Unterpremstaetten, Austria-based high-performance analog ICs supplier austriamicrosystems has launched a highly integrated power and audio management unit with sophisticated audio features for personal navigation devices (PND). According to the supplier, the AS3650 specifications were developed in close cooperation with SiRF Technology Inc.

In addition to packing high performance audio functionality with audio digital-to-analog converter (DAC), analog-to-digital converter (ADC), audio mixer and several audio inputs and outputs on a single device, the AS3650 provides the entire system power management, battery management, linear and USB charging, a backlight driver for various screen sizes and a touch screen interface. This feature set together with the functionality and performance of AS3650 ensure a perfect fit to the entire SiRF PND processor family, from the industry standard SiRFatlas and SiRFtitan processors to the recently launched SiRFprima multifunction location platform, said austriamicrosystems.

"Manufacturers of battery powered devices around the world demand complete solutions with high performance and a perfect fit of processor and power management unit. The combination of austriamicrosystems' power and audio management unit and SiRF processors gives real value to OEMs and customers", said Markus Luidolt, marketing manager mobile consumer devices at austriamicrosystems.

"austriamicrosystems joins SiRF's ecosystem of partners to help us deliver high performance and cost optimized PND reference designs. We believe that our cooperation with austriamicrosystems, combined with their expertise in the integration of sophisticated power management functions with complex analog audio blocks, will help reduce BOM and time to market for our PND customers around the globe. The AS3650 from austriamicrosystems is the first power management unit with audio management specifically tailored to SiRF's multifunction location platform", commented David Wang, senior director of marketing at SiRF.

Reference designs with AS3650 and the SiRFprima processors will be available in the second quarter. AS3650 is available in a BGA124, 8 x 8 mm package and is specified for –40 °C to +85 °C ambient temperature.

www.austriamicrosystems.com