The cooperation between GaN Systems and the Dutch fabless semiconductor company Axign with its audio amplifier feedback loop controller ICs has already delivered an impressive range of reference designs serving all applications, from high end audio to automotive applications. In January 2022, the two companies have announced a groundbreaking GaN-based 500W Class-D audio amplifier reference design, which complemented the 2-channel, 200W per channel (8 ohm) Gen2 Class-D audio amplifier board, and companion 400W audio-grade SMPS combined solution from GaN Systems. These boards are already enabling audio designs in the home audio and residential integration spaces, combining exceptional audio quality at affordable prices.
For CES 2023, GaN Systems introduced a new wave of innovative GaN-Powered products and showcased the latest implementations in consumer electronics, audio, and electric vehicles at its suite at the Renaissance Hotel. The demonstrations included a superb new powered speaker design from Daniel Hertz, the company founded by Mark Levinson, side by side with the latest "Coolest" 1000W Class D audio amplifier board. And of course there were multiple chargers and adapters for mobile phones and laptops, on-board charger used in several electric vehicles, a new high-power density 400V/800V EV DC/DC converter and many other GaN-powered innovations in e-mobility, lighting, and shrinking power supplies.
While the location of GaN Systems suite during CES 2023 was strategically related with the company's role in the automotive industry, there's no question that its impact in audio applications is probably the most notable - and a great promotional showcase for the company's technologies. GaN power semiconductors are transforming the audio market with superior sounding, higher-performance, smaller, and more efficient Class-D audio systems.
For 2023, GaN Systems introduced its latest 1000W Class-D audio amplifier, designed in cooperation with Axign. Dubbed “Coolest” due to its ability to run cool, deliver 1000W 1 Ohm PBTL at 50V or 2 Ohm PBTL at 70V without a heatsink, and because it’s simply a “cool” design. The powerful audio amplifier board is able to work in 2x 500W mode with 97% efficiency, or bridged to full 1000W with 98% efficiency, with less than 3W of total idle losses for the GaN power stages and LC output filters. In addition to these key features, developers can explore its unique post-filter feedback, 50V, and 70V output capability, 70% reduction in idle losses, and 50% reduction in power loss.
Impressively, the 1000W Class-D audio amplifier reference design helps audio designers solve several technical challenges, such as efficiency and heat generation in high-power audio amplifiers due to the superior efficiency of GaN audio, resulting in low operating temperatures. This enables designs that respond to highly demanding applications, such as high-end systems working with high-resolution audio sources and delivering enhanced sound quality with high power.
"The 1000W GaN-powered Class D audio amplifier is what the industry has been waiting for. It delivers near-perfect sonic quality in a system that runs cool without a heatsink — a fantastic and industry-first combination. Well-engineered reference designs, like this 1000W design from Axign, help get customer products to market faster and easier,” says Jim Witham, CEO of GaN Systems.
"Achieving superior sound quality with very high efficiencies and low idle losses in a better and smaller form factor are just a few advantages of our 1000W heatsinkless Class-D audio amplifier with GaN Systems," adds Richard Langezaal, VP of Business Development for Axign. "This is one of CES’s most exciting audio innovations for 2023."
www.axign.nl
www.gansystems.com
