
MAX9875
Low RF Susceptibility, Mono Audio
Subsystem with DirectDrive Headphone Amplifier
______________________________________________________________________________________
17
Volume Control and Mute
The MAX9875 features three volume control registers
(see Table 4) allowing independent volume control of
mono speaker and stereo headphone amplifier outputs.
Each volume control register has 31 steps providing 0 to
75dB (typ) of attenuation and a mute function.
Class D Speaker Amplifier
The MAX9875 integrates a filterless Class D amplifier
that offers much higher efficiency than Class AB with-
out the typical disadvantages.
The high efficiency of a Class D amplifier is due to the
switching operation of the output stage transistors. In a
Class D amplifier, the output transistors act as current-
steering switches and consume negligible additional
power. Any power loss associated with the Class D out-
put stage is mostly due to the I2R loss of the MOSFET
on-resistance, and quiescent current overhead.
The theoretical best efficiency of a linear amplifier is
78%, however, that efficiency is only exhibited at peak
output power. Under normal operating levels (typical
music reproduction levels), efficiency falls below 30%,
whereas the MAX9875 still exhibits 70% efficiency
under the same conditions (Figure 3).
Ultra-Low EMI Filterless Output Stage
In traditional Class D amplifiers, the high dV/dt of the
rising and falling edge transitions results in increased
EMI emissions, which requires the use of external LC
filters or shielding to meet EN55022 electromagnetic-
interference (EMI) regulation standards. Limiting the
dV/dt normally results in decreased efficiency. Maxim’s
active emissions limiting circuitry actively limits the
dV/dt of the rising and falling edge transitions, provid-
ing reduced EMI emissions, while maintaining up to
87% efficiency.
In addition to active emission limiting, the MAX9875
features a spread-spectrum modulation mode that flat-
tens the wideband spectral components. Proprietary
techniques ensure that the cycle-to-cycle variation of
the switching period does not degrade audio reproduc-
tion or efficiency (see the
Typical Operating
Characteristics). Select spread-spectrum modulation
mode through the I2C interface (Table 6). In spread-
spectrum modulation mode, the switching frequency
varies randomly by ±60kHz around the center frequen-
cy (1.176MHz). The effect is to reduce the peak energy
at harmonics of the switching frequency. Above
10MHz, the wideband spectrum looks like white noise
for EMI purposes (see Figure 4).
Speaker Current Limit
Most applications will not enter current limit unless the
output is short circuited or connected incorrectly.
When the output current of the speaker amplifier
exceeds the current limit (1.5A, typ) the MAX9875 dis-
ables the outputs for approximately 250s. At the end of
250s, the outputs are re-enabled, if the fault condition
still exists, the MAX9875 will continue to disable and re-
enable the outputs until the fault condition is removed.
MAX9875 EFFICIENCY
vs. IDEAL CLASS EFFICIENCY
MAX9875
fig03
OUTPUT POWER (W)
EFFICIENCY
(%)
0.75
0.50
0.25
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0
1.00
MAX9875
IDEAL CLASS AB
VDD = VPVDD = 3.7V (MAX9875)
VSUPPLY = 3.7V (IDEAL CLASS AB)
Figure 3. MAX9875 Efficiency vs. Class AB Efficiency