance that people have come to expect from AKM."

Among the key features of the devices are direct balanced (differential) outputs which reduce implementation costs while increasing the performance for systems with excessive clock jitter, making the AK4383 and AK4357 ideal for audio DVD and SACD players, car audio and electronic musical instruments. Also included on the devices are a digital volume control, allowing control of replay levels irrespective of the data format, and a "soft mute" function. This feature allows for the changing of input streams without stopping the signal transmission. The product line has a simple 3-wire interface for connection to decoders, DSPs or microcontrollers, 106 dB dynamic range (112 dB on the AK4383), and works off of a single 5-volt supply.

Because DSD data has a wide signal band and shaping noise in the high band, a low pass filter is needed to attenuate high frequency noise. AK4383 provides a built-in LPF dedicated to DSD data, and enabling the filtering characteristics recommended by the SACD format Scarlet Book to be easily achieved by adding a simple external analog filter.

AKM Semiconductors, 2001 Gateway Place, Suite 650 West, San Jose, CA 95110 or call toll free at 888-256-7364 or 408-436-8580.

It is happening in every electronics design house - the war cry to integrate, to combine functions on one chip. What used to require five, ten or more components must be designed down to one chip. Audio component manufacturers are no different and face the same pressure to shrink package size. Box manufacturers want fewer and smaller components so they can reduce the BOM, save board space and ultimately reduce costs.

AKM Semiconductors introduced two redesigns to previous DAC products to meet the challenges for integrating components. The AK4383 is a two-channel DAC that is a redesign of the AK4382 integrating direct stream digital (DSD) and DAC functions onto one chip while the AK4357 is a redesign of the AK4355 six-channel DSD that also integrates the DSD onto one chip. Many companies want the DSD function because of the new Super Audio CD (SACD) standard, started by Sony. SACD is the data format for DSD.

AKM is using a different architecture than other competing designs. AKM offers a port to the DSD functions which is not available on other products. The port will make it easier in system design because designers won't have to put a digital MUX in the design for mixing the audio stream. Additionally, the AKM has two unique ports that allow designers to control which port it accesses. Competing designs would have to get this control by using external digital chips such as FPGAs. This solution allows you to shrink you BOM and save board space.

The 6-channel AK4357 is available in a 48-pin LQFP package and is priced at $4.84 in 1K quantities. The 2-channel AK4383 is available in a 20-pin TSSOP package and is priced at $2.59 in 1K quantities. Evaluation boards and samples are available now directly from AKM.

Data sheet available at: http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/usa/index.htm