Simulation and Construction of a Half-Bridge Class D Audio Amplifier

Sammanfattning: Usage of class D audio amplifiers has become increasingly widespread in recent years, mainly due to their high efficiency, which can reach almost 100 %. Class D amplifiers can also be compact, making them suitable for mobile applications. In contrast, the most efficient conventional amplifiers such as class B can reach a maximum efficiency of 78.5 %. The high efficiency of class D amplifiers can be attributed to the switching stage, which in the case of a half-bridge design consists of two amplifying MOSFETs. These MOSFETs are never on at the same time, which minimizes the quiescent current and thereby the power losses. The goal of this project was to design, simulate and construct a half-bridge class D audio amplifier. A working amplifier with 80 % efficiency was built, with power losses occuring mainly in the voltage regulators. Simulations of the amplifier corresponded well with the constructed amplifier apart from issues originating from the aforementioned voltage regulation as well as the triangle wave generator. The goal of the project was achieved and the finished amplifier possessed good sound quality and little unwanted noise. To further improve on the design, better voltage regulation, a full-bridge configuration and a feedback loop could be utilized.