Silicon Labs class D amplifier brings affordable fidelity to consumer audio

AUSTIN, USA: Silicon Laboratories Inc. has introduced the industry’s first 5 Watt stereo Class D amplifier that effectively mitigates electromagnetic interference (EMI), bringing affordable fidelity to consumer audio electronics.

The first member of Silicon Labs’ Class D amplifier family, the new Si270x amplifier is ideal for use in a wide range of price- and noise-sensitive consumer audio products including smart phone docking stations, tabletop radios, TV sound bars and monitors, boom boxes and battery-powered radios.

For years, consumer audio engineers have wanted to replace power-hungry analog Class A/B amplifiers with power-efficient digital Class D technology. Until now, two issues have impeded the adoption of Class D amplifiers: the high EMI emissions inherent to traditional Class D solutions, which interfere with AM/FM radio and smart phone operation, and the high cost of adding expensive filtering and shielding for EMI regulatory compliance.

While other Class D suppliers have attempted some level of EMI protection, Silicon Labs’ Si270x changes the shape of the audio amplifier market with power-efficient Class D technology that substantially suppresses EMI emissions for operation with radios using inexpensive filters.

“With its groundbreaking EMI mitigation technology, Silicon Labs has solved difficult Class D technical challenges for which no other semiconductor company appears to be developing an effective solution,” said Susie Inouye, research director and principal analyst at Databeans.

“Silicon Labs’ new audio amplifier product combines a novel Class D implementation with sophisticated digital audio processing to enable cost-effective digital system designs for the growing consumer audio market. Silicon Labs has entered this market with a new product family that will greatly impact the consumer’s experience with digital audio.”

According to Databeans, the Class D amplifier market is expected to reach $347 million this year and is projected to grow 11 percent CAGR over the next five years, well over the industry average for the audio market.