MAX9736
Mono/Stereo High-Power Class D Amplifier
14
______________________________________________________________________________________
Detailed Description
The MAX9736A/B/D filterless, stereo Class D audio
power amplifiers offer Class AB performance and Class
D efficiency with minimal board space. The MAX9736A
outputs 2x15W in stereo mode and 30W in mono mode.
The MAX9736B/D output 2x6W in stereo mode and 12W
in mono mode. These devices operate from an 8V to
28V supply range.
The MAX9736 features a filterless, spread-spectrum
switching mode (MOD = high) or a classic PWM fixed-
frequency switching mode (MOD = low).
The MAX9736 features externally set gain and a low-
power shutdown mode that reduces supply current to
less than 1A. Comprehensive click-and-pop circuitry
minimizes noise into and out of shutdown or mute.
Operating Modes
Filterless Modulation/PWM Modulation
The MAX9736 features two output modulation schemes,
filterless modulation (MOD = high) or classic PWM (MOD
= low). Maxim’s unique, filterless modulation scheme
eliminates the LC filter required by traditional Class D
amplifiers, reducing component count, conserving
board space, and reducing system cost. Configure for
classic PWM output when using a full LC filter.
Click-and-pop protection does not apply when the out-
put is switching between modulation schemes. To
maintain click-and-pop protection when switching
between output schemes the device must enter shut-
down mode and be configured to the new output
scheme before the startup sequence is finished.
Spread-Spectrum Mode
The MAX9736 features a unique spread-spectrum mode
that flattens the wideband spectral components, improv-
ing EMI radiated by the speaker and cables. The
switching frequency of the Class D amplifier varies ran-
domly by ±6kHz around the 300kHz center frequency.
Instead of a large amount of spectral energy present at
multiples of the switching frequency, the energy is
spread over a bandwidth that increases with frequency.
Above a few megahertz, the wideband spectrum looks
like white noise for EMI purposes. A proprietary amplifier
topology ensures this white noise does not corrupt the
noise floor in the audio bandwidth. The spread-spec-
trum mode is enabled only with filterless modulation.
Efficiency
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 switches
and consume negligible power. Power loss associated
with the Class D output stage is due to the I2R loss of
the MOSFET on-resistance, various switching losses,
and quiescent current overhead.
The theoretical best efficiency of a linear amplifier is 78%
at peak output power. Under typical music reproduction
levels, the efficiency falls below 30%, whereas the
MAX9736 exhibits > 80% efficiency under the same con-
ditions (Figure 1).
Shutdown
The MAX9736 features a shutdown mode that reduces
power consumption and extends battery life in portable
applications. The shutdown mode reduces supply cur-
rent to 1A (typ). Drive
SHDN high for normal opera-
tion. Drive
SHDN low to place the device in low-power
shutdown mode. In shutdown mode, the outputs are
high impedance; and the common-mode voltage at the
output decays to zero. In shutdown mode, connect
REGEN low to minimize current consumption.
Mute Function
The MAX9736 features a clickless-and-popless mute
mode. When the device is muted, the signal is attenuat-
ed at the speaker and the outputs stop switching. To
mute the MAX9736, drive
MUTE low. Hold MUTE low
during system power-up and power-down to ensure
that clicks and pops caused by circuits before the
MAX9736 are suppressed.
EFFICIENCY
vs. TOTAL OUTPUT POWER
MAX9736
fig01
TOTAL OUTPUT POWER (W)
EFFICIENCY
(%)
15
10
5
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0
020
MAX9736A
CLASS AB
Figure 1. MAX9736A Efficiency vs. Class AB Efficiency