WAN_0263 Interfacing WM72xx Digital Microphones

WAN_0263
Interfacing WM72xx Digital Microphones
INTRODUCTION
Cirrus Logic’s WM72xx DMIC (Digital Microphone) offers best in class, low noise performance with
PDM (Pulse Density Modulation) output. As the digital interface provides direct connection to the
CODECs digital domain, the DMIC requires less external components and PCB area. This provides a
simplified interface connection and gives a higher robustness to system noise interference compared
to an analogue microphone interface.
Cirrus Logic provides a wide range of audio CODECs with single or multiple DMIC input interfaces.
Connectivity is achieved using a simple 2 wire CLK and DATA interface. As each DMIC interface
supports up to 2 microphones, the DMIC interface is more flexible and makes it easier to implement
additional microphones to support stereo recording, ambient noise cancellation, microphone array or
beam forming features into single DMIC voice recording applications. Further information on system
solutions with Cirrus’s CODECs and Microphones is available in WAN_0225.
ADVANTAGE
DIGITAL MICROPHONE
ANALOGUE MICROPHONE
Noise
performance
Digital Interface signals are more robust
to system noise coupling.
Careful design consideration
required for the sensitive
analogue interface signals.
External
components
Direct interface to CODECs with digital
microphone interface, significant saving
on PCB area with more microphones in
system
Each input supports only one
microphone with DC isolation
capacitor required.
Application
Suitable for one or more microphones in
the system. Flexibility to add additional
microphones into the application.
More suitable for single
microphone applications.
Table 1 Digital vs Analogue Microphone
This application note details the interface of the DMIC to CODEC to achieve optimum microphone
performance in the system.
PDM SIGNAL
The DMIC incorporates a sigma-delta architecture and hence outputs a 1-bit PDM signal to represent
the acoustic input signal. A typical PDM representation of an analogue sine wave is shown in Figure 1.
High occurrences of ‘1’ represents the positive cycle and vice versa for the negative cycle with higher
density of ‘0’s. In other words, the amplitude of the analogue signal is encoded by the density of bits.
The DMIC interface supports single or dual WM72xx DMICs with separate PDM streams multiplexed
together on different clock edges.
Figure 1 PDM Representation of Analogue Input Sine Wave
http://www.cirrus.com
Copyright  Cirrus Logic, Inc., 2011–2015
(All Rights Reserved)
Rev 1.2
JAN ‘15
WAN_0263
The DMIC interface with PDM output is much more robust and insensitive to noise on the PCB as the
critical analogue domain is shielded inside the DMIC. The analogue signal from the MEMS transducer
in the DMIC is sampled at high speed into 1 bit ADC and PDM output at the applied DMIC CLK rate.
The estimated signal bandwidth (BW) available from the DMIC, PDM output is:
BW = Fclk / 100
Where:
BW = signal bandwidth available from PDM
Fclk = DMIC input CLK frequency
Given the microphone internal oversampling rate is 50FS
The DMIC interfaces directly to the CODECs digital domain without any analogue pre amplifier or gain
stage required. The PDM signal is down sampled by the decimation filters in the CODEC into PCM
(Pulse Code Modulation) at much lower sampling frequency with n bits (n > 1 bit) in audio samples to
represent the signal amplitude.
The DMIC CLK frequency is in the range 1 to 3.25MHz and will depend on CODEC internal clocking
scheme. However, CODECs support a standard sampling clock frequency for PCM output. Therefore,
the DMIC CLK frequency must be chosen to support the targeted signal bandwidth in PCM.
For example, A CODEC ADC sampling at 48kHz, the PCM signal bandwidth is BW = 48kHz / 2 =
24kHz. Therefore, the minimum DMIC CLK frequency required Fclk(min) = 2.4MHz. If the DMIC is
given 1.536MHz DMIC CLK, the available PDM bandwidth is limited to 15.36kHz; the limited bandwidth
in PDM will be translated into higher noise floor observed in the PCM signal from 15.36 to 24kHz.
CONNECTION TO CODECS
Figure 2 shows the mono DMIC interface connection to the CODEC. The DAT (Data) pin outputs data
on the rising or falling edges of the incoming CLK (Clock) signal (depending on the LRSEL pin). The
DAT output is high impedance when not outputting logic data at the other CLK edges. Note that, due
to high output impedance and the line capacitance, the DAT line typically shows the same logic status
as when it is enabled on the previous clock cycle. In other words, same logic status on DAT appears
for both rising and falling CLK edges with mono DMIC.
