GaN Systems and Axign develop 'cool' audio amp design
1000W Class-D GaN audio amplifier allows smaller, sleeker, more efficient audio systems
GaN Systems and Axign, a fabless firm making analogue/mixed-signal technology for audio amplifier systems, unveiled a 1000W Class-D GaN audio amplifier at CES 2023.
The new reference design is said to enable unique audio systems that are smaller, sleeker, more efficient, and offer more powerful audio quality. The design is suitable for automotive, professional, and prosumer audio applications.
"GaN audio is the coolest solution on the market due to near-perfect sound reproduction," said Jim Witham, CEO of GaN Systems. "The 1000W GaN-powered Class D audio amplifier is what the industry has been waiting for. It delivers near-perfect sonic quality in a system that runs cool without a heatsink-a fantastic and industry-first combination. Well-engineered reference designs, like this 1000W design from Axign, help get customer products to market faster and easier."
Key features of the 1000W audio amplifier include: 2x 500W in 2Ω BTL at 50V or in 4 Ohm BTL at 70V, with 97 percent efficiency; 1x 1000W in 1Ω PBTL at 50V or in 2Ω PBTL at 70V, with 98 percent efficiency; and less than 3W of total idle losses for the GaN power stages and LC output filters.
In addition to these features, audio designers benefit from post-filter feedback, 50V, and 70V output capability, 70 percent reduction in idle losses, and 50 percent reduction in power loss.
The 1000W Class-D audio amplifier reference design helps audio designers solve several technical challenges, such as efficiency and heat generation in high-power audio amplifiers. Designers can eliminate heatsinks due to the superior efficiency of GaN audio, resulting in low operating temperatures. This enables designs that respond to highly demanding applications, such as high-end systems working with high-resolution audio sources and delivering enhanced sound quality with high power.
"Achieving superior sound quality with very high efficiencies and low idle losses in a better and smaller form factor are just a few advantages of our 1000W heatsinkless Class-D audio amplifier with GaN Systems," said Richard Langezaal, VP of Business Development of Axign. "This is one of CES's most exciting audio innovations for 2023."
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