Genio 520/720-EVK

Overview

On Genio 520/720-EVK, there are 5 playback devices and 6 capture devices.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-afe.svg

Genio 520/720-EVK audio route diagram

Channels supported of the data pin

Data Pin Name

Channels

PCM_DO

2

PCM_DI

2

I2SOUT0_DO

2

I2SIN0_DI

2

I2SIN1_DI

2

DMIC0_DAT

2

AUD_DAT_MOSI[0-1]

1

AUD_DAT_MISO[0-1]

1

DPTX

2

AU_HPL

1

AU_HPR

1

AU_LOL

1

AU_VIN1

1

AU_VIN0

1

AU_VIN2

1

  • Playback

    • Earphone

    • Lineout Speaker

    • I2S0 Out

    • PCM Out

    • DPTX Audio

  • Capture

    • Digital Microphone

    • I2S0 In

    • Earphone Microphone

    • Analog Microphone

    • I2S1 In

    • PCM In

The Genio 520/720-EVK board has a 3.5mm earphone jack for playback and recording, and a separate 3.5mm jack for lineout speaker. Regarding capture, the Genio 520/720-EVK board also has two AMIC components and two DMIC components.

For digital audio interfaces, the Genio 520/720-EVK features one I2S Out, two I2S In, and both PCM Out and PCM In, each with physical pins for signal measurement. For the physical locations of each component and pin on the board, please refer to Board Top View.

Audio Interfaces

The following table defines the mapping between the physical audio interfaces and their corresponding ALSA PCM device names on the Genio 520/720-EVK. This mapping is essential for routing audio streams to the correct hardware path using standard ALSA utilities such as aplay and arecord. The Channels column specifies the maximum supported hardware channels for each interface.

  • DL (Downlink): Refers to playback paths (output).

  • UL (Uplink): Refers to capture paths (input).

Genio 720/520-EVK Audio PCM Device Mapping

Audio Interface

PCM Device ID

PCM Device Name

Channels

Earphone

DL0

hw:0,0

2 (Stereo)

Lineout Speaker

DL0

hw:0,0

1 (Mono)

I2S0 Out

DL1

hw:0,1

2 (Stereo)

PCM Out

DL2

hw:0,6

2 (Stereo)

DPTX Audio

HDMI

hw:0,5

2 (Stereo)

Digital Microphone

UL0

hw:0,2

2 (Stereo)

I2S0 In

UL1

hw:0,3

2 (Stereo)

Earphone Microphone

UL2

hw:0,4

2 (Stereo)

Analog Microphone

UL2

hw:0,4

2 (Stereo)

I2S1 In

UL3

hw:0,18

2 (Stereo)

PCM In

UL4

hw:0,20

2 (Stereo)

When specifying a device in your commands or configuration files, use the PCM Device Name (e.g., -D hw:0,0) to target the specific interface.

Example Usage:

  1. To play audio via the Earphone:

aplay -D hw:0,0 sample.wav

  1. To record sound via the Digital Microphone:

arecord -D hw:0,2 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Playback Usage

The following section provides detailed instructions on how to configure and utilize the various playback devices available on the Genio 520/720-EVK.

To achieve successful audio output, the system must establish a valid data path within the SoC’s Audio Front End (AFE). This routing process is managed via ALSA Mixer Controls (kcontrols), which are used to enable specific data paths, connect internal components (such as DL0 to Earphone), and adjust gain stages.

Before proceeding, ensure that the audio routing is configured correctly for your target interface to avoid silent output or resource conflicts.

Earphone

The Earphone interface outputs analog audio through the onboard 3.5mm audio jack (Earphone). It is driven by the MT6365 PMIC’s internal codec.