VDD
VDD
DBVDD
WM72xx (RIGHT CHANNEL)
Audio CODEC
CLK
0.1F
DAT
DMICCLK
DMICDAT
LRSEL
GND
Figure 2 Mono Digital Microphone Interface
There are two ADCs in the CODEC, sharing the same input DAT line. If both ADCs are enabled, then
both ADCs will register the same logic status from the mono digital microphone as detailed earlier. It is
therefore recommended to enable only one ADC (consistent with the LRSEL channel selection), in
order to avoid stereo recording of two ADCs from the mono digital microphone.
2
Rev 1.2
WAN_0263
VDD
DBVDD
VDD
WM72xx (RIGHT CHANNEL)
Audio CODEC
CLK
0.1F
DAT
DMICCLK
DMICDAT
LRSEL
GND
VDD
VDD
WM72xx (LEFT CHANNEL)
CLK
0.1F
DAT
LRSEL
GND
Figure 3 Stereo Digital Microphone Interface
The output characteristic of the DMIC enables the output of two microphones to be connected together
in a stereo configuration as in Figure 3. The data from one microphone is interleaved with the data from
the others. The Left channel is transmitted following the rising CLK edge when LRSEL = 1. Therefore
the Left channel should be sampled by the CODEC on the falling edge. Similarly when LRSEL = 0, the
DMIC is set as right channel. In this case, the right channel DMIC is sampled by the CODEC on the
rising CLK edge. The output data on the stereo DMIC configuration is summarised in Figure 4.
CLK
(input)
DAT
LEFT DMIC
(LRSEL = 1)
DAT
RIGHT DMIC
(LRSEL = 0)
DAT is high-impedance (hi-z) when not outputting data
Figure 4 Output Data on Stereo DMIC Configuration
The design ensures DMIC data output is always delayed compared to the output disable into high
impedance mode, care must be taken to ensure the CLK and DAT tracks to the two microphones are
equal length to get the same delays, to secure a safe timing margin when two microphone are used in
the stereo recording.
Rev 1.2
3
WAN_0263
SUPPLY DECOUPLING
The DMIC VDD pin should be powered at the same supply voltage level as the CODEC DBVDD (Digital
Buffer Voltage) to ensure both the CLK and DAT signals are operating within the digital voltage limits.
As common practice in digital design, decoupling capacitors are required for each component on the
same power supply voltage as DMIC VDD to ensure effective noise filtering.
For an effective decoupling scheme, the DMIC GND pin should be connected to a solid ground plane
and share the same ground plane as the CODEC. As a general guideline a 0.1µF decoupling capacitor
is recommended for DMIC VDD pin. The decoupling capacitor provides low impedance between the
power and solid ground plane. Therefore, this should be positioned close to the VDD pin of each DMIC
in a stereo microphone application. A ceramic 0.1µF capacitor with X7R dielectric or better is
recommended.
SIGNAL ROUTING
The DMIC can be directly surface mounted to the same board as the CODEC, mounted separately on
flexible PCB or small peripheral board for strategic acoustic considerations. In any case, the track or
transmission line for the CLK and DAT will have several sections, each with different characteristic
impedance (Z0). Since any changes in impedance along the track will cause reflection, the circuit will
often generate multiple reflections with fast CLK edges from the CODEC, which can result in the
incorrect decoding of PDM signal or overall performance degradation in the signal chain. Therefore
careful consideration of CLK and DAT routing are recommended to avoid ringing in the DMIC interface.
As a general rule for digital audio interfaces, transmission line effects will be evident on PCB tracks
whose length is greater than 50mm. The characteristic impedance of such a track, based on signal
rise/fall times of 2ns-6ns, will be in the range 33Ω to 150Ω.
ZS Total = Z0
Trace/Transmission Line
ZS internal
V
ZS external
Driver
CLK output
ZL >1Meg
Z0
DMIC
CLK input
Figure 5 Source Termination of Single DMIC Circuit
For a single DMIC application with irregular CLK edges observed on oscilloscope, a series resistor on
the CLK line needs to be added close to the CODEC in order to match the source impedance (Zs Total)
to the track impedance. The value of the external resistor is chosen according to the output impedance
of the CLK source (Zs) and the characteristic impedance (Z0) of the transmission line as follows:
Zs Total = Zs Internal + Zs External = Z0
In other words,
Zs External = Z0 – Zs Internal
For application design incorporating ribbon cable or flexible PCB interconnection for the DMIC interface,
the GND track should be routed next to the CLK track in order to secure uniform characteristic
impedance (Z0) along the track. Source termination is recommended to minimize the reflection and
potential EMI from high frequency components due to fast clock edges.
