M
The voltage coefficient of the capacitor, the change
in capacitance due to a change in the voltage
across the capacitor, distorts the audio signal. At
frequencies around the -3dB point, the reactance of
the capacitor dominates, and the voltage coefficient
appears as frequency-dependent distortion. Figure
4 shows the THD+N introduced by two different
capacitor dielectrics. Note that around the -3dB
point, THD+N increases dramatically.
The combination of low-frequency attenuation and fre-
quency-dependent distortion compromises audio
reproduction. DirectDrive improves low-frequency
reproduction in portable audio equipment that empha-
sizes low-frequency effects such as multimedia laptops
and MP3, CD, and DVD players.
Charge Pump
The MAX9720 features a low-noise charge pump. The
320kHz switching frequency is well beyond the audio
range, and does not interfere with the audio signals.
The switch drivers feature a controlled switching speed
that minimizes noise generated by turn-on and turn-off
transients. Limiting the switching speed of the charge
pump minimizes the di/dt noise caused by the parasitic
bond wire and trace inductance. Although not typically
required, additional high-frequency ripple attenuation
can be achieved by increasing the size of C2 (see
Typical Application Circuit
).
SmartSense
The SmartSense feature detects a short on either out-
put and automatically reconfigures the MAX9720 for
optimum power savings. If an output short circuit is
detected during the SmartSense routine, the shorted
channel is disabled,
ALERT
is asserted, and the device
is set to mono mode (assuming the other channel is not
shorted). SmartSense works by applying an inaudible
3μs test voltage pulse to the load. The resulting current
from the test pulse and load is sensed. If the load
impedance is less than 4
, the output is determined to
be a short.
50mW, DirectDrive, Stereo Headphone
Amplifier with SmartSense and Shutdown
12
______________________________________________________________________________________
HEADPHONE DRIVER
MICROPHONE
AMPLIFIER
MICROPHONE
AMPLIFIER
OUTPUT
AUDIO
INPUT
AUDIO
INPUT
MICROPHONE
BIAS
MAX9720
Figure 2. Earbud Speaker/Microphone Combination Headset
Configuration
0
-30
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
LOW-FREQUENCY ROLLOFF
(R
L
= 16
)
-24
-27
-12
-15
-18
-21
-6
-9
-3
FREQUENCY (Hz)
A
DirectDrive
330
μ
F
220
μ
F
100
μ
F
33
μ
F
Figure 3. Low-Frequency Attenuation of Common DC-Blocking
Capacitor Values
ADDITIONAL THD+N DUE
TO DC-BLOCKING CAPACITORS
FREQUENCY (Hz)
T
10k
1k
100
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
0.0001
10
100k
TANTALUM
ALUM/ELEC
Figure 4. Distortion Contributed by DC-Blocking Capacitors