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Headphone Amplifier Chip Should Extend Mobile Battery Life

Last Updated: September 9, 2008: 1:46 PM CST

Tokyo-based OKI hopes its upcoming ML2650 audio chip, which combines a Class D amplifier, a 64KB memory buffer for processing sound in batches and a 16-bit digital-to-analog converter, will solve some of the problem. Its approach of integrating all of these elements into a single chip will reduce the amount of work the device's processor must do, according to OKI, by allowing it to sleep intermittently as the chip processes audio. If the processor does less work, the device consumes less power.

"OKI developed the ML2650, which includes a D-class headphone amplifier to connect with the external CPU, a 64KB SRAM, and a 16 bit stereo DA converter, all on a single chip that will help to reduce load from the CPU," explained OKI's president of Silicon Solutions division Hiroshi Enomoto. "This... will enable mobile device/phone manufacturers to easily extend the music playback time."

According to OKI, the ML265010 mW will only crank out 10 mW of power at 32 ohms of resistance --  considerably quieter than the iPod, but with the right sort of headphones, reasonably loud volumes can be reached with that output level.

As with other Class D amplifiers, the other effect of the OKI ML2650 is to reduce the size of the playback device. "In addition, with the ultra small package size at 2.54 mm x 2.70 mm, it will contribute in smaller devices as it significantly reduces the packaging space," said Enomoto. In addition, lower power consumption gives manufacturers the option of reducing battery size, contributing further to the shrinking of devices.

OKI plans to start shipping to manufacturers next month, so we expect it to start showing up in smaller, longer-lasting portable audio players next year.