As each DMIC interface supports up to two microphones, Figure 6 shows the source termination
scheme for stereo microphone configuration. Two equal and smaller value external resistors are
required as follows:
Zs Total = 2 x Zs Internal + Zs External = Z0
In other words,
Zs External = Z0 – 2 x Zs Internal
4
Rev 1.2
WAN_0263
The stereo source termination scheme works when the two CLK tracks are of equal length with the
same characteristic impedance. Serpentine track line is recommended for the DMIC populated closer
to the source to ensure equal delays applied to two DMICs.
ZS Total = Z0
Trace/Transmission Line
ZS external
ZL >1Meg
Z0
V
LEFT DMIC
CLK input
ZS internal
V
Driver
CLK output
Trace/Transmission Line
ZS external
ZL >1Meg
Z0
V
RIGHT DMIC
CLK input
Figure 6 Source Termination for Stereo Microphone Interface
SUMMARY
The DMIC interface offers seamless integration with Cirrus CODECs. With the design consideration as
discussed in this application note, the system designer can take full advantage of the Cirrus DMIC to
meet the most demanding acoustic design challenges in the system application.
Rev 1.2
5
WAN_0263
Contacting Cirrus Logic Support
For all product questions and inquiries, contact a Cirrus Logic Sales Representative.
To find one nearest you, go to www.cirrus.com.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
The products and services of Cirrus Logic International (UK) Limited; Cirrus Logic, Inc.; and other companies in the Cirrus Logic
group (collectively either “Cirrus” or “Cirrus Logic”) are sold subject to Cirrus’s terms and conditions of sale supplied at the time of
order acknowledgement, including those pertaining to warranty, indemnification, and limitation of liability. Software is provided
pursuant to applicable license terms. Cirrus reserves the right to make changes to its products and specifications or to
discontinue any product or service without notice. Customers should therefore obtain the latest version of relevant information
from Cirrus to verify that the information is current and complete. Testing and other quality control techniques are utilized to the
extent Cirrus deems necessary. Specific testing of all parameters of each device is not necessarily performed. In order to
minimize risks associated with customer applications, the customer must use adequate design and operating safeguards to
minimize inherent or procedural hazards. Cirrus is not liable for applications assistance or customer product design. The
customer is solely responsible for its selection and use of Cirrus products.
CERTAIN APPLICATIONS USING SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS MAY INVOLVE POTENTIAL RISKS OF DEATH,
PERSONAL INJURY, OR SEVERE PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE (“CRITICAL APPLICATIONS”). CIRRUS
PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED, AUTHORIZED OR WARRANTED FOR USE IN PRODUCTS SURGICALLY IMPLANTED
INTO THE BODY, AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY OR SECURITY DEVICES, NUCLEAR SYSTEMS, LIFE SUPPORT PRODUCTS OR
OTHER CRITICAL APPLICATIONS. INCLUSION OF CIRRUS PRODUCTS IN SUCH APPLICATIONS IS UNDERSTOOD TO
BE FULLY AT THE CUSTOMER’S RISK AND CIRRUS DISCLAIMS AND MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS, STATUTORY
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR
PURPOSE, WITH REGARD TO ANY CIRRUS PRODUCT THAT IS USED IN SUCH A MANNER. IF THE CUSTOMER OR
CUSTOMER’S CUSTOMER USES OR PERMITS THE USE OF CIRRUS PRODUCTS IN CRITICAL APPLICATIONS,
CUSTOMER AGREES, BY SUCH USE, TO FULLY INDEMNIFY CIRRUS, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES,
DISTRIBUTORS AND OTHER AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS,
THAT MAY RESULT FROM OR ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH THESE USES.
This document is the property of Cirrus and by furnishing this information, Cirrus grants no license, express or implied, under any
patents, mask work rights, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights. Any provision or publication
of any third party’s products or services does not constitute Cirrus’s approval, license, warranty or endorsement thereof. Cirrus
gives consent for copies to be made of the information contained herein only for use within your organization with respect to
Cirrus integrated circuits or other products of Cirrus, and only if the reproduction is without alteration and is accompanied by all
associated copyright, proprietary and other notices and conditions (including this notice). This consent does not extend to other
copying such as copying for general distribution, advertising or promotional purposes, or for creating any work for resale. This
document and its information is provided “AS IS” without warranty of any kind (express or implied). All statutory warranties and
conditions are excluded to the fullest extent possible. No responsibility is assumed by Cirrus for the use of information herein,
including use of this information as the basis for manufacture or sale of any items, or for infringement of patents or other rights of
third parties. Cirrus Logic, Cirrus, the Cirrus Logic logo design and SoundClear are among the trademarks of Cirrus. Other brand
and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Copyright © 2011–2015 Cirrus Logic, Inc. All rights reserved.
6
Rev 1.2