Macro photo of a semiconductor chip on a circuit board, illustrating the mDAC115 Class-D audio DAC IP
Silicon provenmDAC115-CDA1-D.01 · Audio Platform

24-bit Class-D Audio DAC, silicon-proven on GlobalFoundries 22FDX

A mixed-signal Virtual Component combining a 24-bit Sigma-Delta DAC, a multi-level PDM Class-D headphone amplifier and the surrounding digital filtering and control logic. It drives headphones from 8 Ω directly, with no coupling capacitor and no output filter.

8 Ω
Direct headphone drive
0
External components
>85%
Efficiency at rated output
Overview

The mDAC115-CDA1-D.01 removes external components from your BOM and board area while keeping playback power in the milliwatt range. It is a complete audio playback path in a single Virtual Component.

It combines a 24-bit Sigma-Delta DAC, a multi-level PDM Class-D headphone amplifier and the surrounding digital filtering and control logic. The output stage drives 8 Ω headphones directly and differentially — no coupling capacitor, no output filter.

01 · Silicon Proven

Implemented in 22FDX, validated in silicon

mDAC115 is implemented in the GlobalFoundries 22FDX platform and validated in silicon. This is not a paper port: the layout, characterisation and test chip work are done, and the full silicon report is available on request under NDA.

Dolphin has been a GlobalFoundries FDXcelerator partner since 2017 and has been shipping silicon-proven IP on the 22FDX platform ever since. For SoC teams targeting 22FDX for ultra-low-power wearables and hearing devices, that means an audio playback path you can integrate with a known risk profile and a predictable schedule.

22FDXFDXcelerator partner
✓Layout complete
✓Characterisation complete
✓Test chip validated in silicon
✓Full silicon report available under NDA
Partner since 2017 · shipping silicon-proven IP on 22FDX ever since
02 · Efficiency

Above 85% efficiency. What that does to a TWS battery

Dolphin's class-D family delivers above 85% efficiency at rated output. A linear output stage cannot. It dissipates the gap between the supply rail and the signal, and that gap is largest at the levels people actually listen at.

Output stage power draw
1.8V rail, TWS use case
9.1 mW
Class-AB
(linear)
1.2 mW
Class-D
(mDAC115)
−7.9 mW saved · roughly a quarter of the system power budget
Applied to a 49.7 mAh TWS earbud cell
6h
Class-AB, rated
→
8h
Class-D, mDAC115
Rated listening time
6h, ANC on, 50% volume
Implied avg. system power
≈31 mW
03 · Integration

Zero external components in the audio path

A class-AB audio output needs an amplifier, one DC-blocking capacitor, and in most designs an LC filter to keep switching noise off the antenna. That is three to four components per channel on the board. mDAC115 integrates the output stage and drives the transducer directly and differentially.

Before · class-AB3–4 discrete components per channel
DAC
Class-AB amp
Cap
LC filter
Transducer
After · mDAC1150 external components · direct differential drive
mDAC115-CDA1-D.01
8Ω Transducer
Applications

Where mDAC115 fits

True wireless stereo earbuds
Wireless headsets
Hearing aids & OTC hearing devices
Smart glasses & AR/VR headsets
Smartwatches & wearables
ANC-enabled audio products

Ready to integrate mDAC115?

Request the product brief. Our audio IP team reviews every request and replies within one business day. Full silicon report available under NDA.

Request the mDAC115 product brief