TPA2000D4
STEREO 2-W CLASS-D AUDIO POWER AMPLIFIER
WITH STEREO HP AMPLIFIER
SLOS337 – DECEMBER 2000
22
POST OFFICE BOX 655303
DALLAS, TEXAS 75265
APPLICATION INFORMATION
input capacitor, CI for HP amplifier
In the typical application, an input capacitor, CI, is required to allow the amplifier to bias the input signal to the
proper dc level for optimum operation. In this case, CI and RI form a high-pass filter with the corner frequency
determined in equation 11.
(11)
fc +
1
2
pR
I
C
I
The value of CI is important to consider, as it directly affects the bass (low frequency) performance of the circuit.
Consider the example where RI is 20 k and the specification calls for a flat bass response down to 20 Hz.
Equation 4 is reconfigured as equation 12.
(12)
C
I +
1
2
pR
I fc
In this example, CI is 0.40 F, so one would likely choose a value in the range of 0.47 F to 1 F. A further
consideration for this capacitor is the leakage path from the input source through the input network (RI, CI) and
the feedback resistor (RF) to the load. This leakage current creates a dc offset voltage at the input to the amplifier
that reduces useful headroom, especially in high-gain applications (>10). For this reason a low-leakage
tantalum or ceramic capacitor is the best choice. When polarized capacitors are used, the positive side of the
capacitor should face the amplifier input in most applications, as the dc level there is held at VDD/4, which is
likely higher than the source dc level. It is important to confirm the capacitor polarity in the application.
output coupling capacitor, CC for HP amplifier
In the typical single-supply single-ended (SE) configuration, an output coupling capacitor (CC) is required to
block the dc bias at the output of the amplifier, thus preventing dc currents in the load. As with the input coupling
capacitor, the output coupling capacitor and impedance of the load form a high-pass filter governed by
equation 13.
(13)
fc +
1
2
pR
L CC
The main disadvantage, from a performance standpoint, is that the typically small load impedances drive the
low-frequency corner higher. Large values of CC are required to pass low frequencies into the load. Consider
the example where a CC of 68 F is chosen and loads vary from 32 to 47 k. Table 2 summarizes the
frequency response characteristics of each configuration.
Table 2. Common Load Impedances vs Low Frequency Output Characteristics in SE Mode
RL
CC
Lowest Frequency
32
68
F
73 Hz
10,000
68
F
0.23 Hz
47,000
68
F
0.05 Hz
As Table 2 indicates, headphone response is adequate and drive into line level inputs (a home stereo for
example) is very good.