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Stereo CODEC With Speaker Driver 
WM8978 
 
DESCRIPTION 
The  WM8978  is  a  low  power,  high  quality  stereo  CODEC 
designed  for  portable  applications  such  as  multimedia  phone, 
digital still camera or digital camcorder. 
The device integrates preamps for stereo differential mics, and 
includes  drivers  for  speakers,  headphone  and  differential  or 
stereo 
line  output.  External  component  requirements  are 
reduced  as  no  separate  microphone  or  headphone  amplifiers 
are required.   
Advanced  on-chip  digital  signal  processing  includes  a  5-band 
equaliser,  a  mixed  signal  Automatic  Level  Control  for  the 
microphone  or  line  input  through  the  ADC  as  well  as  a  purely 
digital  limiter  function  for  record  or  playback.  Additional  digital 
filtering  options  are  available  in  the  ADC  path,  to  cater  for 
application filtering such as ‘wind noise reduction’. 
The WM8978 digital audio interface can operate as a master or 
a slave.  An internal PLL can generate all required audio clocks 
for the CODEC from common reference clock frequencies, such 
as 12MHz and 13MHz. 
The  WM8978  operates  at  analogue  supply  voltages  from  2.5V 
to 3.3V, although the digital core can operate at voltages down 
to  1.71V to save power.  The  speaker outputs and OUT3/4 line 
outputs  can  run  from  a  5V  supply  if  increased  output  power is 
required.  Individual  sections  of  the  chip  can  also  be  powered 
down under software control. 
 
 
BLOCK DIAGRAM 
FEATURES 
Stereo CODEC:  
• 
• 
•  On-chip Headphone Driver with ‘capless’ option 
DAC SNR 98dB, THD -84dB (‘A’ weighted @ 48kHz) 
ADC SNR 95dB, THD -80dB (‘A’ weighted @ 48kHz) 
• 
40mW per channel into 16Ω / 3.3V SPKVDD 
- 
0.9W output power into 8Ω BTL speaker / 5V SPKVDD 
- 
- 
Capable of driving piezo speakers 
Stereo speaker drive configuration 
Mic Preamps: 
• 
Stereo Differential or mono microphone Interfaces 
- 
- 
Programmable preamp gain 
Psuedo differential inputs with common mode 
rejection 
Programmable ALC / Noise Gate in ADC path 
- 
Low-noise bias supplied for electret microphones 
• 
Other Features: 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Enhanced 3-D function for improved stereo separation 
Digital playback limiter 
5-band Equaliser (record or playback) 
Programmable ADC High Pass Filter (wind noise 
reduction) 
Programmable ADC Notch Filter 
Aux inputs for stereo analog input signals or ‘beep’ 
• 
• 
•  On-chip PLL supporting 12, 13, 19.2MHz and other clocks 
• 
Support for 8, 11.025, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1 and 
48kHz sample rates 
Low power, low voltage 
- 
5x5mm 32-lead QFN package 
2.5V to 3.6V (digital: 1.71V to 3.6V) 
• 
• 
APPLICATIONS 
• 
• 
Stereo Camcorder or DSC 
Multimedia Phone 
WOLFSON MICROELECTRONICS plc 
 
To receive regular email updates, sign up at http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/enews/ 
 
