The MAX9860 is a low-power, voice band mono audio CODEC designed to provide a complete audio solution for wireless voice headsets and other mono voice audio devices. Using an on-chip bridge-tied load mono headphone amplifier, the MAX9860 can output 30mW into a 32Ω earpiece while operating from a single 1.8V power supply. Very low power consumption makes it an ideal choice for battery-powered applications.

The MAX9860’s flexible clocking circuitry utilizes common system clock frequencies ranging from 10MHz to 60MHz, eliminating the need for an external PLL and multiple crystal oscillators. Both the ADC and DAC support sample rates of 8kHz to 48kHz in either synchronous or asynchronous operation. Both master and slave timing modes are supported.

Two differential microphone inputs are available with a user-programmable preamplifier and programmable gain amplifier. Automatic gain control with selectable attack/release times and signal threshold allows maximum dynamic range. A noise gate with selectable threshold provides a means to quiet the channel when no signal is present. Both the DAC and ADC digital filters provide full attenuation for out-of-band signals as well as a 5th order GSM-compliant digital high-pass filter. A digital side tone mixer provides loopback of the microphones/ADC signal to the DAC/headphone output.

Serial DAC and ADC data is transferred over a flexible digital I2S-compatible interface that also supports TDM mode. Mode settings, volume control, and shutdown are programmed through a 2-wire, I²C-compatible interface.

The MAX9860 is fully specified over the -40°C to +85°C extended temperature range and is available in a low-profile, 4mm x 4mm 24-pin thin QFN package.