The following diagram illustrates the audio signal path from DL0 to the Earphone output.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-earphone.svg

Audio route for Earphone

Required Configurations

  • Route DL0 to PMIC DL

amixer -c 0 cset name='ADDA_DL_CH1 DL0_CH1' 1
amixer -c 0 cset name='ADDA_DL_CH2 DL0_CH2' 1

  • Configure MT6365 PMIC Muxes

To use the earphone, please ensure the signal is routed to HPL/HPR Mux and disconnected from LOL Mux.

amixer -c 0 cset name='HP Mux' 'Audio Playback'
amixer -c 0 cset name='LOL Mux' 'Open'

  • Set Volume

amixer -c 0 cset name='Headset Volume' 5

Playback Command

aplay -D hw:0,0 sample.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

The system includes pre-defined ALSA plugin in /etc/asound.conf. These plugins automatically handle the necessary kcontrol configurations (routing, mux, and volume settings) when the device is opened. This eliminated the need for manual amixer setup.

aplay -D earphone_speaker sample.wav

Note

Device conflict: Earphone vs. Lineout Speaker

Earphone and Lineout Speaker share the same memory interface (DL0) and PMIC DAC resources. Therefore, they cannot be used simultaneously.

Lineout Speaker

The Lineout Speaker interface provides a line-level analog output through the onboard 3.5mm audio jack (Speaker).

The diagram below shows the signal path from DL0 to the Speaker Lineout output.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-lineout.svg

Audio route for Lineout Speaker

Required Configurations

  • Route DL0 to PMIC DL

amixer -c 0 cset name='ADDA_DL_CH1 DL0_CH1' 1

  • Configure MT6365 PMIC Muxes

amixer -c 0 cset name='HP Mux' 'Open'
amixer -c 0 cset name='LOL Mux' 'Playback_L_DAC'

  • Set Volume

amixer -c 0 cset name='Lineout Volume' 5

Playback Command

aplay -D hw:0,0 sample.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

aplay -D lineout_speaker sample.wav

I2S0 Out

I2S0 is a digital audio interface exposed on the expansion header (RPi connector), allowing connection to external I2S DACs or Codecs.

The diagram below shows the signal path from DL1 to the eTDM output module.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-i2sout0.svg

Audio route for I2S0 Out

Required Configurations

  • Route DL1 to I2S0

amixer -c 0 cset name='I2SOUT0_CH1 DL1_CH1' 1
amixer -c 0 cset name='I2SOUT0_CH2 DL1_CH2' 1

  • Enable Signal Output to RPi connector

amixer -c 0 cset name='I2S_OUT0_Mux' 1

Playback Command

aplay -D hw:0,1 sample.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

aplay -D i2s_out0 sample.wav

PCM Out

The PCM interface provides a standard digital output on the expansion header, suitable for connecting Bluetooth or Telephony modules.

The diagram below shows the signal path from DL2 to the PCM0 interface.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-pcm-out.svg

Audio route for PCM Out

Required Configurations

  • Route DL2 to PCM0

amixer -c 0 cset name='PCM_0_PB_CH1 DL2_CH1' 1
amixer -c 0 cset name='PCM_0_PB_CH2 DL2_CH2' 1

Playback Command

aplay -D hw:0,6 sample.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

aplay -D pcm_out sample.wav

DPTX Audio

The DPTX Audio interface transmits digital audio over the DisplayPort connector to an external monitor or TV.

The diagram below shows the signal path from the HDMI memory interface to the DPTX out.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-dptx.svg

Audio route for DPTX audio

Required Configurations

  • Route HDMI to DPTX out

amixer -c 0 cset name='HDMI_CH0_MUX' 'CH0'
amixer -c 0 cset name='HDMI_CH1_MUX' 'CH1'

  • Enable DPTX Mux

amixer -c 0 cset name='DPTX_OUT_MUX' 'Connect'

Playback Command

aplay -D hw:0,5 sample.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

aplay -D dptx_out sample.wav

Capture Usage

The following section details how to configure and use the recording interfaces (Uplink/UL) on the Genio 520/720-EVK.

Digital Microphone

The Genio 520/720-EVK features two onboard Digital Microphones (DMIC) connected to the DMIC0 interface. These are typically used for high-quality voice recording or far-field audio applications.

