US 7,023,268 B1Granted

Systems and methods for automatically adjusting channel timing

AssigneeD2Audio Corporation

InventorsWilson E. Taylor, Jack B. Andersen, Michael Rovner, Michael A. Kost

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Abstract

Systems and methods for automatically adjusting the alignment of high-side and low-side pulse width modulated signals to improve dead time and shoot-through conditions. In one embodiment, a system includes a digital amplifier controller, an amplifier output stage coupled to the controller and configured to receive audio signals from the controller, and one or more sensors coupled to the output stage. The sensors are configured to detect and/or measure various parameters, such as shoot-through current and distortion, which are associated with the operation of the output stage. The sensors provide feedback to an internal processor or modulator of the controller, which then adjusts the timing of the high-side and low-side signals to improve the operating conditions of the output stage by minimizing shoot-through current and/or distortion.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a PWM modulator;
a driver;
an output stage;
and
feedback circuitry;
wherein the driver is coupled between the PWM modulator and the output stage, wherein the driver is configured to receive high-side and low-side PWM signals from the PWM modulator and to drive the high-side and low-side PWM signals to the output stages;
wherein the feedback circuitry is coupled between the output stage and the PWM modulator, wherein the feedback circuitry is configured to provide feedback associated with dead time and shoot-through current in the output stage to the PWM modulator, wherein the feedback circuitry is configured to measure shoot-through current in the output stage, wherein the feedback circuitry includes a resistor coupled in series with a pair of output stage transistors, and a comparator configured to measure a voltage drop across the resistor and compare the measured voltage drop to a threshold level;
and
wherein the PWM modulator is configured to adjust the relative timing of the high-side and low-side PWM signals in response to the feedback to optimize the dead time and shoot-through current in the output stage.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/805,741Filed 22 Mar 2004 · us provisional application
Priority: 21 Mar 2003
Granted: 4 Apr 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H03F 3/217
With semiconductor devices only: class D power amplifiers; Switching amplifiers
H03F 1/32
Details of amplifiers with only discharge tubes, only semiconductor devices or only unspecified devices as amplifying elements: modifications of…
H03F 3/181
Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements: low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers
H03F 2200/03
Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers: the amplifier being designed for audio applications

Family

Application60/456,421Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
Application60/456,414Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
Application60/456,430Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
Application60/456,429Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
Application60/456,422Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
Application60/456,428Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
Application60/456,420Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
Application60/456,427Us provisional application · filed 21 Mar 2003
US 7,023,268 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.