New Fractal Class-D Audio Amplifier Technology Maximizes Battery Life in TWS Earbuds

Typical Class-D amplifiers are generally tuned to give the highest efficiency when outputting large power levels but have a rather low efficiency at lower power levels. Using a new type of bridge configuration, the patented Fractal Class-D audio amplifier improves the efficiency at lower power levels while maximizing efficiency over a wide range of power levels. Available from SiliconIntervention, this technology was developed by Martin Mallinson, the company's founder and chief scientific officer.

GaN power semiconductors pioneer GaN Systems has once again teamed up with Dutch company Axign to unveil an even more powerful, 1000W Class-D GaN audio amplifier board at CES 2023. The new reference design merges best-in-class technologies from GaN Systems and Axign to enable unique audio systems that are smaller, more efficient, and offer better audio quality. The design is ideal for automotive, professional, and prosumer audio applications.

Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation has released a synchronous boost converter with a new architecture of high-side and low-side switches that achieves a high efficiency to support for a variety of applications, including Bluetooth speakers and other battery-operated devices. The new synchronous boost converter is equipped with a fast transient response to reduce output voltage fluctuations in a short response time for stable power supply, making it ideally suited for devices which can exhibit significant current variations.

Designers of high-performance, high-power artificial intelligence (AI) systems can now achieve highest efficiency (to reduce power cost and heat) and smallest total solution size with the MAX16602 AI cores dual-output voltage regulator and the MAX20790 smart power-stage IC. The MAX16602 and MAX20790 chipset achieves greater than 95 percent efficiency and supports designs from 60A to 800A or more, delivering best-in-class transient performance with 40 percent reduced output capacitance.

Following extensive research, Klippel GmbH has announced its new Klippel Controlled Sound (KCS) technology. This is an integrated approach that leverages the company's software and hardware tools for development, measurement and evaluation of new-generation loudspeaker systems, providing mechanical and thermal protection, automatic system alignment, active compensation of transducer nonlinearities and stabilization of the voice coil rest position. In other words, enabling research towards the speakers of the future.