Power chipset optimises Class D power amps

New from International Rectifier, IRCS-Series power semiconductor chipsets are optimised for the Crystal CS44210 TrueDigital Class D power amplifier controller IC from Cirrus Logic.

New from International Rectifier, IRCS-Series power semiconductor chipsets are optimised for the Crystal CS44210 TrueDigital Class D power amplifier controller IC from Cirrus Logic.

The combination of HEXFET power mosfets and gate driver IC work with the Cirrus Logic power amplifier controller IC to boost consumer and professional audio amplifier efficiency from the 50% industry norm to 90% or better.

This breakthrough efficiency improvement allows designers to shrink the size of audio amplifiers by as much as a factor of four.

The digital Class D amplifiers powered with International Rectifier's devices deliver greater signal/noise ratio, less total harmonic distortion, wider dynamic range and better frequency response, resulting in higher quality sound.

Bipolar transistors currently used in Class AB audio amplifiers are not adequate for new Class D amplifier topologies.

Class D amplifier designers quickly came to the conclusion that an optimised mosfet technology would provide the solution to Class-D amplifier topologies to deliver the level of sound quality and efficiency required by the market.

Applications for Class D amplifiers range from battery-powered portable audio products to high-end professional amplifiers and musical instruments, including car and home audio systems.

Cirrus Logic, the premier provider of chips for the entertainment industry, is leading the Class D revolution and selected International Rectifier to provide the application-specific power chipsets needed for the Class D amplifier output stage.

The IRCS-Series power semiconductor chipsets include the IRCS8101 and IRCS8102 HEXFET power mosfets and IRCS8001 gate driver.

International Rectifier has leveraged its applications expertise in switching mode power supplies along with its advanced mosfet technology to develop application-tuned mosfets for Class D amplifiers.

In the Class D amplifier topologies, which evolved from switch mode power supplies, dead time control is critical to reduce harmonic distortion and provide the highest audio quality.

IRCS-Series mosfets offer switching speeds up to 1MHz, without any compromise in efficiency, thanks to their low gate-to-drain charge, output capacitance and on resistance.

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