SLAA701B October   2016  – June 2026 TAS5342A , TAS5342LA , TAS5352 , TAS5630B , TPA3220 , TPA3221 , TPA3251 , TPA3255 , TPA3255-Q1

 

  1.   1
  2.   Trademarks
  3.   Abstract
  4. 1LC Filter Design
    1. 1.1 Class-D Output Configurations
      1. 1.1.1 Bridged-Tied Load (BTL)
      2. 1.1.2 Parallel Bridge-Tied Load (PBTL)
      3. 1.1.3 Single-Ended (SE)
    2. 1.2 Class-D Modulation Schemes
      1. 1.2.1 AD (Traditional) Modulation
      2. 1.2.2 BD Modulation
    3. 1.3 Class-D Output LC Filter
      1. 1.3.1 Output LC Filter Frequency Response Properties
      2. 1.3.2 Class-D BTL Output LC Filter Topologies
      3. 1.3.3 Single-Ended Filter Calculations
      4. 1.3.4 Type-1 Filter Analysis
        1. 1.3.4.1 Type-1 Frequency Response Example
      5. 1.3.5 Type-2 Filter Analysis
        1. 1.3.5.1 Type-2 Frequency Response Example
      6. 1.3.6 Hybrid Filter for AD Modulation
        1. 1.3.6.1 Hybrid Filter Frequency Response Example
      7. 1.3.7 AD Modulation With Type-1 or Type-2 Filters
      8. 1.3.8 LC Filter Quick Selection Guide
    4. 1.4 Inductor Selection for High-Performance Class-D Audio
      1. 1.4.1 Inductor Linearity
      2. 1.4.2 Ripple Current
        1. 1.4.2.1 Calculating Ripple Current for a Single-Supply Class-D Amplifier
      3. 1.4.3 Minimum Inductance
      4. 1.4.4 Core Loss
      5. 1.4.5 DC Resistance (DCR)
      6. 1.4.6 Inductor Study With the TPA3251 Device
        1. 1.4.6.1 Results
        2. 1.4.6.2 Conclusion
    5. 1.5 Capacitor Considerations
      1. 1.5.1 Class-D Output Voltage Overview
        1. 1.5.1.1 Ripple Voltage
        2. 1.5.1.2 37
      2. 1.5.2 Capacitor Ratings and Specifications
        1. 1.5.2.1 Maximum Voltage or Rated DC Voltage
        2. 1.5.2.2 ESR and Dissipation Factor
        3. 1.5.2.3 Maximum Temperature Rise (Rated AC Voltage and AC Current)
        4. 1.5.2.4 Pulse Rise Time (dv/dt) or Peak Current (Ipeak)
      3. 1.5.3 Capacitor Types
        1. 1.5.3.1 Selecting a Capacitor Type
        2. 1.5.3.2 Metalized Film Capacitors
          1. 1.5.3.2.1 AC Voltage or Current Rating
          2. 1.5.3.2.2 Temperature Coefficient
        3. 1.5.3.3 Ceramic Capacitors
          1. 1.5.3.3.1 Size
          2. 1.5.3.3.2 DC Bias Voltage
          3. 1.5.3.3.3 Temperature Coefficient
          4. 1.5.3.3.4 Reliability
    6. 1.6 Related Collateral
  5. 2Reference
  6. 3Reference
  7. 4Revision History

1.4.3 Minimum Inductance

Some amplifiers require minimum inductance on the output. This specification is important to keep the amplifier reliable during an overcurrent (OC) event.

If the output of a BTL amplifier is accidently shorted to ground without an inductor, the output current immediately increases up to a very high level as the PWM output signal transitions from low to high. Due to the time delay for typical OC protection to respond, the output current during this event can exceed the allowable limit and failure of the output stage is possible.

With an inductor, the rate of change in output current during a shorted output event is limited by the inductance. Therefore, the OC protection circuitry can respond before the current exceeds damaging levels.

Example

Assume there is an output short to ground on the TPA3251 device. During this event, the load side of the LC filter is at ground potential, not PVDD / 2 as normal. Therefore, the voltage across the inductor is the full PVDD supply voltage when the PWM output of the amplifier transitions high.

From the TPA3251 175-W Stereo, 350-W MONO PurePath™ HD Analog-Input Power Stage Datasheet, the specified minimum inductance is 5 µH. The response time of the OC current protection is 150 ns. With a nominal supply voltage of 36 V, then the maximum rise in current before the OC protection is enabled can be calculated.

Equation 13.

Due to the 5-µH inductance on the output, the maximum rise in current is 1.08 A.

By bounding the rise in current, the amplifier is protected from severe current during an output short event.