Efficiency Optimization of Class G Amplifiers: Impact of the Input Signals
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P. Russo, G. Pillonnet, N. Abouchi, S. Taupin, and F. Goutti, "Efficiency Optimization of Class G Amplifiers: Impact of the Input Signals," Paper 8687, (2012 October.). doi:
P. Russo, G. Pillonnet, N. Abouchi, S. Taupin, and F. Goutti, "Efficiency Optimization of Class G Amplifiers: Impact of the Input Signals," Paper 8687, (2012 October.). doi:
Abstract: Class G amplifiers are an effective solution to increase the audio efficiency for headphone applications, but realistic operating conditions have to be taken into account to predict and optimize power efficiency. In fact, power supply tracking, which is a key factor for high efficiency, is poorly optimized with the classical design method because the stimulus used is very different from a real audio signal. Here, a methodology has been proposed to find class G nominal conditions. By using relevant stimuli and nominal output power, the simulation and test of the class G amplifier are closer to the real conditions. Moreover, a novel simulator is used to quickly evaluate the efficiency with these long duration stimuli, i.e., ten seconds instead of a few milliseconds. This allows longer transient simulation for an accurate efficiency and audio quality evaluation by averaging the class G behavior. Based on this simulator, this paper indicates the limitations of the well-established test setup. Real efficiencies vary up to ±50% from the classical methods. Finally, the study underlines the need to use real audio signals to optimize the supply voltage tracking of class G amplifiers in order to achieve a maximal efficiency in nominal operation.
@article{russo2012efficiency,
author={russo, patrice and pillonnet, gael and abouchi, nacer and taupin, sophie and goutti, frederic},
journal={journal of the audio engineering society},
title={efficiency optimization of class g amplifiers: impact of the input signals},
year={2012},
volume={},
number={},
pages={},
doi={},
month={october},}
@article{russo2012efficiency,
author={russo, patrice and pillonnet, gael and abouchi, nacer and taupin, sophie and goutti, frederic},
journal={journal of the audio engineering society},
title={efficiency optimization of class g amplifiers: impact of the input signals},
year={2012},
volume={},
number={},
pages={},
doi={},
month={october},
abstract={class g amplifiers are an effective solution to increase the audio efficiency for headphone applications, but realistic operating conditions have to be taken into account to predict and optimize power efficiency. in fact, power supply tracking, which is a key factor for high efficiency, is poorly optimized with the classical design method because the stimulus used is very different from a real audio signal. here, a methodology has been proposed to find class g nominal conditions. by using relevant stimuli and nominal output power, the simulation and test of the class g amplifier are closer to the real conditions. moreover, a novel simulator is used to quickly evaluate the efficiency with these long duration stimuli, i.e., ten seconds instead of a few milliseconds. this allows longer transient simulation for an accurate efficiency and audio quality evaluation by averaging the class g behavior. based on this simulator, this paper indicates the limitations of the well-established test setup. real efficiencies vary up to ±50% from the classical methods. finally, the study underlines the need to use real audio signals to optimize the supply voltage tracking of class g amplifiers in order to achieve a maximal efficiency in nominal operation.},}
TY - paper
TI - Efficiency Optimization of Class G Amplifiers: Impact of the Input Signals
SP -
EP -
AU - Russo, Patrice
AU - Pillonnet, Gael
AU - Abouchi, Nacer
AU - Taupin, Sophie
AU - Goutti, Frederic
PY - 2012
JO - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
IS -
VO -
VL -
Y1 - October 2012
TY - paper
TI - Efficiency Optimization of Class G Amplifiers: Impact of the Input Signals
SP -
EP -
AU - Russo, Patrice
AU - Pillonnet, Gael
AU - Abouchi, Nacer
AU - Taupin, Sophie
AU - Goutti, Frederic
PY - 2012
JO - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
IS -
VO -
VL -
Y1 - October 2012
AB - Class G amplifiers are an effective solution to increase the audio efficiency for headphone applications, but realistic operating conditions have to be taken into account to predict and optimize power efficiency. In fact, power supply tracking, which is a key factor for high efficiency, is poorly optimized with the classical design method because the stimulus used is very different from a real audio signal. Here, a methodology has been proposed to find class G nominal conditions. By using relevant stimuli and nominal output power, the simulation and test of the class G amplifier are closer to the real conditions. Moreover, a novel simulator is used to quickly evaluate the efficiency with these long duration stimuli, i.e., ten seconds instead of a few milliseconds. This allows longer transient simulation for an accurate efficiency and audio quality evaluation by averaging the class G behavior. Based on this simulator, this paper indicates the limitations of the well-established test setup. Real efficiencies vary up to ±50% from the classical methods. Finally, the study underlines the need to use real audio signals to optimize the supply voltage tracking of class G amplifiers in order to achieve a maximal efficiency in nominal operation.
Class G amplifiers are an effective solution to increase the audio efficiency for headphone applications, but realistic operating conditions have to be taken into account to predict and optimize power efficiency. In fact, power supply tracking, which is a key factor for high efficiency, is poorly optimized with the classical design method because the stimulus used is very different from a real audio signal. Here, a methodology has been proposed to find class G nominal conditions. By using relevant stimuli and nominal output power, the simulation and test of the class G amplifier are closer to the real conditions. Moreover, a novel simulator is used to quickly evaluate the efficiency with these long duration stimuli, i.e., ten seconds instead of a few milliseconds. This allows longer transient simulation for an accurate efficiency and audio quality evaluation by averaging the class G behavior. Based on this simulator, this paper indicates the limitations of the well-established test setup. Real efficiencies vary up to ±50% from the classical methods. Finally, the study underlines the need to use real audio signals to optimize the supply voltage tracking of class G amplifiers in order to achieve a maximal efficiency in nominal operation.
Authors:
Russo, Patrice; Pillonnet, Gael; Abouchi, Nacer; Taupin, Sophie; Goutti, Frederic
Affiliations:
Lyon Institute of Nanotechnology, Lyon, France; ST Microelectronics, Inc., Grenoble, France(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Convention:
133 (October 2012)
Paper Number:
8687
Publication Date:
October 25, 2012Import into BibTeX
Subject:
Amplifiers and Equipment
Permalink:
http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=16430