Sound effect IC or a sound chip is designed to create audio signals with analog, mixed-mode, or digital electronics. So, these are made on MOS (metal–oxide–semiconductor) mixed-signal chips that process both analog & digital signals. Generally, sound effects are artificially formed or improved sounds utilized to highlight content in different media, such as television, films, music, video games, etc. So, sound effects are frequently used in video and film to influence the reactions and mood of the audience. Different types of Sound effect ICs available in the market such as; HK620 IC, HK621, HK623, HK625, HK626, etc. This article provides brief information on the HK620 IC, pinout, features, specifications, and its uses.
What is HK620 IC?
The HK620 is a sound effect IC manufactured by Honsitak Electronics Co., Ltd. So this IC is available in the DIP 16-L package, used to design a sound generator circuit to generate six different siren sounds like an ambulance, an O, O, O Alarm, a police car, a Fire Engine, another police car siren, and Ki, Ki, Ki alarm. So each siren sound has separate keys, thus this IC functions as a standalone circuit.
How HK620 IC Work?
The HK620 sound effect IC works by adding sound within various electronic designs. This IC works by producing electrical signals that can be changed into specific sounds whenever played throughout a speaker. So most sound effect ICs are available with in-built oscillators that generate base frequency. So this frequency can be adjusted with external components like capacitors or resistors to modify the sound pitch.
HK620 IC manipulates the oscillator signal to make different sound qualities, like triangle waves mainly for smoother tones whereas square waves mainly for sharp sounds. Thus, these IC pins allow external control over aspects like sound selection, volume, and sound effect duration. Some sound effect ICs have an envelope generator that controls the dynamic changes within volume eventually by creating different effects like decay, attack, release & sustain for realistic sound simulation.
HK620 IC Pin Configuration:
The pin configuration of HK620 IC is shown below. This IC includes 16 pins which are explained below.
HK620 IC Pin Configuration
- Pin-1(VDD): It is the positive voltage supply pin of an IC.
- Pin-2 (K6): This pin generates a police car2 sound.
- Pin-3 (K5): This pin generates a Ki, Ki, Ki, Ki alarm sound.
- Pin-4 (K4): This pin generates an O, O, O alarm sound.
- Pin-5 (K3): This pin generates an ambulance sound.
- Pin-6 (K2): This pin generates a fire engine alarm sound.
- Pin-7 (K1): This pin generates a police car1 sound.
- Pin-8 (VSS): It is a GND pin of IC.
- Pin-9 (EN): It is an enable pin of IC.
- Pin-10 (TEST): This is a test of the pin of the sound generator IC which must be left open mainly for normal operations.
- Pin-11 & 12 (OUT’): These are the output pins of the signal generator IC.
- Pin-13, 14 & 16 (OSC1 & OSC2): These are oscillator pins.
- Pin-15 (LED): It is an LED indicator pin of IC.
Features & Specifications:
The features and specifications of HK620 IC include the following.
- HK620 IC is a sound effect IC.
- This IC includes sixteen pins
- This IC is available in the DIP 16-L package.
- It generates six different siren sounds.
- This IC can also have an LED for indication of output sound.
- Its operating voltage ranges from 1.8 Volts to 4.8 Volts.
- Its operating temperature ranges from 0°C to 125°C.
- The power output is 40 watts for each channel into 8Ω stereo.
- Frequency response ranges from 1Hz to 80kHz
- Total harmonic distortion is 0.1%
- The damping factor is 90.
- Input sensitivity is 0.13mV (MC), 135mV (line) & 2.4mV (MM).
- S/N ratio is 75dB (MC), 86.5dB (line) & 79dB (MM).
- Channel separation is 65dB (MM), 45dB (line) & 65dB (MC).
- Dimensions are; 443 x 104 x 359mm.
Equivalents & Alternatives
Equivalent to HK620 IC is HK612 IC. So, alternative sound generator ICs are; HK620 IC, UM3561, UM3561, HK621, HK623, HK625, HK626, HK628, HK629, HK637, HK638, etc.
Sound Generator Circuit with HK620 IC
The sound generator circuit with HK620 IC is shown below which helps us to add tone or sound to electronic devices without any effort. Thus, this circuit uses the HK620 IC from Honsitak Electronics to generate six different sound effects where each sound includes separate keys, so it can work as a standalone chip. This circuit can also have an LED flasher which indicates sound output. This chip consumes 3V only during operation, so used in low-power applications.
The required components to make this circuit mainly include; HK620 IC, DIP Switch, 8Ω / 0.25 watts speaker, BC547 transistors, LED, 0.1μF capacitor, 470KΩ, 120KΩ, 33Ω capacitors, 3V battery, and two pin connector. So, connect this circuit as per the diagram shown below.
Sound Generator Circuit with HK620 IC
Working
This sound generator circuit uses HK620 IC which operates from 1.8V to 4.8V however its normal operating voltage is around 3V. So this circuit uses two 1.5V AA-size batteries together to make a 3V battery. Thus, this circuit has 8ohms of the speaker with 25 watts of power, and the transistor in this circuit is connected for amplification purposes. Here, six DIP switches are connected to the key pins & a Vdd supply pin of the IC. So whenever the key goes higher, an equivalent pin will produce a specific tone.
The pins 10 & 11 in this circuit are kept within open position. So this circuit utilizes 0.1 mAmps to 0.5 mAmps current supply in operation & 1 to 10 μA current used in standby mode. So, this sound generator circuit is useful in alarm system and security system designs which do not need microcontrollers so this circuit is used as a tone generator. This circuit generates audible sound throughout a speaker however if you require a huge audible hum then an amplifier needs to be included & higher watts speaker can be used at the output.
Advantages & Disadvantages
The advantages of HK620 IC include the following.
- The HK620 IC produces six different siren sound effects.
- These are small, lightweight, more reliable, and energy efficient.
- They enabled enhanced functionality within electronic devices.
- Its operating speed is faster.
- These ICs consume less power.
- This IC can be easily replaced.
The disadvantages of HK620 IC include the following.
- These ICs have a low-frequency response, particularly for bass & midrange.
- These are fragile and they cannot withstand higher voltage operation.
- It has a limited power rating.
- Sound generator IC generates more noise.
Applications
The applications of HK620 IC include the following.
- HK620 IC is used to design a sound generator circuit to generate various sound effects.
- This IC can be used in electronic designs like hobby electronics, security system design, etc.
- It is used in different toys.
- This IC is used in alarm systems, TV games, home appliances, security systems, etc.
- It can also generate fire bridges & other siren sounds.
- This sound generator IC is used in industrial projects to produce machine sounds.
- It can be used to create sound effects for toys, hobby projects, and arcade games.
- Sound generator ICs can test & calibrate audio equipment.
- These ICs can be used for music production and scientific research.
Please refer to this link for HK620 IC Datasheet.
Thus, this is an overview of HK620 IC, pin-out, features, specifications, circuit, working, pros, cons, and applications. This is a voice chip with a typical CMOS process & embedded voice storage memory which processes audio signals like analog, digital, and both. So, here is a question for you, what is HK623 IC?