Typical Performance Characteristics
(Continued)
Maximum Duty Cycle
vs Temperature - ”X”
R
DS
(ON)
vs Temperature
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R
(ON)
vs V
DD
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Application Information
BRIDGE CONFIGURATION EXPLANATION
The Audio Amplifier portion of the LM4805 has two internal
amplifiers allowing different amplifier configurations. The first
amplifier’s gain is externally configurable, whereas the sec-
ond amplifier is internally fixed in a unity-gain, inverting
configuration. The closed-loop gain of the first amplifier is set
by selecting the ratio of Rf to Ri while the second amplifier’s
gain is fixed by the two internal 20k
resistors. Figure 1
shows that the output of amplifier one serves as the input to
amplifier two. This results in both amplifiers producing sig-
nals identical in magnitude, but out of phase by 180. Con-
sequently, the differential gain for the Audio Amplifier is
A
VD
= 2 *(Rf/Ri)
By driving the load differentially through outputs VO1 and
VO2, an amplifier configuration commonly referred to as
“bridged mode” is established. Bridged mode operation is
different from the classic single-ended amplifier configura-
tion where one side of the load is connected to ground.
A bridge amplifier design has a few distinct advantages over
the single-ended configuration. It provides differential drive
to the load, thus doubling the output swing for a specified
supply voltage. Four times the output power is possible as
compared to a single-ended amplifier under the same con-
ditions. This increase in attainable output power assumes
that the amplifier is not current limited or clipped. In order to
choose an amplifier’s closed-loop gain without causing ex-
cessive clipping, please refer to the
Audio Power Amplifier
Design
section.
The bridge configuration also creates a second advantage
over single-ended amplifiers. Since the differential outputs,
VO1 and VO2, are biased at half-supply, no net DC voltage
exists across the load. This eliminates the need for an output
coupling capacitor which is required in a single supply,
single-ended amplifier configuration. Without an output cou-
pling capacitor, the half-supply bias across the load would
result in both increased internal IC power dissipation and
also possible loudspeaker damage.
AMPLIFIER POWER DISSIPATION
Power dissipation is a major concern when designing a
successful amplifier, whether the amplifier is bridged or
single-ended. A direct consequence of the increased power
delivered to the load by a bridge amplifier is an increase in
internal power dissipation. Since the amplifier portion of the
LM4805 has two operational amplifiers, the maximum inter-
L
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