Programmable noise gate for audio amplifier employing a combination of low-noise and noise-rejecting analog and digital signal processing

A system comprising:

• a speaker and an IC, the IC comprising:
• a first signal circuit path to process a first electrical signal that includes one or more signal frequencies in the audio frequency band, wherein the first signal circuit path includes a first amplifier circuit configured to provide a first output signal to the speaker;
• a noise gate circuit configured to monitor the first electrical signal and generate a first indication when an amplitude of the first electrical signal decreases below a first specified threshold voltage value;
• and
• a control circuit communicatively coupled to the noise gate circuit and first signal circuit path, wherein the control circuit is configured to mute an output of the switching amplifier circuit according to the generated indication.

A method comprising:

• processing a first electrical input signal having a signal frequency in an audio frequency band using a first circuit path on a single integrated circuit (IC);
• providing a first output signal at an output of the first circuit path output to a speaker load;
• and
• muting the first circuit path output when detecting that the amplitude of the first electrical input signal decreases below a specified threshold amplitude value.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for processing a first electrical input signal having a signal frequency in an audio frequency band using a first circuit path on a single integrated circuit (IC);
• means for providing a first output signal at an output of the first circuit path output to a speaker load;
• and
• means for muting the first circuit path output when detecting that the amplitude of the first electrical input signal decreases below a specified threshold amplitude value.