Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The class-D audio power amplifier has found widespread use in both the consumer and professional audio industry for one reason: efficiency. A higher efficiency leads to a smaller and cheaper design, and in the case of mobile devices, a longer battery life. Unfortunately, the basic class-D amplifier has some serious drawbacks. These include high distortion levels, a load dependent frequency response and the potential to radiate EMI. Except for EMI, the aforementioned issues can be mitigated by the proper implementation of global negative feedback. Negative feedback also has the potential to indirectly reduce EMI, since the timing requirements of the output devices can be relaxed. This thesis discusses the design of a clocked analogue controlled pulse-width modulated class-D audio amplifier with global negative feedback. The analogue control loop is converted to the z-domain by modelling the PWM comparator as a sampling operation. A method is implemented that improves clip recovery and ensures stability during over-modulation. Loop gain is shaped to provide a high gain across the audio band, and ripple compensation is implemented to minimize the negative effect of ripple feedback. Experimental results are presented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die klas-D klankversterker geniet wydverspreide gebruik in beide die verbruiker en professionele oudio industrie vir een rede: benuttingsgraad. ’n Hoër benuttingsgraad lei tot ’n kleiner en goedkoper ontwerp, en in die geval van draagbare toestelle, tot langer batterylewe. Ongelukkig het die basiese klas-D klankversterker ernstige tekortkominge, naamlik hoë distorsievlakke, ’n lasafhanklike frekwensierespons en die vermoë om EMI te genereer. Behalwe vir EMI kan hierdie kwessies deur die korrekte toepassing van globale negatiewe terugvoer aangespreek word. Negatiewe terugvoer het ook die potensiaal om EMI indirek te verminder, aangesien die tydvereistes van die skakel stadium verlaag kan word. Hierdie tesis bespreek die ontwerp van ’n geklokte analoog-beheerde pulswydte-modulerende klas-D klankversterker met globale negatiewe terugvoer. Die analoogbeheerlus word omgeskakel na die z-vlak deur die PWM vlakvergelyker as ’n monster operasie te modelleer. ’n Metode word geïmplementeer wat die stabiliteit van die lus verseker tydens oormodulasie. Die lusaanwins word gevorm om ’n hoë aanwins in die oudioband te verseker en riffelkompensasie word geïmplementeer om die negatiewe effek van terugvoerriffel teen te werk. Eksperimentele resultate word voorgelê.

This thesis presents a novel three-level modulation technique for a Class-D audio amplifier, attempting to improve the poor performance of the conventional two-level modulation scheme at low input levels. The main drawback of the conventional two-level PWM (pulse-width modulation) and SDM (sigma-delta modulation) Class-D amplifier is that, with a zero input or small input, the excessively fast switching action at the output causes unwanted switching loss and switching noise, resulting in unnecessary energy waste and SNDR degradation. The presented three-level modulation circuit mainly consists of a linear feedback compensator, two comparators, and a switching logic circuit. The simulation and experimental results shows that the proposed three-level modulation s cheme outperforms the two-level sigma-delta modulation scheme in both efficiency and performance.

This thesis focuses on the design and implementation of a three-level Class D audio amplifier by applying recently developed sliding-mode quantized control. The designed controller, which consists of the analog filters and logic circuit, switches an H-bridge Class-D amplifier with a lowpass LC filter and operates it in the sliding mode, in order to achieve desired stability and high fidelity in the audio band. The experimental result shows that the lowest THD+N (total harmonic distortion plus noise) can be as low as 0.02% at 1 kHz. The performance is better than most of the available commercial products.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Although the Class D topology offers several advantages, its use in audio amplification has previously been limited by the lack of competitiveness in fidelity compared to its linear counterparts. During the past decade, technological advances in semiconductor technology have awakened new interest since competitive levels of distortion could now be achieved. The output stage of such an amplifier is the primary limiting factor in its performance. In this dissertation, four non-ideal effects existing in this stage are identified and mathematically analysed. The analytical analysis makes use of a well-established mathematical model, based on the double Fourier series method, to model the imperfections introduced into a naturally sampled pulsewidth modulated waveform. The analysis is complemented by simulation using a strategy based on Newton’s numerical method. The theory is verified by a comparison between the analytical-, simulated- and experimental results.

The aim of this work was to design and construct a simple audio amplifier, which would be based of involvement and components used in switching power sources on the maximum degree (for example from usual ATX sources for computer). The main motivation for development is the existence of many old sources that do not use and big interest of users for the construction of home audio amplifiers for small and medium power. Amplifiers based on switching power sources with greater efficiency and less weight than comparable classic amplifiers (working in classes A, B or AB). Their disadvantage is the complicated design and introduction of distortion and spurious signals to the amplified signal. This work will be described a design of simple amplifier, which will minimize these negative effects. For shortcomings and wrong parameters this proposed involvement will be eventually described and implemented design of amplifier in class D.