
Application Information (Continued)
The Output Power vs Supply Voltage graph for an 8
load
indicates a minimum supply voltage of 4.6V. This is easily
met by the commonly used 5V supply voltage. The additional
voltage creates the benefit of headroom, allowing the
LM4836 to produce peak output power in excess of 1W
without clipping or other audible distortion. The choice of
supply voltage must also not create a situation that violates
of maximum power dissipation as explained above in the
Power Dissipation section.
After satisfying the LM4836’s power dissipation require-
ments, the minimum differential gain needed to achieve 1W
dissipation in an 8
load is found using Equation (13).
(13)
Thus, a minimum gain of 2.83 allows the LM4836’s to reach
full output swing and maintain low noise and THD+N perfor-
mance. For this example, let A
VD =3.
The amplifier’s overall gain is set using the input (R
i) and
feedback (R
i) resistors. With the desired input impedance
set at 20k
, the feedback resistor is found using Equation
(14).
R
f/Ri =AVD/2
(14)
The value of R
f is 30k
.
The last step in this design example is setting the amplifier’s
3dB frequency bandwidth. To achieve the desired ±0.25dB
pass band magnitude variation limit, the low frequency re-
sponse must extend to at least one-fifth the lower bandwidth
limit and the high frequency response must extend to at least
five times the upper bandwidth limit. The gain variation for
both response limits is 0.17dB, well within the ±0.25dB
desired limit. The results are an
f
L = 100Hz/5 = 20Hz
(15)
and an
f
H = 20kHzx5= 100kHz
(16)
As mentioned in the Selecting Proper External Compo-
nents section, R
i and Ci create a highpass filter that sets the
amplifier’s lower bandpass frequency limit. Find the coupling
capacitor’s value using Equation (17).
C
i
≥ 1/(2πR
ifL)
(17)
The result is
1/(2
π*20k*20Hz) = 0.397F
(18)
Use a 0.39F capacitor, the closest standard value.
The product of the desired high frequency cutoff (100kHz in
this example) and the differential gain A
VD, determines the
upper passband response limit. With A
VD = 3 and fH =
100kHz, the closed-loop gain bandwidth product (GBWP) is
300kHz. This is less than the LM4836’s 3.5MHz GBWP. With
this margin, the amplifier can be used in designs that require
more differential gain while avoiding performance,restricting
bandwidth limitations.
RECOMMENDED PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD LAYOUT
Figures 4 through 8 show the recommended four-layer PC
board layout that is optimized for the 8-pin LQ-packaged
LM4836 and associated external components. This circuit is
designed for use with an external 5V supply and 4
speak-
ers.
This circuit board is easy to use. Apply 5V and ground to the
board’s V
DD
and GND pads, respectively. Connect 4
speakers between the board’s OUTA and +OUTA and
OUTB and +OUTB pads.
LM4836
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