Preliminary Technical Data, November 2005, Rev 2.6 
 
Copyright 2005 Wolfson Microelectronics plc 
 
WM8978  
Preliminary Technical Data 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................1 
BLOCK DIAGRAM .................................................................................................1 
FEATURES.............................................................................................................1 
APPLICATIONS .....................................................................................................1 
TABLE OF CONTENTS .........................................................................................2 
PIN CONFIGURATION...........................................................................................4 
ORDERING INFORMATION ..................................................................................4 
PIN DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................5 
RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS .....................................................6 
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS ......................................................................7 
TERMINOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 10 
SPEAKER OUTPUT THD VERSUS POWER ......................................................11 
AUDIO PATHS OVERVIEW .................................................................................14 
SIGNAL TIMING REQUIREMENTS .....................................................................15 
SYSTEM CLOCK TIMING ........................................................................................... 15 
AUDIO INTERFACE TIMING – MASTER MODE ........................................................ 15 
AUDIO INTERFACE TIMING – SLAVE MODE............................................................ 16 
CONTROL INTERFACE TIMING – 3-WIRE MODE .................................................... 17 
CONTROL INTERFACE TIMING – 2-WIRE MODE .................................................... 18 
INTERNAL POWER ON RESET CIRCUIT ..........................................................19 
RECOMMENDED POWER UP/DOWN SEQUENCE .................................................. 21 
DEVICE DESCRIPTION.......................................................................................25 
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 25 
INPUT SIGNAL PATH ................................................................................................. 27 
ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL CONVERTER (ADC).......................................................... 34 
INPUT LIMITER / AUTOMATIC LEVEL CONTROL (ALC) .......................................... 38 
OUTPUT SIGNAL PATH ............................................................................................. 42 
3D STEREO ENHANCEMENT.................................................................................... 49 
ANALOGUE OUTPUTS............................................................................................... 49 
DIGITAL AUDIO INTERFACES................................................................................... 65 
AUDIO SAMPLE RATES............................................................................................. 72 
MASTER CLOCK AND PHASE LOCKED LOOP (PLL) ............................................... 72 
GENERAL PURPOSE INPUT/OUTPUT...................................................................... 74 
OUTPUT SWITCHING (JACK DETECT)..................................................................... 75 
CONTROL INTERFACE.............................................................................................. 77 
RESETTING THE CHIP .............................................................................................. 78 
POWER SUPPLIES .................................................................................................... 78 
POWER MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................ 79 
REGISTER MAP...................................................................................................80 
REGISTER BITS BY ADDRESS ................................................................................. 82 
DIGITAL FILTER CHARACTERISTICS ...............................................................99 
TERMINOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 99 
DAC FILTER RESPONSES....................................................................................... 100 
ADC FILTER RESPONSES....................................................................................... 100 
HIGHPASS FILTER................................................................................................... 101 
5-BAND EQUALISER ................................................................................................ 102 
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Preliminary Technical Data 
APPLICATION INFORMATION..........................................................................106 
RECOMMENDED EXTERNAL COMPONENTS........................................................ 106 
PACKAGE DIAGRAM ........................................................................................107 
IMPORTANT NOTICE ........................................................................................108 
ADDRESS: ................................................................................................................ 108 
WM8978 
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WM8978  
 
PIN CONFIGURATION 
Preliminary Technical Data 
 
 
ORDERING INFORMATION 
ORDER CODE 
TEMPERATURE 
PACKAGE 
WM8978GEFL/V 
RANGE 
-25°C to +85°C 
WM8978GEFL/RV 
-25°C to +85°C 
Note: 
Reel quantity = 3,500 
MOISTURE 
SENSITIVITY LEVEL 
PEAK SOLDERING 
TEMPERATURE 
32-lead QFN (5 x 5 mm) 
(Pb-free) 
32-lead QFN (5 x 5 mm) 
(Pb-free, tape and reel) 
MSL3 
MSL3 
260oC 
260oC 
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Preliminary Technical Data 
PIN DESCRIPTION 
WM8978 
PIN  
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
NAME 
LIP 
LIN 
L2/GPIO2 
RIP 
RIN 
R2/GPIO3 
LRC 
BCLK 
ADCDAT 
DACDAT 
MCLK 
DGND 
DCVDD 
DBVDD 
TYPE 
Analogue input 
Analogue input 
Analogue input 
Analogue input 
Analogue input 
Analogue input 
Digital Input / Output 
Digital Input / Output 
Digital Output 
Digital Input 
Digital Input 
Supply 
Supply 
Supply 
CSB/GPIO1 
Digital Input / Output 
SCLK 
SDIN 
MODE 
AUXL 
AUXR 
OUT4 
OUT3 
ROUT2 
SPKGND 
LOUT2 
SPKVDD 
VMID 
AGND 
ROUT1 
LOUT1 
AVDD 
Digital Input 
Digital Input / Output 
Digital Input 
Analogue input 
Analogue input 
Analogue Output 
Analogue Output 
Analogue Output 
Supply 
Analogue Output 
Supply 
Reference 
Supply 
Analogue Output 
Analogue Output 
Supply 
MICBIAS 
Analogue Output 
DESCRIPTION 
Left Mic Pre-amp positive input 
Left Mic Pre-amp negative input 
Left channel line input/secondary mic pre-amp positive input/GPIO2 pin 
Right Mic Pre-amp positive input 
Right Mic Pre-amp negative input 
Right channel line input/secondary mic pre-amp positive input/GPIO3 
pin 
DAC and ADC Sample Rate Clock 
Digital Audio Port Clock 
ADC Digital Audio Data Output 
DAC Digital Audio Data Input 
Master Clock Input 
Digital ground  
Digital core logic supply  
Digital buffer (I/O) supply  
3-Wire Control Interface Chip Select / GPIO1 pin 
3-Wire Control Interface Clock Input / 2-Wire Control Interface Clock 
Input 
3-Wire Control Interface Data Input / 2-Wire Control Interface Data Input 
Control Interface Selection 
Left Auxillary input 
Right Auxillary input 
Buffered midrail Headphone pseudo-ground, or Right line output or MONO
mix output 
Buffered midrail Headphone pseudo-ground, or Left line output 
Second right output, or BTL speaker driver positive output 
Speaker ground (feeds speaker amp and OUT3/OUT4) 
Second left output, or BTL speaker driver negative output 
Speaker supply (feed speaker amp only) 
Decoupling for ADC and DAC reference voltage 
Analogue ground (feeds ADC and DAC) 
Headphone or Line Output Right 
Headphone or Line Output Left 
Analogue supply (feeds ADC and DAC) 
Microphone Bias 
 
