Utilization of non-linear converters for audio amplification
Niels Elkjær Iversen, Thomas Haagen Birch, Arnold Knott · Technical University of Denmark, DTU Orbit (Technical University of Denmark, DTU) · 2012
Class D amplifiers fits the automotive demands quite well. The traditional buck-based amplifier has reduced both the cost and size of amplifiers. However the buck topology is not without its limitations. The maximum peak AC output voltage produced by the power stage is only equal the supply voltage. The introduction of non-linear converters for audio amplification defeats this limitation. A Cuk converter, designed to deliver an AC peak output voltage twice the supply voltage, is presented in this paper. A 3V prototype has been developed to prove the concept. The prototype shows that it is possible to achieve an peak AC output voltage twice the supply voltage but also reveals some of the major obstacles and challenges which is also discussed.