Patent · US Expired

Dual mode class D amplifiers

US6587670B1 · kind B1 · utility

17Cited by
9References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 29, 1999
Grant dateJul 1, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 29, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03F3/2171
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Pulse width modulated (“Class D”) amplifiers and controllers switching in the 50 khz to 2 MHz range generate harmonics which interfere with AM radio reception. This has precluded wide spread acceptance of class D amplifiers in products with an AM radio. The amplifiers described here use a modified modulation technique when operating with an AM radio to avoid generating harmonics at the receiver selected frequency or its intermediate (IF) frequency. One embodiment uses a harmonic avoidance modulator. A second embodiment uses two or more oscillators and tests for the least distorted output signal. A third embodiment switches the mode of operation to a class AB amplifier when an AM signal is amplified.

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