Note: 
It is recommended that the QFN ground paddle should be connected to analogue ground on the application PCB.
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PTD Rev 2.6 November 2005 
 
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WM8978  
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS  
Absolute Maximum Ratings are stress ratings only. Permanent damage to the device may be caused by continuously 
operating at or beyond these limits. Device functional operating limits and guaranteed performance specifications are given 
under Electrical Characteristics at the test conditions specified. 
Preliminary Technical Data 
ESD Sensitive Device. This device is manufactured on a CMOS process. It is therefore generically susceptible 
to damage from excessive static voltages. Proper ESD precautions must be taken during handling and storage 
of this device. 
 
Wolfson tests its package types according  to IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020B for Moisture Sensitivity to determine acceptable storage 
conditions prior to surface mount assembly. These levels are: 
MSL1 = unlimited floor life at <30°C / 85% Relative Humidity. Not normally stored in moisture barrier bag. 
MSL2 = out of bag storage for 1 year at <30°C / 60% Relative Humidity. Supplied in moisture barrier bag. 
MSL3 = out of bag storage for 168 hours at <30°C / 60% Relative Humidity. Supplied in moisture barrier bag. 
The Moisture Sensitivity Level for each package type is specified in Ordering Information. 
MIN 
-0.3V 
-0.3V 
DGND -0.3V 
AGND -0.3V 
-25°C 
-65°C 
CONDITION 
DBVDD, DCVDD, AVDD supply voltages 
SPKVDD supply voltage 
Voltage range digital inputs 
Voltage range analogue inputs 
Operating temperature range, TA 
Storage temperature after soldering 
Notes: 
1.  Analogue and digital grounds must always be within 0.3V of each other. 
2.  All digital and analogue supplies are completely independent from each other. 
3.  Analogue supply has to be ≥ to digital. 
4. 
5.  When using PLL, DCVDD should be  ≥ 1.9V. 
 
 
In non-boosted mode, SPKVDD should = AVDD, if boosted SPKVDD should be ≥ 1.5x AVDD. 
MAX 
+3.63V 
+7V 
DVDD +0.3V 
AVDD +0.3V 
+85°C 
+150°C 
RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS 
PARAMETER 
Digital supply range (Core) 
Digital supply range (Buffer) 
Analogue core supply range 
Analogue output supply range 
Ground 
SYMBOL 
DCVDD 
DBVDD 
AVDD 
SPKVDD 
DGND, AGND,  
SPKGND 
Notes: 
1.  When using the PLL, DCVDD must not be less than 1.9V. 
 
TEST 
CONDITIONS 
MIN 
TYP 
MAX 
UNIT 
 
 
 
 
 
1.711 
1.71 
2.5 
2.5 
 
 
 
 
 
0 
3.6 
3.6 
3.6 
5.5 
 
V 
V 
V 
V 
V 
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PTD Rev 2.6 November 2005 
 
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Preliminary Technical Data 
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS 
WM8978 
Test Conditions 
DCVDD=1.8V, AVDD=DBVDD=SPKVDD= 3.3V, TA  = +25oC, 1kHz signal, fs = 48kHz, 24-bit audio data unless otherwise 
stated. 
PARAMETER 
Microphone Preamp Inputs (LIP, LIN, RIP, RIN, L2, R2) 
Full-scale Input Signal Level – 
note this changes in proportion 
to AVDD (Note 1) 
Mic PGA equivalent input noise 
PGABOOST = 0dB 
INPPGAVOL = 0dB 
TEST CONDITIONS 
At 35.25dB 
0 to 20kHz 
SYMBOL 
VINFS 
1.0 
0 
150 
MIN 
 
 
TYP 
MAX 
UNIT 
 
 
Vrms 
dBV 
uV 
Input resistance  
gain 
RMICIN 
RMICIN 
RMICIN 
RMICIP 
CMICIN 
MIC Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) 
 
Programmable Gain 
 
Programmable Gain Step Size 
Mute Attenuation 
 
Selectable Input Gain Boost (0/+20dB) 
Gain Boost on PGA input 
 
 
Gain range from AUXL/R or 
L/R2 input to boost/mixer 
Gain step size to boost/mixer 
Auxilliary Analogue Inputs (AUXL, AUXR) 
Full-scale Input Signal Level 
VINFS 
(0dB) – note this changes in 
proportion to AVDD 
Input Resistance 
(Note 2)  
 
RAUXINLMIN 
Gain set to 35.25dB 
Gain set to 0dB 
Gain set to -12dB 
L/RIP2INPPGA = 1 
 
