STMicroelectronics to Maximize Speaker Output Power
Introduces an analog class-D audio amplifier with best-in-class power density
Jan 13, 2012
STMicroelectronics has introduced a high-performance, analog class-D audio amplifier with best-in-class power density. This achievement will allow equipment manufacturers to combine superior audio quality with a small form factor in next-generation home and professional sound systems and active-speaker applications.
To maximize the speaker output power, sound-system manufacturers require high-efficiency amplifiers capable of driving speakers at low impedances of 2 or 3 ohms, which creates a challenge by increasing device sizes. ST designers have addressed this problem by managing to pack 320W of total output power – 160W on each channel - on an area of 100 mm2, giving ST’s newest analog audio class-D amplifier a 20% power-density advantage over existing solutions on the market.
ST’s newest amplifier also integrates a host of features that increase audio quality in the final application, including built-in suppression of pop/click noises, standby and mute functionality, and balanced input for best TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) noise rejection. The device embeds smart current protection, which recognizes when the speaker requires a peak of current for a specific frequency range and automatically prevents any interruptions in the sound flow.