Quad Codec

CML Microcircuits are an established fabless semiconductor company developing high performance mixed signal integrated circuits. The company would like to start a Project to develop a new circuit that will allow them to target new application areas as a means of growing revenue. The Project is to specify, design and manufacture a 4-channel data conversion device (Quad codec) offering unique features. The device will contain 4 main analogue to digital data converters and 4 digital to analogue converters, all built around techniques as the main signal conversion functionality, together with additional lower resolution low power converters for monitoring and control purposes. It will interface to a digital processor via a fast serial interface bus. Unique features of the device include a novel digital filter design which greatly simplifies users application of the device, the ability to provide an unprocessed bit stream output from the analogue to digital converters which enables users to tailor their signal processing needs to the incoming signal and a high level of integration not presently available in the market from competing vendors. The design will provide users with a number of key benefits
Reduced system cost as a high level of integration reduces the number of components within a design, also reduced printed circuit board (PCB) area and shorter assembly times, as fewer components need to be placed.
Increased design flexibility as a move to a more digitally oriented architecture enables functions to be realised in software and modified via firmware rather than hardware redesign.
Improved reliability, as fewer components need to be assembled.
Supply chain optimization – reduces the number of ICs and IC vendors in the end equipment.
In executing the development the company intends to expand its knowledge of the design of data converters to gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This new knowledge will then be available for further use in CML’s future designs. It is also anticipated that a number of variants of the basic design can be released as bond out options in alternative packages to target lower functionality requirements such as triple or dual codecs, quad ADC function only, quad DAC function only, etc. Final deliverables will be samples of the final device, suitable for ramping into volume production, a sample evaluation report and a device datasheet encompassing parameters derived from the evaluation