Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies

Robert Bakker; Maeve Duffy

doi:10.1109/APEC.2018.8341044

Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies

Robert Bakker
, Maeve Duffy

Electrical & Electronic Engineering

University of Galway

Research output: Chapter in Book or Conference Publication/Proceeding › Conference Publication › peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents the use of envelope tracking in class-D digital audio amplifiers supplied through step-up DC-DC converters as applied in automotive, battery-operated, and portable devices. It is shown that envelope tracking offers significant improvements in efficiency of up to 26% for the class-D stage of a 100 W amplifier in a typical usage scenario, with a corresponding overall system improvement of up to 27% including a boost converter. Detailed simulation results of the complete system are presented, as well as experimental results performed on an existing 100 W class-D amplifier design. Efficiency versus power results are combined with music power distribution profiles to simulate typical usage cases. Challenges relating to envelope tracking and DC-DC converter control are discussed. It is concluded that there is significant potential for envelope tracking to provide improvement over the standard fixed supply amplifier design - especially at low power, where the amplifier is normally used most.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	APEC 2018 - 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	412-418
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	9781538611807
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/APEC.2018.8341044
Publication status	Published - 18 Apr 2018
Event	33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2018 - San Antonio, United States Duration: 4 Mar 2018 → 8 Mar 2018

Publication series

Name	Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC
Volume	2018-March

Conference

Conference	33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2018
Country/Territory	United States
City	San Antonio
Period	4/03/18 → 8/03/18

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

Audio amplifier
Class-D
Efficiency
Envelope Tracking
Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM)

Access to Document

10.1109/APEC.2018.8341044

Cite this

Bakker, R., & Duffy, M. (2018). Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies. In APEC 2018 - 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (pp. 412-418). (Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC; Vol. 2018-March). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/APEC.2018.8341044

Bakker, Robert ; Duffy, Maeve. / Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies. APEC 2018 - 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018. pp. 412-418 (Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC).

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abstract = "This paper presents the use of envelope tracking in class-D digital audio amplifiers supplied through step-up DC-DC converters as applied in automotive, battery-operated, and portable devices. It is shown that envelope tracking offers significant improvements in efficiency of up to 26\% for the class-D stage of a 100 W amplifier in a typical usage scenario, with a corresponding overall system improvement of up to 27\% including a boost converter. Detailed simulation results of the complete system are presented, as well as experimental results performed on an existing 100 W class-D amplifier design. Efficiency versus power results are combined with music power distribution profiles to simulate typical usage cases. Challenges relating to envelope tracking and DC-DC converter control are discussed. It is concluded that there is significant potential for envelope tracking to provide improvement over the standard fixed supply amplifier design - especially at low power, where the amplifier is normally used most.",

keywords = "Audio amplifier, Class-D, Efficiency, Envelope Tracking, Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM)",

author = "Robert Bakker and Maeve Duffy",

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doi = "10.1109/APEC.2018.8341044",

language = "English",

series = "Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC",

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Bakker, R & Duffy, M 2018, Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies. in APEC 2018 - 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition. Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC, vol. 2018-March, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 412-418, 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2018, San Antonio, United States, 4/03/18. https://doi.org/10.1109/APEC.2018.8341044

Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies. / Bakker, Robert; Duffy, Maeve.
APEC 2018 - 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2018. p. 412-418 (Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC; Vol. 2018-March).

Research output: Chapter in Book or Conference Publication/Proceeding › Conference Publication › peer-review

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AU - Duffy, Maeve

PY - 2018/4/18

Y1 - 2018/4/18

N2 - This paper presents the use of envelope tracking in class-D digital audio amplifiers supplied through step-up DC-DC converters as applied in automotive, battery-operated, and portable devices. It is shown that envelope tracking offers significant improvements in efficiency of up to 26% for the class-D stage of a 100 W amplifier in a typical usage scenario, with a corresponding overall system improvement of up to 27% including a boost converter. Detailed simulation results of the complete system are presented, as well as experimental results performed on an existing 100 W class-D amplifier design. Efficiency versus power results are combined with music power distribution profiles to simulate typical usage cases. Challenges relating to envelope tracking and DC-DC converter control are discussed. It is concluded that there is significant potential for envelope tracking to provide improvement over the standard fixed supply amplifier design - especially at low power, where the amplifier is normally used most.

AB - This paper presents the use of envelope tracking in class-D digital audio amplifiers supplied through step-up DC-DC converters as applied in automotive, battery-operated, and portable devices. It is shown that envelope tracking offers significant improvements in efficiency of up to 26% for the class-D stage of a 100 W amplifier in a typical usage scenario, with a corresponding overall system improvement of up to 27% including a boost converter. Detailed simulation results of the complete system are presented, as well as experimental results performed on an existing 100 W class-D amplifier design. Efficiency versus power results are combined with music power distribution profiles to simulate typical usage cases. Challenges relating to envelope tracking and DC-DC converter control are discussed. It is concluded that there is significant potential for envelope tracking to provide improvement over the standard fixed supply amplifier design - especially at low power, where the amplifier is normally used most.

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KW - Class-D

KW - Efficiency

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KW - Pulse-Width-Modulation (PWM)

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Bakker R, Duffy M. Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies. In APEC 2018 - 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2018. p. 412-418. (Conference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC). doi: 10.1109/APEC.2018.8341044

Improving the efficiency of class-D audio amplifier systems using envelope tracking DC-DC power supplies

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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