As digital audio systems evolve toward lower-voltage ICs, higher clock rates, and more complex serial formats, traditional serial I/O test interfaces can fall short of the specs that engineers need. The PSIO module solves these challenges with a modern architecture designed for the digital interfaces used by portable, battery-powered, and high-performance audio designs. It maintains full compatibility with the APx500 Digital Serial I/O (DSIO) while eliminating DSIO limitations around low-voltage support, cable length, pulse integrity, and rigid data formatting.

Product Highlights

The updated PSIO module is designed to address the practical limitations of legacy serial interfaces while enabling modern, low-power audio device validation.

 

Low-Voltage Logic Support

Logic voltage ranges from 0.5 to 3.3 V in 100 mV steps enabling testing of low-power IC designs

 

Improved Signal Integrity

Remote probe design provides cleaner digital signals, eliminating usability issues caused by long cables in DSIO setups. In addition, the remote probe enables the testing of devices inside anechoic and EMC test chambers.

 

Flexible Serial Interface

Highly configurable channels with support for single or multiple data lines and up to 16-channels, word widths (8–256 bits), additional clocking, and data formats overcome limitations of the legacy DSIO interface.

 

Integrated Debug and Verification

Oscilloscope monitor outputs, LED status indicators, and jitter generation and analysis simplify timing and clock validation.

 

High-Speed Audio Performance

Supports sample rates up to 768 kHz with bit clocks up to 55.296 MHz for high-resolution, multi-channel audio validation.

 

Effortless Migration

PSIO is a direct replacement for the DSIO with APx500 software able to directly convert DSIO configurations.

 

Module Performance

The flexibility of the PSIO module adapts to a wide range of embedded audio architectures, from low-power devices to multi-channel digital audio subsystems.

• Configurable logic levels: 1.2 V, 1.8 V, 2.5 V, 3.3 V, selectable or custom-defined from 500 mV to 3.3 V

• Supported bit depths: 8–32 bits

• Word widths: up to 256 bits

• Channel configurations: up to 16 channels

 

The PSIO module is designed to support a wide range of digital audio development, validation, and production workflows.

It is particularly well suited for:

• Semiconductor audio-interface validation
• Embedded and SoC-based audio design
• R&D characterization of digital audio paths
• Automated production and regression testing

 

Datasheet Download

What audio formats does PSIO support?

PSIO connects directly to device serial digital audio ports including DSP’s, SoC’s, CODEC’s, DAC’s, and ADC’s and supports widely used formats such as I²S, left-justified, right-justified, and other custom data and clock configurations. By eliminating intermediate digital-audio components, engineers can characterize performance at the true electrical interface, ensuring accurate validation of clocks, data timing, and word formatting.

 

What makes the PSIO interface module ideal for sensitive measurements?

The high-impedance remote interface pod minimizes DUT loading, preserves signal integrity, and is acoustically silent, making it perfect for low-noise or anechoic chamber measurements.

 

How is the PSIO module different from the DSIO module I already own?

It features an updated architecture optimized for today’s SoC-centric audio systems, while maintaining compatibility with your current APx workflow. It supports lower logic voltages, improves signal integrity, and offers more flexible serial interface configurations than our legacy DSIO module.