As audio technologies advance across mobile, automotive, and edge AI applications, system designers are demanding simpler, smarter, and scalable interfaces. Enter SoundWire‑I3S™—the next-generation MIPI standard that unifies audio, control, and power management over a minimal two-wire connection.
At the forefront of this evolution is Arasan Chip Systems, delivering a robust, silicon-proven SoundWire‑I3S IP solution engineered for performance, flexibility, and compliance.
What Is SoundWire‑I3S?
SoundWire‑I3S™ (short for Integrated Interconnect Solutions) is the MIPI Alliance’s major enhancement to the original SoundWire® protocol. It’s designed to:
- Replace I²S + I²C/SPI with a unified link
- Support multiple peripherals on a single bus (mics, speakers, amplifiers)
- Reduce system complexity, power, and pin count
Why Arasan?
Arasan’s SoundWire‑I3S IP builds on two decades of leadership in interface IP and offers SoC designers:
- Fully compliant to SoundWire‑I3S draft v0.6r01
- Configurable master and slave controllers
- Support for row-based transport
- In-band control signalling
- Integrated dynamic power management
- Multiple PHY interface support (LC / DLV / FBCSE)
Our IP is verified using industry-standard VIPs and is ready for integration into mobile and automotive SoCs.
Architecture Highlights
Unified Bus Communication
Arasan’s SoundWire‑I3S IP supports audio and control data over the same 2-wire link, with deterministic scheduling using a row-column frame structure.
Multi-Drop Peripheral Support
Enable up to 12 addressable devices on the same link—ideal for multi-mic, multi-speaker, or zoned audio designs.
Low Power, High Efficiency
Dynamic clocking, peripheral-initiated sleep, and voltage-scaling features reduce power without compromising synchronization or responsiveness.
Broad PHY Support
Compatible with:
- LC PHY for mobile/portable use
- DLV PHY for robust low EMI use
- FBCSE PHY for ASIL-ready automotive systems
Conclusion
Arasan’s SoundWire‑I3S IP isn’t just standards-compliant—it’s ecosystem-aware and integration-ready. Whether you’re building a next-gen smartphone SoC, automotive infotainment hub, or low-latency voice AI platform, Arasan gives you the tools to:
- Design faster
- Integrate easier
- Verify with confidence