The FAN3850x series of digital microphone pre-amplifiers are the recent addition to Fairchild Semiconductor’s high-performance analog mobile audio device portfolio. This series also includes FAN3850A 16dB or 19dB gain and the FAN3850T with 15dB gain and added temperature compensation. Fairchild offers energy-efficient, easy-to-use and value-added semiconductor solutions for power and mobile designs. The company helps its customers differentiate their products and solve difficult technical challenges with expertise in power and signal path products.
These analog mobile audio devices focus on sound, motion, and temperature sensing. Built with cutting-edge technology, FAN3850x series devices integrate a pre-amplifier, Low Drop-Out Regulator (LDO) and Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC (News 
- Alert)) that converts Electret Condenser Microphone (ECM) outputs to digital pulse density modulation (PDM) data streams.
This provides advanced noise rejection capabilities as well as an easy interface to mobile handset processors – resulting in better sound quality. According to a press release, the FAN3850A features both 16dB and 19dB gain versions. FAN3850T provides 15dB gain and includes integrated negative temperature coefficient to compensate for ECM positive temperature coefficient to achieve a flat sensitivity response over temperature.
Pre-amplifier accepts analog signals from the ECM and drives an over-sampled sigma delta ADC and outputs Pulse (News - Alert) Density Modulation (PDM) data streams. Excellent signal to noise ratio (SNR), lower distortion, and high power supply rejection even at high sound pressure levels (SPL). It is suitable for use in mobile handset and notebook microphone applications.
Fairchild Semiconductor is a mobile technology company offering a substantial portfolio of analog and power IP that can be customized to cater specific design requirements. By integrating leading circuit technologies into tiny, advanced packages, Fairchild provides mobile users significant advantages while reducing the size, cost and power of designs. Fairchild’s mobile IP can be found in a majority of handsets in use today.
Mandira Srivastava is a TMCnet contributor. She works as a full-time writer, ghostwriter and blogger, and has more than two years of experience in print and Web media. She has also worked on company brochures, website content and product descriptions, as well as proofreading and editing content. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Tammy Wolf
