Mobile Phone Audio Jack Detection Solutions

The audio jack has become standard in smartphone applications. The audio jack allows a user to either
plug-in a headset with a microphone (4 pole) or stereo headphones (3 pole). The current system design
allows the mobile phone to detect between 3 or 4 pole and the Send/End key, but the design has
inherent issues with power, detection errors, and pop-n-click. These issues with functionality and audio
quality can result in a poor user experience. Fairchilds new audio jack detection switches provide an
interface between the audio jack, baseband processor, and microphone preamp. These new devices
automatically detect what is plugged into the audio jack and resolve software issues. In addition, they
drastically reduce system current, reduce PCB space, and eliminate pop-n-click caused by the
microphone bias.
The Current Solution:
The current audio jack detection solution is designed with discrete components, typically a comparator
with supporting resistors and capacitors (see Figure 1). This design has inherent flaws, and these flaws
result in user interface issues such as wasted current and audio pop-n-click. The comparator in the
circuit is utilized for two functions: one to detect between a 3 pole (stereo headphones) or 4 pole
(headset with microphone) audio plug, while the second function is to detect a Send/End key push. If a
3 pole plug is inserted, the mic line is pulled to GND and the comparator outputs a Low to the baseband.
When a 4 pole plug is connected, the mic line is typically 1.8V with no Send/End key press. When the
Send/End key is pressed, it shorts the mic line to ground and the comparator outputs a Low to the
baseband. This causes a fundamental issue- if a 4 pole headset is connected while pushing the
Send/End key, the baseband registers a 3 pole jack, and the system may never recover.
Additionally, this design increases current consumption in two significant areas. The resistor divider
used to set the comparators voltage reference is connected directly to the supply, which continuously
drains about 28A (I2 on Figure 1) even when there is no audio plug. The mic bias is not isolated based
on the system settings. If a 4 pole plug is connected and the mic is not required, the mic bias drains
>500uA (I1 on Figure 1) through the RMIC and microphone. Not gating the mic bias also creates a popn-click issue. The mic line is typically the 4th pole in the audio jack, and when the plug is inserted or
removed, the left and right speaker terminals scrape across the mic bias, causing pop-n-click. All of
these issues cause increased system design and software time to try to mitigate them, as well as a poor
user experience.

3 or 4 Pole & Send/End

Key Comparator

2.8V

2.8V

To Baseband Input
To Baseband Input

I2

Audio Plug
Insert / Removal Signal

Typically

28A
Resistor Divider
Sets threshold to identify 3
or 4 Pole &
Send/End Key

Mic. Bias

RMIC

I1

Typically 2.2K

N/O Switch
Plug Detection

4 Pole Audio Plug

To Microphone Preamp

Audio Jack
Mic lIne

L SPKR

R SPKR

GND

MIC

16-32
L SPKR
Send/End
Key N/O

16-32
R SPKR
MIC

Figure 1 Current Audio Jack Detection Design

Audio Jack Detection Switches:

Mobile phone manufacturers increased scrutiny on the user experience has resulted in a new device
function: audio jack detection switches. Devices such as the FSA8008 interface between the audio jack,
baseband, mic preamp (Figure 2). These detection switches focus on resolving the issues of the current
solution, while providing further features such as board space savings, increased ESD performance,
simple baseband interfaces, and automatic reset.

2.5V to 4.4V

1.6V to VDD

FSA8008

VIO

VDD

VDD
Baseband I/O

Audio Plug Insert / Removal Signal

Device Enable
3 or 4 Pole Audio Plug
Send/End Key Push

DET
EN

LOW = plugged
HIGH = unplugged

0.5A

J_DET

JPOLE
S/E

N/O Switch
Plug Detection

Oscillator
and Logic

Mic. Bias

Audio Jack
J_MIC

MIC

RMIC
Typically 2.2K

4 Pole Audio Plug

I1

S
COMP
HIGH=>J_MIC=0V
LOW=>J_MIC>0.2V

To Microphone Preamp

GND

L SPKR

R SPKR

GND

MIC

16-32
L SPKR
Send/End
Key N/O

16-32

Mic lIne

R SPKR
MIC

Figure 2 Audio Jack Detection Switch Solution

Solve Stuck Send/End Key Issue:

