Infineon's new family of 2 x 37 W audio amplifiers features second generation of MERUS multilevel switching amplifier technology
November 18, 2022 at 11:15 am EST
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Infineon's new family of 2 x 37 W audio amplifiers features second generation of MERUS multilevel switching amplifier technology.
Munich - When designing portable and battery-powered audio devices for consumer speaker applications, maximizing battery playback time and, at the same time, maintaining excellent audio performance in a compact form and at a low system cost is essential.
MERUS multilevel switching technology from Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) is designed to achieve low switching losses and highly efficient amplification at both low and high output power, bringing the desired benefits in such applications. The new ICs feature the second generation of this technology and come in a compact 40-pin QFN package. They primarily address applications such as battery-powered speakers, Bluetooth/wireless/smart speakers and soundbars, conference speakers, and multi-channel/multi-room audio systems.
The new family consists of MA2304DNS with an integrated and fully-configurable digital signal processor (DSP) and MA2304PNS with audio limiter and volume control features. Both devices feature the second-generation multilevel-switching class D audio amplifiers with an inductor-less operation and provide a bridge-tied load (BTL)- rated output of 2 x 37 W and a power supply voltage range (PVDD) of 10 to 20 V for high fidelity audio performance. The five-level voltage modulation offers an ultralow idle power of 52 mW without the need for complex dynamic rail-tracking systems. This is at least five times lower than the traditional class D audio amplifiers, making these devices ideal for battery-powered speaker applications with extended battery life and/or reduced battery cell cost.
At low output power, the efficiency can be higher than 80 percent offering extended battery life and easy thermal management in multi-channel products. Multilevel switching also relaxes electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements and enables inductor-less applications at full power range with lower cost. Compared to traditional two- and three-level class D audio amplifiers, the reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions allow for fast time-to-market without compromises in audio performance or efficiency. In mains-powered multi-channel applications, the reduced and scalable EMI enables otherwise impossible industrial designs without needing a heatsink or a traditional LC filter.
A high-order internal feedback loop ensures low total harmonic distortion (THD) and low noise floor for excellent audio performance. The inductor-less application contributes to the smallest output filtering, avoiding bulky inductors, thus reducing system cost without output power limitations. The integrated DSP in the MA2304DNS is highly configurable and can correct imperfections and tune real speaker applications with, e.g., equalization, limiting, and other similar functions. The MA2304PNS offers a simpler volume control and limiter for systems where an application/connectivity processor does the audio processing.
Availability
The MERUS MA2304DNS and MA2304PNS 2 x 37 W second generation multilevel class D audio amplifiers with an inductor-less operation are available in a QFN 6 x 6 mm-2 package and can be ordered now.
Infineon Technologies AG is one of the world's leading manufacturers of semiconductors. The group's products include power semiconductors, sensors, microcontrollers, digital, mixed-signal and analog ICs, discrete semiconductor modules, switches, interface ICs, motor-controlling ICs, RF power transistors, voltage regulators, and electronic safety components. Net sales break down by area of activity as follows:
- automotive (50.5%): semiconductor products used in the automotive industry, and memory products for specific applications for automotive, industrial, information technologies, telecommunications and consumer electronics.
- power & sensor systems (23.3%): semiconductors for energy-efficient power supplies, mobile devices, mobile phone network infrastructures, human-machine interaction as well as applications with special demands on their robustness and reliability.
- industrial power control (13.5%): semiconductor products for the conversion of electrical energy for small, medium and high-power applications, used in the manufacturing, the low-loss transmission, the storage and the efficient use of electrical energy;
- connected secure systems (12.6%): semiconductors for networked devices, card-based applications, and government documents; microcontrollers for industrial, entertainment, and household applications, components for connectivity systems, various customer support systems;
- other (0.1%).
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Germany (12.4%), Europe/Middle East/Africa (14.4%), China/Hong Kong/Taiwan (32.3%), Japan (10.5%), Asia/Pacific (15.9%), the United States (12.1%) and Americas (2.4%).