Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and devices for controlling a command signal applied to a load. In embodiments of the invention, current through and voltage across a load are determined and the values of both are used to generate a hybrid control signal. For example, in some embodiments the hybrid control signal is generated by taking a weighted summation of the current and voltage control signals. In other embodiments, a percentage of the difference between the current and voltage control signals is added to one of the current or voltage control signals to generate the hybrid control signal. In one embodiment, a potentiometer is used to generate the hybrid control signal.

Abstract: A switching amplifier includes first and second output terminals that may be connected to a load. A pulse-width modulator receiving an input signal to obtain respective positive and negative values of the input signal. The modulator is connected to first and second switching circuits. The first switching circuit applies a plurality of pulses to the first output terminal that, in response to the positive samples, have a constant frequency and are pulse-width modulated, and, in response to the negative samples, have a varying frequency and a constant width. Similarly, the second switching circuit applies a plurality of pulses to the second output terminal that, in response to the negative samples, have a constant frequency and are pulse-width modulated, and, in response to the positive samples, have a varying frequency and a constant width. The varying phase of the constant width pulses disperses RF interference across a wider spectrum.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for limiting bipolar current flow in a switching amplifier. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-referenced switching amplifier. In some embodiment, the switching amplifier is a dual referenced switching amplifier comprising a regulator between the two references, where the first reference provides coarse modulation to a load and the second reference provides fine modulation to the load. The dual referenced switching amplifiers comprise the output filters made up of an inductor and a capacitor. In some embodiments, fine modulation is not applied to the load, thus limiting bipolar current flow induced by the filter inductors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward providing a system and method of reducing RF interference in switching amplifiers without degrading performance. In one embodiment, the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths are decreased relative to the sampling rate of fine lower voltage modulated pulsewidths. This reduction in the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths results in a reduction in EMI. In addition, the higher sampling rate of the fine lower voltage modulated pulsewidths mitigates the distortion caused by the reduced sampling rate of the coarse pulsewidths.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward providing a system and method of reducing RF interference in switching amplifiers without degrading performance. In one embodiment, the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths are increased relative to the sampling rate of fine lower voltage modulated pulsewidths. This increase in the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths results in a reduction in EMI.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for limiting bipolar current flow in a switching amplifier. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-referenced switching amplifier. In some embodiment, the switching amplifier is a dual referenced switching amplifier comprising a regulator between the two references, where the first reference provides coarse modulation to a load and the second reference provides fine modulation to the load. The dual referenced switching amplifiers comprise the output filters made up of an inductor and a capacitor. In some embodiments, fine modulation is not applied to the load, thus limiting bipolar current flow induced by the filter inductors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for limiting bipolar current flow in a switching amplifier. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-referenced switching amplifier. In some embodiment, the switching amplifier is a dual referenced switching amplifier comprising a regulator between the two references, where the first reference provides coarse modulation to a load and the second reference provides fine modulation to the load. The dual referenced switching amplifiers comprise the output filters made up of an inductor and a capacitor. In some embodiments, fine modulation is not applied to the load, thus limiting bipolar current flow induced by the filter inductors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus regulate the output of a switching device to a voltage near that of saturation. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished for a small period of time during activation before and/or after device saturation. The switching device drive requirement is then measured to attain the regulated voltage. Measurement of the drive requirement during the small period of time correlates to switching driver current, being reliant on the finite gain of the switching device.

Abstract: A switching amplifier includes first and second output terminals that may be connected to a load. A pulse-width modulator receiving an input signal to obtain respective positive and negative values of the input signal. The modulator is connected to first and second switching circuits. The first switching circuit applies a plurality of pulses to the first output terminal that, in response to the positive samples, have a constant frequency and are pulse-width modulated, and, in response to the negative samples, have a varying frequency and a constant width. Similarly, the second switching circuit applies a plurality of pulses to the second output terminal that, in response to the negative samples, have a constant frequency and are pulse-width modulated, and, in response to the positive samples, have a varying frequency and a constant width. The varying phase of the constant width pulses disperses RF interference across a wider spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward providing a system and method of reducing RF interference in switching amplifiers without degrading performance. In one embodiment, the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths are decreased relative to the sampling rate of fine lower voltage modulated pulsewidths. This reduction in the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths results in a reduction in EMI. In addition, the higher sampling rate of the fine lower voltage modulated pulsewidths mitigates the distortion caused by the reduced sampling rate of the coarse pulsewidths.

