Audio Power Amplifier IC delivers 100 W peak output.
October 9, 2009 -
Housed in single 64QFN package and operating directly from 0.8-1.8 V supply, Model AS1001 enables battery-powered amplified speakers to run 3 hours per day for 10 months. IC uses patented techniques to minimize both fixed power losses and output-dependent variable power losses. With power rail switching, amplifier operates efficiently from low voltage rail, with DC-DC boost converter driving higher voltage transistors on extreme audio peaks.
Audium 100W Audio Amplifiers are 20X More Efficient than Class D Chips
World's most efficient high power audio chip enables battery-powered amplified speakers to run 3 hours per day for 10 months on a set of 1.5V batteries
Bristol, UK, 5th Oct: Audium Semiconductor has launched an audio power amplifier IC which, at normal listening levels[1], is 20 times more efficient than competing devices, such as Class D[2] amplifiers, without compromising audio quality. The AS1001 operates from a nominal 1.5V power supply and delivers 100W peak power output. The amplifier is so efficient that battery-powered amplified loudspeakers can run for up to 10 months on a set of four 'C' batteries, playing for three hours per day, vastly reducing CO2 from power generation and pollution from battery production[3].
The amplifier also enables the development of smaller, cooler, mains-powered audio equipment, with fewer heat sinks. Applications include totally wireless speakers, home theatre surround sound speakers and battery-powered travel speakers. Future Audium ICs will support MP3 docking stations and USB powered speakers.
The AS1001 architecture uses patented techniques to minimise both fixed power losses and output-dependant variable power losses. The modulation scheme uses low switching rates to minimise switching losses. Power rail switching means that the amplifier operates efficiently from a low voltage rail most of the time, with a DC-DC boost converter driving higher voltage transistors on extreme audio peaks.
"Traditionally, audio amplifiers have only reached quoted efficiency figures at maximum output, which is like building a city-car that's only efficient at 200mph and anything but efficient at 30," said Huw Davies, CCO at Audium. "The AS1001 marks a huge leap forward in efficiency and has come from examining how equipment is really used rather than striving for a marketable arbitrary figure."
"Over 700 million consumer audio devices are sold each year, so the real world efficiency of these has a huge impact on the amount of energy we consume," commented Malcolm Penn, CEO Future Horizon's analyst house. "Looking beyond the environmental implications, the technology behind the AS1001 will enable a whole new class of low power consumer products."
Targeting battery powered applications; the AS1001 is a single 64QFN package and operates directly from a 0.8V - 1.8V supply (compatible with, for example, alkaline primary cells and Ni-MH secondary cells). Samples are available now, priced from $8 each in 1000+ quantities.
Notes for editors
[1] Normal listening level is defined as 73dBC sound pressure level (SPL) at a distance of 1 metre, with a speaker sensitivity of 89dBC/W at 1 metre.
[2] Class D explanation
[3]A 2007 study conducted by Bio Intelligence Service claimed that 660 million batteries per year are sold in the UK alone, 95 per cent of which are disposable. The report suggested that 1kWh from disposable batteries had the equivalent impact on air pollution as driving 2320km, and on water pollution as emitting 2731mg of mercury. The study was pier reviewed by the Fraunhofer Institute, Germany and endorsed by the WWF. Further finings are summarised here. Company Information: Name: Audium Semiconductor Ltd Address: WestPoint, 78 Queens Road, Clifton City: Bristol Country: United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0) 117 9856950 http://www.audiumsemi.com
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