Audio class-D amplifier claims best power density

Audio class-D amplifier claims best power density

The TDA7498E class-D audio amplifier offers a power density of 3.2 W/mm2 — claimed a 20% power-density advantage over existing solutions on the market. This dual-BTL (bridge tied load) amplifier manages to pack 320 W of total ouput power — 160 W on each channel — on an area of 100 mm2 .

The device’s high-current capability not only delivers high output power, but also enables the design of platform solutions where the speaker impedance can be simply changed – from 8 down to 2 Ω — without any power or current limitation. The device also 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 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. It also offers flexible audio-system configuration, in both stereo and mono modes, and also includes the mono parallel feature for driving the subwoofer/woofer channel in 2.1 sound set-ups. The device exhibits a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 dB and provides four selectable, fixed-gain settings at 23.8, 29.8, 33.3, and 35.8 dB. ($6 ea/1,000 — samples, now, prod qty, Feb 2012)

By Christina Nickolas

STMicroelectronics , Lexington , MA
Information 781-861-2650
www.st.com