Using a new synchronization scheme for a multi-channel class-D amplifier

A method of processing a plurality of input signals for a multi-channel class-D amplifier comprising a plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules, wherein the method comprises:

• generating synchronization information comprising information for switching frequencies, processing offsets and a coded synchronization signal comprising coded portions;
• providing each class-D amplifier channel module of the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules with a corresponding input signal from the plurality of input signals and the synchronization information;
• employing switching frequencies for each class-D amplifier channel module of the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules;
• generating a sync signal for a corresponding class-D amplifier channel module of the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules upon recognition of the occurrence of an assigned coded signal;
• and
• processing the corresponding input signals at each of the class-D amplifier channel modules of the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules according to the synch signal to produce corresponding output signals, wherein the switching frequencies are substantially similar to one another and the processing of the plurality of input signals is offset in time across the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules according to the processing offsets.

A multi-channel class-D amplifier comprising:

• a signal source that provides a plurality of input signals and generates synchronization information;
• and
• a plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules, each class-D amplifier channel module of the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules having a synchronization module that is configured to synchronize processing a corresponding input signal from the plurality of input signals according to the synchronization information to produce a corresponding output signal,
• wherein the synchronization information comprises information for switching frequencies and processing offsets and a coded synchronization signal having coded portions,
• wherein the synchronization modules are configured to identify a corresponding coded portion in the coded synchronization signal that indicates that the class-D amplifier channel module that corresponds to the synchronization module is to start processing the corresponding input signal,
• wherein the coded portions of the coded synchronization signal are produced using M series random coding and each synchronization module comprises a phase-lock loop based oscillator to identify the coded portion associated with a particular M series random code, and
• wherein the switching frequencies employed by the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules are substantially similar to one another and the processing of the plurality of input signals is offset in time across the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules.

A method of processing a plurality of input signals for a multi-channel class-D amplifier comprising a plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules, wherein the method comprises:

• generating synchronization information comprising information for switching frequencies and processing offsets and a coded synchronization signal having coded portions that are produced using M series random coding;
• providing each class-D amplifier channel module of the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules with a corresponding input signal from the plurality of input signals and the synchronization information;
• using a phase-lock loop based oscillator to identify the coded portion associated with a particular M series random code in the coded synchronization signal that indicates that a corresponding class-D amplifier channel module is to start processing the corresponding input signal;
• employing switching frequencies specified in the synchronization information for each class-D amplifier channel module of the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules;
• and
• processing the corresponding input signals at each of the class-D amplifier channel modules according to the synchronization information to produce corresponding output signals,
• wherein the switching frequencies are substantially similar to one another and the processing of the plurality of input signals is offset in time across the plurality of class-D amplifier channel modules.