Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

High power digital audio amplifier

(output stage)

 

Victor Frioni

Abstract:
This thesis presents the output stage for a true digital audio amplifier. A digital amplifier performs amplification of the signal directly from the CD. This offers the advantage of the entire input chain remaining in the digital domain, and reducing the production of noise. To show this concept working, a digitally produced PWM signal of a sine wave has been used to test the output stage constructed in this thesis. The output stage was designed using a full-bridge set of n-channel high power MOSFETs. A pulse referenced error correction (PEDEC) feedback network has been introduced that offers a simple solution to removing the inevitable errors introduced by the power stage. An output stage was built without feedback and tested. Results show the potential for high efficiency, but to realise high fidelity a feedback network will need to be deployed. Current technology and concepts exist that will allow the construction of a commercially viable digital audio amplifier in the near future.

 

Complete thesis:

thesis.pdf

Conference paper:

conference.pdf

Additional material:
code   sch    pcb    datasheets

About the Author


Dept of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering / Victor Frioni / atilla@beer.com    last mod 15/10/99