TI touts next-gen digital amp power stages

Texas Instruments Inc. has introduced its next generation of high-performance digital amplifier power stages. The TAS5352 is capable of continuously driving two channels at 100W, and the TAS5342 is capable of driving 125W per channel at 10 per cent total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) into a 4Ω load. Their high SNR of 98dB allows manufacturers to meet consumer demand for high performance audio and home theater applications, such as high-power DVD receivers, home theaters in a box and mini component systems.

The TAS5352 and TAS5342 power stages are pin-for-pin compatible with TI's TAS5142DDV evaluation module. Their advantages that ultimately lower system and manufacturing costs include the following:

Boot strap under-voltage protection allows higher modulation indexes

Faster over-current (OC) detector allows inductors with lower saturation current to be used in the reconstruction filter

Spike voltage reduced to improve reliability and reduce EMI

Pin-to-pin short detector for detecting manufacturing errors like solder bridges

Special ramping sequence to minimize pop/click when used in single-ended mode

TI's proprietary current-limiting circuit manages OC, avoiding unnecessary shutdowns and protecting against short-circuit conditions. This feature allows the power stage to drive speakers with minimum audible artifacts during high-power peaks, and reduces the possibility of device shutdown during high-level music transients. The TAS5352 and TAS5342 also allow the engineer to program the OC level to customise this setting according to the filtering inductors used. In addition, the TAS5342L provides a lower-cost alternative, offering designers another performance option for applications, based on their system performance and cost requirements.

TI's PurePath Digital Audio Technology

The TAS5352, TAS5342 and TAS5342L digital amplifiers are based on TI's PurePath Digital technology, which allows consumer electronics manufacturers to build complete digital, end-to-end audio products with cutting-edge sound in a compact form factor. By reproducing movie soundtracks or music exactly the way the artist intended, PurePath Digital technology offers exceptional high-end digital entertainment to the everyday consumer. PurePath Digital technology complements other TI digital and high-performance analogue products that support audio applications, such as DSPs, switch mode power management, analog Class-D amplifiers and audio converters. TI provides the silicon, software, systems expertise and support for the entire audio signal chain, enabling customers to get to market quickly. For more information see the Audio Solutions Guide at www.ti.com/audio.