A “Smooth” Class-D audio amplifier for Low/High Power

Class-D audio amplifiers are widely used in many audio systems. Nowadays, in VR and smart glasses, low-power class-D audio amplifiers are highly demanded since these systems are battery-powered, and therefore, low power is highly critical. On the other hand, the volume demand is increasing to produce loud enough sound in noisy environment, and so the class-D audio amplifier needs to output higher power.

One method to balance the two requirements is to use a so-called “Y-bridge” where a low supply rail is used for lower sound while a high supply rail is used for higher sound. The amplifier therefore has to switch between the two rails. Doing so may introduce “pop” or “click” noise, that is highly undesirable.

The Project Goal:

In this project, we will explore ways to allow the amplifier “smoothly” glide between these two modes while achieving low power consumption at the same time.

Assignment

Tasks:

Literature Review: Complete a comprehensive literature review on low-power Class-D audio amplifiers.

Architecture Exploration: Propose you own methods to allow a “smooth” operation between two supply rails.

Circuit Implementation: Make a concept-proof schematic design.

Verification: Perform extensive post-layout simulations to ensure robustness against process variations (PVT).

Tapeout : If the design meets performance criteria, the student will be supported through the chip fabrication process.

Requirements

You are an ambitious master student with good analog circuit design knowledge and high motivation. You should have obtained good grades from the following courses: Measurement and instrumentation, Analog circuit design fundamentals, CMOS I/II, Power conversion in CMOS technology.

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Last modified: 2026-02-04