Audio amp TDA7498E can drive low impedance speakers at high current

STMicroelectronics has introduced analog class-D audio amplifier which allows 320W of total output power - 160W on each channel - on an area of 100 mm2. This amp is targeted for home and professional sound systems and active-speaker applications. TDA7498E offers high-current capability and cans drive speakers with impedance of 2 or 3 ohms.

TDA7498E features built-in suppression of pop/click noises, standby and mute functionality, and balanced input for best TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) noise rejection. The device embeds smart current protection, which recognizes when the speaker requires a peak of current for a specific frequency range and automatically prevents any interruptions in the sound flow.

The TDA7498E amplifier offers flexible audio-system configuration, in both stereo and mono modes, and also includes the mono parallel feature for driving the subwoofer/woofer channel in 2.1 sound set-ups. The device exhibits a signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB and provides four selectable, fixed-gain settings at 23.8dB, 29.8dB, 33.3dB and 35.8dB.

ST's TDA7498E dual-BTL (Bridge Tied Load) class-D audio amplifier with a single power supply is sampling now and volume production is scheduled for February 2012, with unit pricing at $6 for volumes in the range of 1,000 pieces.