The company said that while traditional Class D amplifiers only achieve optimum efficiency at or near full output power, the AS1001 amplifies an audio signal over the entire operating output power range and includes techniques to minimize both fixed losses and output-dependant variable losses.
The company claims that at normal listening levels, the AS1001 is 20 times more efficient than a traditional Class D power amplifier. Operating from a nominal 1.5V power supply and delivering 100W peak power output, the AS1001 is so efficient that battery-powered amplified loudspeakers, playing for three hours per day, can run for up to 10 months on a set of four ‘C’ batteries.
This high efficiency means a ‘greener’ amplifier, since Audium technology reduces carbon dioxide from power generation and pollution from battery production, added the company.
Tom Schild, vice president of worldwide sales of Sidense, said: “A highly efficient audio power amplifier such as the AS1001 will find use in many consumer products, so minimum power and low cost are essential attributes. The ultra-low power requirements and very small size of Sidense SLP macros are an ideal fit for Audium’s audio power amplifier OTP requirements.”
Huw Davies, chief commercial officer of Audium, said: “Optimizing the very high efficiency of our power amplifier ICs requires that every component used on the chips exhibit very low power dissipation. Sidense’s OTP macros combine very low power, a small footprint and ease of programming, which helped Audium develop the most efficient audio power amplifier over normal listening levels in the industry.”
