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VS1053: A Close-Up Look at this Versatile MP3 Decoder

The VS1053 chip is a powerful audio decoder that supports various formats, including MP3 and WAV.
Its ability to handle both decoding and recording makes it a versatile component for audio applications.

At OurPCB, we offer PCB assembly services that can help you integrate the VS1053 chip into your projects, ensuring efficient and reliable performance.
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Table of Contents

What is a VS1053 Chip?

The VS1053 chip is a highly versatile audio codec chip from VLSI, capable of decoding a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, AAC, WAV, MIDI, FLAC, WMA, and Ogg Vorbis. It belongs to VLSI’s slave audio processor family, designed to handle various audio processing tasks. This chip's key feature is its ability to load additional software into its RAM, enhancing its functionality beyond just decoding, making it adaptable for various applications.

In addition to its decoding capabilities, the VS1053 can perform recording tasks in three formats: 16-bit lossless PCM, IMA ADPCM, and Ogg Vorbis. PCM provides the highest audio quality, while Ogg Vorbis offers high compression with good quality, requiring a software plugin for real-time encoding. The chip's ability to handle both playback and recording tasks makes it suitable for various audio projects, from simple MP3 players to more complex audio processing applications.

On the decoding side, the chip can read eight file formats, which include the following.

  • MP1 and MP2 (optional audio layers I and II for MPEG1 and MPEG2)
  • MP3 (audio layer III for MPEG 1 & 2)
  • Ogg Vorbis
  • FLAC audio with software plugin (lossless format with up to 48kHz and 24 bits)
  • MPEG4/2 AAC-LC(+PNS), level 3 HE-AAC v2 (SBR+PS)
  • WAV (PCM+IMA ADPCM)
  • General MIDI 1/SP-MIDI format 0
  • All WMA profiles (4.0, 4.1, 7, 8, and 9) covering 5-384 kbps

For MP3 decoding, the chip combines CBR (Constant Bit Rate), VBR (Variable Bit Rate), and ABR (Average Bit Rate).

This chip comes in two variations.

  • VS1053B-L: Houses all the encoding and decoding features above
  • VS8053B-L: Lacks MP3, WMA, and HE-AAC decoders

Other Features

The VS1053 chip is more than an audio encoding and decoding chip because it has these extra features.

  • Supports audio streaming
  • Offers treble and bass controls
  • Processes EarSpeaker spatial audio to simulate sound in a room with two loudspeakers
  • Stereo headphone/earphone driver (30 ohm load maximum)
  • Internal (on-chip) stereo digital-to-analog converter with zero phase error in between the channels
  • I2S interface for linking to an external digital-to-analog converter
  • UART interface for debugging
  • Low power consumption with silent power on and off
  • SPI flash boot for special applications
  • Built-in PLL clock multiplier
  • Runs using either a single 12-13 MHz or 24-26 MHz clock
  • Smooth volume detection (zero cross-detection)
  • Usable as a slave co-processor
  • Separate voltages for the digital, analog, and GPIO pins
  • Serial data and control interface

You can load software into the chip’s RAM using the eight VS1053 GPIO pins to increase these functions/features.

An infographic showing the difference between an ADC and a DAC
An infographic showing the difference between an ADC and a DAC

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VS1053 Chip Detailed Breakdown

Physical Dimensions

The VS1053 comes as an LQFP-48 package that measures 7x7x1.4mm. LQFP is an acronym for Low-profile Quad-Flat Package, meaning the chip is thin (1.4mm) and is a surface-mount type with component leads or pins extending from the four sides.

A Quad-Flat Package with 32 pins

A Quad-Flat Package with 32 pins

The number 48 implies the component leads are 48 or 12 on each side.

The package is Lead-free and RoHS-compliant (the electronic equipment does not have certain hazardous substances).

Pin Functions

Each pin has a specific function summarized in the table below.

AI (Analog Input Pins)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
1 MICP/ LINE1 Line-1 in/self-biasing +ve differential mic input
2 MICN Self-biasing -ve differential mic input
18 XTALI Crystal input
48 LINE2 Right channel line-2 in

DI (Digital Input Pins/CMOS Input Pads)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
3 XRESET Schmitt-trigger input/ active low asynchronous reset
13 XDCS/ BSYNC Byte sync/ data chip select
23 XCS Chip select input (active when low)
26 RX UART receive (link to IOVDD if unused)
28 SCLK Serial bus clock
29 SI Serial input
32 XTEST Reserved to testing functions (link to IOVDD)

DGND (Core or I/O Ground Pins)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
4 DGND0 I/O & core ground
16 DGND1 I/O & core ground
20 DGND2 I/O & core ground
21 DGND3 I/O & core ground
22 DGND4 I/O & core ground
35 GND I/O ground

CPWR (Core Power Supply Pins)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
5 CVDD0 Core power supply
7 CVDD1 Core power supply
24 CVDD2 Core power supply
31 CVDD3 Core power supply

IOPWR (I/O Power Supply Pins)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
6 IOVDD0 I/O power supply
14 IOVDD1 I/O power supply
19 IOVDD2 I/O power supply

DO (Digital Output Pins/CMOS Input Pads)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
8 DREQ Data request input bus
15 VCO Clock VCO output (for testing purposes only)
27 TX UART transmit

DIO (Digital Input/Output Pins)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
9 GPIO2/ DCLK General purpose IO 2/ serial input data bus clock
10 GPIO3/ SDATA General purpose IO 3/ serial data input
11 GPIO6/ I2S-SCLK General purpose IO 6/ serial clock bus interface
12 GPIO7/ I2S-SDATA General purpose IO 7/ serial data input bus interface
25 GPIO5/ I2S-MCLK General purpose IO 5/ master clock bus interface
33 GPIO0 SPI boot (General purpose IO 0). Use it with a 100kΩ pull-down resistor.
34 GPIO1 General purpose IO 1
36 GPIO4/ I2S_LROUT General purpose IO 4/ LROUT bus interface

AO (Analog Output Pins)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
17 XTALO Crystal output
39 RIGHT Right channel output
42 GBUF Headphone/earphone common buffer (do not ground)
46 LEFT Left channel output

DO3 (Digital Output Pin/CMOS Tri-Stated Output Pad)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
30 SO Serial output

APWR (Analog Power Supply Pins)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
37 AGND0 Analog ground low noise reference
38 AVDDO Analog power supply
40 AGND1 Analog ground
41 AGND2 Analog ground
43 AVDD1 Analog power supply
45 AVDD2 Analog power supply
47 AGND3 Analog ground

AIO (Analog Input/Output Pin)

Pin No. Pad Name Function
44 RCAP Filtering capacitance for reference

What Is a VS1053 MP3 Shield?

This shield expands the capabilities of the VS1053 chip and enables you to mount it on a microcontroller board, such as Arduino.

The component introduces the following features.

An MP3 shield

  • A microphone for recording
  • Stereo and headphone outputs
  • Power indicator
  • 2.8V and 3.3V LDO AMS-117 chips for supplying up to 800mA
  • 12.288 MHz crystal
  • SD card slot
  • Single 5V DC power supply

Wrap Up

The VS1053 is a must-have chip for microcontroller audio projects because it has the required versatility, including multiple encoding and decoding formats.

You can simplify its usage using the VS1053 MP3 shield, which plugs it into microcontroller boards. So you don’t have to solder the chip to a pad.

You can read more about Arduino shields here, and contact us if you have any questions.

Special Offer: Get $100 off your order!

Claim your $100 discount by sending an inquiry today. Act now to save on your next project!
Please email [email protected] for details.

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