Fairchild's boosted class-D amplifier helps mobile device designers achieve loud and clear sound while extending battery life

SAN JOSE, USA: Longer battery life and high efficiency, driven by consumer demand for loud and clear speaker sound, are two of the challenges designers face when “Making Small Speakers Sound Louder and Better” in their mobile device designs.

Fairchild Semiconductor, a leading global supplier of high performance power and mobile products, building on its growing portfolio of leading audio IP solutions, a world-class supply chain, and its recognized leadership as a value-added supplier to mobile device manufacturers, developed the FAB3103 2.3 watt class-D audio amplifier with integrated boost regulator and battery automatic gain control (AGC).

Suitable for use in mobile handsets, smart phones, and tablets, as well as portable media players, the FAB3103 has an integrated boost regulator that allows for high audio output power over a power supply range of 2.5V to 5.2V from a 3.6V Li-Ion battery.

At low power output, the device’s boost regulator automatically shuts down for greater efficiency and lower quiescent current consumption, resulting in longer battery runtime. The FAB3103 audio amplifier also features battery automatic gain control (AGC) that reduces gain when the power supply voltage is low in order to limit maximum power consumption, reducing distortion and preventing early device shutdown.

Available in a 12-bump, WL-CSP, the FAB3103 device also offers several protection features including short circuit protection, low voltage shutdown, and click and pop suppression. Additionally, the low EMI design of the device allows for filterless operation with high noise rejection using differential audio inputs, improving sound quality.