Tiny audio amp IC delivers big power

The NCP2820 delivers a power-efficient, cost-effective solution for driving the loudspeaker for hands-free, high-power, melody ringer and other multimedia functions in a cellphone.

New from ON Semiconductor, the NCP2820 is a cost-effective, filterless Class-D audio amplifier designed for portable applications such as cellphones, digital cameras, portable media players, notebook PCs, LCD monitors and other handheld devices.

NCP2820 enhances the highest audio amplification power with the minimum board space, and extends battery life thanks to its high efficiency and low shutdown current.

From a 5V supply, the NCP2820 is capable of delivering 2.65W of continuous average power into a 4ohm bridge-tied load (BTL).

Under the same conditions, the output power stage can provide 1.4W into an 8ohm BTL load with less than 1% total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N).

For a device in a small 1.45 x 1.45mm, flip-chip, chip-scale package (CSP) and an input voltage range of 2.5 to 5.5V, the NCP2820 drives clean audio output with the highest power in the market.

The device offers space and cost savings because no output filter is required when using inductive transducers.

With up to 90% power efficiency and a very low shutdown current of typically 0.42uA, this audio amplifier reduces battery drain and drastically lowers the junction temperature, hence reducing heat dissipation within compact portable devices.

Using a pulsewidth modulation (PWM) technique, the NCP2820 processes analogue input while keeping output noise and THD low.

The "pop and click" noise elimination circuitry ensures that no audible noise will be produced during startup or shutdown.

Thus the device can be turned to shutdown mode during the long idle times to reduce power consumption.

Due to its low 42uV noise floor, using an A-weighted filter guarantees clean audio output regardless of the load sensitivity.

"ON Semiconductor offers a focused audio amplifier portfolio for cellphone handsets and other portable devices that includes various highly integrated, high-quality Class AB speaker amplifiers, stereo headphone amplifiers, as well as earpiece/receiver amplifiers", said Andy Williams, ON Semiconductor Vice President, Power Conversion Products.

"With a competitive pricing strategy, ON Semiconductor offers world-class audio amplifier solutions with high efficiency and quality output sound that are globally used in millions of handsets each year".

"With the experience we've gained from the global headset leaders, the company will continue to manufacture high-quality audio amplifiers for cellphone as well as other battery operating devices".

The NCP2820 is offered in a 1.45 x 1.45mm, 9-pin flip-chip CSP and priced at $0.68 per unit in 1000-unit quantities.

A lead-free NCP2820 is also available.

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