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f
c(lowpass) +
1
2p R
F CF
(7)
Input Capacitor, CI
f
c(highpass) +
1
2p R
I
C
I
(8)
C
I +
1
2p R
I fc
(9)
POWER SUPPLY DECOUPLING CS
MIDRAIL BYPASS CAPACITOR, CB
1
C
B
25 k
v
1
C
I RI
(10)
TPA4860
SLOS164B – SEPTEMBER 1996 – REVISED JUNE 2004
For example, if RF is 100 k and CF is 5 pF, then fc is 318 kHz, which is well outside of the audio range.
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 8.
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 10 k and the specification calls for a flat bass response down to 40 Hz.
Equation 8 is reconfigured as Equation 9.
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. 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/2, which is likely
higher that the source dc level. Note that it is important to confirm the capacitor polarity in the application.
The TPA4860 is a high-performance CMOS audio amplifier that requires adequate power supply decoupling to
ensure the output total harmonic distortion (THD) is as low as possible. Power supply decoupling also prevents
oscillations for long lead lengths between the amplifier and the speaker. The optimum decoupling is achieved by
using two capacitors of different types that target different types of noise on the power supply leads. For higher
frequency transients, spikes, or digital hash on the line, a good low equivalent-series-resistance (ESR) ceramic
capacitor, typically 0.1 F placed as close as possible to the device VDD lead, works best. For filtering
lower-frequency noise signals, a larger aluminum electrolytic capacitor of 10 F or greater placed near the power
amplifier is recommended.
The midrail bypass capacitor, CB, serves several important functions. During start-up or recovery from shutdown
mode, CB determines the rate at which the amplifier starts up. This helps to push the start-up pop noise into the
subaudible range (so low it cannot be heard). The second function is to reduce noise produced by the power
supply caused by coupling into the output drive signal. This noise is from the midrail generation circuit internal to
the amplifier. The capacitor is fed from a 25-k
source inside the amplifier. To keep the start-up pop as low as
possible, the relationship shown in Equation 10 should be maintained.
As an example, consider a circuit where CB is 0.1 F, CI is 0.22 F and RI is 10 k. Inserting these values into
the Equation 9, we get: 400
≤ 454 which satisfies the rule. Recommended value for bypass capacitor C
B is
0.1-F to 1-F ceramic or tantalum low-ESR for the best THD and noise performance.
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