How Analog ICs are Used in Audio Processing

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All of us hear and experience sounds daily. Some are pleasant while others are annoying. Most of the sounds that we experience daily come from different audio devices. These devices are designed to receive audio input and process it so that we can get clear and quality output. Electric devices are embedded with numerous electronic components which process the signals. These electronic components are usually embedded into single wafers which are also known as integrated circuits or chips or microchips. There are different types of microchips that are used for audio signal processing; the two main ones are analog IC chips and digital chips. In this article, we are going to focus on how the digital IC chips are used for audio processing.

Understanding the basics of audio processing

Imagine you are holding a microphone and speaking to an audience. The microphone will take in the audio input amplify it, enhance it then give out the output from the speakers and other output devices. Audio processing is right in the middle of the input and output phases of the production process.

Audio processing encompasses an array of actions that are intended to manipulate audio signals that exist in the form of waves. Various techniques such as signal filtering, signal enhancement, and signal analysis are just some of the actions that make up the audio signal processing.

Some of the actions that encompass audio processing include filtering, noise reduction, signal enhancement, and amplification among others. Let’s have an overview of these functions:

• Equalization: This process entails finding a perfect balance between the amplitude and frequency of the audio signals.
• Reducing noise: Like most signals, the quality of audio waves can be easily affected by other unwanted signals that create the noise effect.
• Audio filtering: Like in the case of noise reduction, filtering entails the removal of the unwanted frequencies.
• Audio coding and decoding: Audio codingrefers to the process of converting audio signals into a form that will allow perfect storage such as MP3.

Analog ICs should execute most, if not all of these audio signal processing functions.

What is an analog IC?

Now that we know what audio processing is, we can turn our attention to the electronic devices that are used for this job. In most audio devices, signal processing is done digitally. However, we still have analog chips that are designed to process audio signals.

We can define analog IC as the integrated circuits that are used for performing the analog signal processing. They are capable of handling the continuous input signals which naturally vary in terms and frequency.

Analog ICs are designed to perform various audio processing-related functions such as amplification, synthesis, and filtering conditioning among others. They are able to perform these functions using various electronic components such as resistors, and capacitors, among others. These electronic components are connected in a perfect way to facilitate the implementation and execution of these functions.

The working mechanism of analog IC in relation to the signal processing

How are the analog integrated circuits capable of processing audio signals? Well, there are lots of components and procedures involved when processing signals.

First, analog ICs have numerous electronic components that are specifically designed to process audio signals, and maybe other types of signals. These components include capacitors, transistors, diodes, resistors, microcontrollers, potentiometers, and inductors among others. All these components are assembled and then fabricated onto a semiconductor wafer. Individually, the components will be irrelevant. They are then connected to each other such that they end up forming integrated circuits. Other than the basic functionality, each component comes with a unique power specification. This will determine how it will perform when connected to other circuits.

The second aspect of the audio processing by the analog ICs is the ability to handle continuous signals.  Taking a quick analysis of the audio signals, you should note that they are in continuous form. The only thing that seems to vary is the amplitude and frequency. Integrated circuits should be able to handle such signals without causing any form of distortion or signal loss.

Each IC that is used for audio processing comes with a specific power requirement. The specifications are usually defined in terms of the voltage and current capacities. The power specifications will determine the overall processing capacities of the chips. For example, when you would like to get maximum amplification from an audio processor, you will have to buy one that has high power specifications.

Signal processing functions may also vary depending on the integrated circuit that is used. Some chips are specifically built for noise reduction, while others are for amplification and all the other audio processing functionalities. At the same time, other analog ICs can perform numerous audio processing functions at once. For example, a single chip may be used for amplification, noise filtering, and synthesis among others.

Types of analog ICs for audio processing

Before you by an integrated circuit for signal processing, you need to know its type. This will define the function and relevance of the chip in your device. These types include the following:

• Operational amplifier: Also known as Op-amp, this is an analog IC that is specifically designed for amplifying input signals. The chip is commonly used in audio amplifiers.
• Comparators: These are analog chips that are used for comparing two input signals before determining the output signal that should come out of the device.
• Voltage regulators: The work of voltage regulators in audio ICs is to regulate the output voltage in a device.
• Analog-to-Digital converters: These analog ICs are used for converting the types of signals from analog form to digital form.

Conclusion

Are you working on a project that will entail using analog integrated circuits? The easiest route for you to take in relation to this project is buying new analog ICs. These are ready-made chips and your only task will be to integrate them into your audio processing device.  While at it, you should be mindful of where to buy the best analog IC for audio processing. Ensure that you buy from reputable and reliable chip suppliers in China. This way, you can be sure of the quality and reliability of the integrated circuits that you will get.

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