Component Selection
Input Coupling Capacitors (CIN_)
The AC-coupling capacitors (CIN_) and input resistors
(RIN_) form highpass filters that remove any DC bias from
an input signal (see the
Typical Application Circuit/
Functional Diagram). CIN_ blocks the input signal source
from appearing at the amplifier outputs. The -3dB point of
the highpass filter, assuming zero source impedance due
to the input signal source, is given by:
Ceramic speakers generally perform best at frequen-
cies greater than 1kHz. To reduce low-frequency dis-
tortion that may be added by the ceramic speakers
low-frequency response, select a CIN such that the
f-3dB closely matches the low-frequency response of
the ceramic speaker. Use capacitors with low-voltage
coefficient dielectrics. Aluminum electrolytic, tantalum,
or film dielectric capacitors are good choices for AC-
coupling capacitors. Capacitors with high-voltage coef-
ficients, such as ceramics (non-C0G dielectrics), can
result in increased distortion at low frequencies.
Boost Converter Output Capacitor Selection (C1)
The total output voltage ripple has two components: the
capacitive ripple caused by the charging and
discharging of the output capacitance, and the voltage
drop across the capacitor’s ESR caused by the current
into and out of the capacitor. The worst-case voltage
ripple is:
where IL_RIPPLE is the inductor ripple current. For
ceramic capacitors, the output voltage ripple is typically
dominated by VVSS_RIPPLE(C). The voltage rating and
temperature characteristics of the output capacitor must
also be considered. Note that all ceramic capacitors
typically have large temperature coefficients and bias
voltage coefficients. The actual capacitor value in the
circuit is typically significantly less than the stated value.
Input Filter Capacitor (C2)
The input capacitor reduces the current peaks drawn
from the input supply and reduces noise injection into
the IC. A 10μF ceramic capacitor is recommended for
the
Typical Applications Circuit/Functional Diagram
because of the high-source impedance seen in typical
lab setups. Actual applications usually have much
lower source impedance since the step-up regulator
often runs directly from a battery. Typically, the input
capacitance can be reduced below 10μF.
Boost Flying Capacitor (C3)
A bootstrap circuit that uses an external flying capaci-
tor between LX and BST provides the supply voltage
for the internal n-channel MOSFET driver. A 0.1μF or
larger ceramic capacitor provides sufficient current for
the internal MOSFET driver supply.
Inductor Selection
The MAX9738 operates with a standard 2.2μH inductor
for the entire range of supply voltages and load cur-
rents. The inductor must have a saturation (incremen-
tal) current (ISAT) rating greater than the peak switching
current. Choose an inductor that has a higher ISAT rat-
ing than the given FET Current Limit (Transient) specifi-
cation in the
Electrical Characteristics table.
Temperature characteristics of the inductor’s saturation
current must also be considered.
VV
V
I
2C
V
VI
R
I
V
1
VSS_RIPPLE
VSS_RIPPLE(C)
VSS_RIPPLE(ESR)
VSS_RIPPLE(C)
L_RIPPLE2
SS
VSS_RIPPLE(ESR)
L_RIPPLE(ESR)
ESR
L_RIPPLE
BAT
=+
=
×
××
×
=×
L
t
and
where
L
t
FON
1
f dB
Hz
=
××
()
3
1
2R
C
IN
π
MAX9738
16VP-P Class G Amplifier with
Inverting Boost Converter
______________________________________________________________________________________
11
MAX9738
OUT+
RL
OUT-
CLASS G
OUTPUT
STAGE
Figure 3. Driving a Ceramic Speaker