October 18, 2012 – Silicon Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leading global provider of high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, announced today the introduction of the CP2114, the industry's first USB-connected I²S audio bridge chip that requires no external crystal. This product is designed to support a wide range of codecs and DACs (digital-to-analog converters) used in USB-based audio applications. The new CP2114 audio bridge chip simplifies the process of transmitting I²S audio data over USB without requiring code development effort, thereby accelerating time-to-market for USB audio accessories such as speakers, headphones, music boxes, PoS terminals, navigation systems, and VoIP systems.

USB system development requires significant expertise, design effort, and cost to address implementation challenges ranging from compatibility to poor performance. USB-connected I²S audio data transmission also requires complex clock synchronization. This process demands complex development work. To address these requirements, Silicon Labs' CP2114 audio bridge chip provides a highly integrated, plug-and-play solution for audio streaming between USB and I²S.

The CP2114 audio bridge chip integrates a USB 2.0 full-speed controller, USB transceiver, a crystal-free oscillator, one-time programmable ROM, UART, I²C, and I²S interfaces into a single-chip solution. The device's innovative crystal-free architecture eliminates the need for external clock crystals and associated components, reducing audio system BOM cost and design complexity. The CP2114 audio bridge chip does not require external memory when combined with a codec or DAC, further minimizing system BOM cost.

The CP2114 audio bridge chip supports multiple mainstream DACs and codecs from Wolfson Microelectronics, Cirrus Logic, and Texas Instruments, providing customers with the flexibility to implement their preferred audio chipset solutions. Silicon Labs provides evaluation kits implemented with these DAC and codec platforms, further reducing design time.

Eddie Sinnott, Portfolio and Strategy Director at Wolfson Microelectronics, stated: "Fast time-to-market and BOM cost reduction are critical requirements in today's competitive audio market, and through our collaboration with Silicon Labs, we can now help our customers bring cost-effective USB audio solutions to market quickly. The combination of Wolfson's multi-channel and stereo DAC products with Silicon Labs' CP2114 audio bridge chip provides a best-in-class platform for cost-sensitive consumer audio products."

Carl Alberty, Audio Product Line Marketing Director at Cirrus Logic, said: "Cirrus Logic and Silicon Labs have a long history of close collaboration in the audio market, providing competitive platforms that help our customers reduce costs and accelerate time-to-market. Cirrus Logic is renowned for supplying a broad portfolio of ultra-low-power, high-performance codecs, and together with Silicon Labs' CP2114 audio bridge chip, OEM manufacturers can benefit from a turnkey USB audio platform to differentiate themselves in the competitive audio market."

The CP2114 audio bridge chip uses the standard USB audio device class, which is natively supported by most operating systems. USB audio class compatibility eliminates the need for developing and installing separate USB software drivers. Through host-side programming, developers can configure the device with any external codec or DAC and perform field upgrades.

Mike Salas, Vice President and General Manager of Silicon Labs' microcontroller product line, stated: "As a leading supplier of USB interface devices, we help customers easily and cost-effectively implement USB connectivity in their embedded designs. Silicon Labs' CP2114 device is the most developer-friendly USB-connected I²S audio bridge solution commercially available and significantly simplifies USB audio peripheral design."

Pricing and Availability
Samples and production quantities of the CP2114 USB-connected I²S audio bridge chip are available in a small-footprint 5 mm × 5 mm QFN package optimized for space-constrained portable audio applications. The CP2114 device is priced at $1.13 per unit at 10,000-unit volumes.

The CP2114EK is priced at $49 and allows developers to evaluate and customize USB-connected I²S bridge applications through GPIO, UART, and I²C peripherals. Silicon Labs also offers CP2114 evaluation kits optimized based on popular codecs and DACs in the market, priced at $82.
For detailed information about the new CP2114 audio bridge device or to order samples and development tools, visit www.silabs.com/usb.