 
Guaranteed monotonic 
 
Boost disabled 
Boost enabled 
 
 
 
Left Input boost and mixer 
enabled, at max gain 
RAUXINLTYP 
Left Input boost and mixer 
enabled, at 0dB gain 
RAUXINLMAX 
Left Input boost and mixer 
RAUXINRMIN 
RAUXINRTYP 
RAUXINRMAX 
enabled, at min gain 
ight Input boost, mixer and 
beep enabled, at max gain 
ight Input boost, mixer and 
beep enabled, at 0dB gain 
ight Input boost, mixer  and 
beep enabled, at min gain 
Input Capacitance 
CMICIN 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-12 
 
 
 
 
-12 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.6 
47 
75 
94 
10 
 
0.75 
120 
0 
20 
 
3 
AVDD/3.3 
0 
4.3 
8.6 
39.1 
3 
6 
29 
10 
 
 
 
 
 
35.25 
 
 
 
 
+6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
kΩ 
kΩ 
kΩ 
kΩ 
pF 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
Vrms 
dBV 
kΩ 
kΩ 
kΩ 
kΩ 
kΩ 
kΩ 
pF 
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PTD Rev 2.6 November 2005 
 
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WM8978  
Test Conditions 
DCVDD=1.8V, AVDD=DBVDD=SPKVDD= 3.3V, TA  = +25oC, 1kHz signal, fs = 48kHz, 24-bit audio data unless otherwise 
stated. 
PARAMETER 
Automatic Level Control (ALC) 
Target Record Level 
Programmable gain 
Gain Hold Time (Note 3,5) 
TEST CONDITIONS 
MCLK = 12.288MHz 
SYMBOL 
-1.5 
-22.5 
-12 
35.25 
0, 2.67, 5.33, 10.67, … , 43691 
(time doubles with each step) 
tHOLD 
MAX 
TYP 
MIN 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNIT 
dB 
 
ms 
Preliminary Technical Data 
Gain Ramp-Up (Decay) Time 
(Note 4,5) 
tDCY 
Gain Ramp-Down (Attack) Time 
(Note 4,5) 
tATK 
(Note 3) 
ALCMODE=0 (ALC), 
MCLK=12.288MHz 
(Note 3) 
ALCMODE=1 (limiter), 
MCLK=12.288MHz 
(Note 3) 
ALCMODE=0 (ALC), 
MCLK=12.288MHz 
(Note 3) 
ALCMODE=1 (limiter), 
MCLK=12.288MHz 
(Note 3) 
3.3, 6.6, 13.1, … , 3360 
(time doubles with each step) 
0.73, 1.45, 2.91, … , 744 
(time doubles with each step) 
0.83, 1.66, 3.33, … , 852 
(time doubles with each step) 
0.18, 0.36, 0.73, … , 186 
(time doubles with each step) 
 
 
Mute Attenuation 
Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) 
Signal to Noise Ratio (Note 6) 
Total Harmonic Distortion 
(Note 7) 
Channel Separation (Note 9) 
Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) to Line-Out (LOUT1, ROUT1 with 10kΩΩΩΩ / 50pF load) 
Full-scale output 
A-weighted, 0dB gain 
PGA gains set to 0dB, 
1kHz input signal 
-3dBFS input 
SNR 
THD 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
120 
95 
-84 
110 
AVDD/3.3 
 
SNR 
THD 
Signal to Noise Ratio (Note 6) 
Total Harmonic Distortion 
(Note 7) 
Channel Separation (Note 8) 
Output Mixers (LMX1, RMX1) 
PGA gain range into mixer  
PGA gain step into mixer 
Analogue Outputs (LOUT1, ROUT1, LOUT2, ROUT2) 
Programmable Gain range 
Programmable Gain step size 
Mute attenuation 
Headphone Output (LOUT1, ROUT1 with 32ΩΩΩΩ load) 
0dB full scale output voltage 
Signal to Noise Ratio 
Total Harmonic Distortion 
SNR 
THD 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OUT34BOOST=0 
PGA gains set to 0dB, 
OUT34BOOST=1 
A-weighted 
RL = 10kΩ 
full-scale signal 
1kHz signal 
 
 
 
Monotonic 
1kHz, full scale signal 
 
A-weighted 
RL = 16Ω, Po=20mW 
AVDD=3.3V 
RL = 32 Ω, Po=20mW 
AVDD=3.3V 
 
 
 
 
-15 
 
-57 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.5x 
(AVDD/3.3) 
98 
-84 
110 
0 
3 
0 
1 
85 
AVDD/3.3 
102 
0.003 
-92 
0.008 
- 82 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
+6 
 
+6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ms 
ms 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
Vrms 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
dB 
Vrms 
dB 
% 
dB 
% 
dB 
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