The signal travels from the onboard microphones to the DMIC0 backend and then to the UL0 memory interface.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-dmic.svg

Audio route for Digital Microphone

Required Configurations

  • Route DMIC0 to UL0

amixer -c 0 cset name='UL0_CH1 AP_DMIC_UL_CH1' 1
amixer -c 0 cset name='UL0_CH2 AP_DMIC_UL_CH2' 1

Capture Command

arecord -D hw:0,2 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

The dmic plugin configures the DMIC path automatically.

arecord -D dmic -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

I2S0 In

I2SIN0 is a digital audio input interface and is accessible via the expansion header.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-i2sin0.svg

Audio route for I2S0 In

Required Configurations

  • Route eTDM in0 to UL1

amixer -c 0 cset name='UL1_CH1 I2SIN0_CH1' 1
amixer -c 0 cset name='UL1_CH2 I2SIN0_CH2' 1

  • Enable I2SIN0 Input Mux

amixer -c 0 cset name='I2S_IN0_Mux' 1

Capture Command

arecord -D hw:0,3 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

arecord -D i2s_in0 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Earphone Microphone

The Earphone Microphone supports headsets connected to the onboard 3.5mm audio jack. It utilizes the MT6365 PMIC to achieve headset detection, volume control and analog-to-digital signal conversion functions.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-earphone-mic.svg

Audio route for Earphone Microphone

Required Configurations

  • Route PMIC UL to UL2

amixer -c0 cset name='UL2_CH1 ADDA_UL_CH1' 1
amixer -c0 cset name='MISO0_MUX' 'UL1_CH1'

  • Configure MT6365 PMIC Muxes

amixer -c0 cset name='ADC_L_Mux' 'Left Preamplifier'
amixer -c0 cset name='ADC_R_Mux' 'Idle'
amixer -c0 cset name='PGA_L_Mux' 'AIN1'

  • Set Volume

amixer -c0 cset name='PGA1 Volume' 4

Capture Command

arecord -D hw:0,4 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

The earphone_mic plugin handles the mux switching automatically.

arecord -D earphone_mic -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Note

Device conflict: Earphone Microphone vs. Analog Microphone

The Earphone Microphone and the Analog Microphones share the same AFE interface (UL2) and PMIC ADC/PGA resources. They cannot be used simultaneously.

Analog Microphone

Genio 520/720-EVK includes two onboard Analog Microphones (AMIC). These share the UL2 path with the Earphone Microphone.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-amic.svg

Audio route for Analog Microphone

Required Configurations

  • Route PMIC UL to UL2

amixer -c0 cset name='UL2_CH1 ADDA_UL_CH1' 1
amixer -c0 cset name='UL2_CH2 ADDA_UL_CH2' 1
amixer -c0 cset name='MISO0_MUX' 'UL1_CH1'
amixer -c0 cset name='MISO1_MUX' 'UL1_CH2'

  • Configure MT6365 PMIC Muxes

amixer -c0 cset name='ADC_L_Mux' 'Left Preamplifier'
amixer -c0 cset name='ADC_R_Mux' 'Right Preamplifier'
amixer -c0 cset name='PGA_L_Mux' 'AIN0'
amixer -c0 cset name='PGA_R_Mux' 'AIN2'

  • Set Volume

amixer -c0 cset name='PGA1 Volume' 4
amixer -c0 cset name='PGA2 Volume' 4

Capture Command

arecord -D hw:0,4 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

The amic plugin handles the mux switching automatically.

arecord -D amic -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

I2S1 In

I2SIN1 is a digital audio input interface available on the expansion pins.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-i2sin1.svg

Audio route for I2S1 In

Required Configurations

  • Route eTDM in1 to UL3

amixer -c 0 cset name='UL3_CH1 I2SIN1_CH1' 1
amixer -c 0 cset name='UL3_CH2 I2SIN1_CH2' 1

  • Enable I2SIN1 Input Mux

amixer -c 0 cset name='I2S_IN1_Mux' 1

Capture Command

arecord -D hw:0,18 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

arecord -D i2s_in1 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

PCM In

The PCM In interface provides a standard PCM input on the expansion header (RPi connector), suitable for recording from Bluetooth or Telephony modules.

../../../../_images/sw_yocto_app-dev_audio_g720-pcm-in.svg

Audio route for PCM In

Required Configurations

  • Route PCM0 to UL4

amixer -c 0 cset name='UL4_CH1 PCM_0_CAP_CH1' 1
amixer -c 0 cset name='UL4_CH2 PCM_0_CAP_CH2' 1

Capture Command

arecord -D hw:0,20 -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav

Simplified Usage via ALSA Plugin

arecord -D pcm_in -c 2 -f S16_LE -r 48000 test.wav