Output current control and overload protection in digital audio amplifiers
US7773358B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2200/426
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Overcurrent and overload protection for the power output of a pulse-width-modulated digital audio system is disclosed. The overcurrent protection circuitry includes a latch that is set in responsive to output current from the power output stage that exceeds an overcurrent threshold; the output of the latch gates the pulse-width-modulated control signal to block power output for the remainder of the current pulse-width-modulated cycle; upon the end of the cycle, or the beginning of the next, the latch is cleared to enable power output in that next cycle. Overload protection is provided by circuitry including counters for counting the relative number of overcurrent cycles to normal, non-overcurrent cycles, and generating an overload signal to block power output in the event of too frequent overcurrent cycles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.