How to select and use an audio codec and microcontroller for embedded audio feedback files Written by Jacob Beningo
There is a growing need among embedded systems to provide high- fidelity audio instead of buzzers for user feedback, including alarms and alerts. While beeps and chirps have been effective in the past, users are expecting advanced sounds that can only be produced through playing audio from file formats such as MP3s. The problem is that audio playback can appear intimidating and add additional cost and complexity to a system. The first instinct is to find a microcontroller that can play MP3s, but this often adds several dollars to the bill of materials (BOM) and considerable complexity to the embedded software. One solution that is particularly good at balancing the additional cost and software complexity is to use an audio codec. Audio codecs not only accept an audio data
stream from a microcontroller, they often also have multiple features that allow the developer to carefully tune the audio playback system to improve the quality of the sound played by the system. This article will discuss the role of audio codecs, the main characteristics that developers should consider when making a selection, and how to apply them effectively. Solutions from AKM Semiconductor, Texas Instruments, and Maxim Integrated will be introduced and used as examples here, though others are also available. It will conclude with tips and tricks on how to accelerate audio playback application development using a codec, while lowering system cost.
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