The CP2614 MFi Accessory Digital Audio Bridge chip and evaluation kit from Silicon Labs is designed to enable rapid development of accessories for Apple® iOS devices. MFi Accessory Digital Audio Bridge CP2614 Data Short provides built-in support for the Apple Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad (“MFi”) protocol and the Lightning™ connector.
One turnkey feature of the CP2614 is Lightning-to-I2S digital audio streaming and communication with iOS apps. No firmware development is required to use the CP2614. All customization options are selected using a simple GUI configuration tool; these configuration options are then programmed directly into flash memory included in the CP2614. By eliminating the need to write a ground-up MFi protocol stack, Silicon Labs’ CP2614 greatly simplifies the development of iOS accessories and shortens time to market.
The CP2614 is ideally suited for audio accessories as well as accessories that communicate with a companion iOS application. The CP2614 supports the following Apple iOS devices with Lightning connector: iPhone® 5 and later, iPad® (4th generation) and later, iPad mini™ (all versions), iPod touch® (5th generation), iPad Air® (all versions).
The device facilitates 24-bit uni-directional or 16-bit bi-directional digital audio streaming. Its built-in communications channel allows an iOS app to control and interact with accessory hardware. The CP2614 is optimized for low power in both active and idle modes. Its high integration reduces both the BOM cost and the PCB footprint. In addition, no external crystal or EEPROM is required.
GPIO can be configured for button input and LED output. It can be remotely accessed from an iOS app or used to control audio playback. The digital audio bridge chip can also receive “Now Playing” metadata. It features general purpose serial interface available for custom data flow, and the operating temperature range for the CP2614 is -40 °C to +85 °C.
The CP2614 MFi Accessory Digital Audio Evaluation Kit includes everything needed to start accessory development. It supports all CP2614 chip features. The CP2614 iOS Demonstration app works in conjunction with the CP2614 MFi Accessory Digital Audio Evaluation Kit. It provides command and control LEDs and comes with display board information and firmware revision. Full source code is available. Users can find it in the App Store by searching for the “CP2614 Accessory Kit Console.” The chip is available in a RoHS-compliant, 32-pin QFN (5 mm-by- 5mm) package.
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