# US 11,444,577 B2 · Boost amplifier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,444,577 B2 - Document ID: US11444577B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/893,838 - Filed: 2020-06-05 - Published: 2020-12-10 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-07 - Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: James F. Lazar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11444577B2 ## CPC - H02M 1/38: Means for preventing simultaneous conduction of switches - H03F 1/0227: {using supply converters} - H02M 3/158: including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load - H02M 7/48: using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode - H03F 1/0238: {using supply converters} - H03F 3/183: with semiconductor devices only - H03F 3/2171: {with field-effect devices (H03F3/2173 - H03F3/2178 take precedence)} - H03F 3/2173: {of the bridge type} - H03F 2200/03: the amplifier being designed for audio applications - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - H03F: AMPLIFIERS ## Abstract One embodiment provides a system comprising a single DC voltage source and a Class-D amplifier comprising at least one DC/DC converter operated by the single DC voltage source. The amplifier is configured to receive an input signal for power amplification, and generate, via the at least one DC/DC converter, a DC output voltage that approaches or exceeds a DC supply voltage from the single DC voltage source. A gain of the amplifier is a ratio of the output voltage level to the input signal. A steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter is zero output. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a single DC voltage source; and a class-D amplifier comprising at least one DC/DC converter operated by the single DC voltage source, wherein the class-D amplifier is configured to: receive an input signal for power amplification; and generate, via the at least one DC/DC converter, an output voltage level that exceeds a DC supply voltage from the single DC voltage source in at least one polarity; wherein a gain of the class-D amplifier is a ratio of the output voltage level to the input signal; and wherein a steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter is zero output. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the input signal comprises an audio signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a controller configured to implement feedback control for the class-D amplifier. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each DC/DC converter comprises multiple switches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each DC/DC converter comprises multiple Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the class-D amplifier comprises only one DC/DC converter in a single-ended configuration, and the output voltage level exceeds the DC supply voltage in only a negative polarity. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the class-D amplifier comprises two DC/DC converters arranged in the same topology, and the output voltage level exceeds the DC supply voltage in both a positive polarity and a negative polarity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the output voltage level is a differential output voltage measured across output terminals of the two DC/DC converters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein a first DC/DC converter of the two DC/DC converters is driven complementary to a second DC/DC converter of the two DC/DC converters. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each DC/DC converter is independently controlled and driven based on an individual duty ratio corresponding to the DC/DC converter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising: a class-D modulator configured to, for each DC/DC converter, limit an individual duty ratio corresponding to the DC/DC converter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the DC/DC converter is driven based on a duty ratio D, and a conversation ratio of the DC/DC converter is (1-2D)/(1-D). ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the zero output of the steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter represents that the at least one DC/DC converter generates no output during a nominal operation condition. ### Claim 14 A class-D amplifier device comprising: at least one DC/DC converter operated by a single DC voltage source, wherein the at least one DC/DC converter is configured to: receive an input signal for power amplification; and generate an output voltage level that exceeds a DC supply voltage from the single DC voltage source in at least one polarity; and a low-pass LC filter configured to make the output voltage level low noise; wherein a gain of the class-D amplifier device is a ratio of the output voltage level to the input signal; and wherein a steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter is zero output. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The class-D amplifier device of claim 14, wherein the input signal comprises an audio signal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The class-D amplifier device of claim 14, wherein the class-D amplifier device comprises only one DC/DC converter in a single-ended configuration, and the output voltage level exceeds the DC supply voltage in only a negative polarity. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The class-D amplifier device of claim 14, wherein the class-D amplifier device comprises two DC/DC converters arranged in the same topology, and the output voltage level exceeds the DC supply voltage in both a positive polarity and a negative polarity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The class-D amplifier device of claim 16, wherein the DC/DC converter is driven based on a duty ratio D, and a conversation ratio of the DC/DC converter is (1-2D)/(1-D). ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The class-D amplifier device of claim 14, wherein the zero output of the steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter represents that the at least one DC/DC converter generates no output during a nominal operation condition. ### Claim 20 A method comprising: receiving an input signal for power amplification; and generating, via at least one DC/DC converter operated by a single DC voltage source, a DC output voltage that exceeds a DC supply voltage from the single DC voltage source in at least one polarity; wherein a gain of the power amplification is a ratio of the output voltage level to the input signal; and wherein a steady-state operating point of the at least one DC/DC converter is zero output.