GaN is being enthusiastically embraced in audio product development, enabling manufacturers and brands to launch better sounding, higher-performance, smaller, and more efficient audio systems. And GaN Systems is making it easier to reap the benefits of GaN with the introduction of the GeN2 Amplifier and SMPS Reference Design.
This solution is optimized for sound quality, thermal performance, size, and cost. The evaluation kit includes a 2 channel, 200W per channel (8 ohm) Class-D audio amplifier with 96% efficiency and companion 400W continuous, 550W peak power audio-grade SMPS. The combined solution enables audio design engineers to create premium audio products more quickly, reducing time to market and at affordable prices.
GaN Systems’ GeN2 Amplifier and SMPS Reference Design features a 20% overall size reduction in the power supply. It has a higher level of protection into lower impedance loads to the amplifier and provides better thermal management resulting in 10°C temperature reduction. In addition to these enormous improvements, GeN2 also lowers bill of materials (BoM) cost.
The GeN2 reference design allows design engineers to develop a heatsinkless, self-powered (from AC line Input) design with no external DC supplies required and smaller size boards due to a high level of controller and DSP integration. The solution offers high efficiency across a wide load range using GaN transistors and advanced control techniques. Designers can quickly scale to a higher power with magnetics and GaN transistor selection.
Additionally, the solution highlights an easy plug-and-play design with features such as multi-audio signal inputs, bridge-tied load output, and open-loop/closed-loop toggling.
GaN Systems has been making a lot of noise in this space since the company announced its original Class-D amplifier and companion SMPS kit in May 2020. Since then, GaN Systems' transistors have been implemented in several high-performance audio solutions, including the Syng Alpha Cell speaker, and in Orchard Audio’s Starkrimson Stereo Ultra amplifier and all-in-one Starkrimson Streamer Ultra.
In the Syng Cell Alpha, GaN Systems’ transistors are designed into the power supply, which can deliver peak transients of nearly 750W. The Cell Alpha power supply fits in any space, creates minimal heat, and supplies the system’s continuous and transient power requirements. GaN Systems is helping audio companies achieve better THD+N, 20dB better noise floor (system level), improved frequency response and 4x reduction in power loss.
GaN Systems’ power transistors are key components of next-generation audio products. While 2021 marked a year where GaN was embraced in the industry, 2022 is anticipated to be even better. GaN Systems predicts an exponential growth of GaN in the Class-D audio market, and 2022 will mark a year when the biggest audio names will launch GaN audio products.
The March 2022 issue of audioXpress magazine features an article, written by Stuart Yaniger, detailing the specifications and benefits of the GaN Systems evaluation board in audio designs, with a complete set of measurements and considerations of value for audio developers.
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