Quickfilter Technologies has announced a powerful three-channel audio processor that is designed for seamless insertion into an audio serial digital data path. The single-chip QF3DFX Profound Sound audio processor is configured using the Quickfilter QFPro design software with audio algorithms for psychoacoustic effects such as bass enhancement, restoration, and virtual surround sound. The audio processor can be configured to interface with I2S or time division multiplexing-based audio systems. It can operate over a broad range of data rates up to 48ksamples/s and can support data resolutions of 16 or 24bit. The audio processor is self-booting and provides pin control for volume up, volume down, mute and profiles. The audio processor automatically powers down when audio data is not present, thereby enabling its use in low power applications such as wireless headsets and speakers, according to the company.
In consumer audio products such as iPods, MP3 docking stations, and sound bars, the speakers have been scaled down and placed close together such that they have poor bass response and minimal stereo separation. With the audio processor chip, these same speakers can reproduce bass notes down to 40Hz while, at the same time, providing enough separation to create a virtual surround sound from just two small speakers.
The audio processor is suitable for powered speaker products, sound bars, docking stations, internet radio, MP3 players, wired or wireless stereo headsets, televisions, home theatre, automotive audio products, PC audio, and tablet audio. The audio processor is available in a 4x4mm 24pin QFN package.
