National Semiconductor Introduces Audio Power Amplifier with Integrated Fault Detection for Automotive Instrum

National Semiconductor Introduces Audio Power Amplifier with Integrated Fault Detection for Automotive Instrument Cluster Applications

PowerWise LM48100Q Amplifies Warning Tones in Automobile Driver Warning Systems

October 17, 2008 – A new power amplifier from National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE:NSM) is the industry’s first monolithic amplifier for automotive warning and alert tone amplification. The LM48100Q amplifies warning tones in automobile driver warning systems such as signal change, back up warning and collision avoidance. National will demonstrate this product at the Convergence 2008 Conference in Detroit, Michigan, from Oct. 20-22 at Booth 1319.

The LM48100Q Boomer audio power amplifier is AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualified for operation between -40 degrees C and 105 degrees C. The mono 1.3W amplifier includes several features not available in competitive devices to ensure that the speaker and amplifier always operate:

Open drain FAULT output indicates when a fault has occurred

Comprehensive output short circuit and thermal overload protection prevents damage during a fault condition

The LM48100Q offers dual audio inputs that can be mixed and multiplexed to the device output, with each path having its own independent 32 step volume control. With its low quiescent current of 6 mA at 5V, this audio power amplifier is a member of National’s growing PowerWise family of energy-efficient products.

Key Technical Features – LM48100 Audio Power Amplifier

The LM48100Q is a single-supply, mono bridge-tied load amplifier with I2C-compatible volume control. The device includes a comprehensive output fault detection system that senses the load conditions, protecting the device during short circuit events, as well as detecting open circuit conditions. Operating from a single 5V supply, the LM48100Q delivers 1.3W of continuous output power to an 8-Ohm load with less than one percent total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N).

The LM48100Q’s flexible power supply requirements allow operation from 3V to 5.5V. The amplifier’s high power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) of 74 dB at 1 kHz allows the device to operate in noisy environments without additional power supply conditioning. A low power shutdown mode reduces supply current consumption to 0.01 uA. The amplifier’s advanced “pop-and-click” circuitry eliminates noise that typically occurs during turn-on and turn-off transitions and during shutdown.

Pricing and Availability

Available now in a 14-pin TSSOP package, the LM48100Q is priced at $1.50 each in 1,000-unit quantities. For more information, or to order samples and an evaluation board, visit http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LM48100Q.html.

Note to Editors: To view high-resolution downloadable photos of this product, visit National’s photo gallery.

About National’s Audio Portfolio

National Semiconductor has been a leading provider of audio solutions for more than 30 years and offers a wide range of products in its Boomer, Overture and high-performance audio lines. National works with every major handset maker in the world and is the leading provider of analog audio solutions for the cell phone market. The company’s line of Boomer audio amplifiers and subsystems enhance and enrich the entire range of sound – from voice, ring sounds and music – that can be amplified in mobile phones and other portable equipment. National manufactures Class AB and Class D speaker amplifiers, headphone amplifiers and audio subsystems for many applications ranging from portable devices to high-power, high-fidelity audio systems. The company offers its higher-power Overture amplifiers for mid-performance consumer applications, and National’s new high-performance series brings dramatically improved sound quality to high-fidelity consumer and professional audio equipment. For more information on National’s audio products, visit http://www.national.com/audio.