Abstract: A switching amplifier includes first and second output terminals that may be connected to a load. A pulse-width modulator receiving an input signal to obtain respective positive and negative values of the input signal. The modulator is connected to first and second switching circuits. The first switching circuit applies a plurality of pulses to the first output terminal that, in response to the positive samples, have a constant frequency and are pulse-width modulated, and, in response to the negative samples, have a varying frequency and a constant width. Similarly, the second switching circuit applies a plurality of pulses to the second output terminal that, in response to the negative samples, have a constant frequency and are pulse-width modulated, and, in response to the positive samples, have a varying frequency and a constant width. The varying phase of the constant width pulses disperses RF interference across a wider spectrum.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for limiting bipolar current flow in a switching amplifier. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multi-referenced switching amplifier. In some embodiment, the switching amplifier is a dual referenced switching amplifier comprising a regulator between the two references, where the first reference provides coarse modulation to a load and the second reference provides fine modulation to the load. The dual referenced switching amplifiers comprise the output filters made up of an inductor and a capacitor. In some embodiments, fine modulation is not applied to the load, thus limiting bipolar current flow induced by the filter inductors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward providing a system and method of reducing RF interference in switching amplifiers without degrading performance. In one embodiment, the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths are increased relative to the sampling rate of fine lower voltage modulated pulsewidths. This increase in the sampling rate of coarse high voltage modulated pulsewidths results in a reduction in EMI.

Abstract: A method of modulating the sampling period of a sampled system with a factor N, and correcting the data stream of the sampling system with the same factor N, thus minimizing distortion artifacts induced by sample frequency modulation. At least a one-period delay from receipt of a new data stream value is used to avoid heterodyning with the incoming stream.

Abstract: A method and accompanying circuitry for asynchronous data demodulation uses sorted pulsewidth measurement based on an asynchronous clock. Lock-on of the data stream by such a system is accomplished by measured pulsewidth, rather than inferred frequency. The method broadly comprises the steps of measuring a temporal aspect of the asynchronous clock, and locking onto the data stream in accordance with the measured periods. In the preferred embodiment, the temporal aspect is a ratio of measured periods. Conveniently, a ratio of 2:1 may be used.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing static or dynamic dissimilar output sampling rates of multiple outputs of an integrated switching amplifier uses the step of synchronizing dissimilar static or dynamic sampling rates of multiple outputs to yield improved sonic quality, higher efficiency, lower EMI or other benefits. According to the preferred embodiment, the synchronizing is carried out with respect to pulse leading edges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus regulate the output of a switching device to a voltage near that of saturation. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished for a small period of time during activation before and/or after device saturation. The switching device drive requirement is then measured to attain the regulated voltage. Measurement of the drive requirement during the small period of time correlates to switching driver current, being reliant on the finite gain of the switching device.

Abstract: An open-loop switching amplifier achieves synchronous operation using a ring oscillator based upon a tapped delay line. A counter is clocked from the ring oscillator, periodically comparing incoming more significant data to the value of the counter to form a pulsewidth modulated output waveform. Modulating the effective width of the output waveform in incremental delay line taps is equivalent to incoming less significant data. This technique then effects time-period summation of coarse and fine resolution clocked data.

Abstract: A method and attendant circuitry reduces the number of regulatory and switching devices in a multi-reference switching amplifier. In the preferred embodiment, multiple independently-modulated effective references are summed at a load through use of both linear and switched control of switching devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting output current in switching power supplies forgoes the need for any resistor or other components in series with the load. A method according to the invention includes the steps of inferring the peak current through the inductor as a function of input voltage and inductor charge time, and deriving the current available to the load based upon the flyback voltage during discharge of the inductor. Although a disclosed example is based upon a buck/boost topology, other converter topologies are anticipated. In terms of apparatus, in a switching power supply of the type wherein a switching device is used to charge an inductor that discharges to a load, the invention provides devices arranged for detecting output current without the need for a resistor or other component in series with the load.