Melanson’s contributions have changed how humans interact with their devices – and each other. In particular, his audio patents are instrumental to many of today’s most popular consumer and professional audio applications, including key patents in analog-to-digital converters using delta-sigma modulation and noise-shaping. Melanson received his first patent in 1975, and never stopped innovating as his activity would take him to new domains, including abundant work in PWM and switched mode amplifiers.
In 1986, John Melanson founded WaveFrame in Boulder, Colorado, where he helped develop the Audioframe, a pioneering modular digital audio workstation with synthesizer, sampler (4MB RAM, for 2.5 minutes of CD-quality sound!), sequencer and digital mixer with a user interface running on Microsoft Windows. In 2003/2004, WaveFrame received a Scientific and Engineering Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his significant contributions to the evolution of digital audio editing for motion picture post-production. That was the year the Academy also recognized pioneers AMS AudioFile, Fairlight, and Digidesign, which received the award for its Pro Tools digital audio workstation.
As a founding member of AudioLogic (later acquired by Cirrus Logic), Melanson pioneered the first use of low-power digital signal processors (DSPs) for audio and hearing aids (GN Resound). Working with Peak Audio (acquired by Cirrus Logic in 2001), the inventors of CobraNet, he also helped develop the first network distributed audio system, a technology that eventually found its way into the audio wiring for the US Senate and thousands of installations globally, such as theme parks and concert venues.
Already with Cirrus Logic, he also developed the first 500-watt Class D amplifier for professional audio applications, and his work in algorithm development and implementation contributed to the active noise cancellation found in many smartphones and laptops today.
Melanson’s innovations have also been the catalyst to many products that led to rapid product advancements in personal computing, semiconductors and networking. His first patent submitted in 1975 helped make modern keyboards possible, and his underlying work in light-emitting diodes electronics helped enable LEDs to overtake incandescent lighting in popularity by solving the challenges around dimming. His patents relating to LED lighting have positively impacted the environment through significant energy savings.
Melanson joined Cirrus Logic in 1999, where he has helped to harness computing/processing power and energy-saving techniques for today’s personal mobile devices and advanced professional and mobile audio. His 500th issued US patent entitled “Driver Circuitry and Operation” was granted on June 21, 2022. In addition, Melanson has 68 pending US patent applications.
"Working at Cirrus Logic has given me the ideal backdrop for creativity and invention," says Melanson. "The power reduction invention for hearing aids, which I worked on in the 1990s, shows up in every Cirrus Logic product we make or at least some great-great-grandchild of it does. I love that I’m able to get involved in technology at a deep level and work on cool stuff while mentoring people at Cirrus Logic to keep the company’s innovative spirit going."
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