When a user plugs in a headset and holds the Send/End key, the phone makes an error and recognizes a
4 pole headset as a 3 pole stereo headphones. In this mode, the mic preamp will be muted or turned off
and the headset microphone will not function. Further, the phone will never recover from this state
creating a poor user experience. Audio jack detection switches like the FSA8008 resolve this issue by
continuously monitoring the mic bias line voltage when a 3 pole jack is detected. If a 3 pole plug is ever
detected, proprietary circuitry in the FSA8008 closes the switch connecting the mic bias voltage to the
4th pole of the audio jack for a short duration. If the mic line voltage equals ground, a 3 pole is still
connected, but if the mic line voltage is above 200mV, it is a 4 pole headset. The device will recognize
this change and output the update on the JPOLE pin to the baseband. The phone will recover from the
error and the microphone will be functional. This solution solves poor user experience by automatically
correcting the error and updating the system.
Reduce System Current:
The current system design is not a low power solution; it wastes power in two instances. The current
leakages occur with the comparator voltage reference (I2 = 28uA in Figure 1) and when the headset is
connected and the microphone is not required (I1 >500uA in Figure 1). Detection switches significantly
reduce system current by consolidating the comparator, voltage reference, switch, and logic into one
device. In the current solution (Figure 1) the comparator and voltage reference alone represent 48A
(comparator = 20A + voltage reference =28A). In the worst case, the maximum current consumption
of a detection switch like the FSA8008 is 25uA, saving almost half the current of the comparator and
voltage reference alone. Further, the detection switch detects when the audio plug is inserted or
removed; and when the plug is removed the detection switch automatically enters a low power state of
3A max.
Understanding the mobile phones current operation can further reduce current. For example, in MP3
mode the Send/End key can be used for Play and Pause, but the microphone is not required. In the
current solution, the mic line bias is required to identify the Send/End key push. The mic line bias
creates leakage current greater than 500uA through RMIC and the microphone. Audio jack detection
switches can reduce this current by monitoring for a Send/End key push. Human interfaces like the
Send/End key input only require hundreds of milliseconds of accuracy. This allows the detection switch
to only need to monitor the Send/End key for a short duration of time. To monitor the Send/End key,
the internal switch is closed, then the mic line bias is measured for a Send/End key push or not. If a key
push is detected, the Send/End key is debounced and the baseband is notified. If no key push is
detected, the internal switch is opened. The duty cycle of this monitor is 90 / 10, saving 90% of the
system power over the current solution.
Eliminate Pop-n-Click caused by Microphone Bias
Depending on the design, the mic line may be connected to the 3rd or 4th pole of the audio jack. In either
case, if the mic bias voltage is present when the audio plug is inserted or removed, pop-n-click will be
heard, creating a poor user experience. The left and right speakers are connected to the 1st and 2nd

poles respectfully and when inserting or removing the plug these poles will scrape past the mic bias
voltage causing the pop-n-click. Audio jack detection switches like the FSA8008 have all the components
to fully eliminate this issue. The device includes the audio plug insert or removal detection pin (J_DET),
the switch to isolate the mic line bias, and the debounce circuitry. When the audio plug is inserted, the
J_DET pin detects the connection and the internal logic debounces the manual connection. After the
debounce is completed, the baseband will be notified of the connection and the internal switch can be
closed. When the audio plug is removed the detection switch must react quickly to isolate the mic line
bias before the R SPKR (right speaker) contacts the GND (ground) internal to the audio jack. In this case,
the detection switch recognizes the audio plug removal, quickly debounces the connection, and opens
the switch. Integrating these three features into the detection switch allows the devices to fully resolve
the pop-n-click from the mic bias issue.
These new types of audio jack detection devices resolve inherent issues with the current system
solution. These devices can improve the user experience and system design by eliminating pop-n-click,
reducing leakage current, and resolving detection errors.