Power Chipsets Enable Highly Efficient Class D Amplifiers

The new IRCS-Series power semiconductor chipsets are optimized for the new Crystal CS44210 TrueDigital Class D power amplifier controller IC from Cirrus Logic Inc. The chipsets, which includes the IRCS8101 and IRCS8102 HEXFET power MOSFETs and IRCS8001 gate driver IC, work with the Cirrus Logic power amplifier controller IC to boost consumer and professional audio amplifier efficiency from the industry norm of approximately 50% to 90% or better, it is claimed. This breakthrough efficiency improvement allows designers to shrink the size of audio amplifiers by as much as a factor of four. The digital Class D amplifiers powered with the company's devices are said to deliver greater signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, less total harmonic distortion (THD), wider dynamic range and better frequency response, resulting in higher quality sound. Applications for Class D amplifiers range from battery-powered portable audio products to high-end professional amplifiers and musical instruments, including car and home audio systems. Pricing for the IRCS8001 gate driver IC is $3.55 each/10,000, for the IRCS8101, $1.08 each, and for the IRCS8102, $1.45 each. INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER, El Segundo, CA. (310) 252-7019.