Patent · US Expired

Digital class-D audio amplifier

US6498531B1 · kind B1 · utility

30Cited by
9References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 14, 2000
Grant dateDec 24, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 14, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03F2200/78
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A Class-D audio amplifier is disclosed which accepts a digitized audio signal input and drives a load such as a loudspeaker without digital-to-analog conversion. The amplifier preferably comprises (1) means for processing a plurality of digital audio input values to create a plurality of deviation values respectively based on the deviation of the input value's relationship from a previous audio input value, (2) means for producing a carrier signal, (3) modulation means for using the deviation values to responsively modulate the carrier signal by varying the frequency of its waveform inversely with the magnitudes of the deviation values, and (4) filter means operative on the modulated carrier to produce an analog voltage capable of driving the load.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.