MIPI SoundWire®

MIPI SoundWire, introduced in 2014, consolidates many of the key attributes in mobile and PC audio interfaces, providing a common, comprehensive interface and scalable architecture that can be used to enable audio features and functions in multiple types of devices and across market segments. It supports the use of advanced amplifiers and microphones. In addition, it can also optimize speaker protection, microphone power and performance, noise cancellation and always-listening audio input.

Key Features

The key features of MIPI SoundWire include a double-data rate, configurable frame size, low complexity, low power, low latency, optional multilane extensions, PCM and PDM format, multichannel data and a low gate count.

It can be embedded in small, cost-sensitive audio peripherals such as amplifiers and microphones. It is also used in smartphones, tablets, PCs, automotive and embedded systems.

Latest Release

Adopted in September 2025, version 1.3 relocates the SoundWire DisCo information directly into the SoundWire specification itself as a new section. The software component for previous versions, MIPI DisCo™ Specification for SoundWire®, is available to nonmembers by request.

Previous updates to the SoundWire specification featured improvements to further aid the integration of audio components in mobile and mobile-influenced systems. These updates benefit SOC, device and system vendors as well as OEMs and system integrators:

• Improvements that make it easier to implement SoundWire in systems with a wide range of hardware topologies, including larger form factors
• Features that lay the foundation for an upcoming device class specification for communicating audio device properties in the OS
• Various optimizations, including a way to directly communicate the bus clock speed to system hardware

MIPI SoundWire can coexist with MIPI interfaces or non-MIPI interfaces through bridging solutions. The full MIPI SoundWire specification is available only to MIPI Alliance members. For information about joining MIPI Alliance, visit Join MIPI. 

Software

MIPI SoundWire® Device Class for Audio (MIPI SDCA™) defines a standard MIPI SoundWire device class for host-controllable audio devices, such as microphones and amplifiers, connected via a SoundWire interface. Leveraging MIPI DisCo for SoundWire, SDCA simplifies audio software architecture and driver requirements, and optimizes the integration of audio devices into host platforms. Utilizing MIPI SDCA within both host and peripheral audio devices enables the development and use of system firmware and generic device class drivers, rendering software reusable across multiple audio devices from multiple vendors.

Version 1.1 updates SDCA to include several new features: simple jack, simple microphone, simple amplifier and network digital audio interface for Bluetooth/display devices. This latest version also improves support for autonomous ultrasound sensing and resolves issues and corrections identified in the previous version. In addition, MIPI DisCo content has been integrated directly into the SDCA specification.